Neighbours Newsletter - issue 2

REACHING OUR MULTI-CULTURAL SOCIETY

NEIGHBOURS WORLDWIDE

moving to the UK seemed wise. I spent two years at Bible college in Bristol, then went to London for From Pakistan to the my Theology degree. At the end of West Midlands … my degree, my next step wasn’t clear, but I prayed and believed God would open a door. Around was born into a Christian family, but I made my own that time, I met John Bagg, who decision to follow Jesus, as reassured me that God had a plan.

I began to investigate opportunities a young man. My conversion experience was very powerful, and with WEC and I discovered Neighbours Worldwide. afterwards, there was a radical Working here, the most enjoyable change in my life. I was so excited about knowing Jesus, and I wanted thing for me is building relationships ‘Life is not random. We are in God’s plan. with the muslim community, I firmly believe that.’ Wasim communicating God’s truth through conversation to share the gospel with anyone and actions. I hope to see people who would listen. Around that time, God brought a lot of Muslims coming to Christ. It can take time into my life, especially through my and it’s not easy, but we hope for the best. Muslims often have work. I shared my faith with as many as I could, and some of them misconceptions about Christians – they are told we are immoral and accepted Christ. I began to see worship three gods. But reaching out to Muslims when they meet as my calling.

Christians, they realise In Pakistan, there these things aren’t true, are many barriers to and they start to open up prevent Christians to us. Many students are from sharing the good coming to English club, and news with Muslims. that’s not by chance. Life is In the UK, it’s not random. We are in God’s much easier. So, to plan. I firmly believe that. fulfil my calling,

I

things you should know

1

Neighbours Worldwide (NW) is a ministry of WEC International.

The team is committed to seeing Christ known, loved and worshipped by unreached ethnic groups in the UK. Our ministry responds to the specific needs of the communities in which we work. This might mean youth work, ESOL teaching, literature distribution or even a charity shop.

We work both in and alongside local churches, increasing their reach and training them in crosscultural evangelism.

NW prioritise befriending individuals and sharing the good news in the context of these relationships.

2

3

4

5

Raheem

‘There is a real openness to the gospel within the Sikh and Hindu community.’

Maartje

‘Ordinary believers living for Jesus are a light. People will be attracted to you because of your lifestyle.’

Audrey

‘It’s harder for immigrants to take a step towards us than it is for us towards them.

There are doors open all around us to develop relationships. But we need to take the initiative.’

John

STORY Taekwondo for Jesus An innovative project in Birmingham is sharing the good news through martial arts …

As an internationally-qualified taekwondo instructor, Samson could be lining his own pockets. Instead, he’s chosen to use his skills to reach out to his neighbours in Birmingham, running taekwondo classes in a local church hall. The classes, combining martial art skills with aerobics and core strength conditioning, are proving very popular, with more than twenty students attending most sessions.

‘In the three years the programme has been running, Samson has seen no fewer than seven black belt students come through. ‘Those are my disciples!’ he smiles.

The majority of locals are Muslims, but Samson is quite overt about the biblical values which underpin his teaching. As soon as students enter the hall, they are confronted with a

Shutterstock.com

‘The people who come to the UK may come for human reasons, but God has an agenda in it, too.

He is sending the nations to us!’

A popular class to improve fitness

encouragement when the students are feeling physically tired. And they begin to learn what these things mean and where they come from.’

After class, the group relax with tea and coffee. It’s at this point that views are shared about Christianity, Islam and the Bible, and ‘No pain, no gain. No discipline, no Samson has the chance crown. No death, no life.’ to share more of his own beliefs. ‘There have banner, setting out the three key been some good discussions,’ tenets of the class: ‘No pain, no gain. Samson reflects. ‘And we could see No discipline, no crown. No death, some real results in the future.’ It’s no life.’ clear his students are becoming ‘Everyone memorises it,’ Samson stronger in their fitness and tells me. ‘We shout out the tenets as technique. It seems they are growing part of the class. It works as an in their understanding of God, too.

THE WORLD AT YOUR DOORSTEP

WHAT’S SO GOOD ABOUT ...

Wolverhampton-based Maartje tells us how God has provided a huge answer to prayer …

In March last year, the building we were renting for the Asian Church was gutted by a fire. This was very difficult, but we believed God would provide new premises.

A social club in the town came up for sale: a big building with a function room, a one-bedroom flat and parking for 40 cars – ideal for us. We had been raising money for our own building for many years, and we believed we should only use the money we had, instead of relying on a mortgage. So we offered what we had… and the offer was rejected! After a while, we bid again, but less than before, because repairs were needed. This time, our offer was accepted!

We are now doing the building up – and we hope we’ll be able to move in later in the year.

Praise God!

T

he main purpose of this shop is to be a neutral place to meet local people and share the good news. That’s why we have a seating area. We’re happy to see people come in and buy something, but we always try to encourage customers to sit down, relax and talk.

Until recently, no-one really wanted to do that. I don’t know why. But from about April, we’ve found people are more willing to spend time with us, more friendly and trusting. So we’ve been able to use the seating area much more, and we’re building relationships. For example, there’s a Bengali man who pops in almost every day. He doesn’t always buy anything; he just wants to talk. We hope that as we share the gospel with our regular visitors, they will take steps closer to God. There are many new customers coming into the shop, too.

Unsplash

STORY

NW worker Joshua explains how a charity shop is making a difference in the Midlands

‘The purpose of this shop is to be a neutral place to meet and share the good news.’

Four steps to help returning missionaries: and show this in practical ways. Write little notes, cook meals or let them use your internet and borrow items they need. Make yourself available to ‘mentor’ them back into life in the UK.

WEC advises workers to take at least three months to resettle and listen to God about their future. Some people may need more time than this, especially if they have been away a long while.

and be willing to spend time listening. Returning workers Ask them what they need prayer for. Don’t forget to are going through a huge process of transition. Show check how God is answering those prayers. you’re interested in where they have come from. l Drawn from reflections by the Leicester NW team.

THE WORLD AT YOUR DOORSTEP

IN THE

How can you become involved?

Shutterstock.com

l Invite us to share about Neighbours

Worldwide’s ministry at your church or prayer group. l Equip your church to reach minority ethnic groups in your area by having us lead cultural awareness seminars. l Partner with us in prayer. l Spend time with us on a short break – between one month and two years. l Join us as a full time worker.

For more information, please contact Neighbours Worldwide at the address below.

The Neighbours Worldwide team in Birmingham hosted their annual family fun day, earlier this year, with a particular invitation to families connected with their mums and toddlers’ group. NW workers strengthened relationships with some 60 women and their children, including reconnecting with people they first met ten years ago! It all illustrates the team’s long-term impact on their community.

AND FINALLY...

Please pray with the NW team for:

l more local volunteers to join the team. We’re so

thankful for the volunteers we already have, but need more, in order for the work to expand. l local residents around the Asian Church’s new building, who have not been particularly welcoming.

Pray their hearts will soften. l the fledgling work amongst asylum seekers in Leicester. Pray for strong relationships to grow between NW workers and the people they’re serving. l breakthrough in Birmingham. Our team have been serving there faithfully for many years and want to see people come to Christ!

Life has been far from easy for these two young men, but they are facing the future with hope. They came to the UK seeking asylum and had to come to terms with a strange new culture while recovering from the traumas which forced them to leave their home country: a lonely experience. A friend took Malik and Yusuf to a Bible study, where they were welcomed and invited to share a little about their lives. As the group prayed for them afterwards, Malik and Yusuf felt a deep sense of peace. They became regular members of the group and eventually accepted Christ. A few months ago, they were baptised and are now being discipled by Andy, a NW worker.

T 01753 278102 E neighbours@wec-uk.org wec-uk.org Neighbours Worldwide is part of the WEC International family Registered Charity nos 237005 and SCO37715