Who We Are

Westgrove Gospel Chapel is an autonomous Christian congregation that gathers together, based on New Testament principles. We believe in the authority of the Scriptures, local outreach ministry, and international missionary work. Our services consist of singing, teaching from the scriptures, prayer and The Lord’s Table every Sunday. We sing contemporary worship songs and traditional hymns. Our goal is to worship God, grow in in His grace and encourage, edify and comfort one another. It is our mission to share the good news of salvation and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit with people in our neighborhoods, our country and the world at large. We welcome believers who are born again and baptised, to participate in the Lord’s Table. Others are welcome to attend as observers. We are part of the Open Brethren Assemblies, the roots of which are traced back to the Plymouth Brethren.

Following is a brief summary of the distinguishing characteristics of our gathering.

• The sacred Scriptures (Bible) are foundational to our faith and practice. (2 Tim. 3:16)
• We are non-denominational, non-sectarian and independent. (1 Cor. 1:2)
• Ours is a Christ-centered gathering. Christ is the gathering center of His people (Matt.18:20; 1Cor.1:2).
• We value the blessing of gathering together around the Lord’s Table each Sunday in worship and fellowship. (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1Co.11:26).
• At the Lord’s Table, we encourage spontaneous worship and freedom for all believers to exercise their Spirit-led participation. (1Cor.14:26-27). Men lead in worship through prayer, praise, thanksgiving, hymn, reading of Scripture, or sharing from the Word, as led by the Holy Spirit. Women worship silently. (1 Co. 14:34; 1 Tim. 2:11-12)
• We believe in the Priesthood of all believers and there is no clergy-laity distinction. (1Pet.2:5,9; Rev.1:6). All believers have the privilege and opportunity to draw near to God without the need of a human mediator.
• Although we are an independent local congregation (pattern found in the New Testament), we do encourage and practise fellowship, partnership, and cooperation with local, like-minded gatherings toward a common goal, especially of evangelism and missions.
• We encourage responsible fellowship rather than membership in the congregation.
• We do not have rules that govern Christian giving. We consider giving as an act of worship and believers give as unto the Lord. (2 Cor.8:1-6; 9:6-11; 1 Cor.16:1-2). There is no salaried ministry or solicitation of funds. Servants of Christ look to the Lord alone for support. 
• We are committed to Christian missions and follow the New Testament model of missions (Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-27). We associate with missionary service organizations that channel funds and also pass on information and news from the mission fields. Those who are called by the Lord are recognized and commended to the grace of God by the congregation. 
• The congregation is led by multiple elders whom God raises up within the gathering. It is the Holy Spirit who appoints elders and they are recognized by the oversight and the congregation. There is no human or ecclesiastical ordination to ministry (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Peter 5:1-4).