About

We’re a local church serving in the heart of the Sunnylands community, passionate about seeing God’s kingdom come.

Read our Story

We’re a local church serving in the heart of the Sunnylands community, passionate about seeing God’s kingdom come.

Carrickfergus Community Church began in February 1992 when Pastors Trevor and Sandra Clarke relocated with their family from Templepatrick. Pastors Trevor and Sandra came from a background running their family Joinery business which they sold in 1991 to go into full time christian ministry with the church they attended at that time.

When the church first met, we came together twice on Sundays in two different community centres, this was a lot of work but right for us at the time. In October 1994 we bought some land in Sunnylands where we built the Open Door Centre, this is our community outreach base that’s hosted our volunteer led community cafe for over 20 years along with other community programs. We added an extension in January 2004 and moved our Sunday services here right up to March 2020. 

We met in the Open Door Centre as a church family for a number of years but needed more space so began adding a building to meet in. We are working towards completion of our church building and are really excited about this part of our journey.

Learn more about our Building Project

Pastors Trevor and Sandra retired in 2017 on the church’s 25th anniversary. Their son James and his wife Holly took on the pastoral leadership of the church. Pastor James continues to share in his parents heart for Carrickfergus and they are supported by the staff and leadership team. 

See our Vision

Our vision is to see our town transformed through the love of Jesus.

Our vision as a church family has evolved as we have become part of the local community over the years. When we began in 1992, our vision was Serving the Community and we started this by building the Open Door Centre which at first hosted Cafe Rose and we then added other volunteer-led community programs. It’s been a great place to meet people and get to know our community.

The second stage of our vision continues our love for the town through i Heart Carrickfergus – we served the community when we were new to the town but now as active members in the community, we love that we are here and want to continue showing love however we can and however is needed.

Our Mission

We love being part of our community and the connections we have formed over the years with our local schools, football teams, youth and community organisations and so many others.

Carrickfergus is a vibrant town with a love for our history and for our future; we care passionately for each other and our generosity can be seen evidently though the many organisations, community groups and churches who support and work together for the good of our town.

As a community church, our mission is to:

Be an authentic, Spirit-filled family of believers, sharing the love and hope of Jesus with everyone.

Be an open and active church that works alongside others to love where we live and care for our community.

Our Values

We are a people of faith and we believe that the best is yet to come.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

We love our town; the people and the place to which God has called us.

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:35 (NKJV)

We believe generosity and joy are at the heart of who God is. As so we live and give generously towards others in response to God’s love and goodness towards us.

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
2 Corinthians 9:11 (ESV)

Meet our Team

Pastor James Clarke and his wife Holly took on the pastoral leadership of the church in 2017 and continue to share in James’ parents heart for Carrickfergus.

James Clarke
Lead Pastor

Andree Martin
Admin + Finance

Lynn McKenzie
Community + Welcome

Trevor Clarke
Founding Pastor

Sandra Clarke
Founding Pastor

Ian McKenzie
Creative + Music Academy

Roberta Lindsay
Playtime - Parent + Toddlers

Nicholle Baxter
Hospitality + Babybank

Holly Clarke
Babybank

Christine Gillespie
Connect Friends

Catherine Frazer
Safeguarding Officer

William Welsh
Carrickfergus Community Chess Club