A Brief History of Chesapeake Church International
More than once since the establishment of Chesapeake Church International (CCI), we have prayed from Isaiah 43:5-6, where God speaks of bringing people from the east, west, north and south for restoration following judgment, scattering, and captivity. Interestingly, the Lord used the same “four winds” origins in forming the seedbed from which CCI has emerged.
Our history is one of God’s grace and sovereignty, as four couples came together to form the church’s initial core group. Of the four, Quinton and Michele Vangraan came the farthest geographically, starting in South Africa, then coming to Leesburg, Virginia in 1997 by way of Los Angeles (“the west”), where they spent more than three years in training (at Southlands Church and in “the school of the Spirit”). In the natural, Quinton came to Loudoun County in relation to his work, but God was directing. The seeds of church planting were already germinating in the Van Graans’ hearts as a direct calling from the Lord. The question for them was when and where.
George Taylor, a “Yankee” from New York (“the north”), moved here with his wife, Patsy, primarily due to the influence of Jay Ripley, whom he had known for more than 20 years, since Jay and Barbara were an engaged couple in their church in Maryland. Originally from the Baltimore area (“the east”), Jay and Barbara had moved to Leesburg in connection with business. Jay renewed friendship with George, a former pastor in the Maryland church, and invited him to participate in a church in Leesburg of which Jay had been the co-founder some two years earlier. The three couples were united in friendship (before “function” was even thought of), as Vangraans were led to the same Leesburg church.
Jim Cryer is originally from Louisiana (“the south”), and with his wife Bonnie, came to join us after examining the New Covenant Ministries International (NCMI) “wineskin” and becoming convinced it was a biblical model in which he could fellowship with full faith and integrity. Jim and George were friends and in ministry together more than 30 years ago. Jim was Jay’s pastor and married him and Barbara in 1979 in the same church in Maryland.
Early in 2002, the Vangraans and Taylors knew they had been joined for church planting. They solidified their bonds by spending time together and meeting for worship, prayer, and Bible study. Jim and Jay were led to join the local exploratory team, and the four men held a now-historical overnight retreat on April 30-May 1, 2002. During this time, they prayed, shared testimonies, and concluded that God had joined them to see a church planted in Leesburg. All four were able to attend the Los Angeles Leadership Training Time (LTT) in June, along with Patsy and Michele, at which time Quinton introduced us to Ken and Michelle Grenfell.
We knew of the deep ties between the Grenfells and Vangraans, as Ken had been Quinton and Michele’s pastor in Johannesburg prior to their move to Los Angeles. We who were “looking in” at that point were delighted to meet the Grenfells and our hearts were quickly knit to theirs. We had no idea then that God was orchestrating the union that would bring Ken and Michelle to America and specifically to Leesburg for Ken to serve as our pastor and visionary leader. During the LTT week, God also confirmed that we were to explore a permanent relationship with the NCMI international apostolic team. We learned there was nothing to “join” but that our intention would be honored and supported.
Three final links bring our history up to date. First, God had spoken into Ken and Michelle’s life and ministry that they would experience change in 2002 and be led out to a new field, subsequently narrowed down to a conviction that they would move to the US. The Grenfells visited us following the LTT, and we knew that our lives were to be entwined and that we were to invite them to come to us in a full-time leadership role. Ken made another visit to us so that we could confirm a solid and unshakable conviction to walk together in covenantal integrity in a bond of unity and peace. When he left, no one harbored any doubt. Ken and Michelle’s faith has been an example and is to be commended before the Lord, as they have left homeland and family to cast their lot with our small group. As a confirmation, every detail of their securing proper visas went through without a hitch. God is in control!
Link two is to note how God has led others into the church. Having done as yet no advertising, we are now a “family” of some 40 or more people representing at least six countries of origin, including Africa, Asia and South America. This is among our goals and values, and we thank Father God for our racial, ethnic, and national diversity.
A third confirmation is seen in how clearly we have been led by divine providence. From humble beginnings as a small home group, we moved to a hotel meeting room in January 2003. Now, once again, the Lord has led us to enlarge our venue into the local high school, where we have room to grow and to host regional training times for some years hence or until He gives us a permanent location. Truly, the lines have fallen to us in pleasant places, and the hand of our God is upon us for good!
