Graham Miller, Chief Executive of London City Mission, shares his joy of hearing dramatic accounts of people who have been saved out of chaotic and destructive lives into God’s family:
Meet Craig (see photo), brought up in North West London in a non-religious household. By the age of 21 he was living a chaotic life, committed a crime and was sentenced to prison.
But God’s plans unfold in unexpected ways. Craig went to a prison chapel Sunday service and for the first time felt the presence of God. He says: ‘I really felt God speaking to me in that moment, extending the offer of His forgiveness through Jesus.’
Craig accepted the good news of the gospel and began to attend a Bible study where he learned more about Jesus. ‘Slowly my life has been on a process of transformation, day-by-day growing into the image of Christ.’
He realised that this news was too good to keep to himself, so when he was released from prison he felt called to mission and found the London City Mission Pioneer Programme.
Joining the Pioneer Programme has been a blessing, and an invaluable source of strengthening for Craig: ‘There’s a verse in the Bible that talks about brothers sharpening each other as iron sharpens iron. That’s been really beneficial for me and it’s got me through a lot of difficult times.’
Every Monday Craig is on placement with Westminster Chapel in central London. Typically, you might find him helping in the food bank, or in one-to-one discipleship with someone who’s just come out of addiction or recovery.
Craig came alongside one man and they began meeting regularly for support and Bible study. Over a period of time he came along to Sunday services at Westminster Chapel and after a while he was baptised. Craig said: ‘It’s been an amazing blessing to witness that and to allow the word and the support of Christians to draw him along in that journey to Jesus and new life in Christ.
‘The chance to come alongside marginalised people and seeing them taking steps towards Jesus, that’s been a real blessing and it makes me very excited.’
There is much to give God praise for. He is at work in this city and I never tire of hearing stories of people coming from darkness into light.
Every year we identify men and women from London’s poorer community who may not have formal qualifications, have little chance of accessing traditional theological training, and often have backgrounds that would exclude them from consideration.
This is what fills me with joy: the prospect of raising up churches that are an authentic and natural expression of their communities, giving glory to God. Craig’s story is a reminder to me how easily this vision is within reach – if only we invest the time and resources in the people who are best placed to reach their own neighbourhoods.
London City Mission is now recruiting for our September 2022 intake of pioneers. If you, or someone you know, would like to know more about applying or supporting the programme see www.lcm.org.uk/pioneers.
