London is a diverse city. Here you can find 83% of the world's nations and over 250 languages are spoken. The world is truly on our doorsteps.
London is a diverse city. Here you can find 83% of the world's nations and over 250 languages are spoken. The world is truly on our doorsteps.
At London City Mission, we are inspired by God’s vision for all tribes, all nations to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. So we share the powerful message of the gospel with unreached diaspora communities - people whose heritage or origin is from elsewhere in the globe.
St.Barnabas story
In West London, a small group of Farsi speakers meet each week to read the Bible together led by one of LCM's missionaries.
When the group started most of them were recent arrivals from Iran and Afghanistan, asylum seekers who had encountered Jesus since coming to the UK. But many of them don't have a cultural understanding of Christianity, they have little idea of what it means to follow Jesus or foundation in Christian doctrine, so discipleship is starting from scratch.
“They believe Jesus is Lord but still they are learning what it means, really, that Jesus died on the cross,” Missionary Z (We’re holding back her name because for Iranians and Afghans, openly turning to Christ still carries danger)
See more about their work here
Today, people who have fled their homes are arriving in London and across the UK. We equip ordinary Christians and churches to share their lives and faith with families and individuals who have been displaced from their homes and to prepare a Christ-like welcome for all those fleeing conflict and oppression.
Watch our Welcoming Displaced People webinar hosted by LCM Field Director, Charlotte Mayhew for tips on how you can reach displaced people with the gospel.
We train local churches in cultural and trauma awareness when supporting newly arrived asylum seekers. We suppport churches to build connections through local hostels and start befriending ministries, Bible studies and support groups.
An invitation to church isn't the only way to build relationships with communities new to London. So we support churches to set up networking events including friendship festivals, to share information and befriend new arrivals in the area. These events and other practical help make a big difference in opening up opportunities for gospel conversations.
“LCM missionary Z has come to have quite a crucial role within our ministry to Iranians in particular and then from there to Afghans and to other displaced people.”
Andy Buckler, Vicar at St.Barnabas Kensington