History of the Congregation of Yahweh

The history of the Congregation of Yahweh in the UK, as it is today, had its origins in a small, upper room in the bustling market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire and in the heart of an ardent young preacher who was tireless in his pursuit of biblical truth. 

A Reluctant Beginning

In February 1945 Yahweh apprehended a young, atheistic airman while he was on active service in the land of Palestine (Israel, today), turning his life upside down and changing everything forever. By the time he returned home in 1947 he had a well-established hunger for the things of the Spirit.

For a time, Peter Warsop was blessed and satisfied by fellowship with a non-denominational group in Coalville, Leicestershire, but eventually needed to find somewhere closer to home.  The search was unfruitful and so at the dawn of the 50s he, and others of like mind, rented a small, first floor room above a shop in Loughborough, and the work, as it is today, began.

The Search For Truth Begins

The 1950s were an exciting time of unfolding revelation as Peter Warsop began to minister about the Body of Christ, freedom to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the ministerial gifts laid out in Ephesians 4.  A Spirit of revelation was much in evidence within the small fellowship as there was little, if anything, being taught about these things in the church world in the 50s.

Nottingham

In response to an urgent request from a fellow minister, Peter went to Nottingham in the late 1950s to be introduced to a Caribbean Church group whose own minister was retiring.  Another startling life-change was at hand for the Warsop family, as he was led by the Spirit of Yahweh to accept responsibility for the people.

In a relatively short time the new group was established at Hungerhill Road, Nottingham. An intense programme of evangelism ensured hundreds of people found their way through the doors of that small chapel. Many repented of their sin and were baptised by immersion in water.

A Time Of Revival

The first great change that happened wasbwhen the leadership began to baptize their people in the Name of Jesus – an unheard of departure from tradition in the early 60s!  Hundreds of people benefited from this type of immersion, however, and Water Baptism services were a regular part of the life of the church, drawing in huge crowds of people.

Understanding about Israel, the teaching about the Olive Tree, and a growing awareness of the Hebraic roots of our faith poured into eager hearts. Teaching about the place of the Nation of Israel in Yahweh’s ongoing purposes set hearts on fire. 

1966 brought a revelation about Covenant and the fact that it was possible for men and women to have an acknowledged covenant relationship with Yahweh in the present time.

A complementary ministry of music grew up under this teaching and songwriters helped to capture the truth in song; worship leaders, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, sealing it into the hearts of the people, bringing glory to Yahweh.

At the same time, the heavenly Father impressed upon Elder Warsop to ‘take young people to train and teach them how to work’. A Ministers’ Training Home at 18 Baker Street, Nottingham, was born out of this instruction. Young men and women flocked to be a part of what was happening there.

Printing & Publishing

The Print Department was opened in the early 60’s as a small operation in a converted dining room in Elder Warsop’s home.  It was run by his daughter, Valerie; she was compiler, editor, typesetter, plate maker and printer!  A foundation was laid there for all the future printing and publishing needs of the Congregation. 

Covenant House

A query regarding the church’s responsibility towards widows and orphans, which found its way into the ‘Question Box’ in the late 60s, threw a huge challenge at the feet of the leadership and the people. 

At the time there were a number of widows in the Congregation, and many single parent families crying out for help.  In response to the need, and by a series of truly amazing miracles, the building at 16 Newstead Grove, Nottingham was acquired.  It was not long before the lovely home was operative, with a nursery and full-time Nanny for the children.

Newstead Grove

When the deeds arrived it was discovered that the area of the garden extended beyond its obvious boundaries and actually contained sufficient room to build a much-needed, new meeting room.  The men of the congregation built the new chapel with hard work, laughter and love!  Soon after this the complex at Newstead Grove was named ‘Covenant House’, a community home with a meeting place at its heart, a place which became a blueprint for a community structure up and down the country. 

A Time Of Restoration

The first service in the new meeting room took place while the walls were still unplastered and the floor still powdery with concrete dust. One of the songwriters, who had been discussing the sacred Name with an inspired Elder Warsop, began, at that meeting, to sing ‘Praise be to Yahweh, and Yahshua, His Son…’ as the Spirit quickened him. Soon the entire gathering had their hearts set on fire as they witnessed to the truth in the song.  The following day, at a Bank Holiday Monday Convention in Aylesbury, Bucks, Elder Warsop preached a dynamic sermon about God’s personal, sacred Name. At that instance The Congregation of Yahweh was launched into its decade of restoration.

Following this was the restoration of the Seventh-Day Sabbath and the Feasts of Yahweh, quickly followed by Sanctification. The music took an upward swing towards a purity and concentration of worship that was as awe-inspiring as it was expressive. 

Missionary Work

The Overseas Department has been in operation since the 60s, as the Congregation responded to the many thousands of people who contacted us, and as we explored the possibilities of establishing international fellowships.

The congregations in Jamaica came into fellowship as missionary churches at the beginning of the 70s; those in Kenya  and Malawi in the 90s. 

A Time Of Consolidation

The 1980s were a time of consolidation as men and women who had heard the teaching of Elder Warsop for many years began to mature into gifts of leadership and administration. 

The decade of the 90s saw the Nottingham congregation once more on the move. A building on Carlton Road was offered to the leadership at a very reasonable price, for a centre of worship. Another series of miracles ensured that the National Congregation moved into the property, free of any debt, for the Feast of Tabernacles 1995.

21st Century

The first decade of this century has seen the establishment of a new leadership structure to take the Congregation forward into its ordained future and a new training facility founded providing high quality education for emerging ministers and disciples alike. The next few decades will see the Congregation moving forward in its quest to make disciples of all nations and to be faithful in upholding the truths it has been given, and to the call it received over 50 years ago.