HOPE LONDON 15TH ANNIVERSARY

On a spring evening in 1998, four believers met together in a small London flat to worship the Lord and to seek his guidance as they took the first step in spreading the good news of the Kingdom through the vision of the Hope movement. This was the first meeting of Hope London church and 15 years later, on the weekend of the 9th and 10th November, three of those pioneers were united again in the city.

Founding pastor PK Tse and his wife Kim, now living and serving in Hong Kong, joined Hope London’s current pastor, Vincent Ong and over a hundred friends old and new, for a weekend of celebrations. In the intervening 15 years, over a thousand people have passed through Hope London; many coming to know Christ for the first time there. On the Saturday evening in a hotel restaurant overlooking the River Thames and Tower Bridge, the current members of the family enjoyed fine food, a special address from Ps. PK, drama, comedy and musical performances, ceilidh dancing and the company of dear brothers and sisters.

The theme of the weekend was “Because of You,” and the festive atmosphere continued on Sunday with a special celebration service in The Old Cinema at the University of Westminster, which Hope London currently call home. In addition to an extended time of praise and worship, and message from Ps. Vincent, several life groups had made videos showing how church life extended beyond the activities on Sunday. Of course, there was also the customary birthday cake!

Testimonies throughout the weekend told of how people from many countries and backgrounds had found a welcome home in Hope London; with recurring themes of loving fellowship, renewed hunger to serve God, opportunities to develop gifts, and encouragement to step beyond one’s comfort zone in serving.

Truly none of this would have been possible without genuine love for God and others in the hearts of the members, and the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit every step of the way. That He has enabled ordinary people to plant and cultivate this small seed into a dynamic, vibrant and growing church must give encouragement to Christians who are called to church-planting and leadership; as well as to Hope London as they eagerly look forward to their next 15 years.