DNA Networks is a church planting initiative, which began in 2001. From an Alpha course with students at Colchester sixth form college and ministry with international students at Essex University, DNA has developed into a vibrant community of faith.
Background
Beginning in Colchester, DNA Networks emerged when Janie and David Beales returned from Australia to live in England. Having been granted a Licence by the Bishop of Chelmsford, they prayer-walked the walls of Colchester virtually every weekday in the year 2000.
Spring-up
They then discovered that people seemed to spring up with a passion to connect faith in Jesus to particular networks – sixth formers, international students, workers in the town centre and families with pre-schoolers.
A team formed and a network-based, servant style of evangelism began. A community of faith was born. There was evidence of the movement of the Kingdom of God, leading people to faith, serving the poor, activating godly vision, transforming lives and bringing hope.
If the core of a church is two or three people meeting in the name of Jesus, then countless DNA-type churches have emerged over the last 10 years. Some were temporary until participants dispersed elsewhere; many continue. And this movement has spread from Colchester to East Anglia, Europe, Asia and Australia; there is no global organisation, rather an informal network of friends on mission.
A worship community
The hope is that you will capture the vision and will join in, helping the Spirit of God to create ‘open community centred on Jesus’ through participation in mission and worship.
‘You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.’
Acts 1:8