Thriving churches, advancing the kingdom

Our vision is to be a family of thriving churches, advancing the Kingdom. 

Our churches are located in Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Berkshire.
We have a rich history built over many years, and enjoy global connections through Salt & Light international. 

Thriving churches

  • Thriving community life

    Churches that are fun to be part of, where relationships are characterised by love, care, and commitment.  

    Churches where men and women, young and old, of a variety of ethnicities and cultural backgrounds are growing as disciples of Jesus and using their God-given gifts to serve one another.  

  • Thriving devotional life

    Churches with Spirit-filled worship and passionate prayer, and a deep commitment to Scripture.  

    Churches that embody Christ-like values of humility, integrity, generosity, and grace.  

  • Thriving missional life

    Churches where people can explore questions of faith and experience God’s life-changing power, and which regularly see people become followers of Jesus.  

    Churches that look beyond themselves, seeking to multiply the life of God through planting churches and reaching the lost.

Advancing the Kingdom

  • Proclaiming the Gospel

    Representing Jesus in our communities and workplaces, living in such a way that we are good news to those around us.  

    Declaring the gospel of Jesus and demonstrating God’s Kingdom through signs and wonders. 

  • Shaping Society

    Taking a stand against poverty and injustice, and caring for the marginalised in our towns, villages and cities.  

    Contributing to the flourishing of our nation and the transformation of society.   

  • Loving the Nations

    Enjoying friendships and connections within our global family and learning and receiving from other nations and cultures. 

    Going to the nations, to serve, bless and build, and play our part in fulfilling the Great Commission.  

Culture

Our culture and values are the elements of life we hold dear and want to live by as we pursue our God-inspired vision.
These culture declarations summarise the atmosphere we aim to see in our family of churches.   

  • A culture of supernatural, Spirit-inspired breakthrough – where dry bones come alive. 

    We seek to build a culture where we honour Jesus, cherish his word, and follow his Spirit. A culture where we prize and practise the gifts of the Spirit and expect to see signs of his Kingdom life all around us.

  • A culture of big-thinking, risk-taking boldness – where great faith sets the tone.  

    We seek to build a culture of faith, where we build and lead with care, while dreaming big and looking beyond. A culture where we receive and value the apostolic gift, and see breakthrough into new areas as God leads us.

  • A culture of humility, honour and servanthood – where feet are washed and lives laid down. 

    We seek to build a generous culture, where we give of our best and trust in God’s abundant generosity towards us. A relational culture where kindness, empathy, and humility are high, and leadership is characterised by integrity, transparency and servant-heartedness.  

  • A culture of friendship, teamwork and clear vision – where unity brings God’s blessing.  

    We seek to build a culture where everyone is valued and empowered to play their part, where we pursue unity and friendship, building with diligence and wisdom. A culture where men and women lead together, and where different cultures, nations and generations thrive together.  

  • A culture of leading out of joy, freedom and rest – where we live in the unforced rhythms of grace. 

    We seek to build a culture of joy, celebration and life-giving relationships. A culture of deep devotion and a commitment to prayer, where our dependence on God outweighs our self-sufficient tendencies, we resist striving, and we celebrate and trust in God’s abundant goodness towards us.  

Strategic Priorities

How will we ensure that we keep prayerful and attentive about the vision and culture God has given us?
We’ve articulated these 10- and 2-year priorities to help us do just that!

10-year strategic priorities

Thriving Churches 

  • Existing churches strengthened, with significant growth across the network  

  • New churches planted, including into cities 

  • Multiple hub churches established serving as bases for resourcing and sending  

  • Many leaders of all generations equipped and inspired to lead thriving churches & plant new churches 

Advancing the Kingdom 

  • A culture better reflecting the Kingdom of God in place among us, including greater supernatural life of the Spirit  

  • Many leaders equipped and inspired to advance God’s Kingdom in all spheres of life 

  • Greater connections with other networks and denominations for the good of our nation  

  • New nations touched with Kingdom life and churches supported and planted in other nations  

2-year strategic priorities

These 2-year priorities are for 2025-2026, after which a fresh set of 2-year priorities begin.

Culture and values  

Identification of aspects of our culture which need addressing and changing to see our 10-year priorities realised.

Leadership 

Clear strategy and pipeline for leadership training in place.

Identification of leaders to take on upcoming church leadership roles, and to oversee other churches.

Church plants

Current church plants strengthened.

Next church plants and potential leaders identified and preliminary work underway.

Nations  

Identification of nations to be serving, connecting with and resourcing.

Wider Family

Salt & Light Advance also has a vision to play our part in our growing international family of churches - Salt & Light International - across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.

The family has grown into an international affiliation of several different apostolic spheres (regions), joined through the relationship of leaders.