Gerald Coates

Gerald Coates (25 November 1944 – 3 April 2022) was an author, speaker, broadcaster and the founder of Pioneer, a neocharismatic evangelical Christian network of churches and forums, established to "develop new churches across the UK and engage in mission globally."

Coates was an author, speaker and a broadcaster, in both secular and religious media.

The Pioneer network he founded is a charismatic group of evangelical churches.

It is part of the British New Church Movement and can also be described as Restorationist.

He later handed over the leadership of the movement to Billy and Caroline Kennedy of New Community, Southampton.

Coates himself was responsible for coining the term "New Church" to replace the more confusing former name "House Church Movement," of which he was also a founding member.

Along with Roger T. Forster of Ichthus Christian Fellowship and Lynn Green of Youth with a Mission, he was one of the founders of March for Jesus.

He led a church in Leatherhead called Engage, which initially met in the former Thorndike Theatre, but later gathered in Church Halls, Leatherhead.

He founded and ran a series of training courses called Insight, which is, in charismatic idiom, a "school of prophecy."

He was the chair of the Charismatic Evangelical Round Table for 16 years, was involved with Pioneer's National Churches Forum, and CRAC (the Central Religious Advisory Council).

P D Hocken described Coates as a "dynamic and somewhat flamboyant figure, whose insistence on the gospel of grace has sometimes produced controversy."

Karla Poewe noted his reputation for generosity when working with churches of other nations.

Sir Cliff Richard said "As a Christian influencer, Gerald has been at the forefront of much of today's radical church activity, I've come to respect his opinions and initiatives, as well as his more personal counsel."

Prolific author and former minister of Westminster Chapel R. T. Kendall described him as, "brilliant, controversial, unpredictable, lovable and quotable."

Author Michael Green said, "He is a colourful troubadour in a world of grey men ...committed to Christian unity."

Author and speaker J.John said, "Gerald's influence on British Christianity over the last 40 years has been extraordinary."

As of August 2023 the Pioneer Network has instigated a safeguarding review in response to a complaint made against Coates.

“The current concerns relate to approaches to ministry and pastoral practice and do not meet the threshold for referral to statutory services (e.g., the police or social care).” https://pioneer.org.uk/independent-review/

He married Anona in 1967 and had three sons, two grandsons and two grand daughters.

They lived in Bookham, Leatherhead, Surrey.

He died on 3 April 2022 at the age of 78.