about us
Family for Everyone | Sharing Hope | Following Jesus
welcome
Welcome to Oxclose Church! We are a Church of England resource church in the Diocese of Durham based in Washington, Tyne and Wear.
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As a resource church our focus is on growing disciples and communities right across the North-East both in-person and online.
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As Church of England churches go, we aren't the most traditional, exploring a modern and contemporary form of worship on a Sunday. Regardless of what background you are coming from, we'd love for you to be a part of our church family here at Oxclose!
family for everyone
At Oxclose Church we believe we are all children of God and part of His big family. God’s desire is for everyone to trust, love and know Him, as a Father. It is how we are designed to be. Jesus showed us what is life with God is like and it is through faith in him that we get to enjoy this relationship with the Father who loves us so much.
sharing hope
We are people of hope - we believe that hope is transformative, it transforms us on a personal level, it transforms our community and it transforms out society. We get to share that hope with everyone around us. Our hope is rooted in Jesus, in who he says we are and who he says we can be. Because of what Jesus has done for us and in us, we believe that everyone gets to live their best life now because of Jesus’ promise brings life in all its fullness. This transformative hope is only found in Jesus and through Jesus.
following jesus
We are a family who put their faith into action and do the things that Jesus did. We try to imitate Jesus in how he interacted with people showing compassion, mercy and honour to everyone. We believe that Jesus wants people to experience his kingdom and so we pray for the world, both near and far, and expect the miraculous to happen everyday.
Rev'd Gavin Rushton
Church Leader
Gav is the boss man here at Oxclose Church. He's full of wisdom, inspiration and passion, helping to lead us forward as a resource church looking to grow and pursue God's vision for this area.
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He has recently led us forward into committing to knocking on every door in the parish to tell them about Jesus!
Neil McDonald
Emerging Generations Lead
Neil runs our youth project here at Oxclose Church called Ten10 and recently raised a bunch of money to get a double decker bus converted into a mobile youth centre which is amazing!
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Neil is married to our Admin (Mel) and we always joke that he should wear a t-shirt saying "Ask me about my bus!"
Robert Cooper
Digital Engagement Lead
Hi! I'm Rob, I lead our online platforms such as our social media, our website, and our online Facebook campus. I'm also a passionate worship leader so expect to see me with my guitar on Sunday.
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I recently completed a PhD in Mathematics and live with my wife (who is a Youth Worker in Sunderland) and my hyper dog, Bailey.
Melanie McDonald
Administrator
Mel is our amazing admin here at Oxclose Church. Honestly, so much wouldn't get done without here and she's amazing at making sure everything gets organised and planned at Church.
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She now leads our family cafe, The Ark Play Cafe.