“MEETING, commitment, action, battle, promise and commission." So London Jesus Centre spiritual director, Steve Calam, defined 'engagement' in the introductory session of a day aimed to engage potential volunteers and supporters of the London Jesus Centre.

Then four seminars focused on a few aspects of the Centre's prospective ministry: meeting social needs; providing education and training; connecting with the local community; and working with refugees and asylum seekers.

First up in the chapel was social needs. Sixty-five new people start living on the streets in Westminster every night. The LJC Day Centre will be able to offer a high level of service focussed on people who want to change. "We will lead on caring and giving our time," said project manager Rob Bentley, a former Salvation Army officer, who went on to quote William Booth: 'In providing relief for temporal misery I am also making it easier for men and women to find their way to the Cross.'

Meanwhile, in the basement, folk were embarking on a journey of discovery alongside disorganised Christina, out-of-work Helene and would-be English student Katka. Where can they turn? The London Jesus Centre, of course - for taster ESOL classes with Sue, IT shortcuts with John and life skills with Alison.

Next up were some of the 'neighbours' in the community seminar. Westminster is uniquely diverse in its ethnic mix and its sharply juxtaposed extremes: in Soho, a primary school is sandwiched between two strip joints. There is also much 'unfelt' need: the isolation of the big city leads to the greatest incidence of severe mental illness. The community venue will be a bridge to the neighbours; half of the Northampton Jesus Centre users first visited the Centre's café.

Refugees and asylum seekers are one group who need priority help, and the subject of the last seminar. A powerful sketch illustrated the limitations and difficulties faced when you are new to the UK: language problems, uncertainty, enslavement to the system, and fears, anxieties and depression. In silence one real life asylum seeker was bound, hands and feet, mouth and arms, with strips of cloth on which these words were written. The bandages were then removed, with explanations of what they represented.

Teatime offered the chance to look around, to view the plans, and test out the basement community venue, as well as the opportunity to fill in volunteer application forms, to submit activity ideas or to sign up to be an intercessor.

The day ended with powerful worship and a dedication of people's offerings of time and commitment.