OM Lifehope’s community team in Warwick is working in partnership with St Paul’s Church. Warwick is mostly an affluent, historic town in the centre of the U.K., particularly famous for the well-preserved medieval Warwick castle which is a major tourist attraction.
The team have been working in this community in one of the more needy areas, supporting the church’s existing ministries and developing new ones. Much of their time has been spent visiting homes in the streets surrounding the church, inviting people to the different events taking place in the church. They also spend time prayer walking in the area.
The church has a weekly drop-in time called Coffee Stop, where people from the area are free to call in to chat, read a newspaper or just have some good coffee. Members of the team make themselves available to get to know people, to listen and sometimes to pray for them as they talk about their lives and struggles. Many good friendships have been built. Community team members have also been contributing to the Alpha course the church has been running, which allows people to explore Christianity in a safe, welcoming environment.
On several occasions the team have rented a stall in the bustling Saturday market in Warwick town centre. As well as displaying Christian books for sale on the stall, younger shoppers are offered face-painting and balloon models, whilst the team also use mime, other creative means and even free chocolates to attract and get into conversation with adults.
The team has good links with local schools, regularly visiting to lead assemblies and religious education lessons. They are planning to begin a weekly children’s club in the church and are hoping to attract many of the children who already know them well from seeing them in their schools.
|
|
