Today I, and Patrick from XLP, met with 2 of the fantastic people from Transform Newham– Liz and Paul.

Liz, for example, has set up links between youth workers, prayer clubs in schools, co-ordinated events and all just since October. She shared today that she is not now planning to go to Uni in the next couple of years as she feels God is saying stay in Newham. What a fantastic calling and fantastic courage to go with it.

I have spoken of these people before who blow my mind away. They have been meeting for years to pray for the transformation of this incredibly diverse borough. I have now had a few visits to Newham and I deliberately get there early so I can have a brief wander around the streets.

As I wander and pray I get such a great sense that God wishes to do something in this area. It’s not surprising I guess with the massive amount of prayer that has gone on in this area. One major thing they are doing is trying to get prayer light houses in every street in the borough. The map shows in red the streets that already have such a house – amazingly they have other 500 house of prayer! Again, no wonder there is a different atmosphere in this borough.

I met with Liz and Paul today with Patrick so we could talk about youth mission in borough. How we can best support the local churches in what they are already doing. If I am honest I would love to see a YFC centre in this area as I believe we have a lot to offer and that this area is ripe and ready for long term sustainable mission. I believe the churches need to be supported in what they have started.

It would be really cool if this could be done in some unique partnership way with Transform Newham, XLP, YFC and other organisations. It would be great if a real partnership with no individual agendas could emerge to work in this area. It would truly illustrate Kingdom Values that we talk about when we want to. To be honest, the idea scares me. Working with others is always hard. Working with others is always frustrating. Working with others is always flipping hard work. Working together in a new way is, though, I am sure, the only way to reach this generation of young people in this community.

I am excited by the opportunities and the vision and hope to see great things happening in the near future.