Who we are
At Home Church, we’re not cultivating something new for God. We’re entering into what he is already doing in Kingston and beyond—gathering a people from every tribe, tongue, and background into one family through Jesus Christ.
Our part is not to build something flashy or exclusive, but to reflect the compassion of Christ toward those who are searching for belonging. That means paying close attention to the kind of space we’re creating—not just physically, but relationally, culturally, and spiritually. Even the most well-meaning churches can unintentionally reflect only one story, one background, or one way of doing things. And when that happens, others may feel invisible or out of place. It’s not enough to open the doors and say, “All are welcome.” We must also ask, “Who is this space truly built for?”
But let’s be clear: the answer is not simply more cultural awareness or better hospitality—though those things matter. The answer is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only the gospel has the power to break down dividing walls, reconcile us to God and to one another, and create a new kind of community where no one needs to leave their identity at the door. Culture matters, but Christ is central. He is the one who makes strangers into family.
Our name reflects our heartbeat: to be a spiritual home for those who feel like they don’t quite fit elsewhere. Whether you’re from here, moved here, or feel like you live in between worlds—we want you to find rest, belonging, and purpose in Jesus Christ with us.
The Giraffe and the Hippo: A Parable for the Church
Once, in a distant savanna, there lived a tall, slender giraffe and a big, friendly hippo. The two were good friends and loved spending time together. One day, the giraffe proudly invited the hippo over to its home. The giraffe’s house was tall and narrow, with high ceilings and furniture placed up high—perfectly suited for the giraffe’s build.
The hippo, eager to see its friend, accepted the invitation. But the moment it arrived, it became clear that the house wasn’t built with the hippo in mind. The doorway was too tight for its broad frame, and once inside, everything was either out of reach or uncomfortably sized. The hippo did its best to adapt—stretching, squeezing, even standing on tiptoes—but it still couldn’t fit in comfortably.
The giraffe, noticing the struggle, offered kind but unhelpful advice: “Just stretch a little taller—then everything will work for you too!” But no amount of effort could change the fact that the house had been built for a giraffe, not a hippo.
Eventually, the hippo stopped coming around—not because it didn’t like the giraffe, but because the space didn’t work for it. The giraffe was confused. It had tried to be welcoming. It just hadn’t realised that the very structure of its home excluded its friend.
This story reflects the experience many people have when entering spaces not designed with them in mind—even when those spaces are filled with well-meaning, kind people. It’s especially true in church communities. A church may be friendly and welcoming, but still be shaped by one dominant culture, making it difficult for others to feel like they truly belong.
In multicultural places like London, this challenge is very real. Churches are often built around the language, customs, and worship styles of one group, which might feel completely natural to some, but foreign or uncomfortable to others. For many, no matter how much they try to adapt, they can end up feeling like the hippo—unseen, misunderstood, and quietly excluded.
At Home Church, we recognise that good intentions aren’t enough. Hospitality must go beyond politeness—it must be practical and sacrificial. True gospel community means not expecting everyone to adapt to a dominant way of being, but learning how to reshape our spaces, our habits, and even our assumptions to honour the diversity of Christ’s body.
This isn’t just about diversity—it’s about discipleship. It’s about living out the gospel of grace that welcomes the outsider, breaks down dividing walls, and builds a new household where all can belong. That kind of community doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentionality, humility, listening, and a willingness to change. It means asking not only “Are we friendly?” but “Is this space built for all of us?”
Join us at Home Church as we seek to build not just a place where people are welcomed, but where they can truly feel at home.
A place where different cultures enrich our fellowship.
A place where each person is seen and valued.
A place where Jesus is not only preached but made visible in the way we love one another.
Biblical Vision
We take inspiration from Daniel—a faithful follower of God who lived in Babylon. Taken from his homeland and placed in a powerful empire that did not share his values or worship his God, Daniel lived in a culture not his own. He had to navigate life in a third space—no longer fully at home in Jerusalem, but never fully belonging in Babylon either.
Daniel didn’t assimilate into the surrounding culture, nor did he isolate himself from it. He remained distinct yet engaged, anchored in God’s truth while walking humbly among others. He was willing to learn a new language, work under foreign leaders, and serve in a secular environment—but never at the cost of his faithfulness. His convictions shaped how he lived, what he ate, how he prayed, and whom he worshipped. And through that faithful presence, God used Daniel to be a witness in a foreign land.
At Home Church, we see ourselves in that story. We are a people in-between cultures—some of us born here, some newly arrived, others shaped by multiple backgrounds and stories. We’re not trying to copy the giraffe’s house, nor to preserve one cultural tradition over others. Like Daniel, we want to be rooted in God’s Word, formed by his grace, and responsive to the world around us. We want to live with clarity and compassion, holding to God’s truth while extending his mercy.
Ultimately, Daniel points us forward to Jesus—the one who left his true home, entered into our world, and walked faithfully in the tension of grace and truth. Jesus is our true home. And in him, we are not lost or out of place, even if we feel like strangers here. He calls us to live as salt and light, just as Daniel did, not retreating or blending in, but living distinctively, compassionately, and courageously for the good of our neighbours and the glory of God.
At Home Church, we want to be that kind of community—a people at home in Christ, living faithfully in the world, inviting others to know the God who makes strangers into family.
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