#HOPE26WSM
The Love Weston / Churches Together Presidents - Rev Craig Philbrick and Rev Steve Kempton - celebrate all the community action initiatives happening across Weston's Churches and lay out their vision for Love Weston for 2026.
“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city… Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” — Jeremiah 29:7
As we look around our town, we are heartened to see a host of individual and joint church initiatives serving our community's needs.
It's a fact - the Christian Church in Weston is very much alive! - with dozens of social action projects reaching out to all ages through playgroups, family activities, befriending schemes, wellbeing support, help for the aged, homelessness alleviation, addiction support, fitness groups, providing groceries and meals, and much more.
To mention just three of many initiatives… The Beacon at Emmanuel Church, Oxford Street provide a weekly Tuesday hot meal and friendship. Renew 193 in Worle High Street provides a welcoming and safe space where 'it's ok not to be ok'. The Youth Drop-in at St Peter's Church, Baytree Road is open to 7-11 year olds from 3-5pm during term time and provides games, crafts, snacks and homework space.
Despite so many positive projects to report, we know that our job isn't done. Through our daily interactions and research, it is clear that there are still many challenges to be met such as poverty, hunger, homelessness, debt, substance misuse and mental health.
In short: this is not a time for the Church to retreat. It’s a time to rise!
The heart of WSM HOPE 2026 is simple: to see our town transformed by the love of Jesus, one street, one neighbour, and one prayer at a time.
WSM HOPE 2026 is a collective call for prayer, unity, and practical compassion across our churches, ministries, and neighbourhoods. We believe transformation begins not in government offices or grand plans, but on our doorsteps - through ordinary believers praying, caring and sharing Jesus’ love in extraordinary ways.
Our prayer is that, by the end of 2026, Weston will be known not only for its seafront but for its spiritual shoreline of hope - where waves of prayer, kindness, and community sweep through every street.
Our first goal is bold but simple:
500 streets adopted in prayer by the end of 2026.
We’re inviting children, young people, and families to “adopt” their street — to pray regularly for every home, to walk and bless the neighbourhood, and to listen for what God wants to do. You can Register to mark your street on our map (digital or printed) as “covered in prayer.”
This is association with national movements such as our friends at Houses of Light (formerly Neighbourhood Prayer Network) and Hope for Every Home - both proving that consistent prayer at street level changes the atmosphere. Imagine 500 streets in Weston where hope has a name, where loneliness is noticed, and where prayer is paving the way for God’s Kingdom to come.
Alongside this, we aim to see 20 local churches form part of an all-age 24-7-365 prayer relay - ensuring that every day of the year, somewhere in Weston, prayers and proclamations are rising over our town.
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” — Isaiah 60:1
Prayer opens our eyes to need — and care turns compassion into action.
By 2026 we aim to distribute 2,000 “In Crisis” information guides, signposting people to emergency help, care and hope. This simple resource - shared digitally and through churches, cafés, schools and community hubs - can connect struggling families, rough sleepers, and isolated individuals with the right help at the right time.
We’ll continue partnering with initiatives such as Redeeming Our Communities (ROC), who are already mentoring children at Haywood Village Academy, and with the Weston Foodbank, night shelters, and local agencies working with the homeless.
The Church can also play a unique role in welcoming refugees and asylum seekers, echoing God’s own heart:
“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself.” — Leviticus 19:34
We want to see more local Christians befriending refugee families, offering English conversation, practical support, and genuine community - not as projects, but as friends and neighbours.
When we pray and care, opportunities naturally arise to share the reason for our hope. Every believer can be a quiet missionary on their street - not with pressure or debate, but with authenticity and grace.
We’ll offer simple training in “Everyday Evangelism” - helping people share their story and offer prayer with confidence. Our desire is that the Good News of Jesus would be seen and heard across Weston - not as a slogan, but as a lived reality.
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” - Matthew 5:16
Ask God for the street you live on. Begin walking it weekly. Pray blessing over every home and household, inviting Jesus to bring peace, provision and presence.
Look for one neighbour in need. A meal, a phone call, a listening ear, a shared lift - small acts become seeds of grace. Join or start a ROC project, help at a foodbank, or carry a few “In Crisis” sheets (or the smartphone pdf) with you to share with people.
Offer friendship and presence. Listen well. Let your kindness open the door for the Gospel!
Be ready to share how God has helped you through your real-life story. Invite them to find out more through the Alpha course.
By the end of 2026, we long to celebrate children, youth and families actively contributing to:
But more than numbers, we long for a spiritual climate shift - where hope is tangible, where loneliness is replaced by community, where churches serve together rather than separately, and where the love of Jesus becomes the talk of the town.
WSM HOPE 2026 isn’t a programme; it’s a movement of hearts. It’s the local Church of Jesus Christ saying, “Here we are, Lord - send us to our streets.” It’s about making visible the invisible Kingdom, one doorstep at a time.
We see this vision as a stepping stone towards HOPE 28 - a high-profile year of united witness and community action across Weston, Worle and surrounding villages!
Weston-super-Mare belongs to Him - every road, every family, every soul. Let’s believe that as we pray, care and share, the light of Christ will rise over this town like the morning sun over the bay.
Rev Craig Philbrick - President
Rev Steve Kempton - Vice-President
“You will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” — Isaiah 58:12
“The Lord will make you a light for the nations.” — Isaiah 49:6
LOVE WESTON is an initiative of Churches Together in Weston-super-Mare and District, a local association of Churches. CTWD are affiliated to Churches Together England a Registered Charity No 1110782.
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