Gerald Coates (25 November 1944 – 3 April 2022) was an author, speaker, broadcaster and the founder of ''Pioneer'', a

neocharismatic The Neo-charismatic (also third-wave charismatic or hypercharismatic) movement is a movement within evangelical Protestant Christianity that is composed of a diverse range of independent churches and organizations that emphasize the post-biblical ...

evangelical Evangelicalism (), also called evangelical Christianity or evangelical Protestantism, is a worldwide Interdenominationalism, interdenominational movement within Protestantism, Protestant Christianity that affirms the centrality of being "bor ...

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

network of churches and forums, established to "develop new churches across the UK and engage in mission globally."

Work

Coates was an author, speaker and a broadcaster, in both secular and religious media. The Pioneer network he founded is a

charismatic Charisma () is a personal quality of presence or charm that compels its subjects. Scholars in sociology, political science, psychology, and management reserve the term for a type of leadership seen as extraordinary; in these fields, the term "ch ...

group of

churches. It is part of the

British New Church Movement The British New Church Movement (BNCM) is a neocharismatic evangelical Christian movement. Its origin is associated with the Charismatic Movement of the 1960s, although it both predates it and has an agenda that goes beyond it. It was originally kno ...

and can also be described as

Restorationist Restorationism (or Restitutionism or Christian primitivism) is the belief that Christianity has been or should be restored along the lines of what is known about the apostolic early church, which restorationists see as the search for a purer a ...

. He later handed over the leadership of the movement to Billy and Caroline Kennedy of New Community, Southampton. Coates himself was responsible for coining the term "New Church" to replace the more confusing former name "House Church Movement," of which he was also a founding member. Along with

Roger T. Forster Roger Thomas Forster (born March 1, 1933) is the leader of Ichthus Christian Fellowship, a neocharismatic Evangelical Christian Church that forms part of the British New Church Movement. In 1965 he married Faith Forster (1941- ) and has three chi ...

Ichthus Christian Fellowship Ichthus Christian Fellowship is a neocharismatic Christian church movement and Apostolic network based in London, United Kingdom. It is part of the British New Church Movement (BNCM) and has links with other BNCM leaders and movements, especially G ...

and Lynn Green of Youth with a Mission, he was one of the founders of

March for Jesus March for Jesus is an annual interdenominational event in which Christians march through towns and cities. History The March for Jesus began as a ''City March'' in London, United Kingdom, in 1987. It emerged from the friendship of three churc ...

. He led a church in Leatherhead called ''Engage,'' which initially met in the former Thorndike Theatre, but later gathered in Church Halls, Leatherhead. He founded and ran a series of training courses called ''Insight'', which is, in charismatic idiom, a "school of prophecy." He was the chair of the Charismatic Evangelical Round Table for 16 years, was involved with Pioneer's National Churches Forum, and CRAC (the Central Religious Advisory Council).

Reputation

P D Hocken described Coates as a "dynamic and somewhat flamboyant figure, whose insistence on the gospel of grace has sometimes produced controversy."

Karla Poewe Karla Poewe (born 1941) is an anthropologist and historian. She is the author of ten academic books and fifty peer reviewed articles in international journals. Currently Poewe is Professor Emeritus in Anthropology at the University of Calgary, C ...

noted his reputation for generosity when working with churches of other nations. Sir

Cliff Richard Sir Cliff Richard (born Harry Rodger Webb; 14 October 1940) is an Indian-born British musican, singer, producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist who holds both British and Barbadian citizenship. He has total sales of over 21.5 million s ...

said "As a Christian influencer, Gerald has been at the forefront of much of today's radical church activity, I've come to respect his opinions and initiatives, as well as his more personal counsel." Prolific author and former minister of Westminster Chapel

R. T. Kendall Robert Tillman Kendall (born July 13, 1935) is a Christian writer, speaker, and teacher who pastored Westminster Chapel for 25 years. He is author of more than 50 books, including ''Total Forgiveness''. Kendall was part of the Word, Spirit, Power t ...

described him as, "brilliant, controversial, unpredictable, lovable and quotable." Author Michael Green said, "He is a colourful troubadour in a world of grey men ...committed to Christian unity." Author and speaker J.John said, "Gerald's influence on British Christianity over the last 40 years has been extraordinary."

Personal life

He married Anona in 1967 and had three sons, two grandsons and two grand daughters. They lived in Bookham, Leatherhead, Surrey. He died on 3 April 2022 at the age of 78.

Bibliography

* ''Gerald Coates - Pioneer''. Biography Ralph Turner, (md 2016) * ''Sexual Healing'' with Nathan Ferreira (md 2013) *''Non-Religious Christianity''. (Revival Press 1998) * ''The Vision''. (Kingsway 1995) * ''Kingdom Now!'' (Kingsway 1993) * ''An Intelligent Fire'' (Eastbourne: Kingsway,1991) - an autobiography * ''Divided We Stand'' (Eastbourne: Kingsway, 1987) * ''Gerald Quotes'' (Eastbourne: Kingsway, 1984) * ''What on Earth is this Kingdom?'' Kingsway, 1983

References

External links