St Stephen's in Redditch is one of our Renewal projects. It has received funding from the national church as part of our priority to ensure that each major area of population has at least one larger healthy and sustainable church by 2030 - one with at least 150 people attending in an average week.
The renewal project in Redditch is led by Fraser Oates who did his curacy at All Saints in Worcester. He relocated to Redditch with his family and was licensed as Renewal leader in September 2024.
Why St Stephen's Redditch?
St Stephen’s has been chosen to be one of our Renewal projects because it is in an urban area with no other large churches nearby. It is close to the station and Kingfisher shopping centre as well as schools, businesses and community projects. As the main civic church of the town, it is well-known in terms of visibility, being positioned at the heart of Redditch, which all offers excellent opportunities for growth.
Vision
Fraser has a Pentecostal background and having been Curate at All Saints Worcester, is hoping to transform St Stephen’s into a similar charismatic church, with lively and creative services, focusing on the importance of sung worship and the anticipation of God.
Fraser has a clear vision about what he wants St Stephen’s to be, including a place where Christian faith is nurtured, real Christian community is fostered, and a church committed to loving the local community and bearing witness. A main focus is a strong discipleship pathway, helping the congregation discern their own spiritual gifts and how God is calling them to serve both in church and out in the local community.
Fraser’s vision also centres on radical love and social transformation. Inspired by Matthew 25:35-36, he emphasises the importance of serving, welcoming the stranger, and caring for those in need—as a reflection of the love Christ teaches.
Fraser said: “I’m excited by the opportunity and challenge of starting a charismatic church, which I think is a unique offering for the area. Being in a pioneering role gives me permission to think creatively and is exactly the kind of role I have hoped for.”
Team
Fraser is using the funding to build a team that will help deliver on his vision.
- Worship Pastor – shaping a culture of Charismatic worship and prayer
- Children & Families Pastor – building faith primary and pre-school children
- Youth Pastor – mentoring youth aged 11–18
- Community Evangelist – leading outreach and evangelism
- Operations Manager – managing logistics, building use, and admin
N.B: Not all these roles are full time.
Building works
St Stephen’s will be revamped and reworked to help bring about the vision. They will improve the flexibility of the space so that multiple services or groups can take place in the church simultaneously. These will include installing a mezzanine level, toilets and a new kitchen. There will therefore be a period where the church is closed and the team will move out and have a unit in the Kingsfisher shopping centre instead. Currently this is scheduled for late 2025.