Open and welcoming
We would be delighted to have you visit us on Sundays. In our meetings, we encourage all our members to be warm and welcoming. We don’t discriminate based on your past or present circumstances. The only thing neccessary is being honest about your current spiritual need. All of us in the meeting are encouraged to pray short prayers publically without fear of what others may think or say about them.
A Balance of Word and Fellowship
We aim to keep the main meeting crisp and focused (90 minutes), so it gives us enough time to have informal fellowship, which we think is important. Most of us live outside of London, from as far as Kettering, Reading and Basildon and we cannot meet during the week, thus we would like to make the maximum use of the time on Sundays. The main meeting is a good mix of well written and wholesome choruses and songs, plus the main message given by Bro. Zac Poonen in the form a recorded video which is played, thus, keeing a balance of fellowship with a strong emphasis on the Word of God. The testimony time is generally open to everyone (i.e. all committed members) providing an opportunity for both brothers and sisters to testify.
Practical Discipleship
Unlike elsewhere, in our church, the main emphasis is on practical discipleship in everyday life. We believe Lord Jesus came to this earth to save us from sin, in other words, to give us a life empowered by the Holy Spirit to live pure and holy lives, having victory over all sins that we have light on. We encourage humility and in being open to receive help from others.
One Body in Christ
Many of our us come from diverse backgrounds, spanning several nationalities and continents. We believe in being a local expression of the Body of Christ, which is inclusive of all nationalities, tougues and cultures. All of us speak English.
No Tithes and Offerings Taken in Meetings
One of the liberating things about our meetings is that we do not take tithes and offerings in our meetings. We believe God loves a cheerful giver, anything given under compulsion and manipulation is contrary to the teachings of our Lord Jesus.
Fasting and Prayer
When a month has five Sundays, we keep aside the last extra Sunday for the purpose of fasting and prayer. We don’t force anyone to fast but we encourage all to skip a meal and pray for their own spiritual needs and those of their families and the church.
Modesty
There is no specific dress code, you can come in your casuals but please make sure you are modest and presentable. Sisters are encouraged to cover their heads during the service in obedience to the Word of God.
Facilities for Mothers
We are in the process of setting up a special area where mothers with small children can follow the meeting without disturbing. Since we recently moved to the Orchardside facility and are still ironing out many issues such as Wifi, we will be able to offer this facility in the near future. For now, you can bring your baby into the main meeting and you can take them out only if they are unconsolable or continuously crying. We are more than happy to help you in whatever way possible, so please ask one of us.