The History of Ellel Ministries

How it all began

The vision for Ellel Ministries was planted in the heart of its founder, Peter Horrobin, many years before the work began. In 1970 Peter was offered the vandalised remains of a 1933 Alvis sports car for £50. As a classic car enthusiast he could not refuse and immediately set about restoring it. One night, however, he discovered that the chassis was bent and that it was possibly beyond repair. It was at this point that God spoke to him and said that while Peter could straighten the chassis and rebuild the car, only God could straighten and rebuild broken lives. It was a word that would never be forgotten.

A few years later Peter received a call from someone who was trying to help a very distressed lady. When he arrived, Peter did not know how to help - everything he had learnt before seemed useless when faced with such real life issues. Through prayer, God revealed to Peter something about the lady's personal situation which was a key to unlocking the healing process in her life. As Peter returned home, God once again spoke clearly to him about how He wanted him to spend the rest of his life bringing healing to those in need and teaching others how to do likewise.

God's word was unmistakeable, and from that point on Peter prayed fervently for a biblical understanding of the healing ministry and the beginning of the work which was to become his life calling. A committed group gathered to pray regularly for the establishment of the work which was later to become Ellel Ministries.

A home for the Ministry

On 31st October 1986 Ellel Grange was acquired in a miraculous way. Nearly half a million pounds were required for the property and its contents and on the completion date, as Peter sat at his desk and totalled up the gifts and loans that were available, he could hardly believe his eyes. When he put on one side of a piece of paper everything that was needed for the purchase, together with all the expenses to date, and on the other side all the income that had been received from gifts and loans, the income exceeded the expenditure by just £6! God had worked a miracle, the building was purchased, and the work began.

Moving on

In the years since 1986 Ellel Ministries has grown rapidly in response to an increasing worldwide need. There are over 275 full-time workers, and a regular ministry team of over 350 volunteer associates. Through its centres Ellel Ministries serves the Body of Christ worldwide, providing retreats, courses, schools, church visits and conferences. At the heart of the Ministry is a desire to see the Church trained and equipped to do the works of the Kingdom.

Each centre has a warm family atmosphere and the team take very seriously the example given by Jesus when He welcomed the people, taught them about the Kingdom of God and brought healing to those in need. Each centre is a place where people may explore the truths of the healing ministry, their application for Christians today, and receive personal ministry and prayer.

How the Ministry is Run

The Christian Trust is the UK Registered Charitable Company responsible for the international work of Ellel Ministries. There are currently five Company Directors (Trustees): Peter Horrobin, Fiona Horrobin, David Cross , Jill Southern and Paul Griffin. The Executive Leadership of the whole ministry consists of the above five Company Directors, together with Anna Wood, Otto Bixler, Andy Taylor, Denise Cross, Kent Bandy, Peter Freeke, Derek Puffett and Paul Watson . Peter Horrobin is the Founder and International Director of the work. Denise Cross , Jill Southern and Anna Wood are UK Centre Directors, Peter Horrobin is the UK Regional Director. Otto Bixler is the Regional Director of the work in Eastern & Central Europe and Russia and Andy Taylor is the Director of Ellel USA. Jill Southern is the Regional Director for South East Asia and Paul Watson is Interim Regional Director for the Indian Subcontinent and Australasia. Derek Puffett is the Regional Director for Africa.

The International Leadership team of the world-wide ministry also includes the Centre Directors of the overseas centres, currently located in Africa, Australia, Canada, FSU Hungary, France, Germany, Norway, India, the Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore and the USA.

There is also an external Support and Advisory Group which encourages the Executive Leadership with prayer and Godly counsel. They meet with the Executive Leadership and also provide them with personal advice and support. The UK Support and Advisory Group currently consists of: Rev. Jim Graham, Bishop Graham Dow, and Gordon Clarke. There is also an equivalent body of people advising the team in Hungary and Eastern Europe and a wider body of international leaders and professionals from around the world who also provide regular advice and support.