Throughout 2017, the city of Hull, or Kingston-upon-Hull, will be in the national spotlight.
This is because Hull has been chosen as the national ‘City of Culture’ for the year – an honour and privilege which the city has taken to heart.
What is often unknown
For many years Hull was looked down on by many in other parts of England. I remember myself, back in the days when I was an office worker in London and attending a large church there, hearing of someone who lived in Hull and wondering why anyone would want to live there. (The irony hasn't escaped me that now I live here and love it!).
Little did I know that the city was a prosperous port for centuries – the Old Town still retains the beautiful character of a bygone age. Nor did I know that Hull’s trawler industry was virtually destroyed by the Cod Wars, ripping out something close to the city’s soul. Nor did I know that Hull is the home city of William Wilberforce and Amy Johnson. Nor was I aware that a great deal of investment in recent years has brought something of a renaissance to the city, surrounded as it is by the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds and not far from the East Yorkshire coast and the Yorkshire Moors and Dales (not to mention the iconic Humber Bridge).
Spiritually, the city's experience has undergone a similar pattern. In the 17th century Hull was a hotbed of Puritanism (and was the first city to close its gates to Charles I during the English Civil War). By 1834, thanks to the evangelical revival experienced in Anglican, Methodist and Independent circles, up to 57% of the city's population attended church. But by the middle of the 20th century the evangelical witness in the city was tiny.
Turning point?
In recent years, however, the city has undergone a small ‘revival’ even more remarkable than the recent facelift of the city centre, preparing us for next year's festivities. Today, there are a number of classical evangelical churches. For example, the Anglican ReNew network in Hull and its surrounds comprises 11 churches (with seven incumbents), which are increasingly working together to defend and proclaim the gospel to our great city.
Last April five churches in West Hull and surroundings joined forces with a team from Oak Hill College for the ‘West Hull Area Mission’. A number of events were held – including a men’s breakfast, a women’s event, a youth night, a five-a-side football tournament and a family fun day. We also work with Free Church brothers and sisters through personal connections and the Yorkshire Gospel Partnership; and with other Anglican evangelicals.’
But the needs are still great. Anecdotally, Hull continues to be the city with the lowest church attendance in the UK. This claim was substantiated recently by research which found that in 13 of the Anglican parishes within Hull, church attendance is between one and eight people for every 1000 head of population. As I hear statistics like that my heart is filled with compassion as I am reminded of the words of God to the prophet Jonah: ‘Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left?’ (Jonah 4.11). With that in mind the ReNew churches are beginning to work towards a vision – by God's grace – to plant, establish and secure congregations in the years to come. Some of us are asking ‘what would it take for ten per cent of the population to be attending church?’ The answer, by the way, is 128 churches of 200 people.
Pray about the challenge
So when you hear about Hull during 2017, do pray for our great city. Give thanks for the way the Lord has been working over the past 30 years, and pray that his work would continue and grow. And if you’re looking for a new challenge, why not consider moving here? There are a number of evangelical churches around the city which would really benefit. And the cost of living's pretty good too!
