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London
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London: London Jesus Centre barbecue a success with the locals
Kayleigh Bateman reports on a recent BBQ, which saw new users flock to the centre for afternoon of free food and entertainmentPublished: 5th Jul 2014
THE London Jesus Centre recently hosted a successful BBQ event for more than 50 visitors.
Taking place on the afternoon of July 4th, the aim of the day was to improve the social and personal well-being of the Centre's users.
A team of volunteers co-planned and executed the day: Tony McKenzie, Ieuan Roberts, Ibrahim-Andrei Nav, Eduardo Proietti.
Tony said: "Ibrahim was our BBQ king - he was the head chef. Being a part of the organisation process was important in terms of building my self-esteem and confidence and through making friends with other drop-in visitors.
"It was a seamless transition from visitor to volunteer – having boundaries was good so there was no conflict...
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London: Meeting needs
Sue Withers describes how the London Jesus Centre has benefitted a visitor.Published: 3rd Oct 2013
SINCE Oscar* from the Congo arrived in the country in January 2011 he has had his asylum claim turned down, and is waiting for a response to his appeal application.
He came to the Jesus Centre wanting to learn English but, as with so many in his situation, his educational needs cannot be effectively met without other basic needs being addressed. He has sometimes arrived hungry or cold and we have been able to give food, clothing and blankets from our drop-in supplies.
Despite these difficulties he is committed to attending his English class and hardly misses a week. There he has begun to grasp basic verbs and greetings and to be more confident in speaking. IT help has enabled him to use emails and to communicate with his...
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London: Living out the words of Jesus
Sue Withers reflects on Jesus’ command to love the poor.Published: 11th Jul 2013
1.35pm I’m working in Reception at the London Jesus Centre, and our Drop-In is closed.
Two men arrive. A regular bringing his friend.
“Can I have some clothes?”
“Sorry, the session is finished.”
The request is timid: “Any water please?”
I come into focus and realise the man is thin, inadequately dressed for a cold June day. Trousers held together by string. Maybe Algerian, possibly an asylum seeker.
“Yes, of course you can have some water.”
And we have clothes, donated in abundance.
They take red crosses, and I reflect how good it is that the poor of London are wearing our colours.
They take their leave...
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London: The Hunger Pains
Jesus Army team takes double-decker bus to London to give out food and drinks, and pray with people.Published: 21st Sep 2012
ALEKSANDAR IS 19 and from Bulgaria. He has been living on the streets of London for just over a week. I meet him outside the Jesus Army bus and we drink coffee from polystyrene cups and chat.
Aleksandar came to the UK after nursing his mother “pretty much single-handed” before she died four months ago. A so-called friend of his family offered him work in the UK. But when Aleksandar arrived he found the “friend” wanted him to work without pay. “Slave labour, basically” says Aleksandar. “He said to me ‘You’ve got no papers, no permit – so no choice.’ I said ‘No thanks.’ So I left.”
Now Aleksandar hopes to get help from some of London...
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London: Charity award
Published: 17th May 2012
London Jesus Centre was named "Charity of the month" by their local Waitrose recently, as voted for by Waitrose customers. They also received a generous donation from the superstore.
Centre manager, Rob Bentley, was delighted and somewhat bemused: "It's all a bit amazing" he said. "The store isn't very near and we don't have a lot of Waitrose customers that we know of coming here."
The Christian centre near Oxford Circus, with its drop-in for the homeless, tea room, and other services including ESOL classes, is more well-known and supported than it realised.
Comments Read more on the London Jesus Centre site »
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