The Gospel is celebrated as good news, yet its profound benefits demand significant sacrifice. While God’s abundant grace is freely given, it came at the ultimate cost—Jesus’ life.
Jesus likened His impending sacrifice at Calvary to a grain of wheat, explaining that unless it is sown and dies, it remains solitary. However, through its death, it yields an abundant harvest (John 12:24). Similarly, embracing the Kingdom requires followers to give up all they possess to gain the treasure or the pearl of great value (Matthew 13:44-46).
Though many discern and dismiss the “prosperity Gospel” as a distortion that replaces Jesus with material gain, it’s easy for modern Western Christians to inadvertently exclude hardships from their spiritual journey.
David Devenish, who succeeded Terry Virgo as the leader of Newfrontiers, once addressed senior leaders in the Global South about apostolic ministry foundations. He emphasized doctrine, mentorship, leadership development, and church planting. During this session, a participant questioned why suffering wasn’t mentioned, highlighting its integral role in New Testament believers’ lives.
Reflecting on this, Devenish recognized the significance of suffering as a core aspect of early Christian life, particularly among its leaders. The Apostle Paul shared his trials with the Corinthian church, recounting imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, and other hardships (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Yet, like Peter and John in Acts 5:41, Paul found joy in suffering for Jesus’ name, and it was amid these challenges that the early church flourished.
Today, we honor those who have devoted their lives to Jesus and His church. The stories of people like David Wilkerson, who left a comfortable life to minister to New York’s gangs, and Jackie Pullinger, who went to Hong Kong’s walled city to aid drug addicts, continue to inspire.
In 1977, I met Terry Virgo, then a young pastor in Seaford, East Sussex. At 37, Terry seemed ordinary, yet his humble dedication led Newfrontiers from a single church to a global movement of over 5,000 churches across 70 nations. His life reflects God’s grace, a testimony to what can be achieved through faith.
Terry Virgo’s unwavering commitment over decades is a testament to his faithfulness. Despite modern challenges where many leaders have faltered, Terry, now 86, continues to preach and inspire. His journey began with a leap of faith, leaving a secure job to trust in God’s provision while living in a challenging area of Brighton.
By the 1980s, Terry was steering a significant church in Brighton and nurturing a burgeoning church movement. His vision for “New Testament churches” faced skepticism, yet he persevered, advocating for churches that were theologically Reformed and charismatic, led by elders, and guided by “apostles.”
In 1981, he drew parallels between his experiences and Joseph’s biblical story, highlighting perseverance through adversity. While initially isolated in evangelical circles, Terry’s consistent ministry and humble leadership eventually gained widespread respect. His dedication resulted in hundreds of church plants and enduring influence.
Even in his later years, Terry remains active, gathering leaders to pray for revival and continuing to travel. His life’s work aims to bring about a New Testament-style church both in the UK and globally.
Like the early church, suffering remains part of the journey. While Terry downplays his sacrifices, the movement he founded has seen individuals face martyrdom, imprisonment, and marginalization. Newfrontiers’ churches now exist in some of the world’s most perilous regions for Christians.
To learn more about Terry’s life and ministry, read the new biography Building God’s House by Andy Johnston.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
