What We Believe

Reaching Up, Reaching Out, Reaching the Nations — What Does That Mean?

King’s Arms Community Church began in 2012 and has been part of the spiritual life of Lydney ever since, seeking to share the good news of Jesus with our town and beyond.

From the beginning, the church’s vision was inspired by the image behind the name King’s Arms — the arms of Jesus reaching out and touching many lives.

A simple way of saying what we are about is:

Reaching up. Reaching out. Reaching the nations.

These three phrases capture our purpose and help keep us focused on what matters most.

Reaching Up

First and foremost, the church is a worshipping people.

Church should certainly be a place of friendship, care, and community — and those things matter. But our starting point must always be Godward, not man-ward.

Reaching up means fixing our eyes on Jesus — our risen Saviour, our Good Shepherd, and our Lord. It means honouring God our Father, who sent His Son for us, and welcoming the Holy Spirit, who gives us new life and the power to follow Jesus each day.

Reaching up is about worship:

• Because the Father seeks worshippers
• Because Jesus is worthy of all praise
• Because the Holy Spirit helps us and gives us gifts as we honour God

Without connection to the Head, the body cannot live. Reaching up is the place where life begins — lifting our hands and hearts in love, prayer, surrender, and trust in the will of God.

Reaching up is our foundation.

Reaching Out

The church does not exist for itself.

As Archbishop William Temple once said, “The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of its non-members.”

Jesus gave His followers a clear commission: go and make disciples. This call is not only about preaching the gospel, but about living it — demonstrating the good news through love, generosity, service, and everyday relationships.

Every gathering, every prayer meeting, and every ministry should remind us that we are here not just for our own encouragement, but for the people around us.

The good news is truly good news:

• Good for individuals and families
• Good for marriages, children, and singles
• Good for workplaces and communities
• Good for every area of life

God’s message of sacrificial love brings hope and transformation wherever it is lived and shared.

Reaching the Nations

God’s vision has always been bigger than one place.

From the time of Abraham, God’s people were called to be a blessing to the nations. The Bible speaks prophetically of this global purpose:

“Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance.” (Psalm 2)

Churches can sometimes become focused only on their local setting and miss God’s wider plan. But the gospel has travelled across the world for centuries — even reaching our own nation many generations ago.

Today, there are still many places where people have little or no access to the message of Jesus, particularly within the region often called the 10/40 window.

As part of our vision, we partner with Regions Beyond, our wider family of churches, to play our part in reaching those who have not yet heard.

Because God’s heart is not only for our town — it is for every nation.

Our Vision in Three Words

• Reaching up — living lives of worship and devotion to God
• Reaching out — sharing the love and good news of Jesus in our community
• Reaching the nations — playing our part in God’s global mission