Revival on campus
The story of Open Heaven began with a group of students at Loughborough University. Ness Wilson arrived in Towers Hall as a fresher and found that existing Christian students had been praying specifically for ten 'fired-up freshers'. Ness was one of those ten. They all prayed passionately for their friends, and within ten weeks, the number of students following Jesus trebled.
Our story
Open Heaven was born in 1993 when seven of this group of students graduated, dared to believe God for more and committed to staying in Loughborough to plant a church for their friends. Open Heaven exists to 'Make Disciples who establish Heaven on Earth'. A disciple is someone who follows the ways and teaching of Jesus. It is a commitment to be teachable and embrace inner transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit. Open Heaven is not a church to belong to if you want to stay the same! Discipleship happens in the community, around tables, over cups of tea, in one-to-one friendships and in small groups. To date, over two thousand people have experienced discipleship through Open Heaven.
Our values
Our five core values spell the word 'grace': growth, relevance, authenticity, community and empowerment. We want to be a community characterised by the grace God has shown us, so we have used grace to describe our values as a church.
Growth
We are growing in numbers because numbers mean people, and people matter to God. We are growing in Christ-like character, generosity and gifting because that enables God to use us to our fullest potential. We are growing leaders to influence every sphere of society. We are growing and sending out church-planting teams because church-planting remains the most effective way to make disciples who make disciples.
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:7
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:7
Relevance
We want our faith to be connected to the rest of our lives. We are a church that is relevant and distinct in Loughborough, and careful thought has been given to location, language, music and content. We create expressions of the church that are accessible to people with little or no church experience. Jesus connected with people who did not regard themselves as religious, and we want to do the same. Everyone is welcome, and all are invited.
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
Matthew 11:28-9
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
Matthew 11:28-9
Authenticity
Open Heaven is a place where you can be honest - honest before God and honest with others. You will notice that people are authentic and open with each other about their lives, knowing they are accepted and confident there is help to become the person God created them to be. We will love you as you are and will inspire you to become more.
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
Ephesians 5:8
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
Ephesians 5:8
Community
Church is a community of people. It doesn’t take long before people comment that Open Heaven feels like a healthy family. We are a community committed to sharing our lives with one another. This is no mere mantra. For some of us, this commitment has led to sharing our homes and possessions. There are many ways to belong and build deep relationships within our community. The quickest and easiest way to belong is to be part of a Small Group.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10
Empowerment
Open Heaven is committed to spotting people's potential and finding ways to develop and release them. As well as releasing people, we provide coaching and training to support those who are leading and pioneering. We actively encourage people to discover their calling, passions and unique spiritual gifts and then find ways both within and outside of Church life to outwork them.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10
© Open Heaven Church 2023 — Open Heaven Church is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales no. 7244128 and a registered charity no. 1138763.
