Christian Growth International

In February 1996 Rick & Bev Murrill left their home in Australia and arrived in the UK to take up roles as senior church leaders of Christian Growth Centre, Chelmsford, Essex. Since then the church has multiplied several times and in September 2006 they handed over responsibility for it to Paul and Lis Gutteridge. The year following their move saw the inception of CGI (Christian Growth international) as other churches and leaders began to seek them out for equipping and advice. CGi now covers eight churches, three of which have been planted out from Chelmsford, as well as a Leadership Institute and several independent ministries, most of whom are part of the congregation of CGI Chelmsford. They also function apostolically as they relate with other church leaders who regularly seek them out for advice and encouragement and training. CGI also holds a conference in November for leaders from across the UK. Known as the Leadership Summit, it features speakers of outstanding calibre who make unique and effective contributions to the Church in the UK.

Rick and Bev’s major call is to establish and envision leaders, plant churches and equip labourers to reach this generation. They have a fervent desire to see the Church awakened and their message is one of challenge to the UK and the world to rise again to the mission call that has been dormant in the heart of the nations for so long. Their unique combination of passion, compassion and visionary faith causes them to speak a message that brings understanding and excites an answering passion in the hearts of their hearers.

Both recognized as apostles, Rick’s mantle is that of a visionary whose longing is to see the purposes of God take precedence in the lives of all believers. His father heart is of great value and his life call as a builder of the Kingdom is highly valued by all who know him. Bev’s incisive and prophetic preaching gives a clear trumpet sound, calling an army of believers into battle. The clarity of her leadership gifting enlarges hearts, challenging and equipping them to take up the challenge of the new season. The driving passion in both of their lives is to see the establishing of the Kingdom of God in this nation and they have sold their lives to that purpose.

Their desire to speak life to the rising generation means that the call on the life of CGI is toward postmodern people, most of whom are the younger generation. They believe that God’s only answer to the pain in the world lies in the Church of Jesus Christ. Despite the picture of gloom and doom so often presented by the media about Church, it is Rick and Bev’s experience that the Church is alive and well around the world. How can it be any other way…God's doing a new thing and CGI wants to be right there with Him to see it happen.

L to R, Rick Murril, Sheena Ryan, Julie and Jeff Watson, Bev Murrill