Our Story
Learn about our history, our beliefs and meet our team
Origins
London has been described as a city where people often feel deeply alone and deeply stressed. For such a city, the dream was for a new church to be started with a simple message: rest is possible in Jesus, and community is possible in the Church.
In 2015 Tim and Lindsey Chaddick moved from California, to start Reality Church London. The vision was clear: to see a new Church planted that would gather together a community of people passionate about following Jesus, making him known and seeking renewal in London.
Launched in 2016
Birthed in prayer and with a committed core team, Reality Church London began meeting in the autumn of 2016. First gathering at Seven Dials Club in Covent Garden, and then God brought the church east to London School of Economics. All the while the church’s presence was growing throughout London, with Community Groups forming across the city.
New Leadership
After four years of faithful ministry, the Chaddick’s responded to God’s call to return to California in September 2020. At the same time, Bijan Mirtolooi, then serving at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York accepted the call and led RCL as our lead pastor until July 2024. In September 2024, RCL began its new chapter with Mike Sohn, from Globe Church London, being installed as our current Lead Pastor.
RCL Today
Today Reality Church London gathers together for worship every Sunday at Central Foundation Boys’ School in east London. The church also gathers during the week throughout the city in Community Groups, building friendships, seeking God, and pursuing mercy and justice.
We are a community following Jesus, making him known and seeking renewal in London. Our story is still being written and we’d love to have you join us.
Why the name ‘Reality’?
What if ultimate reality was actually good news?
The startling thing about the Bible is that when its authors pull back the curtain on what reality really is, they don’t point to principles or platitudes; they point to a person. Colossians 2:17 tells us, ‘Reality is found in Jesus’. At the heart of Christianity lies the belief that Jesus—who he is and what he has done–is to be the very centre, source and foundation of life, that he is the answer to the greatest problem and deepest longing of humanity.
Our church is built on these convictions, because Jesus is reality. We exist to follow him and make him known.
Our Mission & Vision
Reality Church London exists to be a community following Jesus, making him known, seeking the renewal of London. We do this by following Jesus day-by-day, belonging to each other as a church family, bringing our friends to Jesus, and serving London with the whole gospel.
Our beliefs
Reality Church London believes:
The Creator
God created everything for his glory, and that men and women were created in the image of God.
God’s Word
The Bible is God’s Word, the authority for Christian life and practice. As a collection of writings, the Bible tells a unified story of which Jesus is the saviour and hero.
Salvation
The good news that salvation is possible in and through Jesus Christ. A person can be reconciled to God on the single ground of faith in the death of Jesus. Reconciliation with God is needed since every person has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.
In the Church
A diverse community of people who come together because they’ve been loved by Jesus Christ. As a church we seek to share God’s love, grace, and healing in London.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit gifts and guides the church to be Christ’s representatives in our city.
Have questions? Send us an email to learn more about what we believe and practice as a church.
Our family of Churches
Reality Church London is part of a family of churches held closely together through friendship, a shared approach to ministry, and a commitment to the Gospel of Jesus bringing renewal in their cities. For more information on the Reality family of churches, click on each below:
Our Leadership Team
Meet Our Staff Team:
Mike Sohn
Lead Pastor | Elder
Maryane Mwaniki
Director of Pastoral Care
Edward Smith
Director of Worship & Community
Brittany Dwornik
Director of Children's Ministry
Chrissy Constable
Director of Operations
Meet Our Church Elders:
All are able to bring a submission before the Reality Church London elders here.
Mike Sohn
Lead Pastor | Elder
Mike & Maryane Mwaniki
Elder (Mike) | Marriage Course Leaders
Isabelle & Toyin Odusanwo
Prayer Leads | Elder (Toyin)
Pedro Vergani
Elder
Meet Our Church Leaders:
Mike & Maryane Mwaniki
Elder (Mike) | Marriage Course Leaders
Isabelle & Toyin Odusanwo
Prayer Leads | Elder (Toyin)
Enoch Yang
Trustee
Girma Bishaw
Pastoral Care
Chapman Maddox
Coffee Lead
Deo Chen
Webber Street Lead
James Riall
Sunday Operations Team Lead
Sunbo
Angel CG Leader
Kayla & Simi
Bethnal Green CG Leaders
Pete & Ashley
Canada Water CG Leaders
Edward & Florence
Clapham CG Leaders
Enoch & Vitória
Finsbury Park CG Leaders
