Wee:Hope is aimed at children aged 6–11, and the structure is simple. After being signed in, children have time to play and settle in before gathering for a short time of worship, with songs and actions. A snack break follows, alongside time to socialise before an interactive Bible story. Sessions often include games or a memory verse before pick-up.
By Jade Hughes
Live music fills the space as I step into Re:Hope Church’s West End venue. The brilliant band is already in full swing, playing ‘Your Goodness Is Running After Me’. The building itself is striking, a large, modern space designed for gathering. As the song comes to a close, Duncan, one of the church’s pastors, welcomes the congregation with a warm smile.
‘Anyone can have a relationship with God,’ he says. ‘And if you’re going through something today, you don’t have to go through it alone.’
The message is simple, and it carries through to Wee:Hope, the church’s programme for children.
Surrounded by Love
Lead Pastor Laura Campbell tells me more. ‘Wee:Hope mirrors the main church service,’ she says. ‘It’s a lot of fun.’
Younger children are also included, with a crèche for newborns up to age two, as well as Crescendo for children aged 3-5. ‘Our hope was to make a space where parents feel safe to leave their little ones if they want to, but also welcome to be in and out if they need to,’ Laura says. ‘We have a dedicated staff member and wonderful volunteers who help create a warm, safe environment which is also full of life.’
Crescendo sits within the wider Wee:Hope programme. Depending on numbers, younger children will sometimes split off for age-appropriate activities and games.
For Re:Hope, investing in children is central to the life of the church. ‘We believe children are a gift from God – made by Him, loved by Him, and of the highest value,’ Laura says. ‘We want them to know their worth, and to grow up surrounded by love and care, while becoming who God made them to be.’
Laura describes Wee:Hope as open to everyone, whether families are part of the church or visiting for the first time. ‘We want kids to know there is a God who loves them,’ she adds. ‘And we want them to have the chance to get to know Jesus personally.’
Consistency and Connection
Over time, that approach seems to have shaped a strong sense of community. Laura has seen children grow up within Wee:Hope, supported not just by their own families but by the wider church community. For many, it has become a place of consistency and connection, not just for children, but for parents and carers too. ‘Every Sunday we see kids who are delighted to come to church,’ she says. ‘They see it as a happy and safe place, where they’re loved and looked after, and we don’t take that for granted. It’s a really special thing.’
As I leave, I find myself thinking back to Duncan’s words, that a relationship with God is open to anyone. Spaces like Re:Hope and Wee:Hope can offer one way into that: a sense of connection, routine, and community. That kind of environment will feel right for many, particularly those who enjoy a more collective approach to worship. For others, though, faith can feel more personal – something quieter, less structured and away from a group setting.
What Wee:Hope does offer is an environment where children can have fun, feel safe, and be part of a wider community, something many families will value.
To find out more about Wee:Hope and Re:Hope Church, including service times and upcoming activities visit rehope.co.uk
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