A vision from God

As a church, it is also important that our vision is not just something we thought up ourselves, but a dream that God himself has given us. We believe that our vision expresses God's will for us as a local church, because it is based on his words.

First of all, our vision expresses biblical truth and biblical priorities. It reflects the mind and heart of God as revealed in the Scriptures - which is to gather around himself a worshipping people from every tribe and nation. However, we also need to apply those biblical truths to 21st century Oxford. We have done this partly through thinking strategically, but even more through paying attention to prophecy. In Joel 2, God promised to speak to all of his people through dreams and visions, and we have listened over the years to the dreams that God has given to his people - and these are reflected in our church vision.

A summary of the prophecies that we have weighed and received can be found here.

Building Family

God wants a large family - one that includes old and young, 'town and gown', black and white - and everybody else too! We want everyone to feel at home in Oxford Community Church, and to develop meaningful relationships with each other, stretching across class and ethnic divides.

Infecting students

You would be forgiven for asking what that means! Our hope is that students (and others passing through Oxford) would be radically inspired by Christ - so much so that they will be spoilt for life! We hope that they will receive a vision of God's kingdom that they will never be able to shake off, so that they take the gospel wherever they may go in the future.

Going to people

There are people everywhere who desperately need love and care and the opportunity to hear about the love of God and the forgiveness he offers. It is our dream to be part of the answer to a desperate and hopeless generation, simply by going to them with the good news, displaying the power and love of God.