• 25 February 2019

Hope Community Church ‘makes room for more’

Hope Community Church in Craigavon, which started in 2015, launched an additional service on Sunday 24 February to accommodate the increased numbers who are attending the church.

The Sunday morning congregation has doubled in the past 12–18 months, with well over 200 people regularly worshiping at Hope.  A quarter of the congregation is under 18 years of age.  As the church building currently only has seating for 200, the leadership have made the decision to increase their capacity so they can continue to welcome new people from the surrounding area.

Hope Minister–in–Charge, Revd Craig Cooney (pictured above), commented:

Fun Day
Fun Day
“We are delighted to see new faces showing up at Hope literally every week. People of all ages are receiving a warm welcome, getting involved, using their gifts to serve, and developing friendships. However, the increased attendance has created what I call, ‘a high–quality problem’.  Even as far back as June 2018, our average Sunday attendance was 230 and we have a situation where children have to sit on the floor before they go out in the middle of the service for their kids’ ministry. Obviously, this was never going to work long–term. We are currently speaking to our landlord about increasing the size of our building, but until then, we are creating extra space by adding this additional service.”

Craig continued: “We want both services to be as identical as possible, and so we have had to spend time increasing our volunteer base to ensure that our incredible team don’t get burnt out.  It’s been so encouraging to watch new people step up into roles of leadership, responsibility and service.“

In the past few months Hope have also purchased their first rectory and have employed a part–time youth and children’s pastor, Hannah O’Neill.  Hannah is working in various schools in the local community, as well as discipling the young people within the church. Just this past weekend three of their teenagers committed their lives to Jesus.  

The church also partners with many local organisations such as Youth for Christ, Aspire, and Love for Life.

Womens event
Womens event
“We long to see more and more people reached with the life–transforming gospel of Jesus Christ,“ said Craig. “While we are deeply thankful to God for all that He has done, we long for more.  We are expectant and excited for the future and believe that God wants to do a significant work in Craigavon and beyond.  Our job, in the words of the old children song, is simply to trust and obey.“

Hope Community Church meets at 20 Highfield Road, Craigavon.  Their service times are now 9.30 am and 11.30 am.  

More information can be found on their website at: wearehope.church