Ocean

In March 2003 The Salvation Army, commissioned Nick and Kerry Coke to begin a new church in East London. On arriving at their new home on the Ocean Estate, Stepney, they fell in love with their community.

A sprawling estate with a dubious history, the Ocean is in a state of flux – largescale re-developments of homes and huge financial investment are making a visible change to the physical landscape. Amidst the upheaval are elderly eastenders mourning the loss of familiarity, a strong Bangladeshi community trying to preserve its religion, culture and values from Western erosion, a growing Somali population vying for position in an already overcrowded area and wealthy middle-class city workers buying up homes nearer to work. On every corner are traces of God at work as he enables people to overcome their difficult circumstances.

Over the past four years the church has seen steady ‘growth’ in all dimensions of life: a small community meets for meals, prayer, Biblical reflection and worship twice a weeka weekly men’s football evening, a messy play morning for pre-school children and parents, and regular inter-faith events cross the cultural, ethnic and religious divide to defy the segregation that prevails in almost every aspect of Ocean life; a wide network of individuals link informally as neighbours and friends with the church and enjoy the regular get-togethers and parties that have come in some way to define the church and express the kingdom of God on the Ocean Estate.

The team linked up with Urban Expression informally when they discovered them on their doorstep and were amazed at how closely they shared the same values. In April 2004 the Ocean team became a formal part of the network.

Website:
http://www.hopeasha.org.uk

Blog:
http://ashes2asha.blogspot.com