Our Mission

Maturing Disciples of Jesus Christ in increasing numbers to the glory of God

Jesus' departing words to His followers was to ‘make disciples’ to the ends of the earth and he promised His presence to be with them. Two thousand years later and this remains the mission of the church. We do this by proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ in order that sinners might be saved to the glory of God.

You

If you are a follower of Christ already and looking for a local church or you are not yet a Christian but are keen to find out more then we are a church for you. No matter the stage of life you are at, you'll find a home here.

Us

We are a diverse group of Christians from a surprisingly wide range of backgrounds all of whom love the Lord Jesus and want to bring him glory in our individual lives but also collectively as his church here in Ashford.

Him

We seek to introduce people to the person and work of the Lord Jesus as all of God’s promises are fulfilled in His Son. We are utterly dependent upon God’s Spirit to make this work effective in a person’s life. .

Our Beliefs

God

There is only one God, who exists as three distinct and equal persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God is the living God who is almighty, eternal, unchanging and knows all things past, present and future. He is just and holy, gracious and merciful. He is sovereign Creator and Ruler of all things and exercises his sovereignty in Creation, Providence and Redemption. As the Maker and Ruler of all things he is deserving of all praise and glory forever.

Bible

God’s greatness and holiness are such that, without his aid, man can neither understand him nor find the way to a right relationship with him. In his mercy however, God has made himself known. He has revealed himself through creation, but human sinfulness blinds us to the glory of God, and because of this such revelation is inadequate to bring anyone to salvation. God has therefore revealed himself definitively for our salvation through the Old and New Testaments of the Bible as they witness to Christ. We therefore accept all that is written in the Bible, as originally given, as not merely containing, but being, the inspired and infallible Word of God, which is without error and the final and sufficient authority in all matter of Christian faith and life.

Humanity

Salvation

God alone can deal with human sin and bring about reconciliation to himself. To achieve this, God the Son became man in Christ Jesus. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless, human life and taught entirely without error. He suffered and died in the place of sinners, experiencing on their behalf the just punishment of God for their sins. God, in his grace, forgives and reconciles to himself all who turn to him in true repentance and who trust in Christ’s atoning death. God imputes to them the righteousness of Christ and adopts them as his own children. He thus sets all believers free from the domination of the devil and the corruption of their own sinful nature, and removes from them forever sin’s eternal consequences. Salvation can only be found through faith in Christ

Sin

Gospel

The gospel is given to us entirely through God’s free and sovereign grace. It is the church’s calling and privilege to proclaim the gospel to all people and to defend it against error. All who hear the gospel and respond in obedient faith receive the full salvation promised to us in Jesus Christ. To reject the gospel is to reject God and his grace and so leaves the one who does so without hope

The Risen Jesus

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit must work in us before we can enter into salvation. Through the gospel he leads us into an awareness of our sinfulness, and brings us to repentance and trust in Christ. He causes us to be born again, and by his continuing work enables us to understand and respond to God speaking through the Bible and so develops in us the fruits of love and holiness along with the spiritual gifts necessary to build the church.

Each local church is a fellowship of believers gathered by Christ and committed to each other for the worship of God, the preaching of the Word, the administering of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, pastoral care and discipline, and for evangelism. The church has no need of, nor should acknowledge any other authority over it than his. Through him, the church has direct access to God and enjoys fellowship with other assemblies of his people in a unity which transcends all barriers.

Loving God. Loving People.

Our Leaders

Keith Wilson - Pastor

Keith has served as the Pastor and an Elder of the church for the past 15 years. After a career in the City, he made a career shift in his early 30’s into full-time Christian ministry. He has served at churches in the City of London, Chicago and now in Ashford. He is married to Caroline, a teacher, and they have four grown up children. He says that it is “a great joy to preach and teach the Word of God and to see the Church growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” He is a keen football fan (of Liverpool and Exeter City) and enjoys running, golf, tennis and dog walking!
Chungman Shon - Associate Pastor

Chungman has served in the church since April 2022. Been in Christian ministry since 2014. Grew up in a Christian family, but became a Christian at 20 years old during uni while studying Philosophy. Immigrated to the UK from South Korea when 8 years old, and grew up in London since then. Enjoys running, cycling, cooking (and eating!) and trying to learn and teach Biblical Hebrew, all for the glory of God!
Ian Smith - Elder

Ian grew up in Kent before coming to Ashford to join the Inland Revenue. He became a Christian in 1981 because of his team leader and her husband sharing their faith with him, and through the friendship and witness of people in ACC. He met his wife, Barbara in the church in 1983 and together have been involved in leading the work among children and youth and leading home groups. He is also the church treasurer. Ian is the Head of Operations at East to West and loves bike (both pedals and petrol!)
Steve Crow - Elder and Music Team Leader

Steve has attended and served at ACC since moving to Ashford in 2014. Married to Deb with three children, he runs a succesful company making musical equipment. At some point you're bound to see him pounding the pavements in the locale, at which point feel free to shout "Run Forrest, run!"
Wale Adesina - Elder and Prayer Meeting Coordinator

Wale has been attending ACC since July 2003. "God has blessed me with a beautiful wife - Margaret and handsome teenager – Daniel. Trained as an accountant, now working as a Mathematics lecturer at Brooklands College. I became a Christian around 1982 but I recommitted my life to Christ in 1989. It has been a privilege and honour to lead the weekly prayer meeting and sometimes lead the Sunday services."
Robert Manger - Elder

Rob was born and raised in Ashford, attending ACC since birth. Following university and life abroad he became a member of ACC alongside his wife in 2014 where it has been their joy and pleasure to serve the Lord. He has two daughters, works as a transport planner and has a myriad of minor hobbies including wood turning, board games, video games and 3d printing.
Sally Greensmith - Families Lead

Sally has been attending the church since 1994 and works for the NHS. She is married to Martin, and they have 2 grown up daughters. Since having children of her own, Sally developed a heart for supporting and encouraging young families and enjoys serving in this area. She can also often be found at the front of church, singing, giving ‘Bible Bites’, and sharing notices!
Cag Wilson - Missions Lead

Cag became a christian in France, aged 21, whilst studying in Grenoble. She married Keith in 1988 and together they have four grown children. Can teaches French to children from Year 3 to 8 in a local school. She has always had a heart for sharing the gospel and so Missions is an important part of God’s work here at ACC for her. Cag would love to see the profile of Gospel Mission raised in the church, particularly amongst the youth. In her spare time she thoroughly enjoy baking, photography, swimming and walking the dog with Keith.
Barbara Smith - Youth Lead

Barbara became a Christian at 16 at a youth camp in the Lake District and has been involved with Children and Youth Work since then. She is part of the dedicated and enthusiastic team of volunteers that run the Adventurers Club and Sunday School for primary aged children. Barbara has been a librarian all her working life so not surprisingly has a love of reading. She also enjoys walking, visiting historic places and spending time with her grandchildren.
Rachel Turner - Small Group leader and Sunday School teacher

Rachel came to faith in 2010, after starting to attend church in the spring of 2009. Rachel coordinates and supports the Small Groups at ACC - a thriving ministry with 12 groups meeting throughout the week to read, discuss and engage with God’s Word, to pray and to encourage one another. Rachel also serves as a Sunday School teacher for the Adventurer’s age children. Rachel works for the NHS at The Royal Marsden hospital.
Sam Hartley - Youth Lead

Sam is married to Helen and has 3 young children. He grew up in a Christian family, but became a Christian in his late teens and has served in youthwork ever since. Sam became a member of ACC in 2020 and is involved in a couple of the youth groups for those aged 11-18. In his spare time he enjoys being active and outdoors, particularly playing football or cycling.
Helen Hartley - Toddlers together Lead

Married to Sam Hartley and a mother to 3 young children. She became a Christian in 2005 at the age of 13 and has been attending ACC since 2019. Helen runs Toddlers together throughout term time and helps to teach the adventurer aged children on the Sunday School team. She has a growing love of theology and loves to walk in her spare time.
Tracey Beedell - Creche Leader and member of the worship team

Tracey was brought up in a Christian home and baptised in 2004. She has always been active in church and became a member of ACC 8 years ago. She is married to Dan who is also part of the church, having met on community at Lee Abbey, a Christian holiday centre in North Devon. They moved to ashford 16 years ago and joined ACC 10 years ago after leaving another local church. They have 2 children who are both part of the children’s groups.
Margaret Adesina - Prayer Meeting Coordinator

Margaret has been attending ACC since July 2003. She is married to her husband - Wale, and they have a teenage son - Daniel. She is a Civil Servant whose expertise is in Project/Programme Delivery. Margaret grew up in a Christian home and rededicated her life in 1980. "It has been a great honour to serve in the prayer ministry which is a vital part of the body of Christ."
Marty Smart - Admin Lead

Marty has served the church since 2016 and is married to Mike with 2 children (David and Lizzy). She grew up in a Christian home but made a personal decision to follow the Lord when she was around 13 years old. Originally from Ecuador, Marty lived in USA and Spain before moving to the UK in 2007. She loves music, having people around her house for food & coffee, and spending time with friends.
Carol Manger - Music Lead

Carol was brought up at ACC where she became a Christian as a child and has enjoyed serving in many areas of church life. Married to John with three grown up sons, she loves spending time with her family and in her spare time enjoys various craft activities and walking.
Gil Taplin - Music Team Leader

Gill became a member of ACC in 2020. Married to Martin, with three grown-up children, her childhood faith was reignited in 2000 after attending an Alpha course. Currently working as a piano teacher, Gill has also worked in a bank and as a primary school teacher. She enjoys running, spending time with the grandchildren and learning languages.
Matthew Houghton - Fabric Lead

After moving to the UK from South Africa in 2019 Matt and his family were looking for a church to join. They came across ACC in 2021 and never left. Married to Isabel they have 2 young children. Matt works in the construction industry as a Site Manager, enjoys playing golf (when he can) and spending time with his family.
Alan Gregory - Hospitality Lead

Alan is a Christian and a retired engineer. He is married to Jen and they have three children. In his spare time Alan enjoys photography and repairing clocks.

Want to worship with us?

We meet on Sunday mornings at 10.30am and Sunday evenings at 6.00pm for a whole church prayer meeting. Our small groups meet throughout the week at various locations and times.

Let Us Know You're Coming!