Hope Community Church Basingstoke

We were delighted to welcome guest speakers Simon & Gaynor Shaw. They spoke about everyday spirituality. They shared stories of their journey as well practical ways to help us to be aware of God’s presence in our daily lives.

Andy Taylor unpacked the practice of meditation. He explained what Biblical/Christian mediation was and shared lots of personal stories. He ended with some practical next steps and encouraged us to engage in a meditation exercise…

Guest speaker, Howard from Open Doors, talked about some of the persecution that is taking place around the world. It was challenging to hear, but there were stories of hope and divine intervention!

David Lambourn gave a superb talk about Scripture (The Bible). He explained what it was and how we should and shouldn’t approach it. He shared seven of God’s promises in Scripture, then concluded with 16 brilliant practical tips to help anyone read the Bible.

At our all age gathering, Linda Lucas spoke about the tongue. There was a funny drama about how not to speak in church, then a kids talk, followed by puppet making. From the Bible, Linda showed us the power of words’ and encouraged us to speak God’s word to one another.

Andy Winser spoke about ‘The Narrow Way’ and encouraged us to live a lifestyle of continually saying ‘yes’ to Jesus.

It was standing room only as we celebrated the risen Jesus on Easter Sunday! There was such joy as we sang, the kids waved flags they made, and Olu Akinwale preached. He said, “when we surrender to Christ, we break through the limitations of our past into a resurrected, Spirit-led life to fulfil purpose and become a blessing to our world!”

Church leader Gary Bastin spoke about ‘Generosity’. We looked at how God is generous, and then unpacked how our perception of that shapes how we live…

David Robotham gave a detailed Biblical overview of ‘Confession’. He unpacked the various definitions, revealed God’s heart and gave us practical steps to help us adopt this important, ancient practice.

We were delighted to welcome Jonathan Clark, the Lead Minister from Christ Church, Chineham who spoke about 6 Gifts God has given to us.

Guest speaker, Phil Norris, continued our series with a superb overview of ‘Solitude’.

At our all age gathering, Terry Huggett unpacked the importance of our ‘yes’ being ‘yes’ and are ‘no’ being ‘no’, so that we don’t we manipulate people.

Andy Taylor spoke about ‘fasting’, explaining what it is, as well the heart and purpose of it. He shared personal stories of how God moved when he has fasted and prayed.

We were delighted to welcome Jose and Rosana Liste from Westbourne Grove Church, London. Rosana preached a powerful message about ‘Faith’ which included some moving personal stories.

Sara Huggett continued our ‘Perpetual Transformation’ series looking at prayer. She drew from the Bible, people of prayer, as well as her own journey.

At our all age gathering Sarah Winser and Terry Huggett were a great tag team as they helped us to understand what God means by ‘honouring one another’.

Terry Huggett spoke about being transformed. He shared the importance if having a ‘running mate’ and why God wants us all to change.

With the help of a few classic movies, Gary Bastin, unpacked discipleship. We looked at Jesus’ model, how we can be disciples today, and God’s ultimate purpose for discipleship.

Kicking off 2025, church leader Gary Bastin spoke about the year ahead: We want to have Jesus right at the centre of who we are, all we do and be changed to become more like him.

On the last Sunday in 2024 Andy Taylor unpacked what is meant by ‘Peace on Earth’ and how it applies to our lives today.

At a packed candlelit carol service, Andy Winser did a brilliant interactive talk on the Christmas Journey, with help from some of our children. He said that Jesus invites us journey with him and concluded by asking us is Jesus in the driving seat on our lives?

Our countdown to Christmas began! David Robotham guided us through a creative and reflective Advent gathering, drawing on the Old Testament prophecies and ancient texts. It was the perfect start to the Christmas season!

Terry Huggett concluded our 70x7 series on ‘Forgiveness’ with the story of Jonah in the Bible. He included two powerful forgiveness stories from Corrie Ten Boom and Christine Caine, and ended by asking who and where do we still need to forgive?

Guest speaker Mark Eley (Lifehouse Community Church, leader) prophesied and preached a wonderful encouraging message on being bold and courageous!

Olu and Yemi Akinwale did an outstanding job helping us to ‘Navigate the Path to Forgiveness’ in both Biblical and practical ways!