Last issue we reported on the miraculous purchase of a new building for a Hastings church. Now Wallace Boulton gives an update on its vision – and the simple lifestyle of its minister
HASTINGS pastor Chris Sears may have been awarded the MBE for his work with street people – but this modest man gives the credit to God.He lives by faith, with a simple lifestyle. He does not have a car, computer or mobile phone. He walks briskly around the town and likes meeting people face-to-face.
And he’s seen His Place Community Church develop from five Christians meeting in a home to now occupying their own venue at the former United Reformed Church in Robertson Street (as reported in the last HEART OF SUSSEX).
“We applied for the building on the deadline day,” says Pastor Chris Sears, “and we were chosen out of five applicants. Praise God, we now own the building outright and there is no debt,” says Chris. “But there is a lot of work to be done on it, which will cost about £20,000.”
For 13 years Chris, 62, also managed His Place café in St Leonards-on-Sea. There were Alpha course breakfasts and the 12-step recovery programme for those with addictions. He has seen many lives transformed.
Worship centre, ministry and café have all come together now in the one Robertson Street building. “I have a vision,” said Chris, “of the river of God in the centre of Hastings, with different streams flowing into the one river of blessing. The Lord wants to do wonderful and mighty works here.”