What We’re Excited for In England This Summer
By Brittany Stoeckel, Church Relations Specialist and England Trip Leader
We are very excited to be on mission in England this summer! Our teams will be serving in London, one of the most transient cities in the world. People from all over the world are coming and going from this beautiful, historic, and bustling city. Amidst all of the grandeur though we find local churches seeking members and disciples as well as a large homeless or “rough sleepers” population. We are told by our local pastors that the people of London are relationally hungry, especially for our Creator and the community that the local church can provide. We are thrilled to have three teams join us in England this summer, partnering with local churches and ministries in the London Borough of Islington and in central London. We can’t wait to see how God works this summer and His great plans for the years to come!
Church Partners
We have a variety of local church partners in England and are excited that three will be receiving a team this summer. Our churches are located in the same borough and have recently started coming together to share ideas, host events, and share Christ with their community; two are Baptist and one is Church of England. Each church’s congregation is between 35 and 80 people. Each congregation has members from around the world, coming together for one purpose, dedicating their lives to Christ and His work through them. The pastors and staff at our London churches are wonderful and we have passionate, Kingdom-driven US churches partnered with them. We are excited to see the relationships and partnerships form and grow!
Ministries
Our US churches get to take part in some amazing ministry opportunities and had wonderful ideas for this summer. One team will be helping to run and take part in a kids club that ends with a day at the seaside with kids and their families! Our other teams will get to spend time with refugees in English classes and have fellowship time among other exciting ministries. We are excited for the conversations and encouragement coming out of those interactions! All teams will take part in Sunday services, fellowship with their England church partners, and speak into one another’s lives. There will also be time spent with ministries who work with the homeless and refugee populations of London.
Recreation
We will stay busy with our local churches and ministries in England but will have time to explore the historical beauty of London! Our teams will get to attend a mid-week service at Westminster Cathedral. We will also spend a day taking a double decker bus tour of London, seeing sights such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and more! The day will end with a cruise on the River Thames and dinner at a London restaurant. Besides these unique opportunities, our teams will get to travel by train, bus, or tube during their time in England; always a fun experience!
Like Alaska and Belize, prayers for our time in England this coming summer would be so wonderful! We are excited for our teams coming with us and again, can’t wait to see how God moves in London.
If you are interested in learning more about future opportunities in England, just reach out to us and we’d love to share ways you can serve and partner with us there. Thanks for reading!
Brittany Stoeckel is a Church Relations Specialist at Thirst Missions and will be on trips this summer in England. In her spare time she enjoys biking, singing, and spending time with family and friends.
