Forefront Community Church

“Forefront Community Church is a growing Christian church based in Chard, Somerset, passionate about helping people of all ages follow Jesus in everyday life. We are shaped by three core values: Seek God, Love Generously, and Expect Transformation, with a strong emphasis on discipleship, community, and mission.
Forefront is led by a voluntary leadership team and places high value on shared leadership and every-member ministry. Alongside vibrant Sunday worship, we run the Forefront Community Centre in the heart of the town, an active outreach hub hosting youth-facing community services, support projects, and spaces for connection. We are deeply committed to investing in young people and seeing them thrive in faith, purpose, and belonging.”

“Our youth work is supported by a youth worker and a committed volunteer team. We currently run Sunday Bible sessions and Friday Fun evenings twice a month, offering relaxed spaces where young people can build friendships and invite friends. We also run Youth Alpha, provide mentoring for young people facing challenging situations, and encourage wider connection through events like the Spree Camp and  The Gathering in Exeter. Last year, older members of the youth group took part in a mission trip to France.
Looking ahead, we aim to expand youth provision across the town, using our Community Centre for after-school activities and workshops, and to strengthen outreach to local young people, including those from international backgrounds.”

“Forefront Community Church is based in Chard, Somerset, a market town serving a mix of urban and rural communities. The town has areas of relative prosperity alongside significant social and economic challenges, particularly affecting children, young people, and families and there is a growing diversity within the community, including families from international backgrounds. Chard has a strong sense of local identity but relatively few safe, accessible spaces for young people to gather outside of school. Our town-centre Community Centre places us at the heart of the community, well positioned to build relationships, offer support, and create welcoming spaces where young people can belong, be heard, and thrive”

The ministry is active and continuing to develop, with established provision including regular Sunday Bible sessions, Friday Fun evenings, and Youth Alpha, alongside ongoing mentoring and pastoral support. The church has a growing partnership with Holyrood Academy, contributing to mentoring provision, the school’s Christian Fellowship (CU), and involvement in the Alpha course. The placement offers an opportunity to welcome an additional youth worker who can build on existing work, expand outreach within the town and local schools, and deepen relationships with young people through consistent presence, pastoral care, and intentional discipleship.