Matt Micaiah

Walking into church as a non-Christian was, for me, one of the scariest moments of my life. This might sound like an over-exaggeration, but it’s true.

However, Maybridge Community Church has a way of allaying those fears without being obvious: the warm “Hello“ you get, without the interrogation of who you are and why you are there; the accessibility of the preach every week means you actually come away ” getting it”; and the option of staying anonymous for as long as you wish means no one is forcing you to talk to anyone!

Maybridge has an approach to new Christians which allows you find Jesus at your own pace. I attended Alpha and found the questioning and discussion (as well as the free food) exactly what I needed to develop new friendships and begin a relationship with God.

Everyone has a preconceived idea of church (and Christians) but Maybridge has changed those completely. For me, the approach to collective worship is exactly what the modern Christian needs. At the centre is Jesus, and around that is a congregation that stands together – doing Christian life together. The opportunities to serve are so numerous, yet there is not an overbearing expectation to do too much. With that, though, is ability to find what you feel you were called to do and there is encouragement for you to explore what this is.

What makes Maybridge so special is the mixed demographic. I’m in my late twenties, and have flourished here both with friends my own age and those who have more (and less) experience of life. Each person at Maybridge has an effect on you that will encourage, challenge and support you in the journey that is Christian faith. They have watched me be baptised, celebrated my engagement to Bex and guided me in these early days of my relationship with Jesus.

For me, now, Maybridge are family – not bad for a place full of people I was petrified of meeting.