Meet the team:
Jesus Christ is our saviour and King. In all we do at His Place, Jesus is at the beginning of every meeting, every day, every service. We do not choose what to do on our own as he is our guide. So when our plans change at the last minute it is not through being un-organised it is through the holy spirit guiding us to Jesus preferred activity.
Rev Christopher Sears MBE and Margaret Sears:
Christopher Sears MBE and Margaret Sears are the founders of St Leonards Pentecostal Church which later became 'His Place Community Church' they live by faith, with a simple lifestyle.
He does not have a car, computer or mobile phone. He walks briskly around the town and likes meeting people face-to-face, he is a keen reader and pianist.
Chris started out as a lay preacher at the age of 14 and has not stopped sharing the gospel since.
Chris and Margaret have a daughter, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Margaret after working 16 years in the church café now enjoys time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren in between supporting Chris with pastoral care.
Margaret has taught Sunday school for many years and is still a beacon of light for the children sharing God's word. Chris and the then church leadership were led by The Lord to purchase the former URC Building. At the time he shared with 'Heart Newspaper' “We applied for the building on the deadline day,” says Pastor Chris Sears, “and we were chosen out of five applicants. Praise God, we now own the building outright and there is no debt,” says Chris; “But there is a lot of work to be done on it, which will cost about £20,000.” Unfortunately the damage increased dramatically and the cost of sandstone and the window repairs now stand at £800,000 +.
For 13 years Chris, 62, also managed His Place café in St Leonards-on-Sea. There were Alpha course breakfasts and the 12-step recovery programme for those with addictions. He has seen many lives transformed. Worship centre, ministry and café have all come together now in the one Robertson Street building. “I have a vision,” said Chris, “of the river of God in the centre of Hastings, with different streams flowing into the one river of blessing. The Lord wants to do wonderful and mighty works here.”
He does not have a car, computer or mobile phone. He walks briskly around the town and likes meeting people face-to-face, he is a keen reader and pianist.
Chris started out as a lay preacher at the age of 14 and has not stopped sharing the gospel since.
Chris and Margaret have a daughter, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Margaret after working 16 years in the church café now enjoys time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren in between supporting Chris with pastoral care.
Margaret has taught Sunday school for many years and is still a beacon of light for the children sharing God's word. Chris and the then church leadership were led by The Lord to purchase the former URC Building. At the time he shared with 'Heart Newspaper' “We applied for the building on the deadline day,” says Pastor Chris Sears, “and we were chosen out of five applicants. Praise God, we now own the building outright and there is no debt,” says Chris; “But there is a lot of work to be done on it, which will cost about £20,000.” Unfortunately the damage increased dramatically and the cost of sandstone and the window repairs now stand at £800,000 +.
For 13 years Chris, 62, also managed His Place café in St Leonards-on-Sea. There were Alpha course breakfasts and the 12-step recovery programme for those with addictions. He has seen many lives transformed. Worship centre, ministry and café have all come together now in the one Robertson Street building. “I have a vision,” said Chris, “of the river of God in the centre of Hastings, with different streams flowing into the one river of blessing. The Lord wants to do wonderful and mighty works here.”
Nicola Roper:
Nicola was born in Cuckfield, West Sussex, but grew up in Norfolk. On leaving college, God guided her to work as a volunteer at Ashburnham Place Christian Conference Centre, Nicola could not cook, but that's where she worked.
Following her time there she moved to Hastings and worked in a care home and has been part of the Hastings, Crowborough, and Eastbourne communities ever since.
Nicola has a love of drama and is an active member of SHADES Theatre Company, is a rusty musician as doesn't find the time to practice the trumpet or Piano due to working full time in Health and Social Care as well as volunteering for God at His Place.
Following her time there she moved to Hastings and worked in a care home and has been part of the Hastings, Crowborough, and Eastbourne communities ever since.
Nicola has a love of drama and is an active member of SHADES Theatre Company, is a rusty musician as doesn't find the time to practice the trumpet or Piano due to working full time in Health and Social Care as well as volunteering for God at His Place.
Caroline Wheeler:
Children and Evangelism Pastor, Caroline was born in Hastings is married, with two grown up daughters.
Caroline is a trustee at His Place and the weekdays café and community manager.
Caroline also is the safeguarding officer.
Caroline loves her work at His Place and her vision is to see His Place building restored so the community work can carry on.
Caroline had singing lessons in her younger days and can often be found leading worship when it is her turn. Caroline has a heart for evangelism and looks forward to revival and discipling new believers through their stepping stones. Sea baptisms spring to autumn here we come!
Caroline is a trustee at His Place and the weekdays café and community manager.
Caroline also is the safeguarding officer.
Caroline loves her work at His Place and her vision is to see His Place building restored so the community work can carry on.
Caroline had singing lessons in her younger days and can often be found leading worship when it is her turn. Caroline has a heart for evangelism and looks forward to revival and discipling new believers through their stepping stones. Sea baptisms spring to autumn here we come!
Trevor Webb:
Church elder and fundraising committee chairman. Originally from Sutton surrey. He has lived in St Leonards East Sussex for 26 years.
He has worked as a civil servant, community worker with people who have learning disabilities and mental health. Since 1997 he has been a county councillor and borough councillor. He has specialised in Adult Social Care and Health Issues.
Trevor is a member of the interfaith forum for Hastings and St Leonards and has desire to break isolation and encourage community cohesion.
He has worked as a civil servant, community worker with people who have learning disabilities and mental health. Since 1997 he has been a county councillor and borough councillor. He has specialised in Adult Social Care and Health Issues.
Trevor is a member of the interfaith forum for Hastings and St Leonards and has desire to break isolation and encourage community cohesion.
Worship Leaders:
Nene Abuand Sabrina:
Originally from Ghana but now living in St Leonards and a working at the hospital. Nene plays guitar and sings worship songs from home. When they are worshiping they don't stand still and it is addictive, dance and praise the lord.
Caroline Wick:
Outreach and house group lead. Trained at bible college, has worked as evangelist in Philippines and oversees the house groups and Alpha courses. Caroline is an Occupational Therapist in her day job.
Caroline and husband Bruce also oversee the 1066 Full Gospel men's business fellowship (includes women!). Arranging monthly dinner talks with guest speakers sharing their testimony. The deal is that to go you have to take an unsaved person with you. They have been involved with this and many other outreach projects in many countries over their 30+ years together.
Caroline is loving Zoom Church as well as Church in person, and looks forward to reaching more people through Alpha online where people feel more relaxed and able to share. They have a history of working with and evangelising to people with drug and alcohol addiction and this was a large part of their work in Spain and the Philippines.
Caroline and husband Bruce also oversee the 1066 Full Gospel men's business fellowship (includes women!). Arranging monthly dinner talks with guest speakers sharing their testimony. The deal is that to go you have to take an unsaved person with you. They have been involved with this and many other outreach projects in many countries over their 30+ years together.
Caroline is loving Zoom Church as well as Church in person, and looks forward to reaching more people through Alpha online where people feel more relaxed and able to share. They have a history of working with and evangelising to people with drug and alcohol addiction and this was a large part of their work in Spain and the Philippines.
The church members:
We are a family and we are all equal.
Everyone has the opportunity to serve at His Place. From the important job of serving tea, to cleaning, preparing the sound system, to offering to share testimony, read from the bible or lead prayer.
We actively encourage evangelism, prayer walks, meetings, fellowship and when needed we have a social day of deep cleaning along with praise and worship while we work.
Pride may be a sin but we are proud to be a church family where Jesus our saviour is our CEO and we are all his children and work together to share his love.
Children and youth are encouraged to take part in all age worship services, plan activities and be a part of outreach if age appropriate and family are taking part.
Everyone has the opportunity to serve at His Place. From the important job of serving tea, to cleaning, preparing the sound system, to offering to share testimony, read from the bible or lead prayer.
We actively encourage evangelism, prayer walks, meetings, fellowship and when needed we have a social day of deep cleaning along with praise and worship while we work.
Pride may be a sin but we are proud to be a church family where Jesus our saviour is our CEO and we are all his children and work together to share his love.
Children and youth are encouraged to take part in all age worship services, plan activities and be a part of outreach if age appropriate and family are taking part.
Join the team:
Volunteering opportunities:
Saturday café & community workers.
Weekday and weekend cooks.
Bank cafe staff / Cleaning support / Administration support.
Shifts from 2hrs to 6.5 hours.
Work more than 4 hours lunch provided.
Tea and coffee provided while working.
There is always remedial work required at his place. if you are an electrician, builder, carpenter, or generally proficient at DIY, and are willing to donate your skills to the community, please add your details to our 'specialists' list.
To volunteer generally, or add yourself to our 'specialists' list please call on 01424 423501, 07944166351, or Email. Thank you.
Registered charity #1054331
His Place Hastings, Robertson Street, Hastings, TN34 1HL
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