The Story Of Catch The Fire London:

Catch The Fire London began in September 2009 after a number of encounters and prophetic insights, most significantly a vision that God gave John Arnott. In this vision, John was in an elevated view of the city of London, UK, at night time and he could see fires all over the city. The Lord started talking to him about planting a church in London and he quickly shared that vision with his wife, Carol, Duncan & Kate Smith, and Steve & Sandra Long. They all agreed that this was the Lord, and they committed to seeing the vision come to pass. 

Fast forward to September 2009, and the church started in Wembley, under the leadership of Stuart & Chloe Glassborow. The church quickly grew, and moved to Preston Manor High School, and then the Ark Academy in Wembley. During this time the church became known as a place of encounter, with many people travelling to attend services, conferences, trainings and events. 

The team grew, and the church grew, with many people encountering God’s transforming presence with healings, signs, prophetic ministry and empowerment into their own spiritual gifting. Many were blessed through local missions as well through the work of the team and congregation. 

In 2020, with the arrival of the global pandemic, the church moved online until eventually it reemerged into public meetings, having moved location to Pinner. 

In the years following the pandemic, through a whistleblowing scenario, it came to light that sadly for many people, over many years, alongside all of the positive experiences, there were also experiences of pain and trauma. As a result, in March 2023, a safeguarding investigation was launched into the unhealthy culture propagated under the leadership of the Founding Pastors, Stuart & Chloe Glassborow, and the ongoing effects it had on peoples lives. After the completion of the investigation, sadly, in September 2023, the Glassborow’s resigned from their positions.

We are so deeply saddened and sorry that anyone was hurt in their time at CTF London.

In February 2024, a formal statement was released by Catch The Fire London regarding Stuart & Chloe Glassborow and the safeguarding investigation into their leadership, if you wish to read it you can do so by clicking HERE.

From September 2023 to August 2024, the church continued, stabilising after a time of turmoil, but still seeing people encounter God and meet with Him, whilst growing in community and pouring into the local mission field. Over this time, the new leaders, Dan & Ashley Davison, with support from the Smith’s, the Long’s and prophetic voices and church strategists, made the weighty decision that it was time to close the church, Catch The Fire London, in order to rebirth the blueprint given by God to John Arnott all those years ago, Catch The Fire in London. 

Catch The Fire is committed to growing healthy churches with healthy leaders, who represent Christ to the world, and work to see the nations filled with churches walking in God’s love and giving it away until the whole world knows God’s glory. 

Published September 2024