Celebrating diversity, promoting unity
Welcome to the One People Commission (OPC) and South Asian Forum (SAF) information booklet.
We operate as network initiatives in the Evangelical Alliance, with the aim of celebrating diversity and promoting unity in the UK evangelical church. The foundations of the OPC and SAF networks are relationship (relational) whole-life discipleship (lifestyle), prayer mobilisation (spirituality) and identification and development of emerging leaders (sustainability).
Our values are centered on bringing about unity and striving for justice and integration , with the aim of together making Jesus known.
We celebrate the distinctive, vibrant, ethnic and cultural diversity that exists in the UK evangelical church, although we see there is more work to be done to see the unity of the church as one people, engaging in God’s mission.
John 17:21
That all of them may be one...
The One People Commission wants to engage people from a range of diverse backgrounds within the UK evangelical church. Our work focuses on developing three key areas:
We foster unity across national unity movements, church networks and denominations in a way that reflects the multi-ethnic Kingdom of God.
We connect, resource and empower local congregations to develop and grow multicultural church communities, in particular to be reflective of the communities in which they are active.
We challenge and advocate against racial injustice, empowering and encouraging the church and wider society towards justice and reconciliation.
Since 1846, the Evangelical Alliance has been bringing Christians together and helping evangelicals to listen to and have a voice in the UK government, media and wider UK church society.
The One People Commission and South Asian Forum are both initiatives within the Evangelical Alliance and therefore, are part of the largest and oldest evangelical movement in the UK, one with a longstanding commitment to evangelical unity across denominations, ethnicity, and culture.
Established in 2010, the South Asian Forum has played a key role in championing much-needed representation for South Asian Christians and voices in the UK church.
As a result of a prophetic challenge at the Evangelical Alliance council meeting in 2010, the One People Commission was formed in 2012. Its aim was to help the Evangelical Alliance become more representative and a wider voice for the many cultures found within the UK church. Since its inception, it has grown to include representation from South Korean, South Asian, Chinese, Latin American and the different African and Afro-Caribbean Christian communities in the UK.
“Britain as a postmodern multicultural multi-ethnic society needs an intercultural mission movement to engage in mission. The One People Commission is a network initiative modelling World Christianity as a catalyst to enable this purpose.”
Rev Dr Israel Olofinjana, director of the One People Commission
“One of the challenges facing the church post-pandemic is maintaining the sense of togetherness amongst a growing narrative of the divisions that exist within the UK. At this time, the South Asian Forum has a vital role to play to model what the church stands for – bringing church leaders together and emphasising the necessity for ever closer genuine Kingdom friendships and partnerships to strengthen the communities around them.”
Dayalan Mahesan, director of the South Asian Forum
So, then there are many parts, but only one body.
Regardless of one’s ethnic or cultural background, nationality, tribe or tongue, the vision to see the UK church united requires the support and participation of Christians everywhere.
Through the collective effort of our networks: the One People Commission and the South Asian Forum, we are able to connect, inspire, share ideas and strategies and strive towards diversity and unity with others. Through our networks, national conversations, resources, events and relationships, we support leaders and emerging leaders to become more confident in engaging in initiatives, conversations and projects that celebrate diversity while promoting unity.
The individuals who are a part of these groups are from a multitude of diverse backgrounds and also share a heart for championing intercultural unity, churches and justice.
Each of the networks aim to meet several times a year in a range of capacities to ensure that we are regularly reviewing, maintaining and progressing in our work.
“In my relationship with the Evangelical Alliance, I’m very thankful that it has listened and has grappled with the hard things. I really like that the OPC and the organisation more broadly are not afraid of intensity.”
Steering group for the work of the One People Commission
Comprised of regional representatives that work within the South Asian Forum network
Comprised of key national and regional church, organisational and influential leaders
One of the specialist sub-committees advising on racial justice concerns
An initiative that aims to identify and connect new and emerging leaders within the UK church between the ages of 18-30
Consists of individuals, churches and organisations from a wider demographic, who are interested in the work and vision of the OPC
Team comprised of staff members within the Evangelical Alliance
There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord.
The One People Commission and the South Asian Forum actively host and engage with numerous projects throughout the year, as we equip existing leaders and the next generation of the UK church to celebrate diversity and
This is a series of online and inperson conversations that aim to enable, facilitate, resource and equip the UK church on how to develop and grow intercultural churches. By showcasing diverse ways to exercise leadership, worship, discipleship, pastoral care, theological and mission, we believe that we can present new ways to engage the intercultural body of Christ.
We engage, mentor and develop diverse young and emerging leaders in the UK with the shared passion to see the UK church united. This forum hosts and discusses issues that are most prevalent amongst young adults, such as mental health, identity, leadership and employment, with the aim of creating a sense of belonging and community but also seeking to address inequalities.
We are actively pursuing new ways to embrace intergenerational conversations between first generation migrants and UKborn citizens. By bridging the gap between different age groups, we can build an intergenerational and intercultural dynamic that truly reflects all of God’s people, regardless of race, ethnicity, age or social status.
We understand that climate justice is an issue that affects us all but not necessarily equally. Those who are socially and economically disadvantaged are most likely to be affected by climate change and it has become more apparent that those most affected are largely communities of colour. We aim to engage in and support discussions and events that review the theology, missional and social justice concerns surrounding climate justice.
The intersection between racial justice and mental health is one that is being explored more and more each year as we uncover the unsettling truths and experiences of many people of colour. An example is the impact of the pandemic on people of colour, which has highlighted amongst other things ethnic disparities and health inequalities. We therefore want to continue to explore the pastoral theology of mental health within our local churches, our wider Christian networks and society. We want to continue to empower and equip the church to understand how to tackle the impact of racial injustice on the mental health of people of colour.
We are active contributors to an established initiative within the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), called the ‘Hethne’ ministry. This ministry aims to encourage church leaders and those who have a heart for serving the Hindu community to join in monthly prayers, plan events and produce relevant resources on the gospel of Jesus Christ.
...As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:16
If you would like to join us in our journey of continuing to make Jesus known, you can become a member of the Evangelical Alliance by visiting our website at: eauk.org/membership
If you would like to support the Evangelical Alliance financially in the work that we do, please visit our website for more information: eauk.org/about-us/giving
If you would like to know more information about who we are, what we do and how, you can sign up to regularly receive updates about upcoming events and projects of the One People Commission and the South Asian Forum. Please visit the relevant links below:
One People Commission eauk.org/opc
South Asian Forum eauk.org/saf
“Being a Christian from a South Asian background can be quite isolating, so we’re building a network of people who can understand one another from a cultural perspective and also be a sounding board.”
Rani Joshi, one of our South Asian Forum champions