Denomination: Assemblies of God
Our Story
Arena Church Ilkeston began in 1929 under various names, pioneered and led by many faithful leaders over the years.
We thank God for all the faithful pastors and leaders and people of the past! We honour the past but we live in the present, expectant for the future.
In February 2000 Kristian and Caroline Thorpe (Lead Pastor)arrived and Phil and Sharon Pye (Teaching Pastor) arrived in the Summer of 2007. Since this time the church has developed a clear vision and strategy and has grown into a church of hundreds as it has intentionally developed an “outward focus”, as well as carrying a passion to lay great discipleship foundations in peoples lives. It has also seen the churches staff and leadership teams grow and develop with many younger leaders emerging!
The Ilkeston building was significantly extended in 2004 going from a single to a two storey 15000 sq-ft building , and is now a prime town centre facility with its neighbours being Tesco, Aldi, Mcdonalds and KFC. It is used 7 days a week through conferencing, community activities and church. Its a fantastic building that serves both the church and community so well.
September 2010 saw the launch of our 2nd campus in Mansfield that met in homes and in the hired Mansfield Town FC venue suite. In April 2013 we took a huge leap of faith and purchased a large town centre building that was formerly the iconic Grand Theatre and the ABC Cinema. Its a 4 storey building that has over 30,000 sq-ft of space. The ground floor has been converted and is now usable with the other floors planned to be renovated over phases.
Arena Church has spread out from the central hub in Ilkeston and has campuses and outreaches in a variety of locations and settings with plans to pioneer and plant many more across the M1 Corridor and beyond.
We have developed a great reputation in the area amongst businesses, the police, different agencies, community groups and the towns residents through the many activities and outreaches and yet we are seeing our best is yet to be!
Arena Church Ilkeston began in 1929 under various names, pioneered and led by many faithful leaders over the years.
We thank God for all the faithful pastors and leaders and people of the past! We honour the past but we live in the present, expectant for the future.
In February 2000 Kristian and Caroline Thorpe (Lead Pastor)arrived and Phil and Sharon Pye (Teaching Pastor) arrived in the Summer of 2007. Since this time the church has developed a clear vision and strategy and has grown into a church of hundreds as it has intentionally developed an “outward focus”, as well as carrying a passion to lay great discipleship foundations in peoples lives. It has also seen the churches staff and leadership teams grow and develop with many younger leaders emerging!
The Ilkeston building was significantly extended in 2004 going from a single to a two storey 15000 sq-ft building , and is now a prime town centre facility with its neighbours being Tesco, Aldi, Mcdonalds and KFC. It is used 7 days a week through conferencing, community activities and church. Its a fantastic building that serves both the church and community so well.
September 2010 saw the launch of our 2nd campus in Mansfield that met in homes and in the hired Mansfield Town FC venue suite. In April 2013 we took a huge leap of faith and purchased a large town centre building that was formerly the iconic Grand Theatre and the ABC Cinema. Its a 4 storey building that has over 30,000 sq-ft of space. The ground floor has been converted and is now usable with the other floors planned to be renovated over phases.
Arena Church has spread out from the central hub in Ilkeston and has campuses and outreaches in a variety of locations and settings with plans to pioneer and plant many more across the M1 Corridor and beyond.
We have developed a great reputation in the area amongst businesses, the police, different agencies, community groups and the towns residents through the many activities and outreaches and yet we are seeing our best is yet to be!
