Hope Alive Chapel: Building Community Through Faith and Fellowship
In the heart of Lowestoft, a warm and welcoming spiritual community has been flourishing since late 2025. Hope Alive Chapel, an extension of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, began as a church plant from Oasis Chapel in Great Yarmouth. This vibrant congregation has quickly established itself as a beacon of hospitality and inclusivity in the local area, exemplified by their recent free afternoon tea event on March 22nd. The gathering proved so successful that they’ve already committed to hosting another one in the near future, demonstrating their dedication to creating spaces where faith and fellowship seamlessly intertwine.
What makes Hope Alive Chapel particularly special is the beautiful relationship that has developed between the new congregation and their hosts at North Lowestoft United Reformed Church. Louise Liddament, who serves as Admin Support Assistant and Evangelism Team Leader for both Hope Alive and Oasis Chapel, speaks warmly of this partnership: “Everyone from the URC has been extremely welcoming and friendly. I sense that we have been a blessing to each other.” This mutual respect has led to members of each congregation participating in the other’s services, with URC members attending Hope Alive’s Sunday afternoon services at 2:30 PM (which always feature complimentary refreshments), while Hope Alive members join URC’s Tuesday lunchtime services. This cross-pollination of faith communities creates a rich tapestry of shared Christian experience that transcends denominational boundaries.
The afternoon tea event, described enthusiastically as “a roaring success,” showcased not just delicious treats like cakes, biscuits, and scones, but also healthier options. There’s a charming cultural exchange happening within Hope Alive Chapel, as Louise explains: “The African people within Hope Alive Chapel are keen to adopt English culture. We explained that an afternoon tea includes food. They refer to the buffet items as ‘Small Chops’.” This embrace of local traditions while maintaining their own cultural identity creates a distinctive and inclusive atmosphere that welcomes people from all backgrounds. The photo from the event features Leki, a Hope Alive member, helping serve refreshments—a simple yet powerful illustration of the church’s commitment to service and hospitality.
Beyond their Sunday services, Hope Alive Chapel actively engages with the broader community through various outreach initiatives. On the third Saturday of each month, they partner with the URC to distribute gospel literature in Lowestoft town center. These joyful outreach events feature free hot chocolate, chocolate bars, biscuits, and lollipops, creating natural opportunities to share information about both churches and engage with local residents in a friendly, non-pressured environment. Pastor Emmanuel Osegboh leads this growing congregation with a clear vision that Louise articulates succinctly: “Our vision is to help people start their Christian faith journey, to help people already on their Christian faith journey, and to share the love of God.” This three-fold approach encompasses both those new to faith and those seeking to deepen their existing spiritual practice.
The Hope Alive congregation meets at North Lowestoft United Reformed Church located at 176 London Road North, while their parent church, Oasis Chapel, continues to hold services at 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM each Sunday at Peggotty Road Community Centre in Great Yarmouth. This expansion represents the growing influence of The Redeemed Christian Church of God in East Norfolk, as they establish welcoming faith communities that bridge cultural differences while maintaining a strong focus on Christian fellowship. The warm relationship between Hope Alive and the United Reformed Church demonstrates how different Christian traditions can work together effectively, enriching each other’s practices while maintaining their distinct identities.
For those interested in connecting with either Hope Alive Chapel or Oasis Chapel, information is readily available through their website (oasischapel.com), by email ([email protected]), or by phone (07539 336 935). As this new church plant continues to grow and develop its ministry in Lowestoft, it stands as an inspiring example of how faith communities can establish meaningful connections both within their congregation and with the broader community. Through simple acts of hospitality like afternoon teas, sharing refreshments after services, and offering free treats during outreach events, Hope Alive Chapel embodies the essence of Christian fellowship—creating spaces where people feel valued, welcomed, and encouraged to explore or deepen their faith journey in a supportive environment.
