It’s been a busy few days with work and meetings.

I’ve been fortunate to meet fellow bloggers by either design or mistake.

On Wednesday I was able to join a group of youth workers from the Southwark Diocese and just listen in on their review of Soul in the City. It was exciting to hear how churches had worked together. It’s even more exciting to hear that those churches, and others, wish to continue to work together in their mission. As I went away from the meeting I thought what a real privilege I have of being able to meet with youth workers who are passionate about reaching and working with young people.

While there in the Diocesan Office I had the great pleasure of meeting Dean Pusey, the DYO. It was great to meet another person who is passionate about young people and the church. A further bonus too was meeting Moya who keeps her blog and was, I think, the first person ever to comment on SHP. If you have not done so yet, go buy her book which Jonny talks about here.

On Friday I spent the day in the East End. I met first with Gordon from the Salvation Army in Poplar. Again, I felt privileged to be able to spend time with a man who not only speaks about mission, but whose whole life is mission. The building is amazing and being used as a fantastic resource for the community with clubs, IT rooms, recording studio, music rooms, kitchens, … but most of all people who are part of their community who love them. There was a ‘feet on the floor’ realness and commitment from Gordon, and I went away feeling enthused and excited, which is quite an unusual feeling for a Friday afternoon!

From Poplar I drove to Walthamstow and spent the afternoon in the canteen of Waltham Forest YMCA , where I had an excellent meal and caught up on some work before I joined another meeting with church leaders (on a Friday night!!!!) who were looking at Transforming Newham.

I was there to offer YFC as a resource to churches looking at wishing to continue with mission but learned some very exciting things. Amazingly, the churches in Newham have been meeting weekly since 1979 for transformation in the borough. That is real commitment for you! 25 years or prayer, and now they think that the borough is ready for mission. They have prepared the ground and are ready to go.

I think there is a big lesson to be learned from these people. So often I come across people who want quick fix ideas, or have trendy ideas all of which I am sure come from God. When it comes to trying to earth these in prayer, however, it just does not happen. I speak for myself here as when I was Director of Gillingham YFC I attempted to instigate a regular pattern of prayer – but all to often the pattern fell apart, probably because of me.

25 years of prayer is mindblowing. 25 years of prayer is flipping hard work! 25 years of prayer is surely going to transform that borough in the east end of London. I look forward to going back soon.

At the end of these few days I can tell you I am tired. I feel at the moment that I must have one of the most exciting jobs around – to be able to meet with and learn from loads of different people involved in mission. Who said Christianity was dead in this land!!!!