Sam and Charlie
ASSOCIATE STORIES
Church planting in Vauxhall
In September 2018 Sam and Charlie, along with a team of 18 adults and four children, planted Hope Church Vauxhall. The church was launched in partnership with London City Mission, FIEC, Co-Mission and the Globe Church. Sam is the senior pastor.
They love Vauxhall, and planted Hope Church in the heart of the Vauxhall Gardens Estate so that they might see Jesus transform the hearts of the people. London City Mission have been working on the socially and ethnically diverse estate – which consists of 28 blocks of flats and 3,000 residents – for 50 years. The area faces many challenges, including unemployment, knife crime, drug addiction, mental health issues, and poverty.
Since they planted the church, it has grown to over 50 adults and 25 children. In everything they do they aim to be accessible to the diverse range of people living on the estate. This includes translating services into Spanish and rap catechisms to enable people to learn Bible truths through hip-hop! Outreach activities, run in partnership with London City Mission, include football for kids and adults, a toddler group, breakfast and lunch clubs, and youth groups. The Hope Church family engage as much as possible in local community life, spending time at the pub, eating pizza after football, anything to build friendships with residents.
Sam and Charlie knew that it was essential for them to embed themselves in the heart of the community. Initially, the church rented accommodation for them, but with sky-high rental costs, this was not a sustainable option for the long-term – or not without redirecting a considerable amount of church funds that could otherwise be spend on serving the community.
In December 2020, Sam and Charlie became Mission Housing shared owners, and moved into their new home. This was possible because four people and one Trust lent Mission Housing money.
It was just in time to be able to conduct a carol concert in a small square on the estate where they had just moved to, with many joining in singing and hearing of the hope of Jesus from their balconies and walkways on the surrounding blocks.
“Hope Church has had a big impact on my life. It is my new family and I love going there. Without the Hope, I would be lost. Hope Church has made a big difference to the community. I love them all to bits.”
