Our Identity - What's in a name?

Does it matter what you are called? We believe so, simply because if the Church exists to reach people, then a person's understanding of who we are and who we represent is essential to get right. 

In 2007 the Church previously called 'Mitcheldean Christian Fellowship' changed its name to 'Forest Gate Church'. We trust that this glorifies God by being known as what he established and ordained - CHURCH.

Forest
This word describes our location - on the edge of the Forest Of Dean. We believe that our location is not accidental, but that God has called us here, that our mission field is those who live around us and that our instruction is to bring hope to this place by representing and sharing Jesus at all times.

Gate
Although 'gate' describes the fact that we are on the entrance to the Forest of Dean, Jesus called himself the 'gate'. Our name reflects our dependency on Him, and the saving power of His act of dying on the cross. He is the only way by which we can know God, and His life is the model for living that we aspire to.

Church
This is the one word that was not of our choosing - we are Church at all times, not just on Sundays.  It is God's designation for the assembly of people called by His name. As such, our course has been charted by God; our destiny has been planned by God; our members have been chosen by God; our purposes have been defined by God.

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