Ashwood Church began over 50 years ago firstly in Ravenshead and then into Coxmoor and Kirkby. Christians who wanted to see their faith worked out in the community. In 2002 Ashwood Church created a new charity called Ashwood Community Resource (ACR) to buy and renovate what is now the current Ashwood Centre on Portland Street. A multi-use community centre was created where community groups could meet and Ashwood Church could use as its home. In 2018 the two charities merged, and ACR dissolved and ownership of the land and building passed to Ashwood Church. During the last 18 years we have gained invaluable experience working with charities, community groups and partnering regularly with Ashfield District Council for events in the town. We believe and hope we have made a difference to many people in not just Kirkby but with those in the nearby area.

For the last few years, we have recognised that the Ashwood Centre does not meet our current or future needs. Maintenance has become an increasing issue, as well as the church and one of our partner organisations have effectively outgrown the current capacity. We have a passion to not only continue our existing activities but to also develop further initiatives to serve the people in Kirkby and the surrounding area. Upgrading the current building is not an option so we are looking to develop a brand new facility. We have begun raising funds and also enlisted the support of Advanced Architects to create the necessary plans for not just maintaining but also developing and expanding the work of the church as well as facilitating the many other user groups who benefit from the current facility.

Our New Home will create the perfect space for helping the people of Kirkby and beyond to find and follow Jesus for themselves.

What does the New Home for Ashwood look like?

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Our Hopes

Ashwood Church Vision for a New Building

We want the new Ashwood Centre to be:

o A place where the lonely can find a safe place to meet other people

o A place for the glory of God and to reach more and more people

o A centre for prayer and worship

o A place where people can grow spiritually in the Christian faith

o A safe place where people can call (their spiritual) home

o A place for all generations today and in the future

o A place where people can find value and purpose

o A place where families can be strengthened and find healing and support if needed

o A place where children and young people can learn and grow in a fun environment

o A place where parents/carers/other family members can receive training and support in bringing up children

o A place where God’s presence dwells. We could describe as a “thin” place between heaven and earth

This will be practically worked out through a number of activities (through church and other partnerships)

o Seesaw - Toddler Group

o Storehouse – Community Foodbank

o Youth Club / Youth Engagement

o “Fundays” / Larger Events (e.g. Christmas)

o Parenting Support / Training

o Kids Holiday Clubs (Event during school holidays)

o Café 22 – a place of welcome available for everyone including those who could feel lonely

o Spiritual Development – Alpha / Discipleship Courses

o A Place of worship and Prayer

Get Involved

There are several ways that you can get involved as we look towards our New Home for Ashwood.

1. PRAY - We are firm believers in praying first, and of course praying throughout. Check out our monthly prayer meeting, our NHFA prayer that you can be praying at home, or join us at 20:24 wherever you are every day to pray for our New Home.

2. STAY UPDATED - Keep checking out this webpage, our email communications, our monthly updates in church, or just chat to one of the team. Being informed spurs our prayers, and our actions.

3. READ MORE - Our plans and proposals are now with Ashfield District Council if you want to see our full planning application, but we would recommend reading our PLANNING STATEMENT for a fuller picture of the why behind our New Home.

4. GIVE - We recognise that we will need a significant amount of money, time and expertise to ensure this all comes to fruition, so please do be considering if you might be able to make a one-off or regular gift in support of our New Home. We will be praying for and applying for grant funding in support, but if you are able to give either one-off or would like to start giving monthly towards this, you can do so through our Stewardship account at – https://www.stewardship.org.uk/pages/ashwoodcentre or through our regular church bank account and mark it as NHFA, if you want to know any other details of how to give, contact Becky at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)