Latymer Christian Centre

Signs of the Kingdom

Mary White, Centre Manager, tells the story of the Latymer Christian Centre, in West London, and the fellowship at the heart of it.

Anyone involved in urban mission has probably experienced that slight sinking feeling when a well-meaning friend from a different church context asks brightly “So, how’s the church going?”.

The Latymer Christian Fellowship is very beautiful, but also fragile; numbers attending on a Sunday morning fluctuate from twenty five to ten; and this means a very high level of commitment is needed from those of us who are able to set up, lead worship, speak, and lead children’s work.

However, at a recent conference an urban missionary suggested that a far more helpful and encouraging question is “So, what signs of the kingdom have you seen recently?” because these can be seen in much greater abundance.

An urban missionary recently suggested that a far more helpful and encouraging question is, 'So, what signs of the kingdom have you seen recently?' because these can be seen in much greater abundance.

For a long time, the mission of the church has been as in Luke 4; to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind and to release the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour. In the past five years we have moved forward significantly in our community mission. In 2004 we were very involved with Soul in the City, an initiative across London, and in 2005 our Livability Community Mission Advisor helped us with a community survey. Since then we have developed an active programme at the Centre in partnership with others, including regular healthy eating and fitness activities, and events including a summer BBQ, coach trips, and regular parties.

I see signs of the kingdom when:

• I pray regularly with one of our ladies with a Muslim background in the name of Jesus and she expresses feeling more at peace afterwards

• participants in our Smoothie Hour develop friendships with one another independent of the Centre

• someone who has come to community activities starts attending a church small group and asking questions
• we hold a party and over 100 people attend; and they have come from, visited or have family in 41 different countries
• feedback from our subsidized coach trips shows just what it means to local people “Couldn’t ask for more” “Good to see the sea after a long winter” “Perfect for me and my family”

• our partners who run three different activities at the Centre all express that there’s “something different” here, and that they like coming here more than other places

• there’s a tragic accident and we are able to open the Centre to everyone to sign a remembrance book and for a short time of prayer

• I pray with someone in their 70s and they share that this is the first time anyone has ever prayed for them

• I look into the charity’s accounts and see God’s absolute faithfulness and provision for us

There’s always so much more that we could be doing, but we hold on to the story of the little boy offering his loaves and fishes to Jesus to feed the 5,000; we offer what little we have and trust God to do the rest. 

There’s always so much more that we could be doing, but we hold onto the story of the little boy offering his loaves and fishes to Jesus to feed the 5,000; we offer what little we have and trust God to do the rest. 

We daily live in the tension of seeing shoots of the kingdom sprouting up but desperately wanting these to be translated into healthy plants; people coming to a living relationship with Jesus. But we keep doing our best to “shine like stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life – in order that we may boast on the day of Christ that we did not run or labour for nothing” Philippians 2 v16.

My two top tips for others are:

• Develop a gratitude attitude and look for the signs of the kingdom. However hard it can be here there are always things that can inspire thankfulness.

• Look after yourself and each other. My church leader is excellent at protecting me and ensuring that I will be able to be here for the long haul.

Our heart’s desire is for a vibrant, spirit-filled church at the heart of our community, and we want to keep praying and pushing through until we see this happen. I just pray it will be in my lifetime!

Mary White, Centre Manager, June 2009

For more information on the church, visit www.findachurch.co.uk