• 140 - 146 SPRINGFIELD ROAD
• ST ALBANS
• CHRISTCHURCH
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In the beginning...

Pastors Dennis and Barbara are known for their legacy of faith, investment and commitment to the work of God on this earth.  Many, many lives have been impacted for Jesus because of the ministry and faithfulness of this powerful couple.

Pastors Dennis & Barbara Barton moved from England to NZ with their daughters, Linda and Denise, in 1967, initially Pastoring in the small community of Tuakau. At that time they also ministered in a powerful move of God in Hamilton, witnessing many healings and miracles.

In 1971, Dennis and Barbara were invited to take up the pastorate of the Sydenham AOG Church in Christchurch. The early 1970’s saw God’s revival power at work throughout NZ and worldwide. In Christchurch, this move saw hundreds of hippies, surfers, students and bikers respond to God’s love. Dennis and Barbara were already familiar with God’s sovereign power in action and, along with their daughters, Linda and Denise, worked tirelessly with these new converts to establish them in faith, seeing hundreds of lives transformed and many healings and miracles occurring.

However, the upheaval that goes with revival is demanding and often uncomfortable,  and some established members of the congregation could not accommodate the cultural shift. Consequently, some congregation members were unable to accept the change that was required for this shift.  As a result, Dennis and Barbara stepped down from their role as the Pastors of the AOG Church. Sadly, this signalled the slowing down and ultimately the end of the revival in Christchurch at that time.

In 1973, Pastors Dennis and Barbara felt called to pioneer a new church in Christchurch, which they called Family Centre. The church met initially in what was then the Caledonian Hall,  before purchasing a premises in Bealey Avenue and ultimately moving to the current location at 140 Springfield Rd, St Albans.  

In 1982, David and Denise Cooper joined them as Assistant Pastors. Ten years later, in 1992, through a powerful encounter, God gave the church new vision and a new direction.  At that time the church was given a new name; Beulah (Isaiah 62:4 -‘married to the Lord’).

A new season begins 

In 2010, Pastor Dennis transferred the leadership of the church to Pastors David and Denise. They carry the DNA of the church established through Pastor Dennis and Barbara’s ministry - the experience of God’s power at work and the faith to see greater levels of healing and miracles.

Pastors David and Denise are committed to impacting, inspiring and equipping a new generation of people to see the empowerment of God, both in individual lives and with new community outreach initiatives. With a new name for a new season, Empower Church continues to honour the legacy begun by Pastors’ Dennis and Barbara, while exploring new and dynamic ways to be relevant and effective in a 21st Century world.