Our Focus
- Character over Gift
- Discipleship over Delivery
- Simplicity over Size
- Presence over Performance
We believe in the continual cycle of comfort, challenge, change.
Our Model
When we meet together we will spend time in worship and prayer. Someone will speak from the scriptures and we will share communion. We believe in the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5-9), so expect everyone to contribute (including the kids!) according to their gifts. On occasions we may do things differently such as go for a walk or meet in a different location. Whatever we do will be Christ centered.
Our Roots
Chris and Sarah Smellie head up Church@157. Sarah was born into a Pentecostal minister's family and has served her father's ministry both in an employed and voluntary capacity throughout her life. Chris grew up locally attending Sunday School in Stanton Church and throughout his education sang in Church of England choirs. After gaining a degree at Sheffield University Chris returned to his roots and in his late 20’s found his faith in Jesus. He joined an Assemblies of God church where he spent a year in leadership training (and met Sarah) and over a 15 year period was involved in heading up Alpha. Chris and Sarah currently run an IT business serving mainly the voluntary sector. They have been married for 26 years and have two boys aged 12 and 18.
Our Message
We believe that the Bible is 'God-breathed', that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that the power of the Holy Spirit can supernaturally change lives. We believe in the instruction of Jesus in Matthew 28 to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit".
We are part of the NG Church network. https://www.ngchurchnetwork.org.uk/