Fight the good fight of the faith. Take Hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I Timothy 6:12
Meet Our Pastor
Pastor Paul Richardson and his wife, Angela, planted Take Hold Church in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2023. Their team is dedicated to creating an environment that welcomes everyone from the city, and partners with other believers to wholeheartedly follow Jesus, and create a place of belonging and safety.
Take Hold Church currently meets in the historic St. Stephen’s Church in Stockbridge just north of Edinburgh’s city center.
Paul and Angela were a part of the team that planted West Ridge Church in 1997. In twenty-four years, they have served in various roles, including Kids, Groups, Outreach, and Leadership Development. Paul was a part of the teaching team at West Ridge for more than two decades. Both Paul and Angela have spoken at Churches and Groups on Marriage, Anxiety, and Christian Living.
Paul is the Co-Founder of Engage Burkina, which works to bring clean water, education, and development to Burkina Faso, West Africa.
What We Believe
About God
We believe in one God who eternally exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He always has been and always will be. He is the first cause. These three are co-equal and are one God. God the Father is the Creator and Ruler of the Universe. He is limitless in power, wisdom, love, and holiness. He reveals His character and nature through the person of Jesus, and desires to relate as a Father to those He has redeemed. His glory fills the earth.
Genesis 1:26-27; 3:22; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2
About Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the second person of the Trinity and is co-equal with the Father. Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless human life, and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on the cross. After three days, he rose from the dead to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and sat at the Father’s right hand, actively interceding in the believer’s prayers. He will return again to earth to restore and renew the earth and reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15;
About the Holy Spirit
The Spirit of God is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He indwells and empowers Christians to live in God’s will, understand spiritual truth, and remind them of God’s love. He gives every believer spiritual gifts and empowers their everyday life.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16;
About the Bible
The Bible is the very Word of God. Human authors wrote it under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the source of all truth and purifies and energizes the life of the believer.
2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalms 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5
About People
We believe that men and women are created in the image of God to have fellowship with Him. All people have value and were created with plans and a purpose.
Genesis 1:27; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23
About Salvation
Salvation is a gift of God to man given by grace. Only by believing in Jesus Christ through faith as God’s sacrifice for sin can mankind receive forgiveness and be saved from sin’s penalty, which is separation from God. Eternal life and the realization of God’s Kingdom begin the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 5:1, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12, 3:16, 10:29, 14:6; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14
About Eternal Security
We believe that God gives us eternal life through the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation cannot be lost or forfeited. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29, 2 Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14
About the Church
We believe the church is the Body of Christ, the family of God made up of every Christian on earth. It is expressed through local congregations of Christians. It is a place filled with the potential of life transformation through the proclamation of God’s word and lives expressed in worship to Him. The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to use their gifts in reaching non-Christians with God’s salvation message and in helping each other grow spiritually. The church is led by humble, transparent Pastors and Elders living in accountability to the guidelines of scripture.
Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 2:19, 4:11-13