Related blogs
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other nations
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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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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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Making it work
From weight loss classes to immigration services, the support groups that are running in all three Jesus Centres help to provide "worship, friendship and help for every kind of person". "With support groups we can link up people to listen to each other and give mutual support," says Piers Young, manager of Coventry Jesus Centre. "It can make a big difference. We've seen it."Published: 21st Jan 2010
LONDON
"Making it work," is a relatively new job-search support group at the London Jesus Centre. It has been running for over nine months, during which Alison Moore, who runs it, has seen over 50 different people who are having difficulty finding work. It runs every Thursday by appointment, from 8.30am-3.30pm.
She helps them to put together their CVs, helps with interview skills, gives employment advice, searches for jobs with them, makes phone calls to employers and, as she puts it, "I do a lot of chatting, praying, solving problems, laughing, crying and drinking tea."
"My Spanish has improved!" laughs Alison, "And I've learnt about helping migrant workers to find jobs and a lot...
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New to the UK
At London Jesus Centre, Sue Withers teaches English for Speakers of Other languages (ESOL) and leads a support group for people newly arrived in the UK.Published: 22nd May 2009"I FEEL like I am in prison," said our asylum seeker friend. Settling into the UK can be a difficult process of trying to find basic amenities and often the right to remain in an unfamiliar and often unfriendly environment. Economic migrants and students similarly struggle with language difficulties, getting suitable accommodation and, most importantly, finding a friend.
The "New to UK" project at London Jesus Centre is providing practical help and support to these migrants with immigration advice, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and conversation classes and other practical help and friendship.
Lin from Japan
...was brought to the Jesus Centre by a lady in Chinatown, to learn English....
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The student and volunteer
From conversation classes to Christian discipleship.Published: 18th Sep 2008
JIN SHIL Um comes from Korea. She started conversation classes in the London Jesus Centre in May, the following month began volunteering herself in the Word tea room, and now she’s moved in to the Battlecentre community house to start a Jesus Army Training Year.
“I had never seen Christian people living together, sharing all things. It looks very beautiful and I think it is very close to Jesus’ way. Many Christian people say they want to follow Jesus, but not really in action. I think the community house is a very good base. It’s like a greenhouse – more concentrated – where I can grow up more as a Christian.
“In conversation class we learn lifestyle and common expression. Every...
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