Freedom Centre International

Freedom Centre International is a non-denominational church headed by Dr Shadrach Ofosuware with its head office based in Upper Wickham Lane, Welling, Kent. It is part of the Evangelical Alliance. Since it was founded in 1997 it has grown from a congregation of 25 members to over 2,000 members with branch churches in the UK, USA and Ghana. In the News Shopper, Bexley it mentioned that "...The Freedom Centre International, based in Peckham, has transformed the former Mecca Bingo Hall in Upper Wickham Lane, Welling, from a vandalised wreck into a church and community building...".
History
Freedom Centre International (FCI), formerly South London Temple(SLT), was founded out of the Universal Prayer Group Ministries, an international Christian organisation registered under the Charity Commission. Its first meeting place was at the Euro Business Centre in Brixton with a membership of about 25 people. Under the guidance of its leader Dr Shadrach Ofosuware affectionately called Pastor Shadrach, it moved location to Peckham where its membership grew to over 500 in under 5 years. SLT has been visited by Harriet Harman, MP for Camberwell and Peckham under the "list of places visited" section in the Annual Report 2004. Leo Benedictus a freelance feature writer from guardian.co.uk upon a visit to the church commented that "..Charismatic and Pentecostal churches like this one do things differently, and they have flourished....". To accommodate the expansion of the church outside the South London area SLT was renamed Freedom Centre International in 2009. The new name was adopted in line with Dr Shadrach’s belief that God has given his children the liberty to prosper and to pursue their purpose in life and to bring support and stability to the community.
The church has expanded with a number of branches and membership is made up of people from different nationalities.
FCI believes in partnering with other churches and denominations to spread the message of salvation. This partnership saw FCI choir collaborate with the All Saints Church, Peckham to be featured on BBC Songs of Praise services 'Urban Hope' in February 2011.
Worship
FCI has two services on Sundays in the Peckham and Welling branches as well as a Youth Service at the Welling branch. There is a mid-week service on Wednesdays. The services demonstrate an informal form of worshipping God freely.
Social Outreach
Prison Ministry:
FCI has a Prison Ministry which is involved in visiting prisons such as Belmarsh and Dover Prison where in-mates are mentored and facilitated workshops are run for interaction and encouragement. This ministry has seen in-mates joining FCI upon release.
Youth Offending Mentoring Scheme:
There are trained mentors in the church who mentor and guide young offenders especially with those from a Christian background. Before their release, the mentors are notified and they meet up with the offenders on a one-to-one basis to build up their confidence and give them hope. They are linked to community based charities such as Pecan which offers help and relevant information to ex-offenders and ex-prisoners.
The Mayor of Bexley Council stated that "...FCI has great plans for its future in Welling, such as a youth music club, youth clubs, day health care surgery and to develop their "Well Club" which aims to build water holes for deprived communities throughout Africa. It intends to integrate and to be a part of the community in Welling. I wish them well in all of their endeavours and thank them for their hospitality and generosity....". Diana Louise Jordan interviewed Dorothy Ofosuware, co-pastor of FCI and mentioned that "...Dorothy runs a group for the young women of Peckham called Women of a Different Spirit..."
Affiliation
FCI is a member of :
*
* Transform Bexley Borough
* Evangelical Alliance
* Churches Together in Britain and Ireland

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