Acts today

"SOME things never change." Although such a phrase often has negative connotations, it can be good to have some stability in an otherwise changing world. Whether it's the taste of Coca-Cola or the cycle of the four seasons, we can all think of things that we enjoy just the way they are.

Most importantly, we know that God and His truth never change. But 2,000 years after Jesus began his worldwide movement, the Church, the world is a completely different place. Is it still possible to live like those early Christians did?

Tucked away behind Oxford Street, lives a community of Christians who are proving the answer to that question is a resounding "yes!"

As I arrived at the Jesus Centre one cold winter morning, I was greeted by Centre Manager, Rob Bentley, and shown around. The first thing that strikes you is the sheer size of the property. The grade-two, listed building used to be a convent - and still contains a magnificent chapel where 120 people gather every Sunday to worship.

To my surprise, I discover 30 people live in the building and share everything from meals to chores. I ask Rob what it is like to live in such a unique community. "The dynamic of people pooling their resources and living together is amazing," he says. "Like a lot of people when they come across the church, there's a sense of 'I've come home'. Yet there's no way such a mixed group of people could hang together except through God."

But living together is only a small part of what happens at the Jesus Centre. Every weekday the Centre is open to the homeless. Around 50 people visit the Centre each day and are provided with showers, cheap clothing and free food and drink.

Rob tells me, "There are more rough sleepers in central London than the rest of the country put together." Statistics show that after six months on the street many homeless people begin to suffer from mental illness. "We help a lot of people who wouldn't get any help except for the voluntary sector."

Although the staff and volunteers are all clear on the Christians motivation for their work, the gospel is never forced on people. Over the last two and a half years, Rob and his team have built a friendly atmosphere where people of all backgrounds and beliefs are welcomed and provided for.

"It's our desire that as many people as possible come to know Jesus, but while people are perfectly clear where we are coming from, we are happy to help anybody." Rob says. "If people raise religious issues we are happy to talk about it, but only if they give permission - it's not a condition of them getting help."

The Centre is equipped with a number of classrooms where people can partake in courses ranging from basic IT skills to learning English as a foreign language. Rob and his team also offer help with breaking bad habits and addictions.

Not only that, but the Centre contains a tearoom, a quiet room, a lounge and even an arts and craft room. Many of these rooms are hired out in the evenings to local community groups with the profit invested back into their ministry to the poor.

Since the Centre opened three years ago, it has enjoyed donations of clothes for the homeless from United Colours of Benetton and John Lewis, shower gel and shampoo from The Body Shop and Lush and even cafe furniture from a local Costa. In fact, every computer in the building has been donated!

Rob says the main aim of London's Jesus Centre is to extend the availability of church throughout the week. "Our aim is to reach a wider range of people and to make an increasing impact in the local area."

As somebody previously unfamiliar with the work of the Jesus Army and their Centres, I left London Jesus Centre inspired and with Luke's words in Acts chapter two ringing in my head.

Surely, they sum up the Jesus Centre's work perfectly: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need."