At Blakelaw Community Church we believe...
There is one God, who is infinitely perfect, existing eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is true God and true man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died upon the cross, the Just for the unjust, as a substitutionary sacrifice, and all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood. He arose from the dead according to the Scriptures. He is now at the right hand of the Majesty on high as our great High Priest. He will come again to establish His kingdom of righteousness and peace.
The Holy Spirit is a divine person, sent to indwell, guide, teach, empower the believer, and convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement. The Old and New Testament, inerrant as originally given, were verbally inspired by God and are a complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men. They constitute the divine and only rule of Christian faith and practice. Man was originally created in the image and likeness of God: he fell through disobedience, incurring thereby both physical and spiritual death. All men are born with a sinful nature, are separated from the life of God, and can be saved only through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The portion of the impenitent and unbelieving is existence forever in conscious torment; and that of the believer, in everlasting joy and bliss. Salvation has been provided through Jesus Christ for all men; and those who repent and believe in Him are born again of the Holy Spirit, receive the gift of eternal life, and become the children of God. It is the will of God that each believer should be filled with the Holy Spirit and be sanctified wholly. Provision is made in the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ for the healing of the mortal body. Prayer for the sick and anointing with oil are taught in the Scriptures and are privileges for the church in this present age.
The church consists of all those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, are redeemed through His blood, and are born again of the Holy Spirit. Christ is the Head of the body, the church, which has been commissioned by Him to go into all the world as a witness, preaching the Gospel to all nations. The local church is a body of believers in Christ who are joined together for the worship of God, for edification through the Word of God, for prayer, fellowship, the proclamation of the Gospel, and observance of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. There shall be a bodily resurrection of the just and of the unjust; for the former, resurrection unto life; for the latter, a resurrection unto judgement. The second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is imminent and will be personal, visible and physical.
Meet the Leadership Team
Mark Sharman and Sandy Sharman
Mark and Sandy are originally from London. They both became Christians while at university and met one another at a Bible Study in Central London. After university Mark trained for ministry at Trinity College, Bristol and Sandy trained to be a Science teacher in London.
They have been in pastoral work since 1976; their first church being in North West London, where they married in 1977. In 1983 God guided them to the North East, which continues to be their home. Over the years they have formed many strong friendships and links with other churches and fellowships in Tyneside and have seen God maintain unity amongst Christian leaders.
Mark and Sandy have 3 children and 6 grandchildren that they enjoy seeing regularly. Although both are now retired, Mark still loves preaching, evangelism, riding his electric bike, walking in the Lake District and reading
history books. Sandy enjoys playing the piano, walking with the dog, teaching, technical challenges, and leading worship.
Jonathan Aiah Komba-Kpakoi
I am married with four children and have strong evangelical core values. I became a ‘born again’ Christian in 1992 and did some evangelical work when teaching at schools in Sierra Leone, West Africa. I am also a trained classroom teacher and a qualified Health & Social care worker.
Currently I am one of the leadership team at Blakelaw Community Church. My main focus is preaching the good news of Jesus Christ and giving hope to others to enable them to transform their lives through Jesus Christ. I strive to work with all age groups.
Bolaji Ismail
I was raised in a Muslim family, but I gave my heart to the Lord in 1987, when I was in secondary school; it has been an amazing journey ever since. I have served the Lord in different capacities since my conversion; as Youth Pastor in my local church in Lagos, Nigeria, as a leader in the campus fellowship during my undergraduate years, and as a church planter and Pastor of a local church in Washington, UK for seven years.
I met my sweetheart, Theodora at university and we got married in 2004. We are blessed with two amazing kids. My wife has been my rock through the years, using her amazing gifts to support our ministry work and the children. It is an honour for me to serve in the leadership of Blakelaw Community Church.
Ken Mckenzie
I grew up in a Christian family but was a typically rebellious teen and went away to college determined to be an atheist, but God had other ideas and thanks to some of the guys in my student house I became a Christian instead.
I was a teacher for many years until the Lord led me into chaplaincy and then pastoral work. Over the years I have served God as a teacher, as a musician, a preacher, and as a pastor, and in Pentecostal Churches as a worship leader.
I met my wonderful wife Alison at the wedding of a mutual friend, and we married in 1976, the same year of my accreditation as a preacher in the Methodist church. Not a big fan of denominational labels I’ve been able to work for God’s Kingdom across the body of Christ; after all, there are no denominations in heaven.
Alison and I have three married daughters and seven grandchildren. I am involved with CVM (Christian Vision for Men) and am greatly privileged and honoured to serve in the amazing Blakelaw Community Church.
Harry Lisgo
I was born, in 1952, into a loving but strict Roman Catholic family where throughout my childhood and youth Mass, Confession and all the ‘duties’ of the Catholic life were an obligatory part of my family life. Despite weekly church I knew nothing of the joy of Jesus’ saving grace until I was meeting with a group of Christians in my place of work who were passionate about the Gospel. At the age of 27 I invited Jesus into my life as my personal Saviour resting my case on Romans ch 10 v.9.
I have always lived and worked within 15 miles of Newcastle City Centre and my childhood home was in Blakelaw. In 1991 I was accredited by the Baptist Union GB to lead small groups and in 2007 was accredited as a recognized preacher with the Baptist Union. I have served as a Street Pastor in Newcastle City centre, serving the youth of our community and regularly witness for the Lord in Newcastle.
My wife Norma and I came to know the Lord within 6 months of each other and she has been a great encourager throughout our 49 year marriage. We have one daughter who is a teacher and two grandchildren who are growing up fast. As a Deacon at Blakelaw Community Church I see my call as one who is a help in the church and strive, as far as I am able, to be faithful to God in this service.