Vision

Why do we exist?

Abbeyhill exists to be a welcoming place for all. We strive to grow disciples, invest in the next generation, and courageously share Jesus with our neighbours locally and across the world.

Abbeyhill: a Harbour of Hope

We long to be a harbour of hope, where all are welcomed to discover Jesus, follow Him, and be encouraged to show and share His love.

Isaiah 32: 2: Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.

John 1: 4-5:  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Why do we want to be a Harbour of Hope?

A harbour is a place of safety, refuge, and peace. We want our church community to be just this. A place where all people feel welcomed and able to find rest and support. We believe Jesus is the ultimate safe place. Our prayer is that people encounter Jesus and receive eternal hope – no matter what they’re currently going through.

We also know that boats and ships aren’t meant to stay in the harbour all the time. As people discover Jesus, we encourage one another to share this incredible hope with others.

Who are we?

1. People of Word and Spirit
We believe in the power of both the Word and the Spirit.

We believe that the Word of God is as relevant today as it has ever been — to guide, encourage, and challenge us as we follow Jesus. We also believe that the Spirit dwells within us, helping us live, love and act like Jesus.

Psalm 119:105 (NIV): Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
We believe that the Holy Spirit anoints, equips, and empowers us in all we do as we follow Jesus.

Acts 1:8 (NIV): But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

How will we do this?

We will encourage our church family to prioritise Scripture in all areas of church life. We will help our church family value Scripture and encourage it to shape and lead their lives (through tools such as the Bible in One Year).

We will endeavour to have prayer and worship at the heart of all we do.

We will listen to the Spirit and endeavour to exercise the gifts.

2. People who welcome all
We believe we should be welcoming to all and that Jesus often priorities those who are on the margins of society. You are so welcome to be part of our church family. We want our tables to be places of friendship, family, and belonging.

Matthew 25:35-36: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’


Luke 14:16–21, 23 (NIV):  Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame... Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.

How will we do this?

If you come into our church you’ll be made welcome and supported in your life with Christ, regardless of your background and history. We will actively Abbey create spaces of community and family, particularly for the isolated and the marginalised. Above all, we’ll provide friendship.

3. People who are sent— Both locally and across the world
We believe that followers of Jesus are a “sent people” — called to share the hope of Jesus in both word and deed, in our local community and across the globe.

Matthew 28:18–20 (NIV): Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

How will we do this?

We will encourage and equip our church family to share their faith in their everyday activities e.g. at work or school. We will also look to have opportunities to be missional in our local community, city, and across the world.

What are our priorities?

We want to prioritise the following four areas to be a Harbour of Hope.

To be a harbour:

  1. Where all can Come as they are: To help all feel welcome, valued and loved by Jesus and his people.

  2. Where we can Grow together: To grow as disciples in all areas of our lives

    Providing hope as we:

  3. Invest in the rising generation: We want to invest in the younger generation and help them discover Jesus and use their gifts and talents for the good of the kingdom. 

  4. Go courageously to those who don’t yet know Jesus: To actively share the hope we have in Jesus with others. This is through both evangelism and acts of service.

Find out more

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  • A red brick church building with a sign that reads 'Abbeyhill Baptist Church.' There are parked cars along the street and a person running passing by in front of the church. The entrance is painted green and has a small gate in front.

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    See how Abbeyhill Baptist Church has changed over the last 130 years!

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