This December, we’re gathering for a few simple, joy-filled moments - story, song, and community.
From a festive children’s party to carols with a choir and creative performances, to a brand-new Christmas tradition around the table - there’s space for everyone to join in and savour the season.
From Monday 17 to Saturday 22 November, we’ll once again dedicate ourselves to seeking the face of Jesus in a 24-7 Prayer Room at Victoria Road Chapel, Stanford-le-Hope - 124 hours of unbroken prayer, day and night, as a community.
This year’s theme is The Vision is Jesus. Not a programme or a plan, but a Person. The King who reigns, the Lamb who was slain, the Servant who stoops, and the Friend who calls the children close. Together we’ll turn our gaze upon Him - the centre of our story, the heartbeat of heaven.
A 24-7 Prayer room is a creative prayer space that enables a chain of unbroken day and night prayer, bringing friends, communities and churches together to seek the presence of God.
Ancient Celts used the phrase “thin places” to describe where the veil between heaven and earth becomes so thin that prayer flows easily, and the still, small voice of God is heard clearly.
Over and over, people report that in the presence of God, one hour feels like ten minutes.
📅 17–22 November 2025
📍 Victoria Road Chapel, Stanford-le-Hope
🕊️ Sign up for an hour - and be part of the story.
Christie leads our reflections the week of John’s death at Encounter Sunday, October 2025
We’re excited to launch Five by Five: Daily Prayers this Sunday - a simple, focused rhythm of gathering together to read the Bible and pray. For five weeks, we’ll meet five nights a week (Sunday through Thursday, 8–9pm) to recentre ourselves on prayer, study, and community.
That’s it. We read the Bible, and we pray.
Each night, someone different will lead however they feel is right. The only rule: we read the Bible together - out loud - and we pray. This season, we’ll be reading through the Book of Acts. Reading the same chapters every night for a week before moving forward.
We’re convinced this simple rhythm creates space for God to speak, shape us, and strengthen us as a community.
On our very first night, we’ll be reading Acts 2, where Peter quotes Joel on the day of Pentecost:
“The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.”
And in a beautiful coincidence, there will be a Blood Moon lunar eclipse happening that same night!
What better way to begin this season than under a sign in the sky that echoes the very words we’ll be reading together?
Find all the info you need, including how you can join, here.
This August, while many of us take time off work or go on holiday, we’re pressing pause on our usual House Church rhythms. Instead, we’re making space to simply enjoy summer evenings together.
Over four special nights, different hosts will open their homes or gardens to create a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere - a place to share a meal, meet new people, and feel part of a big family.
Here’s how it works:
Pick the nights you’d like to come along
Book in for yourself (and anyone coming with you)
Let us know about any dietary needs
Your host will get in touch with details and how you can pitch in if you’d like
See you there!
From Monday, 30 June to Saturday, 05 July we will dedicate ourselves again to seeking God’s face in a 24-7 Prayer Room. Committing night and day for 132 hours as a community.
A 24-7 Prayer room is a creative prayer space that enables a chain of unbroken day and night prayer, bringing friends, communities and churches together to seek the presence of God.
Ancient Celts used the phrase “thin places” to describe where the veil between heaven and earth becomes so thin that prayer flows easily, and the still, small voice of God is heard clearly.
Over and over, people report that in the presence of God, one hour feels like ten minutes.
Following several amazing weeks and prayer rooms, we are so grateful to Fresh Hope Community Church for allowing us to return to their hall and takeover their space for Prayer Week.
Access is via Victoria Road, Stanford-le-Hope.
Watch this space for more on theme, corporate prayer, and ways you can help!
For now check your diary and book your slots.
Let’s be honest - life can feel overwhelming, noisy, and full of questions that never quite get answered. In a world where hope often feels in short supply, Hope Explored is a space to pause, reflect, and discover something deeper.
Over three relaxed evenings, we’ll look at the life of Jesus - through open conversation, short films, and stories from the Bible. Together, we’ll explore how he speaks to our deep need for hope, peace, and purpose.
No pressure. No expectations. Just a warm welcome.
🗓 1st, 8th & 15th May at 7PM
📍 Gateway People’s Centre
💬 More info…
Rev Tom Rout invites us to “wind down the day and start the evening with a short prayer service. Everyone is welcome to come along, sit in the quietness and echo the words quietly in their hearts.”
Compline is a simple, peaceful prayer service done at the end of the day to give thanks to God and ask for His protection through the night. In the Anglican tradition, it includes Bible readings, prayers, and quiet moments to rest in God’s presence before sleep.
The service usual lasts around 15-20 minutes.
The world feels uncertain, and hope can seem distant.
True hope isn’t just a feeling—it gives us strength.
God offers a hope that brings new life, even in darkness.
Join us this Prayer Week to rediscover hope in Jesus.
From Monday, 24 February to Saturday, 01 March we will dedicate ourselves again to seeking God’s face in a 24-7 Prayer Room. Committing night and day for 132 hours as a community.
A 24-7 Prayer room is a creative prayer space that enables a chain of unbroken day and night prayer, bringing friends, communities and churches together to seek the presence of God.
Ancient Celts used the phrase “thin places” to describe where the veil between heaven and earth becomes so thin that prayer flows easily, and the still, small voice of God is heard clearly.
Over and over, people report that in the presence of God, one hour feels like ten minutes.
Following several amazing weeks and prayer rooms, we are so grateful to Fresh Hope Community Church for allowing us to return to their hall and takeover their space for Prayer Week.
Access is via Victoria Road, Stanford-le-Hope.
Watch this space for more on theme, corporate prayer, and ways you can help!
For now check your diary and book your slots.
We have a long history of supporting and praying for our schools. Praying for God to transform individual hearts, and for just educational systems.
Each of Gable Hall, Hassenbrook and Corringham Primary are currently facing troubles with varying consequences and reactions from students, parents, and staff within our community.
As a result, tomorrow (11 December 2024), some teachers will be taking action short of strikes.
This seems like a moment where the Church needs to respond by standing in the gap to pray.
“We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.”
- Oswald Chambers
Tomorrow, 11 December 2024, we plan to meet via Zoom to pray for our local schools. We invite you to take part in praying for unity, peace, and prosperity.
Join the 7am prayer meeting using the button below.
Join the 8pm prayer meeting using the button below.
Originally published on this blog in July 2022
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God of hope, build futures that shine and strives for the best. Builds homes-from-home in safe classrooms.
God of peace, settle minds with anxiety, knit together friendships that go the distance.
God of grace, plant desires for truth and justice; let us see the shoots of skills and the fruit of character. We pray for hearts of kindness, integrity, and humility.
God of love, we pray that the shared love and care for the youngest among us, will bind us together in unity. A unity that strengthens society.
God of wisdom, show us the way ahead.
+ For leadership and governance, bring clarity of vision in planning for the future.
+ For parents, build community that serves one another in the present.
Teach us all how to lead lives that fit our children for leadership.
We pray for the peace and prosperity of our schools; for if they prosper, so do we.
Amen.
We are very grateful for the welcome of Gateway People’s Centre for the use of their brilliant facility on Stanford-le-Hope’s High Street.
The growing relationship between the churches leaders has included the meeting of trustees to explore this Kingdom Partnership, and we are excited to be their guests for a six month trial.
All our meeting times and dates will remain the same.
Stay on top of when and where we meet using our church calendar.
We hope to be a blessing to GPC while we are their guests.
Pray generous prayers of blessing, the kind that you would pray for Proxmity Church, or your own family.
Lord, may Your presence rest upon this church. As they serve with loving hearts, fill them with Your peace and guide their every step in faithful witness to You. Amen.
Please be mindful and attentive that we are guests in their home.
Taking extra care to be tidy, clean and respectful of the space that we are given.
Gateway People’s Centre
2 High Street
Stanford-le-Hope
SS17 0EY
If you will travel by car, parking is free and unlimited on the High Street and surrounding roads on a Sunday.
There is limited accessible parking behind the venue. Entrance via Central Road.
Some of us are (literally) travelling by train, plane, and automobile (and boat!) to get to the 24-7 Prayer Gathering in Rotterdam this year.
If you can’t get to the Netherlands - don’t worry! You can stream each of the Main Sessions online, head to the 24-7 Prayer website to find out more.
This year, we aim to fill and complete a range of shoeboxes as Christmas presents for young people from around the world.
It is a hands-on way for you to bless children in need across the world by filling shoeboxes with toys, personal care items, school supplies, and fun gifts.
We will be packing shoeboxes for boys and girls within the age ranges of:
2-4 years
5-9 years
10-14 years
If you would like to take part in packing, please join us on:
Sunday, 27 October 2024 - 14:00 to 16.30pm at the Riddles’ house
If you would like to purchase and donate some items for us to pack into the shoeboxes, this would be appreciated. Please see the list of items suggested for each age group.
Each box will also need a £5 donation. If would like to donate, please:
Make your donation (by Sunday, 27 October 2024)
Then forward the barcode(s) you receive to Emma Riddle
This will be attached to a shoebox and you will be able to track its path.
If you have questions, please contact Emma Riddle.
