O U R S T O R Y
THE CALL
Where do we start? In the spring of 2021 April and Steve Ballard began to pray! They had come to a moment of opportunity, a space in which to dream about the future and to discern what God might be calling them to do. God spoke to Steve and April via prophetic messages and dreams either directly or through others. It was a privilege to have the Spirit of God communicating so clearly into the future and what would take place. After A LOT of talking to MANY friends, family and leaders in their life they felt very clearly that it was time for them to move on from where they had been rooted for many years and plant a new expression of Church. At the start they had no idea what it would look like or who would even join them, if anyone. Each step has been a process of discerning and asking God what was best to do next.
Those from the West of England Baptist Network have been especially supportive and enabling in this process. Giving the counsel to plant a new church rather than joining an already existing expression. This was to allow for the fullness of innovation in culture, practice and vision. WebNet provide us with foundational support and accountability whilst encouraging that independent feel and exploration that Open House Community Church has.
THE BUILD
We spent the next few months meeting leaders from around the city and pushing doors to see what God might have planned for this new emerging community. We had some ideas about locations but to our surprise we found ourselves standing in City Road Baptist Church in Stokes Croft. We met a pastor there who was Kingdom minded, he prayed and prophesied over us and offered us the use of his space on a Sunday evening. Since day one we have been committed to turning up and worshipping Jesus in that space, even if no one else shows up! Today we regularly gather around 40-50 worshipers from around the city, some had fallen out of love with God’s Church, some had felt called to come and support this new community, some have found Jesus for the first time and some have found a place to belong and call home. We also felt lead to start a morning expression for all our lovely families. This gathering has been in our home which was perfect for fostering an informal family feel. Some have found this relaxed time of brunch and prayer incredibly refreshing. It has been our joy to be an ‘Open House’ to anyone who wants to grow in Christ. Although we have loved the house church journey we are also open to alternative venues in the future. As our community is growing we will need to adapt. We have discovered through house church that an open, diverse and agile approach to services will be an essential ingredient moving forwards, wherever we land for the next phase
THE COMMITMENT
We continue to be committed to the Presence of God, the Word and the Spirit, Discipleship, exploring culture and theology and building authentic Community. Every step of this journey we must stop and ask God ‘what have you said and what are you saying?’ ‘Is there anything we need to start or stop?’ We continue to ask those questions, we hold the future lightly, but give our absolute all to those he has given to us and to the purposes he has called us to!
If you’d like to find out more, join in or support us, do get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!
April and Steve Ballard
Senior Pastors
STAY IN THE LOOP
If you want to keep up to date with what’s happening at Open House you can sign up to our weekly email via our connect page. Alternatively our calendar of events and services can be found here. We also update our Instagram and Facebook accounts regularly with news and events, so give us a follow to be kept up to date with what’s happening.