Hope Community Church, Basingstoke

21/10/2026

There are many churches in the town of Basingstoke where I live. Over the years I have had the joy of working across the different denominations on various projects.

In the early 1990s, our church got involved with others in the town in a national event called ‘Christmas Cracker’.

The idea was that young people took over a local venue, prepared and sold ‘third world’ food at ‘first world’ prices. All profits where given to Christian charities working in poor countries.

We had a good number of different church youth groups involved, had a lot of fun, serving up basic food and raising money!

Over the years other townwide projects have started, all which draw on people to serve from across the churches, such as: Street Pastors, Foodbank, Money Lifeline, Community Food Link and the Night Light Winter Shelter.

These are all wonderful, and our local Council have seen the benefit and difference these projects make in our community.

Undergirding that are the positive connections and relationships with church leaders. ‘One Church Basingstoke’ provides this for all church denominations in the area.

I have friends, fellow church leaders who are Baptists, Anglicans, Pentecostals, Independents, and Catholics. We regularly meet, share stories and pray for one another.

Recently, a new Church purchased the building next door to us, which had been owned by the Methodist Church. I met with the Pastor and welcomed him to the area.

Only last week we had a joint service for our town where we worshipped and prayed together - there was such a real sense of unity!

It reminded me of this beautiful psalm about how God see’s unity…

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life for evermore.
Psalm 133 The NIV Bible

God bless 😀
Gary Bastin - church leader

20/10/2026

Last Sunday morning, Cheryl O’Byrne shared how God has guided her and the Bible verse which has been the ‘drum beat’ throughout her Christian life.

Listen: hopebasingstoke.org/podcasts/trust-the-path

In the evening we hosted a ‘One Church Basingstoke’ evening of praise, worship and prayer for our council and our community. We heard from Cllr Paul Harvey, Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, before praying together.

Listen: hopebasingstoke.org/podcasts/1cb-prayer-oct-26

16/10/2026

Coming up on Sunday...

>> 10:30am 🥐 ☕️ 👂 🥰
Café Church: Our informal family gathering starting with coffee and pastries! We will eat, praise, pray, share stories and hear how God has helped someone recently.

>> 7:00pm (Refreshments 6:45pm) 🎹 🎤 🏢 🙏
We are hosting an evening of praise, worship and prayer for our council and our community. We will hear from Cllr Paul Harvey, Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, before praying together.

The Sarum Hill Centre | Sarum Hill | RG21 8SR📍

14/10/2026

It’s been twenty-two years since my mother died. It happened during the Easter school holidays in 2004.

I was in Florida, with my wife, our three young children, and her family. It was a ‘once in a lifetime’ holiday, where we had visited all the big attractions, such as the Walt Disney Parks and Universal Studios.

The day before we were due to come home we received a phone call from the UK informing us of my mother’s death. I was shocked, deeply sadden and felt a bit helpless.

Before we had travelled to the USA I had popped in on her, as I regularly did, and had said how much I loved her.

Mum was a Christian, so I took comfort in knowing that even though she had ‘passed away’, that was not the end, as she was very much alive in ‘heaven’.

Ever since then, I often find that I am moved to tears at funerals, as there is a deep connection with those grieving the loss of their loved one.

Because we love people, we are deeply moved when they are no longer with us. This was true for Jesus too. In the book of John, there is a story about the death of Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus. When he joined the mourners the Bible says…

Jesus wept.
John 11:35 The NIV Bible

This is the shortest verse in the Bible! These two words convey Jesus’ empathy. He was moved to tears as he shared the pain and sadness of those around him.

I find this so comforting that Jesus was someone who was not afraid to show his emotions.

I once sat with a dear couple where the husband had an incurable illness. Even though many of us had prayed for him, he was not getting better.

We talked about eternity, heaven, leaving this earth and his family. It was deeply moving and we wept together.

Emotions are God given, and help us to connect with one another beyond the spoken word. Let me encourage you to be aware and open to your emotions.

God bless 😢
Gary Bastin - church leader

11/10/2026

Today David Lambourn addressed the problem of ‘futile living’ and its consequences, then revealed God’s wonderful, hope filled remedy 🥳

Listen: hopebasingstoke.org/podcasts/eph-4-17-24

09/10/2026

Coming up on Sunday...
Many people, together as one 🫶
Awesome groups for kids and youth 🥳
10:30am | The Sarum Hill Centre | RG21 8SR 📍

07/10/2026

When I decide to do something I am very focused on getting it done, and I don’t like distractions or interruptions.

However, things rarely go to plan, as life, in general, is not straight forward. Things happen beyond our control and we have to be flexible and adapt.

I have experienced this, so over the years I have tried to be more ‘mellow’ and not be so obsessed with certain goals, tasks or projects.

I think we can all get fixated on certain things. Some people think a lot about money, worrying will there be enough to pay the bills, feed the family or have enough when retired.

Others can be focused on career progression, home improvements or searching for that dream house. For others it can be smaller things, such as always wanting the latest smart phone!

When we become highly focused on something, there is a danger that it can consume us. So what can we do? Paul, the writer of many of the New Testament letters, said…

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2 The NIV Bible

Paul wrote this to the Christians in the city of Colosse (in modern day Turkey). As followers of Jesus, he encouraged them to change how they viewed life.

He encouraged them to give their attention to God, first and foremost, meaning to know and understand God’s ways. God was (and is) above and beyond ‘earthly things’.

As they ‘set their minds’ on God, their vision changed and they would view things ‘on earth’ from His perspective.

If we do the same, then this shift in focus will affect everything in life. Priorities change, and things that once felt important, from an ‘earthly point of view’, will feel different from God’s perspective.

I have seen this outworked in our church. For example, a professional couple moved to a poor nation in South Asia because they felt God call them to live and work there.

Take a moment to consider all that is going on in your life. What do you ‘set your mind on’…‘earthly things’ or ‘things above’?

God bless 👀
Gary Bastin - church leader

06/10/2026

The Basingstoke Night Light Winter Shelter returns this winter, operating December - February. It will provide an evening meal, breakfast and a night in a warm dry bed for rough sleepers during the coldest months of year. Take a look at this short video:

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

04/10/2026

At our annual ‘all-age’ Thanksgiving Sunday, Linda Lucas spoke about God’s great storehouse and revealed how many things we can thank Him for 👏👏👏

Listen: hopebasingstoke.org/podcasts/gods-great-storehouse

02/10/2026

Coming up on Sunday…
Our annual ‘Thanksgiving’ gathering 👏
What are you thankful for? 🤔
10:30am | The Sarum Hill Centre | RG21 8SR📍