Joy in the City - New Year Outreach
Walsall 2010

 
“Twenty-seven people from eight nations took part in a week of outreach in the Birchills area of Walsall, West Midlands over the New Year.  The team was involved in a variety of activities with Green Lane Baptist Church. Literature was given out in the shopping centre, people were visited in their homes and a lot of rubbish was cleared from the streets! It was great to see how it all worked together and how well the participants joined in. Although only a few local people came to events in the church, it was very encouraging to see children from various religious backgrounds enjoying the holiday club and asking questions about Jesus.” - Stefan Schenkel, OM Lifehope

“The Beacon” programme - 12 events over 7 days - was an enormous undertaking for any church, but even more so for a small fellowship emerging from many years of limited activity.  The vision for the week was to be a beacon to shine into the highly deprived neighbourhood around the church. Many events were organised in the church itself, but these were not particularly well attended.  The most popular were the movie night and the children’s holiday club.  The quiz night and party, as well as the Sunday services, brought the greatest response from church members.

However, the most exciting results of the week came not from what happened in the church building, but what happened on the streets and at the front doors.  The vast majority of contact with the community was positive.  In such a multi-ethnic community, the team found many people willing to talk about questions of life and faith.  This proved immensely rewarding for the team members, some of whom had narrow expectations and no experience of witnessing to people of other faiths.

The international team, supported, led and trained by established OM Lifehope staff, brought variety, flexibility, enthusiasm and a deep sincerity of faith that touched the church and community alike. Partnering with the OM team created an environment of activity, talents and a passion for mission that involved and inspired church members. Many served the team practically in areas such as catering, giving the team and the church members opportunities to mix and share together. People were deeply moved that 27 fellow-believers had travelled across the world at Christmas time to work with their little church.

“’The Beacon’ has established Green Lane Baptist Church as a place of Christian faith and commitment where the Gospel is proclaimed and lived, a spiritual place where God is worshipped and honoured.  This was made possible through the OM team, leadership and the presence and power of the Lord Jesus.” - Bob and Valerie Morris (ministers at Green Lane Baptist church)
 
"It was a very cold afternoon as I went door to door for the first time.   In Hungary (where I come from) only the cults do door to door so I was quite nervous. But I had a really good time knocking on the doors and offering free bars of chocolate to people.  At one door seven kids showed up in the door but, and only one bar!"- Susan Abigail Nagy

"On Thursday I was making a phone call home outside the church when an Asian man asked me where to take his three children for the holiday club. I showed them where to go. When he came out I spent some time talking to him. He had recently had many deaths in his family recently including a child. He also told me he had lost his job in November. I felt my testimony was appropriate and shared with him how Jesus cared for me during a time of depression and unemployment. I pray that my testimony gave him something to think about and that is encouraged him." - Jackie Holley

"A woman we invited during our 'Door to Door' outreach came to the 'Ladies Keep Fit'. When we were inviting the people I really hoped that they would come, but didn't really believe they would. So I was very pleasantly surprised to see that she came and enjoyed the time with us.  The 'Door to Door' ministry encouraged me a lot and I want to do this at home too." - Irina Bartel

"When I went door to door many of the homes were Asian families which surprised me.. We invited them to the holiday club and some of them send their children to come. Before going I was very nervous and told myself that I can't do this. I learned to trust in God and do things even if I'm not good at them." - Andy Graf

"On Friday the 1st of January we had some free time and went to Birmingham city centre. During the day I was able to share with some people at a McDonald's about God and His relationship with me. They asked questions and we shared about God. They listened to us and  took the tract '4 steps to God'." - Lena Hak

"While were cleaning one of the local  streets,  two police officers came up and shared that they were very pleased that some people cared for the area and trying to clean it up!!! "- Maartje de Vos

"There was once a boy who went to England and worked with a church… he picket up rubbish, went tracting and Door to Door but he struggled to speak with the people because his English vocabulary was quite weak… This is my story!!  But, Praise God,  three people came to the movie night because I went Door too Door… Yeah!!!"- Nils Müller

"I was encouraged by ministering to a homeless man with the pastor. The homeless man was outside the door of the church on Saturday looking inside. When I noticed him I found the pastor who went out to talk to him. Eventually he came in with us. While the pastor contacted Social services; I made him some sandwiches and tried to talk to him. English was not his native language and I didn't know his mother tongue, so it was difficult at times to understand what he was trying to communicate.  I also think at times he struggled with understanding what I was saying.  In the end the only available shelter was far away, but we were able to provide him with some warm clothing and sandwiches. When I handed him the clothes and sandwiches he said 'today, I am very happy. Thank you!' "- Rob Kabel

"The outreach helped me to draw nearer to God. I was emotionally tired before the outreach and was stuck in a rut. Being placed in a situation that was outside of my normal setting helped me to reconnect with God and gain a fresh perspective on the work I am doing in the OM Lifehope Global Action programme." - Rob Kabel

"I have gained more trust in God. He knows what He is doing and I don't have to worry. This outreach has also had a very positive effect on my attitude to mission.  The mission was great!"
 - Kaisa Pentti

"I understand God's ways a bit more, because of all the stories I've heard (like the different views about the Gospel). He loves us for who we are. He doesn't want us to do bad things, not just because He doesn't like it, but also because it's better for us. God loves us, and he only wants the best for us. And only He knows what the best is!" - Sikke Procee

"I feel a lot closer to God. Like He really truly sees me and loves me personally. Also, I now feel that mission isn't so much an obligation as it is an opportunity. I used to feel like I was doing it just because I know I should; because it is asked of us as Christians in the Bible. Now, even though it's still scary, it's also exciting!" - Julie Spencer

"My favourite thing this week was to be able to share the Gospel in the Holiday club and having the 4 Muslims children ask questions such as 'why was Jesus famous?' and 'why was the Son of God called Jesus?' and 'why did Jesus want to show us the right way to heaven?' I also got to share the Gospel with 3 young people who were very hostile to the Gospel, and it was an excellent opportunity." - Aaron Arnold

"From this trip I learned that the body of Christ is pretty amazing! It's always an awesome experience to worship & work alongside one another as we shared a common goal. I also feel as if God's been showing me how actively He is involved in my life each & everyday. God does care about the little things in life as well as the big things. We were obedient to be here & God will continue the work that was begun here this week. As I head home and start this New Year 2010, it's my desire to dive deeper in God's Word… starting first thing in the morning and be a 'Beacon' in my city." - Elise Torner

Facts:
- 800 chocolates with invitations given out during D2D;
- About 100 doors went open and conversations happened;
- 1000 tracts given out;
- 12 programmes;
- 30 different children attended the holiday club for 1 or more days;
- Over all about 100 people came to the programmes (including church people);
- 1 skip of litter was picked up from the streets and parks in the area