ABOUT CHRIST CENTRAL
We are a multi-congregation, multi-generational, multi-ethnic church on a mission to bring hope and share truth.
Together, we want to see lives and communities in, around and beyond Portsmouth transformed by the gospel—enjoying God and glorifying him in all things.
OUR CULTURE
We are a kingdom-advancing, charismatic, multiplying family where every member matters.
These five values describe the culture we want to shape every part of our life together.
Jesus is building his kingdom, and we want our lives and resources to serve his purposes. We look beyond ourselves: sharing the gospel, serving our city, strengthening churches and going wherever God sends us.
We welcome the present work of the Holy Spirit and expect him to speak, empower, heal and distribute gifts for the good of the church. We seek his presence while testing everything against Scripture.
We want to make disciples who make disciples, raise leaders, multiply groups and congregations, and plant churches. Growth is not simply more people in one place, but more people equipped and sent.
Church is not simply an event we attend, but a people to whom we belong. Across ages, cultures and backgrounds, we share life, carry one another’s burdens, practise hospitality and learn to love one another well.
Every person is made in God’s image, and every Christian has gifts to contribute. Ministry is not reserved for a few: we want each person to be known, cared for, equipped and released to play their part.
OUR FOUNDATIONS
These culture-shaping values do not replace the foundational convictions that have long grounded Christ Central. We remain:
Worshipping • Gospel-centred • Bible-believing • Spirit-led • Praying • Diverse and united • Disciple-making • Generous • A church for the city • A church for the nations
Our Aspire book explores the biblical convictions behind these foundational values.
OUR BELIEFS
We stand within the historic Christian faith. We are evangelical in conviction, Reformed in theology and charismatic in our understanding and experience of the Holy Spirit. As part of Commission, a family of churches within Newfrontiers, these convictions shape our doctrine, leadership and mission.
We believe the Bible is completely trustworthy, sufficient and our final authority. Scripture governs what we believe and how we seek to live, lead and build church together.
We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is God’s work from beginning to end, and the gospel continues to shape and renew every part of Christian life.
Every Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and we believe in his ongoing empowering presence. All the gifts described in the New Testament remain available and are to be welcomed and used to build up the church and advance God’s kingdom.
We baptise those who have personally trusted in Jesus Christ. Baptism is a public declaration of faith and identifies the believer with Jesus in his death, burial and resurrection. We dedicate babies in the hope that they too will make a personal confession of faith.
We believe each local church should be led by a team of biblically qualified elders. Their responsibility is to serve the church by governing, guarding and guiding doctrine, discipline and direction. As fathers in the church they seek to care for, and release and equip the body — not to monopolise ministry.
We believe the local church is central to God’s mission and benefits from relationship with apostolic and other Ephesians 4 ministries. We seek to make disciples, plant and strengthen churches, reach the nations and serve the poor and marginalised.
OUR SHARED FAITH
These Newfrontiers distinctives sit within the historic Christian faith. Alongside the historic creeds, we affirm the Evangelical Alliance Basis of Faith as a clear summary of our foundational Christian beliefs.
The book of Revelation says that God is bringing together a people from every tribe, tongue and nation, uniting them in Christ Jesus. For over 25 years, God has brought people from many nations into the life of Christ Central. Some have made Portsmouth their home, while others were with us for a season before returning or moving elsewhere. Together they have shaped our church family and remind us that the gospel is for every nation.
As well as gathering from the nations, we are also sending to the nations, and partnering with churches and organisations in many nations seeking to make Christ known.
Live Breeze translation is available in 200 languages during the sermon every Sunday at the John Pounds Centre. You can view Persian text translation on a monitor or access live audio translation via a personal device (bring headphones) by scanning the QR code at our translation desk.
Tell us which country should be included and the years you were part of Christ Central Church.
Christ Central has been part of Portsmouth since 2001. Over the years, our name, meeting places and congregations have changed, but our heart has remained the same: to bring hope, share truth and see lives transformed by Jesus.
Discover where we have come from, some of the people and places that have shaped us, and the story we believe God is still writing.
In the New Testament book of Acts we see Elders appointed in every local church, so that's what we have here in Portsmouth. The Elders are responsible before God to help equip all believers for ministry, so that they may be brought to maturity (Ephesians 4). They are to meet the qualifications laid down in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. They are pictured here with their wives. Click a photo to contact the Elder.
OUR TEAM
Most of our staff serve part-time in areas that reflect their gifts and experience. Their role is not to carry all the ministry of the church, but to facilitate it—equipping and supporting people across the church to grow and serve in the ministries God has given them. Click a photo to contact them.
Lead Elder
Staff Elder · Under 18s · Stacey Centre
Ministries Coordinator
Administration and Finance
Staff Elder · Teaching · PO1
Pastoral Care and Integration
Graphic Design
Whether you're planning to visit, looking for a church to call home, or simply want to find out more, we'd love to hear from you.
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