We plan to see:
1. A contemporary, cutting edge church, where the gospel will be central to
all we do, and where Jesus will hold centre stage.
2. A church where its people will be low on religion but big on relationships.
3. A church where being missional is the heartbeat of all our ventures.
4. A church where those who have been 'burnt' by life's experiences can once
again be restored to full function in God's plan for their lives.
5. A Marine School established where people will be trained and equipped for
the ministry. It will carry all the hallmarks of a Year of Training School with
an emphasis on the nautical.
We Believe
We believe in one God, who exists in three Persons - the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit. He is loving, holy and just.
We believe that the Bible is God's Word. It is inspired and accurate. It is
our perfect guide in all matters of life.
We believe that sin has separated us all from God, and that only through Jesus
Christ can we be reconciled to God.
We believe that Jesus Christ is both God and Man. He was conceived by the Holy
Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He led a sinless life, took all our sins
upon Himself, died and rose again. Today, He is seated at the right hand of
the Father as our High Priest and Mediator.
We believe that salvation is the gift of God to man. This gift is effected by
grace through faith in Jesus Christ and it produces works pleasing to God.
We believe that water baptism is an outward act that demonstrates a believer's
identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
We believe that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter. He guides us in all areas
of our lives. He also blesses us with spiritual gifts and empowers us to yield
the fruit of the Spirit.
We believe that the Holy Communion is a celebration of Jesus' death and our
remembrance of Him.
We believe that God wants to transform, heal and prosper us, so that we can
live blessed and victorious lives that will impact and help others.
We believe that we are called to preach the gospel to all nations.
We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is coming back again just as He promised.
History
The Isle of Wight is well known as a boating venue, and hosts one of the biggest
yachting events known to the sailing fraternity worldwide, the Cowes Regatta.
It is here in this town that forms a gateway to the Medina River and the centre
of the Island, that The Apex Church was launched on the 19th October, 2008,
with Paul and Yvonne Ras at the helm.
The first service was held in the small, but cosy confines of Northwood House
Community Hall. The sense of togetherness was amazing as 35 believers, including
children, gathered to acknowledge and honour God. The presence of the Holy Spirit
warmly settled on hearts as they worshipped their heavenly Father. The preaching
of God's Word emphasized the fact that like Abraham who was looking for a city
whose builder and maker was God, the Apex too was embarking on a journey to
see the fulfillment of God's purpose with its people.
After five weeks a new venue had to be found to better accommodate the children's
ministry plus the folk who were 'looking in' to see what the Apex was about.
Cowes Youth & Community Centre, situated a few hundred yards from the Medina
River, now houses the Apex on Sunday mornings.
At present we are in the fledgling stages of our development, but as present
experience becomes history, we pray that it will make exciting reading. May
it reveal the mighty hand of God in operation, bringing His Kingdom into being,
and revealing His will being done on earth as it is in heaven.
Leadership
Paul and Yvonne Ras
Paul & Yvonne began their ministry in South Africa in 1977 after completing
3 year's of biblical studies in Rhode Island, USA. They returned to their country
of birth, Zimbabwe, in 1979, where they took up the pastorate of the church
Paul had grown up in.
God was however, to radically change their lives. 1989 was a milestone, because
this was the year in which for the first time in their lives, they visited England,
and expressly felt God say to them that this was where He wanted them.
Leaving family, friends and all that was familiar to them, they immigrated to
England. Through a series of events, they were led to pastor a fellowship on
the Isle of Wight, where they remained for the following 18 years.
After much prayer during the months of July and August, 2008, they felt God
leading them to resign their church and pioneer a new church plant. On the 19th
October, 2008, The Apex Church was launched.
They hope to see the emergence of a radical New Testament church made up of
radical people who are willing to move out of the comfort zones and mindsets
that 'normal' church has offered. They desire to see it built upon the clear
principles of the Word of God and not values that have become diffused and diluted
over time because of convenience factors. These tendencies have crippled the
Church nationally and abroad.
Furthermore, Paul and Yvonne desire are to see the reality of God's power and
to experience His manifest presence. Their honest belief is that there is a
dimension of God's power, which the church has not yet experienced. Furthermore,
they long to see the Church become salt and light in the midst of a decaying
western society.
The prayer that constantly repeats itself in their spirits is simply - 'Even
so, come to your church Lord Jesus'.
Support Group
The Apex will wait for a season before setting in Elders. In the meantime, Paul
and Yvonne will depend on two couples as a point of reference, and to help shoulder
the responsibilities of looking after The Apex. They are:
Rick and Angie Ganly
PRESENT
We moved to this beautiful Island in 2003 from Kent with our son Josh, now six years, old and Katie, now 18 (wonderful daughter, challenge to parenting skills!!!).
What brought us here was an old house on the front at Cowes we bought at auction as a business restoration project but not with the idea of moving down. That plan soon changed! It's now a thriving 'boutique style' Bed and Breakfast serving the visiting yachties and business people. We love Island life!
We also started 'the Pinktoolbox Co.' here three years ago making real tools for women. It surprisingly won the national Gift of the Year award and is now sold in many countries along with other new products in the range. One day we hope to get some income from it!
It is here at 'Oakhill', the meeting house, that we have our get togethers, prayer times and many socials!
PAST
Following years of travelling, mostly by small boat and having had a profound encounter with God at sea in a Pacific storm, (long story), I met Angie in Australia. After more travel and a few rocky moments, we eventually married and lived near Biggin Hill in Kent.
It was at Biggin Hill Christian Fellowship, a New Frontiers Church that we saw a vibrant functioning church in action! Over 13 years we were in a Church that worked! i.e. excellent hospitality, real life, real friendships, real tears at times, regular baptisms, lots of eating and doing fun things together, planting out other churches and growing under great biblical teaching and knowing the presence of the holy spirit. Leaving there was not easy!
FUTURE
The draw of sea, sailing and temperate climate obviously prevailed! The prospect of building a New Testament church here on the Island is both a challenge and yet presents an exciting adventure. When Paul asked if we would help him plant a new Church there was no hesitation, (well yes there was some!) It is good to have help and oversight from New Frontiers, visiting and helping us in these early days. It really does feel we are not alone or isolated as we build together.
Part of the our Apex Church vision is seeing 'Celtic Mist', a kindly donated 56' motor yacht being used to give men the opportunity to build friendship, experience sailing and enjoy time on it while putting some of the skills acquired years ago into good use.
We both have a desire to see people encounter Jesus today and know they have purpose for their life.
Mike and Jill Groves
Mike loves the Island where he was born, adopted and bred. He married Jill from
Coventry after a holiday romance in the 60's. They have 3 grownup children and
3 grandchildren.
Mike became a Christian in the 70's, an answered prayer for Jill. During this
time they were profoundly impacted by the Holy Spirit who brought the reality
of Jesus and the Word of God alive, making it relevant for everyday living. Jill had an Elim upbringing. She has worked in Special Needs Education for over 25 years and delights in their grandchildren. Jill believes passionately in corporate prayer, believing it is the life blood of the local church.
They've served a church in Cowes for over 30 years.
Mike began his working life as an apprentice in a local shipyard, before moving to electronics where he managed a department. He left the aircraft
industry in 2001 and is currently helping his son in law based in Sydney, Australia,
market his lecterns to churches in the UK and Europe. These can be seen at www.procson.co.uk
Mike enjoys sport, especially football and Dire Straits music.
The Groves caught Paul and Yvonne's vision believing it to be God inspired and directed. Mike and Jill are passionate to see the Kingdom of God established in precious individuals, biblical truths taught changing lives and seeing people enjoy relevant worship as they find a brand new purpose, experience restoration and being valued.
They share The Apex beliefs and purpose wanting to support Paul and Yvonne all they can to bring the Kingdom of God on Isle of Wight.