Our Vision communicates why we exist as a church:

We exist To Know and Make Known the Restorative Love of Jesus 

At Hope Church, we are passionate about people encountering the greatness and power of God in a life-changing way. Our vision is to play our part in seeing a revival of faith in Jesus Christ, celebrating the ongoing work of God’s love, grace, and miracles as living realities, not just ancient stories. We strive to be a vibrant, Spirit-filled community where the presence of the Holy Spirit brings hope and renewal. Inspired by Romans 15:13, we want everyone to "overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit," believing that this generation will see, experience, and share the active work of God in their lives and the restoration of the communities in which we live and work.

Our mission at HOPE CHURCH is threefold: Presence, Transformation, and Mission

Prioritising the Presence of God

We are seeking to continuously prioritise the presence and power of God to move in Portsmouth through a culture of prayer and worship. We do this intentionally by creating opportunities to be with Jesus throughout the week and on Sundays.

Being Transformed into the Likeness of Jesus

We want to learn how to walk daily in the way of Jesus, growing our faith and being strengthened through living life in community. Over time, we want to become like Jesus, living out His ways and following His calling on our lives.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit into Mission

We are seeking to partner with God to see lives restored and for the Father’s kingdom to come here, in Portsmouth, as it is in heaven. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we want to do what Jesus did, walking alongside each other, to see the spiritual and social landscape of Portsmouth transformed.

“Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.”  1 Timothy 4:16 

ON BELIEFS:

1. In essential beliefs, we have unity. 

“There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all…”  Ephesians 4:4-6

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!" Psalm 133:1 NIV

2. In non-essential beliefs, we have liberty. 

“Welcome anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about disputed matters...Who are you to judge another’s household servant? Before his own Lord he stands or falls...So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God...Whatever you believe about these things, keep between yourself and God.” Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22

3. In all our beliefs, we show love. 

“...if I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2 

We live in a time in which truth is highly contested and in order to maintain gospel unity we heed the words of the apostle Paul when he says“avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, because they are unprofitable and worthless” (Titus 3:9) but also know to “Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning” (Titus 3:10).

We also use this helpful framework by Dr Gerry Breschears as we consider our beliefs and maintain unity in the church: 

1. DIE FOR
   This category highlights the essential foundations of the Christian faith, including the authority of Scripture, the Trinity, the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus, and justification by grace through faith. It warns against compromising these truths for the sake of unity, rejecting progressive views like universalism. True unity is based on these non-negotiable doctrines.
   

2. DIVIDE FOR
   Christians may divide over foundational issues like God’s sovereignty, baptism, ministry roles, and worship styles while still affirming unity in essentials. Such divisions are acceptable if they focus on key matters and don’t hinder worship or mission. By recognizing these as “divide for” rather than “die for” issues, believers can pray for each other and cooperate in issues of Christian life, justice ministry, and evangelism.
   

3. DEBATE FOR
   Churches often debate issues like leadership roles, ministry focus, and worship styles while maintaining unity.  We must keep “debate fors” from escalating into “divide fors.”  We each have a role to play in focussing on the essentials and preventing debates from causing division, following the example in Acts 15 of open discussion and compromise on secondary matters.
   

4. DECIDE FOR

   Romans 14-15 advises acceptance on non-essential matters, warning against legalism and divisive controversies. Paul urges believers not to judge one another over such issues but to pursue peace and mutual growth (Rom. 14:19). Note well, this accepting attitude applies only in the non-essentials, however, on essential matters, like core Christian beliefs, Paul strongly debated (Acts 15:2).

FOUR ESSENTIAL TRUTHS

1. The BIBLE is the Word of God.  

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realise what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.”  2 Timothy 3:16 NLT 

“This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.”  1 Thessalonians 2:13 

God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority and we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is, “What does the Bible say?” We practise regular Bible reading and study. 

The Bible is the basis for all we believe. 

2. JESUS CHRIST is the Son of God - Fully God, Fully Human.

“who [Jesus], existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited.” Philippians 2:6

“Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6 

“This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:11-12

Jesus Christ, the second Person of the Trinity, lived a sinless life on earth and voluntarily paid for our sins by dying on the cross as our substitute. This accomplished salvation for all who receive grace by trusting in Him alone. He rose from the dead and is the only mediator between God and us. He baptises believers in the Holy Spirit and will return to earth to consummate history.

3. You must be BORN AGAIN.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!.”  2 Corinthians 5:17

“Jesus: “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it.” Matthew 16:25

God created humans to have fellowship with Him, but they defied God by sinfully going their own way. As a result, we need God’s saving grace to end our alienation from Him. Salvation comes only through God’s grace - not human effort - and must be received personally by repentance and faith. At the end, everyone will experience bodily resurrection and judgement. Only believers will enjoy eternal fellowship with God. 

4. Believers can be SPIRIT LED and SPIRIT FILLED .

“...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you...”  Acts 1:8 

“...be filled by the Spirit”  Ephesians 5:18 

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”  Luke 11:13 

We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. Every believer can be filled with the Holy Spirit by simply asking. We seek to practise a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right.

Hope Church is affiliated with the Assemblies of God GB movement of churches and has historic roots in the pentecostal movement in the UK.

An ‘assembly’ was formed in 1901 by a man of God, called Ernest Moser, in a home in Outram Road, meeting for prayer every day. Mr Moser was the first man in the UK to receive the gift of speaking in tongues, in 1907. In 1911, this assembly then moved to a building in St David’s Road, with a small hall attached - a ‘house of prayer’ which many had received prophecies about. The building was named ‘Hebron’ and this group of brothers and sisters was identified as the first pentecostal assembly in Portsmouth and Hebron Pentecostal Fellowship was officially founded in 1915. Ernest Moser was one one of a small group of men who took the initiative in creating the 'Assemblies of God' movement within the UK in 1924. 

In 1950, 91 Margate Road was purchased as ‘Hebron Mission Hall’ (which used to be a Billiard Hall!), changing its name to Hebron Pentecostal Church and Hebron Christian Fellowship over the years, but still a part of the AoG Movement. 

In the early 90’s the church turned its focus towards serving those within the community and before long, the Margate Road building was too small to house the church. In 1996, Hebron made the move to Southsea Community Centre for a time. The church had already been running a Kids’ Club (which is still running today!) out of the community centre, which had led hundreds of Somerstown families connecting with the church. The club was called ‘King’s Kids’, as these were children of the King! So the decision was made to change the name from Hebron to King’s Church (Somerstown Community Centre was on King’s Street too!)  There was more space at the community centre and its central Somerstown location meant that it was easier for others from the community to join the church family, but there were limitations on mid-week use for children’s, youth and community activities. 

So, in 1999, after much prayer and petitioning, King’s purchased a building in Elm Grove (which had been the ‘Pot Black’ Snooker hall!) which gave the church a permanent, visible base and enabled an increase in community programmes. King’s Kids continued to run from here and King’s started the first Foodbank in the city from this building. Sunday morning services were soon too full and an evening service was introduced, but by 2009, the leadership felt the call to prepare for growth and moved King’s morning services to the Portsmouth High School for Girls gymnasium, all the while praying for a larger, permanent home in the heart of Somerstown. 

In 2014 we were given that opportunity as we began discussions with the Church of England about making a home for King’s Church within the St Peter’s church building, with the dwindling congregation of St Peters joining with the family at St Luke’s church. We’ve been here ever since, with space for growing ministries and community connection.

St. Peter’s Church has its own incredible legacy, which we are proud to build upon. A church which was built, in 1882, to serve the growing community around ‘St Peter’s Park’, largely a naval community & those of poorer background than the neighbouring parishes of St Luke’s and St Jude’s - the roof is the shape of an ark to represent God’s protection and promises. This was also the home of St Peter’s Lads Brigade, with over 100 ‘lads’ occupying the pews on the south side of the church between 1905-1939, with specially purchased properties on Somers Road - St Alban’s Chapel - facilitating bible classes and discussions.

In 2024 Josh Binstead was commissioned as the new lead pastor, alongside a new team of Elders.  In 2025 a new vision and direction for the church was given - along with renaming the church Hope Church - signifying a new beginning, building on the amazing foundation of all that has gone before - and pressing in with faith into where the Spirit is moving in the present.

Hope Church is in the Assemblies of God GB network of churches

Our leadership structure functions

Trustees & Elders

Our Trustees oversee the governance of the church

Our team of Elders are women and men serving together to oversee the spiritual wellbeing of the church, praying for, and discerning vision for how the church should be spiritually guided

Lead Pastor

Josh Binstead is our lead pastor. He functions as a ‘first amongst equals’ within the group of Elders, and is present in every Trustees’ meeting. As the Lead Pastor, Josh sets the cultural vision for the church, overseeing the function of Sundays, and leading the team of pastors who lead teams

Associate Pastors

Abi MacPherson, Drew Enos, and Kate Ayliffe are our Associate Pastors. Under the guidance of the elders, they support Josh as the Lead Pastor, teaching and leading teams, tending to the needs of the church in a practical way throughout the week

Ministry Leaders

For each of our ministries, there is an appointed leader who will communicate with their individual team, setup rotas, and communicate. Ministry Leaders serve under the management of an Associate Pastor

Key Leaders

Within ministries, we have designated Key Leaders who carry the culture of the church through teaching and leading under the leadership of their direct ministry leader

Ministry Teams

There are a variety of Ministry Teams at Hope Church. Serving is one of the primary ways to integrate fully into the life of the church family. Those on Ministry Teams will communicate directly with their Ministry Leader