After 46 years of ministry in Milton Keynes, we’re stepping into a new name that better reflects who we are and who we’re becoming.
For more than four decades, God has been writing an incredible story through our church family — a story marked by faith, courage, and countless lives changed by Jesus.
From the earliest days in 1979, when George and Pam Ridley planted a small church with a big vision to make God known in a brand-new city, our heartbeat has always been the same: to bring people to Jesus and equip them to live courageously as fully devoted followers of Christ.
Back then, Milton Keynes was still being built — roads unfinished, neighbourhoods just forming, and communities waiting to be connected. And right in the middle of that, God placed a group of people who believed this new city needed a new church.
That’s how our journey began as New City Pentecostal Church.
Over the years, the name changed several times as the church grew and the mission expanded — from Christian Centre, to Venture Church, and more recently MKCC, the name that’s been part of our story for many years.
Each change marked a new chapter. None of them were about moving away from the past, but about moving forward in obedience to what God was doing in that moment.
Through every season, the mission has stayed the same — people encountering Jesus, lives being transformed, hope being restored, and a church community committed to serving our city and the world through generosity and faith.
Turning the Page Again
Now, 46 years on, we sense that it’s time to turn the page once again.
Not because we’ve outgrown who we’ve been, but because God is calling us to express that identity with fresh clarity and courage for the days ahead.
We believe this is more than a practical decision — it’s a spiritual moment. A moment to declare who we are, what we stand for, and where we believe God is leading us next.
That’s why we’re stepping into a new season — with a new name:
Venture Church.
Why “Venture”?
The word venture perfectly captures the spirit that has always defined this church.
To venture means to take a bold step into something uncertain — to move forward into the unknown, trusting God with what’s ahead. It’s a word that speaks of courage, faith, and forward motion.
When we look back over our story, we see a church that has always ventured.
We ventured when we started meeting in community halls and schools.
We ventured when we bought land and built our first facility.
We ventured when we launched ministries that reached people across the world through LightForce International.
We ventured when we adapted, changed, and grew to serve new generations and a growing city.
That spirit of faith and movement is who we are.
Venture gives language to that heart. It’s a name that speaks of:
- Movement, not maintenance
- Courage, not comfort
- Faith, not fear
- Advance, not apathy
It’s a name that invites everyone — whether they’ve been part of the church for decades or are just walking through the doors for the first time — to take a step forward in faith.
It’s a name that says: “Come with us — we’re going somewhere.”
Clarity for Our City
This change isn’t about branding, trends, or style. It’s about clarity.
Over time, we’ve realised that while the name MKCC is meaningful to those who already belong here, it can be confusing to those outside our walls.
Many people don’t immediately recognise that “Christian Centre” is a church. Others associate “MKCC” with other organisations in the city — from the council to the cricket club!
We want to make it as easy as possible for people in Milton Keynes to find a place where they can encounter Jesus.
And that starts with being clear about who we are.
Venture Church does that beautifully. It’s simple, memorable, and full of meaning — a name that communicates energy, movement, and faith to a generation longing for hope and purpose.
Same Heart, Fresh Voice
While our name is changing, our mission and our message remain exactly the same.
We still exist to bring people to Jesus and to equip them to live courageously as fully devoted followers of Christ. That’s never going to change.
What will change is how we express that mission — with language and identity that resonate deeply in our city today.
This isn’t just a new name; it’s a renewed focus. A fresh expression of what God has been doing here for 46 years and what He will continue to do in the years ahead.
We want this name to reflect not only who we are now, but who we’re becoming — a church that keeps venturing forward into all that God has for us, together.
Honouring the Past, Embracing the Future
As we step into this next chapter, we want to honour every person who has been part of the story so far — every prayer, every act of generosity, every moment of faith that has brought us to this point.
We stand on the shoulders of those who ventured before us.
And now, it’s our turn.
Our city is growing, the opportunities are greater than ever, and the mission remains the same: to bring people to Jesus and equip them to live courageously.
This is more than a name change.
It’s a declaration — of who we are, what we believe, and how we’ll keep moving forward together.
We’re stepping boldly into the future, trusting the same faithful God who has led us every step of the way.
This is our next venture.
And we can’t wait to see what God does next through Venture Church.
Our Mission Hasn’t Changed
A new name doesn’t mean a new mission. Here’s what still drives everything we do.
Our Next Step — A New Venue at Kents Hill
One church, two locations — we’re expanding to make more room for people to encounter Jesus.
