Welcome Church Podcast

What does it look like to live a life of impact when everyday pressures and unexpected trials threaten to overwhelm us?Guest speaker Simon (Ascot Life Church) joins our Acts series to look at the powerful and sobering story of Stephen in Acts 6–7. We explore how the early church faced everyday tensions not by working harder, but by calling on ordinary people to serve with extraordinary, Holy Spirit power. Through Stephen’s life and ultimate sacrifice, we are reminded that we are all called to be God’s messengers—speaking His truth with grace and holding fast to Jesus in our own moments of suffering. Simon challenges us to move past our own limitations, step into our unique purpose, and actively depend on God’s power for our everyday lives.

What happens when the radical beauty of the early church collides with the reality of human hypocrisy?Christopher continues our Acts series with a powerful message titled Shock and Awe, looking at Acts 4:32–5:11. We explored how God’s grace initially united a diverse community in radical generosity—until hypocrisy threatened to corrupt it from within. Through the sobering story of Ananias and Sapphira, we are reminded that God loves His church too much to let sin compromise it. Christopher challenges us to move past performance and step into a healthy, life-giving fear of the Lord, where true freedom and integrity are found.

We had the privilege of having Chris Kimbangi preach to us and had the joy of baptising 18 people across our two meetings. We had the privilege of hearing their stories of lives transformed through Jesus!

Steve took us through Acts 3 and 4, exploring what courageous faith looks like in everyday life. Through Peter and John’s example, we saw the courage to truly see people, to step out in faith, to speak up for Jesus, and to obey God even when it costs us something. But this wasn’t a call to try harder—it was an invitation to depend on the Holy Spirit and walk closely with Jesus. We were reminded that courageous faith is made possible by the Holy Spirit and a relationship with Jesus.

What did a church built by the gospel actually look like?Christopher took us through the beautiful, messy, and miraculous reality of the early church in the book of Acts. It wasn't a museum piece—it was an invitation to move beyond just having information about God and instead step into the experience of His power. We explored how to live out a radical, self-giving community right here in Woking.

Steve continued our series in Acts, reminding us that we don’t need information about God—we need the experience of His power in our everyday lives.At Pentecost, we see God’s promise fulfilled as He gives Himself to His people , transforming fear into boldness. We're encouraged to seek the Holy Spirit’s power to transform us, transform the church, and transform the world. As we step into His purposes, we do so knowing that the same Spirit who was poured out then is available to us now.