Our Vision - The Castle Vision

The following account was first given in a men's meeting for prayer and fasting on July 23rd 1983 and is an illustration of what God is doing, and going to do, in and through His church in Potton.

There was once a king who was very powerful and ruled the whole of a large empire. However his subjects were tricked into rebelling against him by a tyrant who took control over large parts of the king's empire.

The tyrant not only rebelled against the king and became his sworn enemy but also oppressed the people, continuing to keep them hungry and in need, and so confused the people that they thought it was the king's fault or simply that he did not care. The king however did care and began a systematic campaign to win back control of his land and rescue his people. He began to assemble armies of dedicated soldiers who would go into enemy controlled territory and set up headquarters and staging points from which to continue war against the enemy.

Whenever one of these staging points became established the king set about building a castle. At first the castle was just a small tower, but where the soldiers worked hard and obeyed his every command the castle very soon became very extensive. In fact it soon grew to be the structure that was performing the very particular purposes of the king. The castle was large enough to house a full time garrison of soldiers, some of whom guarded the walls and towers.

Others were part of special commando troops who went out from time to time into enemy territory to rescue towns and villages from the grip of the tyrant. Whenever the people became afraid of the enemy's activities they could always flee to the castle for safety and help. Not only soldiers lived in the castle but all manner of other experts as well. Experts in providing food, in healing illness and disability, experts in family affairs, and career guidance. Whatever the problem might be there was sure to be someone at the castle who could provide an answer. From time to time, armies visited the castle on their journey from one part of the kingdom to the other.

They were made welcome, were fed, restored and given fresh provisions before moving on. During their stay they shared the news of what the king was achieving in other parts of his kingdom and took with them the news of the king's work around the castle. The castle was large and its towers were high. The light from these towers shone a long way at night so that whether it was night or day the castle could be seen from a long way off.

Peter Crouch

Founding Pastor  (1991 - 2004)

We still hold to this vision and we are seeking to establish the reign of God in this community through the work of Potton Vineyard Church.

The castle being built is to not only provide a safe place for those seeking shelter but also to heal, refresh  and equip people for God's service in order to spread the good news of the kingdom of God throughout  the area.

Jim Burke

Pastor  2005-present