Our story began when Rev Kibathi visited the UK on several occasions while attending church conferences or in transit from the USA. He saw the need for a shepherd who would relate to the difficulties the people from East Africa faced when they came to the Western countries to study or to work. There was also a need for a minister to the Presbyterians from East Africa because there were very few Presbyterian churches in England. God placed a burden on his heart that later developed into a vision.

Rev. Kibathi shared this vision with some officials of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Mission Board (PCI), the PCEA General Assembly officials and the Nairobi Central Presbytery, where he was serving then as presbytery clerk and also PCEA Eastleigh Parish Minister. The PCI graciously accepted to partner with Rev. Kibathi through the PCEA Head Office to establish a chaplaincy ministry in London.

The PCEA Nairobi Central Presbytery released him in March 2006—together with his wife, Anne Muthoni Mbugua, and three children, namely Benard Kibathi Mbugua, Samuel Kihara Mbugua, and Joy Wambui Mbugua. They were commissioned by the PCEA 18th General Assembly, which was meeting at PCEA St Andrews Church in April 2006.

They arrived in the UK on the 22nd of May 2006 and made Plaistow United Reformed Church (now Christ Church) their spiritual home and started attending church services there. The congregation’s leadership, after hearing their story and vision, also agreed to partner with them to pursue the vision. The congregation assigned Elders Reuben John, Nowel Carey, Henry and Mrs Rebecca Wairebi to assist them to make the first ‘baby’ steps needed. Rev. Jane Bezelyn, who was then the minister of Plaistow Church, was very instrumental during the initial stages.

Soon after they started the work, it became apparent that there was a need for a Sunday fellowship. This fellowship would provide a space for worship and community engagement, allowing individuals to come together in faith and support one another. As the initiative gained momentum, more members of the congregation expressed interest in participating, leading to a vibrant and growing community. With the increasing enthusiasm, various activities were organised, ranging from bible study sessions to social events, fostering stronger bonds among attendees. This nurturing environment not only strengthened individual faith but also encouraged outreach programmes that benefited the wider community. The positive impact of these outreach programmes was evident as the congregation collaborated with local charities, providing assistance to those in need. This deepened the sense of purpose within the community, inspiring many to take an active role in service and advocacy. As a result, numerous members began to volunteer regularly, dedicating their time and skills to various initiatives. This collective effort not only enhanced their personal growth but also created a ripple effect, drawing in new participants eager to contribute to the mission of compassion and support. The transformation was palpable, as the community flourished with a renewed spirit of collaboration and generosity. With each new project, relationships strengthened, fostering an environment where everyone felt valued and empowered to make a difference. One of the most memorable days was 25th June 2006, when an eight-member congregation and four children gathered to hold the first church service at the Memorial Baptist Church along Barking Road. We were honoured with the presence of the then PCEA Secretary General Rev. Samuel Murigu, who was visiting us on his way from Belfast.

We then moved to the St Matthias Anglican Church building in Canning Town, where we held a weekly Sunday worship. To God be the glory, we were able to hold Sunday worship with a congregation of about 35 members. The services were held in the afternoon, for we wanted to avoid uprooting those who were attending churches elsewhere but still wanted to be part of the PCEA fellowship. Mr and Mrs Simon Kangethe, who had served as PCEA Elders back in Kenya, later joined us and were appointed by Rev. Kibathi as the first Elders of the emerging congregation, which had taken the name PCEA UK Outreach. We began most of the church groups and observed the PCEA calendar as it was by then.

The challenges of getting a suitable place of worship to accommodate the growing membership saw us move from Canning Town to New City United Reformed Church on Coronation Road, Plaistow, in January 2007. Regardless, the congregation was still growing, and by this time membership had reached 60. These comprised both those who were members of PCEA and those from other denominations.

In January 2009, we moved to another church building belonging to Plaistow United Reformed Church which had closed, known as Brickfields, and located near Stratford town. The congregation started district fellowships to enable it to reach all at the grassroots. By then the congregation had reached 180 adults while at Brickfields, and so the minister and the existing elders decided to add to the number of elders. Rev. Kibathi therefore ordained two more Elders in 2009. We moved from Brickfields in September 2013 because the premise was put on sale and went to St Matthew's Church, an Anglican church building which was just nearby. In 2016, due to the growing numbers and the need to minister effectively to the children and the youth, we moved to Memorial Community Church near Canning Town. From this congregation, three other cogrations/Parishes have been planted. These are: Luton, Reading and Birmingham. Our prayer is that God will open doors for us to acquire premises where we will be able to offer more to our members and the communities around us.