150 Years of Hope - Testimonies

 

Colin and Lesley

It was in the early 1990s that we were invited by the vicar, Rev Paul Swan, to bring our Methodist Church worship band from North Yorkshire to Holy Trinity, to take part in a weekend of praise and worship. Little did we know at the time that some 30 years later we would be members of Holy Trinity!

Both of us have considerable experience in churches of many denominations and none, and, quite frankly, four years ago, when the call came from the Lord for us to move from our beloved North Yorkshire to be closer to family here in the Black Country, neither of us thought much of it! However, all our negative thoughts were promptly brushed aside, and we moved our home, as directed, just over 3 years ago. Both of us are quite old in terms of years but, hopefully, still young at heart. It was good to know that our family was much nearer, just in case……..! We began to attend Holy Trinity. We had attended Holy Trinity over the years when visiting family and had always been welcomed by the church family. However, the welcome we received when it became known that we were settling here was something else! We had not anticipated the warmth and real friendship that was offered and has been continued to this day. The teaching of the church and freedom of individual expression have allowed us both to be ourselves, no artificial fronts. Both of us have continued to grow in our relationship with Jesus. Within the Holy Trinity church family, we have found abiding hope and love together in Jesus. We are greatly blessed. 

Pat

I started attending Holy Trinity Old Hill on its reopening after Covid lockdown. I had recently discovered Christ, and the Holy Bible. I knew a God of the Roman Catholic version but at Holy Trinity I learned about a gentler God, Jesus and his teachings on love, kindness, compassion and unity. It was a new revelation, God had moved in my life, he had changed many things so that we were in a better place and many prayers were answered. I am currently going through a difficult time with my husband being ill for a long time with a worsening condition. My hope has come from the family at Holy Trinity, from Nick the Vicar and Ben our curate. I understand and accept that God has a plan and I submit to his will. Holy Trinity has done this for me. Here I have found lasting hope in Jesus. Thank you Jesus for accepting me as one of your flock.
 

Emma

I have been a 'Christian' all of my life but it really wasn't until I came to Holy Trinity Church that my relationship with God was cemented and I was so excited about my faith that I wanted to sing about it from the rooftops! Having been to several churches previously, this is the one where I found my place and I found my family. My husband and my daughter worship Jesus next to me in the pews on a Sunday but the Church Elders are like my wise Grandparents, my Growth Group is full of my 'Sisters', the weekly groups are led by my 'Aunts' and my 'Uncles', my daughter plays with her 'Brothers and Sisters' and the church leaders are the 'Parents' that hold everyone together. And we are all the same, we all love the Lord. We all want to celebrate how amazingly good He is and like any good family, we support each other when it's hard. We hold each other up when it's tough. We argue and disagree, but we forgive and move forward and we learn together. My life would be empty of love without Holy Trinity Church and the people within it. To me it is far more than just a building, it is a church family full of hope, full of love for Jesus and looking forward to continuing to sing God's praises for another 150 years!

Eve (age 3)

Church is my favourite place. I love seeing my friends and playing in Froggies and I like helping to set up and helping Laura. I do learn about Jesus and the sky and the stars He made. We sometimes have food there which is really, really good. Sometimes I would like to go to church everyday please.

Theo

Holy Trinity is the place I go and do church stuff.
What's good? - snacks
Lasting hope? - it's people who have grown up knowing about Jesus and his stories, they can pass that on to me, it's good because I can learn more about Jesus and I want to know more about him.

Emily

What does it mean- family
How has it helped you? Been there at each stage of my journey and met me where I am at. Supported by church family who love me, accept me and pray for me. Practically shown me love in action, faithful bible teaching to guide me, had Jesus at the centre.

Charlotte

What does Holy Trinity church mean to me? It’s where I found Jesus and learned about God and what our purpose is for our lives on this planet, I have hope and comfort in knowing I am loved, and God knows my path, and is walking it with me everyday, even though I am always getting it wrong.
I have a Church Family and friends. I have a place to call mine and it's a safe heaven.
My children love the church and the people.
There is always discipleship tracks running and chances to learn more about our creator.
We can be involved in the church and walk alongside others who are on this same rocky road as me.
I am around like minded people who know what it's like in this world to be a Christian.
I pray that everyone finds the hope and peace I have found in Jesus, and Holy Trinity really does open its arms for people to come in and find out what it is they have been missing.  It's where I go to hear the word from scripture.
Christ is at work in our small community at Old Hill church.

Sally

I’ve been part of Holy Trinity Church Old Hill for as long as I can remember — it’s truly been a part of my life since birth. For many years, faith was something familiar, but it wasn’t until I experienced worship at a Christian festival that I really discovered the true meaning of my faith. That moment opened my heart to God in a new and deeper way.

When I returned to church as a mother, my faith continued to grow stronger. Holy Trinity became more than just a place of worship — it became a second home, filled with love, encouragement, and the presence of God.

Through one of the hardest seasons of my life, when I experienced the loss of a baby, I thought I had lost my faith too. But my church family surrounded me with such compassion and strength, reminding me that God had never left me. In my pain, He was carrying me — through the prayers, hugs, and words of those around me.

Now, as I watch my own children grow up within the same loving church family that shaped me, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. It’s a beautiful full-circle moment — seeing them embraced by the same hope and faith that carried me through. Holy Trinity Church truly is home, and I thank God every day for the blessing it has been in my life.

Terry

“A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22


We have all seen people from the world of entertainment, politics and even royalty lose their good name, their reputation. The Bible teaches us to have a good reputation, not for pride, but to bring honour to our God. It is also important that a whole church congregation has a good reputation.
A few years ago, I was desperate to find a Church where the Word of God was known, understood and acted upon. I was told that Holy Trinity, Old Hill had that very reputation, so I came along to see, and stayed! I found a Church of wonderful people that sets as one of its objectives to be “Bible-fed and Spirit-led”.
At a time like this we thank God for 150 years of being Bible-based and so Spirit led, and pray for the grace and courage to take that same reputation into the next 150 years.

Anita

The people at Holy Trinity Church are my family and dear friends. It's the place I love to worship my Lord and Saviour and can feel part of God's great plan for mankind.

During times of family sadness and suffering I've been loved, supported and held in prayer. This has made life's difficulties and challenges bearable and gave me the strength to come out the other side.

In the 1980's I joined the mums and tots group with my two sons and I'll never forget the joy of the volunteers when I told them I wanted to start attending church. They were so happy and joyful. It made me curious as to why. I soon discovered that it was their hearts desire that I find my own personal faith in Jesus.

I belong to a church with a heart to serve the local people of Old Hill.

Grace (age 8)

Holy Trinity means a lot to me because it's helped me know more about Jesus and how he came to the world to die for me. I enjoy the children's groups with different activities and also being all together with the adults hearing the talk and singing to God.

Joseph

I joined Holy Trinity Church Old Hill in 2011, along with my parents and sister. The warm welcome and family feel from that day, still very present to this day. During my time, I’ve been able to learn more about Jesus, discover my gifts, understand the servant heart, be called to areas of service and be guided by mature Christians.

Kenny and Madhu

We the Frost Family, Kenny, Madhu, and our two children Joseph and Grace, joined Holy Trinity Church, Old Hill in 2011. We moved to the West Midlands in April 2010 when we joined Operation Mobilisation in the UK and came to serve at OM'S Training Centre in Halesowen.
We found a very warm welcome at HT Church and it became our spiritual home for our whole family. We received good bible teaching, worship and a place of belonging. We also enjoy serving in the church, through PCC, Alpha Course, Discipleship Training programes, cooking, our children serving as part of the Worship Team and Kenny part of the preaching team.
Serving with OM, we are one of Holy Trinity churches mission partners and the church has been supporting us, prayerfully and financially.