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.
Explore the prophetic words that have helped shape our story →
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. Select “Meet…” to get to know our team, or click a photo to email them.
Lead Elder
Adam helps lead the team at Christ Central, helping everyone who joins us belong, grow and use their gifts to advance God’s Kingdom.
He loves seeing new people join the church and become part of the family. Since arriving 14 years ago, Adam has treasured the incredible welcome he received and loves that the same heart of hospitality continues today.
Outside work, Adam loves travelling and discovering food from different cultures. A foodie at heart, he’s always happy to try something new!
Fun fact: Growing up, Adam loved cross stitch and period dramas—although his tastes have changed since then!
Email Adam
Staff Elder · Under 18s · Stacey Centre
Dan oversees our under-18s programme, planning children’s and youth teaching, organising events like our Light Party and helping families grow together in their relationship with Jesus.
Part of Christ Central since 2010, Dan especially loves bringing children and families from our two congregations together for events throughout the year. It’s a joy to see people inviting friends into church life and getting to know one another.
He loves that Christ Central is a church for every age, where those who have followed Jesus for years come alongside people who are younger in age or faith and help them grow.
Outside work, when he’s not driving one of his three children somewhere, Dan loves getting outdoors—on his bike, in the sea or out walking. Having grown up in London, he much prefers life by the water!
Email Dan
Ministries Coordinator
Olivia coordinates church life and ministries, helping everything run smoothly so we can love and serve people well.
The biggest joy of Olivia’s role is the people! She loves serving our church family and helping the church run well so it can reach and care for more people. Christ Central has been such a joy and blessing in her own life, and she loves helping others experience that same sense of family.
Outside work, you’ll usually find her chasing after her twin girls or spending time with family and friends. A people person through and through, what she’s doing matters less than who she’s with!
Fun fact: Olivia has Grade 8 recorder—a qualification that has yet to prove useful in literally any situation.
Email Olivia
Administration and Finance
Roxi is an administrator at Christ Central, keeping things running behind the scenes so our staff team and wonderful volunteers have everything they need each week.
She loves that no two days are the same and enjoys working alongside lots of different people. Her favourite thing about Christ Central is its sense of family and the way people care for one another.
Outside work, Roxi loves running and settling down with a good book.
Fun fact: As a student, Roxi spent a semester studying at Helsinki University!
Email Roxi
Staff Elder · Teaching · PO1
Fearghal is one of our Staff Elders, developing our teaching, groups and evangelism.
He loves hearing how people have come to faith or grown in their faith as they discover how amazing Jesus is through the Bible being taught at Christ Central. For Fearghal, people finding hope and truth in Jesus is what it’s all about.
He joined Christ Central when he came to study at Portsmouth University in 2013. He still treasures the warm welcome he received and loves seeing people from all walks of life discover Jesus through the Bible and share in church life as one community.
Outside work, Fearghal enjoys reading, researching artists, good coffee shops, crime dramas and visiting old cities.
Fun fact: As a teenager, he once tried to cook a pizza in a dishwasher. We’ll stick to asking him for coffee recommendations.
Email Fearghal
Pastoral Care and Integration
Nikki helps people find their place at Christ Central, connecting them with the church family, a life group and somewhere to serve. She also offers pastoral care, supporting people through life’s difficult seasons.
She loves helping new people feel at home and become part of the family, and treasures the opportunity to come alongside people with love and care when life is tough.
One of Nikki’s favourite things about Christ Central is its incredible diversity. As a teenager, she prayed that God would send her to the nations—which He did! Now she loves seeing the nations coming to the church family she’s part of.
Outside work, Nikki loves exercise, being in nature and a competitive game of squash, netball or tennis! She also enjoys exploring new places with her husband and their three girls, especially when there’s delicious food or a cute coffee shop along the way.
Fun fact: Nikki once spent 28 days in the African bush, hiking, cycling and canoeing a total of 300km!
Email Nikki
Graphic Design
Kirsten is our Graphic Designer, creating everything from sermon series artwork to welcome books for print and online.
She loves seeing a design come together and creating something she’s proud of. Her favourite thing about Christ Central is the people, especially the way the church family loves and cares for one another.
Outside work, Kirsten enjoys all things Formula 1, spending time with her dog Peanut and trying new food spots around Portsmouth.
Fun fact: Kirsten once appeared on Lewis Hamilton’s Instagram. There’s a Dairy Milk for the first person to find her!
Email Kirsten
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.
Want to introduce yourself and/or request specific information, fill in our Connect Form on ChurchSuite.
