‘I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.’
(1 Corinthians 3:6)
‘For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.’
(1 Corinthians 3:9)
The story of how Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Friendly Churches has come about is a living example of what Saint Paul meant when he wrote those words. Rev’d Martin Burrell gives a brief account of our history.
For many years an ecumenical network of Christians met together in London to share the work they were each doing with Gypsies and Travellers across the UK. Regular ‘Road Shows’ were taken across the country to open people’s eyes and ears to what God was doing in these communities. After a time, the group was renamed “The Churches Network for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma” in recognition of the growing number of Roma who had arrived in the UK from Eastern Europe.
Thanks to the energy of Dr Elizabeth Henry, the issues faced by GTR was brought to the attention of the General Synod of the Church of England (see the photo in the gallery!)
During the lockdowns, the CNGTR grew to 200 and we put our training webinars online. When the vision to create “GRT Friendly Churches” was born, we agreed unanimously to change our name to this.
