We are a family church, comprising of different ages, races and life experiences, united by our love for Jesus and our desire to put Him in the centre of our lives. We believe Jesus is the hope of the world, and we exist to share the good news of His life, death, and resurrection, and invite all to come to know the hope that we have in Him.
To Bring Hope and Share Truth; in, around and beyond Portsmouth.
To see lives and communities in, around and beyond Portsmouth transformed by the Gospel, enjoying God, and glorifying Him in all things.
In September 2001, Richard and Naomi Shaw arrived in Portsmouth and planted Solent Community Church, a Newfrontiers Church. The church moved into the John Pounds Centre shortly after it opened in 2006, with a real sense of call to the PO1 area of the city.
Tim and Liz Blaber relocated to Portsmouth from Sidcup in 2012 to transition the church to new leadership on behalf of Guy Miller, who leads the Commission network (part of the global Newfrontiers family). In September 2013, the name ChristCentral was established. Over the next few years an Eldership team was formed, Deacons appointed and the Mission and Vision launched.
In December 2015 we began providing Christmas Hampers to the most vulnerable in Portsea in conjunction with the Portsea Housing Office. Our students began the #LovePortsea campaign in 2017, spending the late May Bank Holiday every year cleaning up gardens in the area to help residents. In summer 2019 we had the privilege of being part of the Portsea Carnival, providing a whole host of kids activities. In July 2020, ChristCentral’s Community Fund was established, with 10% of the church’s income being set aside for activities that serve the many needs of the city.
In September 2016 the church took on the management of Portsmouth & Southsea’s only independent Christian Bookshop. This location now also serves us as our office, training base, studio and worship space. Find out more here.
In January 2020, Adam North took on the role of Lead Elder as Tim became the Director of Training for the Commission network. Adam and his wife, Nikki have been members of the church since 2012 and share the same heart to seek the fame of Christ in this great waterfront city, read more about Adam and Nikki here.
In March 2020 the church went online to meet Covid-19 regulations. While not easy, this has strengthened what it means to be family together, as we learn, care, pray, and grow together in 6s and online across the global. Click here for more information on how Covid is affecting the church, and how we can support you.
We are a Worshipping, Gospel-Centred, Bible-Believing, Spirit Led, Praying, Diverse and United, Disciple-Making, Generous, Church for the City and for the Nations. You can hear all about who we are and what we value by catching up with this series on our website or podcast.
We have produced an ‘Aspire’ book looking at the biblical foundations for our aspirations and values we hold as a church. This book, which looks at the ten topics covered in the ‘Church We Aspire To Be’ series, is available for all our members. You can read an online copy here.
