Our Story
Sent Into The World
THE JESUS VISION
In pursuing the presence of God in worship and prayer, and loving our community extravagantly, we long to make many apprentices of Jesus who will know Him, and do what He did. We are committed to His vision of the church; a unified family of believers, sent into the world, who live lives that are full of faith and risk.
Values
Devoted Worshipers Acts 2 tells us, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. And awe came upon every soul..." As has been often said, we tend to want the Biblical awe, but ignore that it requires Biblical devotion. We don’t require gifted communicators or musicians; we just love to worship Jesus even in the most basic settings. It is the Object of worship that makes worship exciting to us.
Loving Families Jesus said that “all people will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). He also prayed that his disciples would be so “perfectly one” that the world may believe that the Father sent Jesus (John 17:20-23).
Equipped Disciple Makers We believe that all believers are called to be disciple-makers. No one should come as a consumer, but all should come as servants. Our goal is that each one of us becomes like Christ, and develops the ability to lead others to Him, make disciples, and plant churches.
Spirit-Filled Missionaries The church is the vehicle for bringing salvation - we want to encourage one another to share the gospel and to show Jesus to everyone. Mission is at our core and in our DNA. We are expectant as we go about our daily lives. We are looking to see who God is calling. We walk in the power and we are grounded in the word and we will utilise whatever tools are best for our local context for evangelism.
Missional
Priorities
FAMILY HUB
Part of our vision is to become a hub of missional engagement for all ages, with provision for everyone. Initially this will include an education hub for primary age children, and a contact centre where we plan to serve children and families in the care system.
NEW SERVICES & PLANTING
In September 2024, and due to our building being full on Sunday mornings, we started a second morning service, meaning we now meet at 9am and 11am. In addition we are continuing to pray about church planting opportunities.
YOUNG PEOPLE
We are blessed with many incredible young people at OCC, from a thriving toddler group, to Sunday Children's ministry, and our OCC Youth, which now meets every Friday. We are committed to investing in them, so that they will thrive in their walk with Jesus.
Just over 20 years ago...
Mission and Church Planting is our DNA
OCC was planted from St Barnabas, North Finchley. Reverend Mike Pavlou, who at the time was a market trader (pictured in the article on the right) and a small team from St B's set out with a vision to pray and worship, and to see what Jesus would do. Twenty years later, Mike would retire having planted a faithful, growing, diverse congregation, with some of the original team still present.
Today we are committed to reaching our community, and to that end we continue on in our legacy of being a missional church, knowing that each one of us has a part to play as a witness to the life-changing work of Jesus, and engaging in His mission wherever we find ourselves.
As well as being a Bishop’s Mission Order of the Diocese of London, we are evangelical and charismatic in our worship and outworking of Biblical teaching, and are affiliated with the New Wine Network.
