Alan Hoare

Alan was born in Rustington in West Sussex in 1948, and soon after the family moved to Littlehampton. This was followed by two younger brothers, Nigel and Simon. His first experience of church at the age of ten years old ended a few weeks later by him being banned from the local Sunday school for bad behaviour! Also during his final years at secondary school, he boycotted the RE lessons for two years, feeling that they were getting too personal!

After leaving school he did an apprenticeship in precision engineering, gaining City and Guilds certificates at Worthing Technical College. It was the ‘hippy’ era of the 1960s, so weekends were spent with friends, often performing in their rock band, aptly named the ‘St James’ Infirmary’. A favourite pastime of his is still to pick up his guitar and play the music of that era.

Life changed dramatically for him in March 1969 when he became a Christian as the result of visiting a small Free Church in the little village of Fittleworth, near Petworth. Soon after that, the Baptist Church in Littlehampton became his home church, and also the place where he met Maureen (affectionately known as Mo), who was to become his wife in 1974. Before that, however, they parted company for two years – he to work on a church planting team with Operation Mobilisation in France for two years, and she to do teacher training in Portsmouth.

On returning to England in 1973, Alan studied theology at the Elim Bible College, which was then in Dorking in Surrey, graduating two years later with a Diploma in Theology. Marriage took place in the middle of the course – which was highly unusual in those days! This was followed by two years in London, during which time he was an assistant minister at two Elim Pentecostal churches, helped to pioneer two more churches and had two children: Ruth, who was born prematurely in August 1975, and Joseph, who was born in February 1977.

August 1977 saw a move to Lincoln, where he took up the pastorate of an Elim Pentecostal church for nearly ten years. The family meanwhile continued to grow with the added births of Simon in November 1980 and Sarah in March 1982.

In Lincoln, Alan quickly developed a strong connection with Stuart Bell, the leader of the large and growing New Life Church there (now ‘Alive Church’), and was one of the founder members of the Ground Level network of churches which Stuart started and still leads. In 1987 he joined the New Life Church himself, serving as a member until 1991, when he joined the staff as part of the leadership team. His role was to head up the pastoral and teaching ministry of the church. Benjamin, his youngest son, was born in November that year, completing their family – a biblical quiver full!

In his work for Alive church, Alan has also, amongst other things, pastored a number of linked congregations around the area, written and delivered staff devotions, and led marriage preparation, baptismal and membership courses. From 2003, he wrote and delivered biblical courses, firstly at the New Life church, and then in a number of different church settings. These ‘X-Plore’ classes ran for 16 years, and topics covered included, amongst others, ‘The Life and Times of Christ’, ‘The Life and Times of David’, ‘The Life of the Apostle Paul’, ‘Spiritual Theology’, ‘Systematic Theology’ and ‘Church History’. He has also delivered expositional lectures on the letters of Paul to the Philippians and Ephesians. For a number of years, he was also a contributor for Scripture Union’s online WordLive daily devotions.

Alan had always dreamt of studying for a degree in theology, and was delighted when the church released him for one day a week in 2009 so that he could do this. He attended Mattersey Hall near Doncaster, and was accepted on to the Master’s course, graduating three years later with a Master’s in practical theology.

In January 2011, he reduced his time at Lincoln to three days a week, and took on a new role as the senior pastor of a thriving church in Kirton, near Boston, some forty miles east of Lincoln. After three years working for them two days a week, he helped them with the transition to a new senior pastor, and remained on their leadership team serving as their teaching pastor.

On reaching retirement age in August 2013, Alan retired from the staff at Lincoln, and was able to devote himself more to study, writing and teaching. Then, in January 2021, he retired completely from the New Life Community church in Kirton, but still visits the church once every three months on a Sunday to preach.

Over the years, he has ministered widely in the UK and also abroad in Mozambique, Vietnam, Cambodia, France, Spain, Poland and Greece.

Alan feels that his ministry is primarily about building strong and deep spiritual foundations. Strong and mature churches, in his view, are made up of strong and mature believers. He teaches about developing a close and mature walk with Christ, believing that spiritual roots are essential to growing a healthy Christian life. He is passionate about getting people to read the Bible for themselves!

Alan and Mo have now been married for forty-five years, and have seen their five children grow up into fine adults. They have, to date, eleven grandchildren!

Books by Alan Hoare

Ephesians: The Church I See

A 3-volume study of Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus.

With 350 daily readings across 3 volumes, Alan Hoare takes us through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, expanding on Paul’s vision for the church. With in-depth study and practical application, Alan leads us to dwell on the Word, allowing it to shape our lives. Moreover, as he demonstrates how to systematically read and apply scripture, you will find yourself eager to start digging out the incredible riches and treasures found in the Word of God, not only on the surface, but also just underneath.

VOLUME 3