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Ruach City Church is one of the largest and fastest growing non-denominational Pentecostal Christian churches in Europe. Starting from humble beginnings, with only a handful of faithful members, the church has grown rapidly since it's inception in December 1992.

The church is known for hosting interdenominational events which have had an overwhelming success in promoting greater unity within the wider Christian church. In 2006, Ruach Ministries which was our name back then, became the 1st Charismatic Church in the UK to host a serving British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, at the ‘Power of One’ Conference, a pioneering initiative to encourage voters to register on the electoral role. Other prominent figures to cross its thresholds have been Baroness Valerie Amos, leader in the House of Lords, Rev Jesse Jackson, Ken Livingston, former Mayor of London and Boris Johnson, former  Mayor of London and current Prime Minister. Each year Ruach City Church hosts a special service, ‘Prayer for the Nation’, which is attended by officers of the Metropolitan Police, as part of their ongoing commitment to community liaison and better policing practices. This special service is also attended by political office-holders, members of Parliament and local civic officials.

In December 1996, Ruach City Church purchased its first building, a former warehouse situated in Brixton, South London which was converted to accommodate its fast growing congregation. 

In January 1998 Ruach City Church purchased its 2nd building in Birmingham UK, 169 Hunters Road.

In December 2007, Ruach City Church purchased its second location, the renowned Gaumont State Theatre in Kilburn, Northwest London. Ruach City Church has been working closely with the local council and planning to restore this historical landmark to its former glory. Not only is it a beautiful place of worship for the congregation and visitors to Ruach City Church but it will also become a unique forum for artistic and musical expression such as plays, organ recitals, etc. in the future. The aim is to see this historical landmark become an integral part of the local community once again. 

In December 2010, Ruach City Church purchased its 3rd location based in Walthamstow, East London. In March 2014, saw the realization of a 4th location in Philadelphia, USA.

In September 2011, Ruach City Church was blessed to make another purchase of 26+ acres of land in Norbury, South London. Ruach City Church has transitioned from one church to one church in many locations with over 7,000 congregants regularly attending its services each Sunday.

Ruach City Church Television Broadcast ‘Order My Steps’ can be seen worldwide on Christian cable and satellite TV with an audience of millions on The Word Network, Faith TV (Africa), Inspirational Network, Impact TV, Flow TV and Now TV, (USA).

Ruach City Church is a registered charity. Charity Number: 1046218

Awards

Ruach City Church has received numerous awards from the community including but not limited to 2003 Windrush Award “Outstanding Community Service”, 1998 Faith Academy of Christian Education “Minister of Excellence Award”, 2003 National Social Justice Champion Award for “Outstanding Commitment & Contribution to Social Action”, 2005 Lambeth Civic Award in recognition of “developing links with Brixton Police and Politicians, to improve race relations between the community and the police” and 2006 Oasis Award for Church of the Year.

BISHOP JOHN FRANCIS, THE FOUNDER

Bishop Francis is well known in the gospel community, not just locally but also worldwide. Coming from an unquestionable legacy of charismatic leaders, His father, the late Bishop T.G Francis was a leading pioneer in the establishment of black-led Pentecostal churches in the UK.

Bishop Francis is well-respected within diverse spectrums of society and his influence extends beyond his role within the Church where he is regularly consulted on community and nationwide issues and policy-making. In the past, this has involved attendance at quarterly meetings held with the former Prime Ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and other cabinet ministers at No.10 Downing Street.

In earlier years, Bishop Francis formed the Inspirational Choir who brought gospel music to a mass British public resulting in Bishop John Francis as one of the leading pioneers of gospel music in Britain. Through his influence gospel artists from the USA, Europe and in fact worldwide were introduced to the UK.

Bishop John Francis was also recognised by mainstream organisations such as Mattel Toys, Ford Cars & CBS Records, who signed John and the Inspirational Choir in the 1980’s. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, the 1983 BPI “Silver Disk Award” recognising sales in the UK of more than 250,000 copies of the STIFF single “WINGS OF A DOVE”, 1985 Capital Radio “Gospel Music Excellence Award”, 1986 Capital Radio “Gospel Music Excellence Award”, Capital Radio “Choir of the Year Award”, BBC Radio 2’s “Album of the Year” Award and 1986 BBC RADIO FESTIVAL OF GOSPEL MUSIC “UK Gospel Record of the Year Award” in recognition of the album “SWEET INSPIRATION”, the “Gospel TV Series of the Year” Award (as co-presenter of the UK’s first black gospel TV Series, ‘People Get Ready!’). Bishop John Francis together with the Inspirational Choir, were also honoured to perform in the presence of Her Majesty, the Queen, the Prince of Wales and the late Princess of Wales.

In later years, his church choir & musicians recorded the double platinum ‘Live in London’ album with Pastor Donnie McClurkin, USA which was released in 2000.

Bishop John Francis founded Flow TV, a Christian Television Station, in March 2014. Flow TV is a Christian Television Channel providing inspirational, motivational and wholesome pure family focused faith based shows with programming and entertainment on the Sky Platform. In  November 2015 Bishop Francis sold Flow TV to a South African company which renamed the channel Faith UK.

In September 2006 the USA Gospel Today Magazine listed Bishop Francis at No.5 of the Top 10 World-Class Pace Setting Pastors as one who is changing a generation and a nation.

From 2011 – 2016 Bishop Francis was listed in the Power List of Britain’s’ 100 Most Influential black people.

Bishop Francis is married. His wife Penny co-pastors the church with him. They have three daughters, Juanita, Teleisa and Charisa.