The ‘Oaks’ Vision
“… That they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3
Care for our City is the social action ministry of Emmanuel Church, dedicated to the renewal and flourishing of the communities in which we live, work, and worship. For over 40 years, our church has pursued a Kingdom vision for cultural transformation and gospel presence across Brighton, Hove, and Shoreham-by-Sea.
Rooted in Scripture and shaped by the call to be good news in both word and deed, we believe that loving our city means serving it—through acts of compassion, justice, and restoration. We empower individuals across our church to use the gifts God has given them to bring about both material and spiritual renewal in our neighbourhoods, especially among the most vulnerable.
“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:7)
We discern where to act not only through strategic planning, but also through prayerful attentiveness to where God is already at work. This mission aligns with Emmanuel’s overall call to help people find their way back to God—and is shaped deeply by the prophetic mandate of Isaiah 61, which we see vividly describing the work of God’s anointed people to:
Proclaim Good News to the Poor – We serve not just to meet practical needs, but to demonstrate and declare the good news of Jesus to those who feel overlooked, trapped, or broken.
Bind Up the Brokenhearted and Set Captives Free – We prioritise personal transformation, walking with people in recovery from addiction, homelessness, poverty, or godlessness into restored identity and purpose.
Raise Up “Oaks of Righteousness” – Every project is designed with a trajectory: not just to help people, but to equip and release them. We believe that today’s beneficiaries can become tomorrow’s leaders and servants in the church and city.
Through these lenses, Care for our City acts as a catalyst for holistic renewal—spiritual, relational, economic, and emotional. Whether through housing initiatives, food provision, wellbeing support, or family-focused outreach, we seek to build a legacy of restored lives, strong communities, and visible gospel impact across our four sites.
