Stories

As Ric Thorpe, Bishop of Islington, prepares to move to Australia to serve as Archbishop of Melbourne, the founder of CCX looks back at his ten years serving the See of Islington and the mission that remains.

As H Miller steps into the role of Executive Director at CCX, he reflects on a decade of serving the Church in England and his excitement for the role CCX can play in equipping the Church in this season – to see parishes, dioceses and networks fully alive in Christ, reaching new people in new and renewed ways.

H Miller shares his vision for the role CCX can play in equipping the Church in a season of growth and multiplication.

In 2020, the congregation of Christ Church Freemantle was dwindling. Based in one of Southampton’s most deprived areas, the church had been without a vicar for five years, and the Sunday School had shrunk to two children. Visit today, and you’ll meet a transformed community; a diverse, vibrant congregation now calling the church home, with a Sunday School of 25 children and 13 confirmations amongst new members in the last year.

A group of predominantly Anglo-Catholic churches in London’s Kensington deanery started CCX’s Grow Course together in 2024, seeking to grow in breadth, depth and impact. Fr James Heard, Vicar of the United Benefice Holland Park and Mother Emma Dinwiddy Smith, Vicar of St Mary Abbots, reflect on their experiences, the benefits of joining alongside others of a similar tradition, and how they are seeing the fruit of this journey in their own contexts.

A new season for St Kat’s, West London, heralded fresh energy, vision and a focus on the church’s priorities. Doing the Grow Course helped the team to make a shift that has allowed the church to flourish, with new leaders being raised up and a new worshipping community - Families Church - planted.

In 2012, Charlie Bell received a vision from God asking her to help people deepen their relationship with him in a way that works for them. It was the beginning of a journey to form Places of Devotion, a lay-led gathering that embraces people where they are at.

Jeremy and Esther Higham oversee Ministers of Jesus Out there (MOJO), a lay-led community that is transforming the way their members grow in their ministry with Jesus.

Andrew Morsley, a lay planter in Harrow, north west London, shares the story of Hope Church and his journey to rediscovering his passion for sharing Christ's gospel.

Over 200 leaders with a shared heart for estates and low-income ministry came together at gatherings in London and Bristol for resourcing and encouragement. David Cornish summarises what took place.

St Augustine’s Wembley Park was hit hard by Covid. In 2023, regular attenders were down to 15 and the Sunday school had shrunk to nothing. With a small and faithful team holding it together the church was ready for some new energy and resourcing.

Shannon Walsh shares her journey at Hope Café, gaining confidence and skills while seeing others encounter the love of Jesus.