In the busy heart of London, Engage worker Mary has been bringing the hope of the gospel to the streets of Islington through her work with Inspire St James Church.
Having grown up in Ethiopia, Mary followed God’s call to move to London to bring the good news to those who’ve never heard about Jesus.
Sent via SIM’s East Africa office, Mary realised she was the answer to her new church’s prayers, as with a congregation of 60% immigrants, Inspire had been praying for new ways to connect with its local community.
“God has been at work in the past four years, first and foremost in my own personal life.” she says. “Living in Ethiopia and worshipping in my church was amazing but being in London in a super diverse church, worshipping with the nations, and studying the Bible with people from different cultures, has been a little bit of a taste of heaven for me. Seeing how they love Jesus in their own way, hearing them praise God and interpreting the gospel … has grown me so much.”
Mary’s main ministry is estate outreach, where she meets people from many ethnic and religious backgrounds.
“Being an Ethiopian, even my skin colour has been amazing. God has redeemed my background and who I am because people relate to me as someone who’s moved overseas, as an African, as an immigrant myself.”
This common ground helps Mary to develop friendships as so far, she’s knocked on 1,000 doors and had hundreds of gospel conversations. As a result, many have come to church and attended different evangelistic events such as Christianity Explored.
Through teaching English, Mary sees around 20 different people each week – two of whom have since given their life to Christ.
Her third area of ministry, Life Skills with CAP, has run six times with 100 people taking part. The church is now excited to be baptising its first three people who came to Christ through the life skills group.
“In heaven there is great joy over one sinner repenting. There is much joy and rejoicing in my heart seeing all the fruit through these ministries in the past four years” adds Mary.
Our Engage programme places gifted cross-cultural workers from overseas into UK churches. There are many opportunities to reach significant diaspora communities, through outreach ministries, activities, or groups, such as sports, language teaching, music or discussion. Find out more about Engage.