LISA HARRISON

Ilkeston Hub

Campus Pastor

Ilkeston Hub, established September 2019, is led by Campus Pastor Lisa Harrison who has lived in Cotmanhay, Ilkeston, for her entire life.

When she first became a Christian, the whole experience was alien to her, with people using words and phrases she’d never heard before. Now, over 15 years have passed. Lisa has become Arena Church’s Community Pastor, as well as heading up community projects including the foodbank and The Project on Bath Street, Ilkeston.

Lisa says,“I’ve not only lived it but survived it and have been made stronger and have more freedom. If God took me today I would be happy because the later part of my life has been that good…Everyone can be fragile, but being fragile always leads to offence. You get offended that someone or something is holding you back from where you are meant to be. But nobody can hold you back from God’s plan for you.”

Arena Church is a place where everyone can belong, our ethos is that “everybody is somebody at Arena”. This is no new idea of ours, it comes from the heart of Jesus, he hung around with the majestic and maligned, the businessman and the beggar, the politician and the prostitute and he loved them all. Jesus heart is for everybody, and that is our heart at Arena. We are seeking to build a Church that reaches every area of society, where everyone is welcomed with open arms. Wherever you are in your life, you will be welcomed at the Arena.

Our services reflect the inclusive nature of Jesus, whether you have never stepped foot in a Church and just want to ‘see what it’s all about’ or whether you have been in Church your whole life, there is something for you. Our services reflect the greatness of our God alongside the reality of our humanity. They are passionate, intimate, exciting and engaging as we seek to go on this journey called life together. We don’t want you to put on a mask or a facade, we want you to come as you are.

We are one Church in many locations. Each of our campuses reflects the heart of Arena but also the community in which we are placed. We would love to welcome you to one of our campuses this week.