“The things I've been through in life, they've caused me to withdraw from people," says Fred* as he sits on his sofa one Friday afternoon.

He’s surrounded by possessions he’s collected over the years. The air is tinged with tobacco smoke.

Fred is sharing with Terry, a member of St. Anne’s. They are both clutching a Bible passage from Acts.

The fact that Fred is accepting visitors is a huge surprise to the staff at residential home, Lexington House*. Fred, like many of the residents, very rarely leaves his room.

And, like many of the residents, his health is suffering.

“I’m taking fifty pills a day, and I’m asking ‘Lord, why?’”

“The residents are all very vulnerable. In different ways they’ve damaged themselves, or been damaged by others. They often look weary and don’t feel comfortable around other people,” says Terry.

“But these are the people Jesus gravitated to,” continues Terry.

For Fred, making the journey downstairs for the weekly Bible study – led by a group from St. Anne’s – feels too much right now. But welcoming people from the church in to go through the passage and pray together is a significant step.

BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS

Meanwhile in the common room, other residents take their seats. The kettle is boiling and Sarah – also part of the church team – knows how each guest takes their tea.

“Previously, I might have been obsessed with getting the Bible study done,” says Sarah. “But these are real relationships now… real friends. It’s what Carol taught me – really treasuring these people, getting to know them, and bringing the Bible in naturally.”

Carol is one of the LCM missionaries who has come alongside the team from St. Anne’s. And it was Carol who initially spotted the opportunity at Lexington House, when she was out with the team in the local neighborhood one evening.

A DOOR OPENED

“I went to the door and asked the manager if we could invite the residents for tea at the church,” explains Carol. “He said ‘when do you want to come in?’”

That invitation eventually led to the weekly Bible study being established, through the support of Carol and fellow missionaries Mark and Angela. They have been encouraging, training and guiding church members in how to build gospel connections with residents. It’s become a safe space where friendships are developing – and where God has clearly been at work in those who attend.

Liam*, who grew up as a Roman Catholic, is one of the regulars.

“His experience of religion has been very negative,” explains Terry. “It had been all about rules… rules he failed to keep – it’s been deeply engrained.”

But something has changed for Liam, which was evident from a conversation during the Bible study about the grace offered by Jesus.

“I’m coming to some understanding now, and I’m delighted”, reflected Liam quietly.

“The Lord is clearly doing a powerful work in his life,” says Terry. “It’s very clear that he’s praying every day.”

Sarah has also seen a dramatic change in Liam.“

He’s unrecognizable from the man we first met. I’ve never seen someone’s eyes and face change like that. He used to seem frail, but now he stands up straight. There’s a peace about him now.”

A JOURNEY OF RENEWAL

Maggie* is another regular. She’d been trained and worked as a nurse when she was younger, but years of addiction have taken their toll physically and emotionally. She’d had no previous experience of the Bible or church and she mostly sits quietly through the studies. But on one occasion, she turned to Carol and said something eternally significant.

“I want to be baptised.”

“We had been reading about the need for repentance,” says Carol. “And I believe it was the impact of scripture which hit her.” For Maggie, this hasn’t been a one-off. One of her biggest steps came one Sunday morning. To everyone’s amazement, Maggie stepped through the church doors, with a huge smile on her face. The Friday before, Terry led her in a prayer of repentance and faith.

“I believe she has come to faith in Jesus,” says Sarah.

“Missionally, this is also a profound witness to the outside world. And our partnership with LCM has really helped to fuel that.

“None of this would have happened without Carol,” says Terry.

The impact, as Sarah explains, has gone further than Lexington House.

“We see our new friends in the street all the time. It’s not just Friday. They know others in the neighborhood and they say to them, ‘These are the people telling us about Jesus.’”

*names have been changed due to the sensitive area of ministry.