* Disclaimer: The following was written BEFORE the purchase of Chartwell was finalised. So some wording will be out-of-date. Consider these just the beginning of the story…
Around 2006, shortly before we met, Christy began sensing a strong sense of calling to Western Europe, specifically the UK, and even more specifically, to develop some sort of property or physical space that she would steward for the Kingdom and leverage for ministry. She knew that this dream the Lord had planted would most likely not come to fruition in the near future, but she held it lightly and moved forward with the first step of accepting the Lord’s invitation overseas.
Fast forward 17 years, and we find ourselves in a position we couldn’t have anticipated or dreamed up all those years ago.
Danny unexpectedly assumed the role of Novo UK director in 2018, and since then has been walking with the Lord on a journey of growing and deepening Novo’s work in the UK and Western Europe. We’ve seen God rebuild Novo UK’s foundations, priming the organization for strategic growth and fruitful expansion. He’s been clarifying and realigning the vision for Novo UK with His, and we are now seeing significant momentum as we empower new disciple makers, launch new teams, and actively pursue collaboration with like-minded people and organizations in order to see God movements break out across Europe.
Novo UK is a community of disciple makers who activate followers of Jesus to ignite God movements. We seek out, build relationship with, disciple, train, and empower Christ followers to make disciples in their own communities and spheres of influence. We introduce people far from God to Jesus and help them make disciples. And the numbers are growing. We are at a cusp of expansion, and see the strategic benefit of actually owning and stewarding a physical place where we can disciple, train, empower, and launch Christ followers. We are ready to become literal stakeholders in Europe – to reclaim a piece of land for the Kingdom and use it to ignite a movement.
We must say, as well, that we don’t want to put God in a box or limit what He wants to do with this property. We truly believe that God desires to do more than training and discipling in this space; He wants to encounter His children in new and powerful ways. Above all – and in it all – we desire to obey Him. He’s led us into this adventure, and we are stepping forward in faith. Thank you for joining us on the journey!
Early 2020, we (especially Christy) began sensing something “special” about the property next door to the house we were renting on the outskirts of Oxford, England. Over the last four years, the Lord has fanned a flame in our hearts to reclaim this property for the Kingdom. This desire has coincided with the development of a sweet and deep friendship with our neighbours – the owners of the property – Dave and Peggy.
Dave built their house with his own hands, and planted every flower, shrub, and tree on their three-and-a-half acres of land. Sadly, Peggy passed away this last Christmas at ninety years old. We’ve grieved alongside Dave as he mourns the loss of his life partner. And we continue to press forward in loving and ministering to Dave, in the faith that God will draw him to Himself. He doesn’t know Jesus – yet – and that discovery is our greatest desire for him.
In the midst of these last months of grieving and transition, Dave has offered to sell us his property. He would love for our family to take over what he dreamed and built. We can see how God has orchestrated the timing and details of this opportunity, and how this will be so much more than simply a home for our family. And now we are stepping forward in faith, trusting He will provide the financial means to make this dream a reality.
