Our Vision

We believe that it is Gods' will to build a large outward looking church in Gravesham, one that is; Strong in membership, Growing in maturity, Dynamic in ministry, Dedicated to mission , and Awesome in worship. With Gods' help we will achieve these goals.


Meet Our Team 

Our Leadership 

Graeme Baldwin - Elder + Pastor

 Stephen Ojo - Elder

Bruna Willing - Elder + Youth Pastor

 
Our Trustees

Yinka Tomori

Tessy Ojo CBE

Ruth Lindsay

Femi Lakeru

City Praise Centre was formed in 1959 under the leadership of Pastor Stanley Bennett. Beginning life as a small group of friends meeting in a pair of houses on the Lower Higham Road, it found its spiritual roots in the fires of the healing revival epitomised by the ministries of Smith Wigglesworth and others. Chalk Pentecostal Church, as it was then know, met in one house whilst the Sunday school met in the other. They soon outgrow both of these premises...

The original church hall was constructed debt free in 1973 on the site of the original houses, providing some much needed 'growing space'.  By the mid 1990's Pastor Bennett was looking to retire due to failing heath and in 1997 Pastor Tom Griffiths moved from Margate, were he had been serving as a youth pastor, to assume the overall leadership of the church. The staff team grow and in 2015 Graeme Baldwin was asked to step up from the his role as the Childrens' Pastor, a position he had fulfilled for 16 years, to be part of the Eldership and serve as Associate Pastor. At the start of 2020 Pastor Tom Griffiths moved on and a restructure of the eldership took place. Graeme continued to lead the church as Associate Pastor whilst we sought a new Pastor. 

Over the last 20 years or so, CPC (known as City Praise Centre) has grown to about 350 regulars. Whilst seeking a suitable home, we have held our morning meetings in the Gravesend Boys Grammar school, the Woodville Halls for a decade, before moving to the Warehouse here at the Maltings in 2018. This very site was part of the original grounds claimed by Pastor Bennett and the early pioneers of this church - God has provided! 

In 2021 the Trustees approached Graeme to consider taking on the responsibility of Pastor in the formal capacity, having led the church through 2 tumultuous years.  After much discussion, prayer, and consideration Graeme received God's direction to accept this new role, whilst away on silent retreat, and formally was installed as Pastor in October 2021.

Our fantastic ministry leaders form the backbone of CPC, taking the vision and direction of the church and 'making it happen' as they lead their teams to bless our community and congregation.

Keren Ojo + Tammy Sonubi - leaders of the YA (Young Adults)