About us

We are a local church working within Great Tarpots in Benfleet, Essex. The locality is part of a larger area within Castle Point in South Essex. We meet in the Appleton School Drama Studio situated on Croft Road, Benfleet.

The church began in January 1995 under the oversight of The River Church, formerly The Elim Way Fellowship, Canning Town, London E13. Our friendship with the leaders of the church, Rev. Roger Grassham (and the late Rev. John Barr) is very important the life of this church. We make ourselves accountable to The River Church and its leaders for spiritual and practical oversight. We are also accountable to the Charity Commissioners, as The Kings Church Tarpots Trust, for financial propriety.

The Leaders

Chris and Diana Jones have lived and worked in Benfleet for over 25 years and have been involved in local church life for all of that time. Chris has worked with several local groups including supporting a local children's home, as a governor of a local primary school, and trustee of a local charity,.

'Our desire is to see folk enjoying wellbeing in all aspects of life and encouraged so that each can stand on their own feet in God and function in the church.'  They want to see each person growing in their spiritual and physical life and have the confidence and assurance to be secure and to find fulfillment within a safe environment. Friendship characterises the Church, because the Christian walk is about relationship. 'Our desire is to see relationships flourish in the home, within the church and within the community.' Chris is a trustee of the Kings Church Tarpots Trust, and The River Church Centre Trust.

Deacons

Sue Robertson is an administrator for a city banking family. She is the church treasurer and administrator. She has faithfully and ably looked after the church finances since the beginning. She is married and has two grown up children and two grandchildren. Sue is a trustee of the Kings Church Tarpots Trust.

James Savage is married to Mary and has three grown up children. James is a nurse working with with elderly patients.

Bob Towler is a postman and award winning limousine owner. He has two grown up children, you can read about Bob and his late wife, Trish, on the 'Listen to the people' link.

The Church

'Church, but not as you know it.'

There are many things about church life that maybe you cannot relate to; our desire is to establish a church community life which is true to the Christian faith and doctrine but is also accessible to anyone who wants to find God and live a Christian life in today's world. We are just ordinary people many of whom did not grow up in the church, but have found God later in life.

We have close links with all of the local churches, meeting with them regularly and working with them in the community. Additionally we have established and maintain links with churches in America, Holland and Uganda.

KCT  looks to support groups with a similar heart for people and so give regularly to the following national and international organisations.

Working locally in this area:

Back 2 School Ministries, a local schools ministry

The River Church, a growing church in east London, formerly Elim Way Fellowship

Working nationally and internationally:

Steve and Willy Smith; YWAM/ Impact World Tour, based in Holland

David Abbott; Children's worker based in St. Austell, Cornwall.

Bev Howell, SIM working in Kenya.