In Depth:  mission

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Gospel shared in Manchester Christmas market

Gospel shared in Manchester Christmas market

The sounds and smells of the Manchester Christmas market wafted their way through the city centre. As people rushed to and fro on their way to keep appointments or get in some Christmas shopping, a sound was heard – the message of the season – good news on the streets: the Saviour has been born!

Amongst the hustle and bustle, a team from The Open-Air Mission had set up and was busy sharing the message of God’s love. A few people paused to listen, others took tracts and spoke with team members. Also set up was a ‘Free Bible and Literature’ table, which proved to be a magnet for people. As people walked by, they stopped at the table to browse the literature, then they would take a booklet or Bible.

Hampers of grace: witnessing to local businesses
letter from Spain

Hampers of grace: witnessing to local businesses

Trevor Ramsey
Trevor Ramsey

Approximately 50,000 English speakers live on Spain’s Costa Blanca. Many of them operate small businesses, cafes, bars, and restaurants, or provide other legal or residential expat services.

Their lifestyles are not just laid back and easygoing, as you may imagine. That may be the lot of the ‘retiree,’ but for the business owner, life is just as challenging as running a small business anywhere.

'What do you mean?': The most important question in mission

'What do you mean?': The most important question in mission

Ziggy Rogoff
Ziggy Rogoff

When sharing the gospel, we seek to contextualise without compromising, so that people can better understand concepts of sin, salvation and Messiah without being waylaid in unfamiliar ‘Christianese’. But we also remember that it is God who works through these interactions, and only He can save.

People bring their own attitudes into gospel interactions, ranging from hostile to friendly, and while their response is beyond our control, our commitment to godliness remains unwavering as we strive to make Jesus known. In fact, when people get mad with us it means something in their heart is moving.

Where are our missional youth leaders?

Where are our missional youth leaders?

David King
David King

When my youth leader invited me on a trip to Taizé, I had never heard of the place. But, it was France. It would be my first time abroad, and I was excited, thinking I would see the Eiffel Tower.

The one dampener was that we were going by coach and ferry (for £35, an amazing price even then!), but the unfortunate Zeebrugge ferry disaster had taken place months earlier, causing ferry travel to experience heightened public scrutiny. But I and other young people went with the youth leader, other church leaders from the area, and some of their young people.

Missionary who survived massacre dies age 99

Missionary who survived massacre dies age 99

Brian Davis

A missionary who survived a massacre at a mission station where she was working, many years ago, has died.

Margaret Hayes MBE had to take to the jungle with others where she survived for many weeks before being rescued, having been presumed dead – with a funeral and thanksgiving service being held for her.

The battle in Benidorm

The battle in Benidorm

Trevor Ramsey
Trevor Ramsey

In the first week of October, the bars and restaurants of Benidorm’s busy beachfront and area known as 'The Strip' were bustling and alive with many UK holidaymakers, enjoying some autumnal sunshine before returning to the harsh rigours of a British winter.

There was noise and colour, raucous laughter and angry exchanges on the streets and the walkways. The bouncers and security personnel were earning their money! Groups of Stag Dos and Hen Parties roamed the streets in packs searching out the next place of entertainment.

Alex Hawke appointed

Alex Hawke appointed

SIM UK

Alex Hawke has been appointed as the new UK Director for Serving in Mission (SIM).

Alex has previously served as a mission worker in West Africa, Mozambique and Cambodia, where he was the team leader of a large mission team.

6,000 young people in London mobilised for mission

6,000 young people in London mobilised for mission

Milla Ling-Davies
Milla Ling-Davies

This summer, the stands of Wembley Arena, normally filled with fans singing football chants, were instead filled with 6,000 young people singing the praises of God.

This was the launch event of The Send UK & Ireland - a new collaboration between churches and mission agencies for the purpose of inspiring teenagers and young adults to live missionally in five key areas: secondary school, university, family life, workplaces and the nations.

1,100 attend Pentecostal rally in Bradford

1,100 attend Pentecostal rally in Bradford

Luke Randall
Luke Randall

In a show of unity 'not seen for over 20 years', 1,100 people attended a Pentecostal rally in what was the culmination of a 10-day mission event in Bradford.

The event, run by Sharing of Ministries Abroad, (SOMA) saw missioners descend on the West Yorkshire city, specifically focusing on reaching people within the BD7 postcode, with various outreach events staged with the help of St John’s Great Horton, St Wilfrid’s and St Columba’s churches.

Missionary family escape Amazon riverboat disaster

Missionary family escape Amazon riverboat disaster

Nicola Laver
Nicola Laver

An American missionary and his wife who escaped a burning boat on the Amazon river with their young family have spoken about their incident, in which several died.

Ezra Brainard, a distant relative of 18th century missionary to the Native Americans David Brainard, was on the boat with wife Joanna and four children, including a young baby, on 29 July when it caught fire, exploded and sank. The couple’s two-and-a-half year old slipped away from Ezra after they jumped into the water, but someone pulled her into a canoe and took her to shore.

London churches  unite for mission

London churches unite for mission

Luke Randall
Luke Randall

Churches from across London are planning to unite next year for a London Mission Week, aiming to share the gospel with people in the city. The outreach initiative is supported by a variety of representatives from organisations including London City Mission, the Evangelical Alliance, the Church of England and London Mission Collective.

The event’s website revealed that cultural gatherings undertaken by the London Project – which exists to share the gospel with people in the city – have revealed a clear desire among the global church to collaboratively evangelise to the people of London.

Ben Stansfield to lead Global Connections

Ben Stansfield to lead Global Connections

Luke Randall
Luke Randall

Ben Stansfield has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Global Connections, (GC) replacing Chris Wigram who had served in an interim capacity in recent months.

GC exists to equip the UK church and mission community in the world. Ben has spent over 25 years working for international charities, church ministries and discipleship ministries, so has helpful experience ahead of taking on the role.