Angela Gibson

As a child Angela went to Sunday school at the local London City Mission Hall on her street, but as a teenager walked away from the Lord.

It was a turbulent time, but friends continued to pray for her and she recommitted her life to Jesus in her 20s. She then started to volunteer with the children’s club at the very same venue where she attended Sunday School as a child. This led her to apply for a role at the Mission.

“Even though I wasn’t faithful to Jesus, he was always faithful to me. Having lived in Tower Hamlets all my life, I can connect with many people I meet in the community, even those new to the area. They hear my accent, and they know I’ve been here forever.”

Angela works as a mission associate alongside the Tower Hamlets team, with a focus on seniors and youth living on council estates. She is seeking to equip and inspire everyday Christians in local churches to lovingly bring a message of hope in Christ to those least likely to hear it. This often looks like coming alongside church volunteers in their ministry visiting local residents, and offering support at the weekly friendship and coffee club at the church.

Tower Hamlets is the densest borough in the UK where overcrowding in flats is common, and over 50% of children live below the poverty line. There is a mix of cultures across both areas of poverty and wealth, including a high percentage of those from the Muslim faith.

“I would like to see the churches in Tower Hamlets become like an oasis for the men, women and children who live there: A place where they can find practical help, but somewhere they can truly meet with Jesus; a place they feel accepted for who they are no matter their situation.”