Soon after the start of our meetings the Lord through prophecy, and other confirmations, showed me that He wanted me to pastor the church.
He also told us to baptise new believers “in the river near your dwelling”, which we do!
We moved out of the house into the Scout Headquarters for a time, briefly at Ponden Mill, and Bronte Middle School, but now we meet at West Lane Methodist Church, Haworth.
Our vision is to save as many people as possible from the kingdom of darkness and to bring them into the Kingdom of light, and by the power of the Holy Spirit to lead people into all truth, so that they may have an abundant life, and give glory to God.
Soon after the Lord Jesus gave us the acronym FERN, He also gave us through Avril, the vision that, just as people come to Haworth to see and experience wherethe Bronte family lived, so people would come to Haworth to find and experience Jesus as Saviour and miracle worker in their lives. He has also told us through Avril that this is a strategic work for Him.
We have been instrumental in planting two Churches in the Seychelles, (a group of islands in the Indian Ocean). These churches are growing rapidly with many signsand wonders.
We have assisted The Church of the Power of Jesus Christ which is in Kenya, with visits, teaching and finance.
The Lord also gave us the vision that Christians from other Churches will come to FERN from time to time to receive encouragement from Him, and will then take back that Holy Spirit fire to their own Churches.
FERN gives financial support to Christian evangelical organisations and independent preachers. Why We Are Called FERN.
At a prayer meeting brother Barry Dorricott, saw a vision of a fern branch, and the Lord told him that just as the fern leaves branched out again and again, so this church would branch out likewise. The Lord also told him the word FERN stands for Free from Earthly and Religious Notions.
There are many earthly notions in the world today. Many believe that by simply doing good things, and not being too bad, they will attain heaven. God says not so. Only by repenting from our sins and receiving Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour,do we receive the free gift of eternal life. We cannot earn it through our own goodworks. (Titus 3 vs 5. Eph 2 vs 8)
There are many religious notions. Some think by performing religious rites, i.e. being christened, baptised, attending church or, bowing to a cross, for instance, will earn them the right to everlasting life. The Bible clearly tells us it is not by our own works, (righteousness), but only by being born again of the Spirit of God, do we receive everlasting life. (John 3 vs 3-8. 1Peter 1 vs 23)
Another religious notion is that God sends or allows sickness and misery into the lives of His children, perhaps to teach them something! They believe this, even though Jesus Christ healed everyone who came to Him for healing, never once turning anyone away. Jesus says it is Satan, mankind's enemy who robs us of health and happiness, He, Jesus, came to give us health and happiness. (John 10 vs 10). The Holy Spirit gave us the name FERN because He saw we are free from all earthly and religious notions.
