ABBEY LIFE CHURCH PARTNER UPDATE
Help Us Make This House a Home
Because of partners like you, Abbey Life Church was able to launch, reach people and establish a growing church in Belfast City.
We now have the opportunity to move into a permanent building—We're now in the final stretch with a £64,800 funding gap to get in.
Scroll down to see how this funding gap is divided across the key areas where you can partner with us and make a difference.
Watch our partner update below and prayerfully consider helping us take this next step.
A personal update from Darren and Suzanne
Thank you for taking a few minutes to hear our story.
You Helped Us Get Here
When Abbey Life Church was only a vision, you believed in us.
Your prayer, encouragement and financial investment helped us launch a new church and begin reaching people across Newtownabbey and the north of Belfast.
This is not the beginning of a new story. It is the next chapter of something you have already helped make possible.
Thank you for standing with us.
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70+ People Weekly
Unchurched and Dechurched coming to church
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20 Baptisms
New Believers
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50 + People through Growth Track
Kids Church Thriving
Life Groups Building Community
People serving in ministry
Raised to date £47,707
We Launched
Launching with ARC gave us the best start possible. We have built strong relationships with the ARC family and know we’re better together.
we’ve grown
People have come to new life in Jesus! Thanks to our learning from partners like you we don’t do ministry alone.
we’re ready
Establishing Abbey Life in the former Whiteabbey Congregational Church building offers a unique opportunity to transform a historic, purpose-built space into a permanent ministry base where we can welcome the unchurched and the dechurched with warmth and continuity. Occupying this landmark would provide stability for long-term discipleship, community outreach, and growth initiatives that reflect our focus on the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Securing the building ensures a visible, accessible presence in the neighbourhood where people can find freedom, follow God and fulfil purpose.
From Church Plant to Permanent Home
More Than a Building
A Permanent Sunday Home
A permanent home will give Abbey Life a place to grow for generations to come. It will provide a welcoming space where people can gather, build community and encounter Jesus. Together, we're creating a place where everyone can find freedom, discover purpose and know they belong.
thankful for portable ready for permanentA Home for Children and Young People
A dedicated Abbey Kids space will create a fun, safe and welcoming environment where children can learn about Jesus, build lasting friendships and grow in their faith. As children thrive, families become more connected and confident in calling Abbey Life home.
kids church is growing and we're running out of space
A Base for Community Ministry
A permanent home will enable us to serve our community throughout the week, offering practical help, compassionate support and a place where people can experience hope, belonging and the love of Jesus.
our compassion ministry will make a greater impact
A Foundation for the Future
This building will be more than a place to gather—it will be a place where people encounter Jesus, discover freedom, grow in faith and step into God's purpose for their lives.
unchurched - dechurched coming to churchThe Opportunity Before Us
Complete the spaces for kids church
£5,800Finish the Abbey Kids and Crèche spaces with secure check-in equipment, floor mats, toys, stage, signage, resources and the practical items needed to welcome children safely.
Create a welcoming arrival
£5,500A welcome that will feel warm and thoughtful with signage and safe pathways
Prepare the auditorium for gathering
£15,500Provide seating, painting, sound and lighting so the main auditorium is ready for worship, teaching, prayer and compassion ministry
Make the building warm and safe
£20,000Complete the initial heating installation and essential electrical work needed to use the building comfortably throughout the year.
Finish the essential flooring
£6,000Install safe and durable flooring across the areas required before we can open and use the building.
Coffee station
£2,000Build Coffee area for building relationships
Complete accessible facilities
£5,000Finish the initial toilet refurbishment and accessible entry work so people of every generation can use the building safely and with dignity.
Create a dedicated SEN room
£5,000Every child deserves a place where they feel safe, understood and included. Our dedicated SEN room will provide a calm, sensory-friendly environment where children with additional needs can experience God's love and know they truly belong.
*You can select 0% transfer fee when partnering
Will you help us open the doors?
When we first began to dream about a permanent home for Abbey Life, we knew it would take faith, generosity and the support of people who believed in what God was doing among us.
We are now approaching the final stretch.
The remaining work will allow us to open the doors and begin using this building as a permanent home for worship, children’s ministry, community, care and mission.
We would love you to consider partnering with us.
You may choose to support a particular room or practical need, give towards the area of greatest need, or begin a conversation with us about funding a larger part of the project.
Thank you for taking the time to hear our story and for believing with us in what this building could become.
We are not simply finishing a renovation.
We are preparing a home where people can encounter Jesus, find community and know that they belong.
With love and gratitude,
Darren and Suzanne
