Our mission
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
— Quote Source
The great thing about the local church is that we are also part of a global church.
One way we express this sense of belonging is through links we form with different people, projects and organisations committed to extending God’s kingdom locally, nationally and globally.
We commit to support these through prayer, personal contact and financial giving.
These 8 principles guide our decisions on mission support
Mission support should be global as well as local (Global mission agencies; Global mission – specific projects; Local Mission)
It should be well directed (limited to key partners) but reflect diversity of projects and partners – both geographically and thematically.
Mission support should wherever possible be based on meaningful relationships.
It is essential that there should be a “champion” within the church who can act as a contact point for each mission partner & be responsible for regular updates/literature etc
Opportunities for mission feedback and input should be planned into the annual cycle of Sunday services.
To start with (2014) we will aim to give 10% of our income to our mission partners.
Part of our mission giving should be set aside as a contingency fund – to be used to respond to emergency requests.
Part of our mission giving should be set aside as a fund to support any of our church members engaging in short term mission.
This month’s mission focus is JMECA
JMECA is a UK-based charity which encourages support for the Anglican Dioceses within the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East and the newly formed Province of Alexandria covering Egypt, North Africa, Horn of Africa and Ethiopia.
JMECA aims to:
Inform individuals and churches about the work of the church in the region and life as a Christian in the many countries within the dioceses
Encourage prayer for Middle East Christians and the work of the church,
Raise funds to support the many churches and projects within the region by encouraging donations and managing historic trust funds.
The Church on the Heath focuses its support on medical outreach through two of the diocesan run hospitals, namely the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza and the Harper Memorial Hospitals in the Nile Delta. The church’s donations provide subsidised or free treatment for those that otherwise would have no access to vital medical care.
Prayer Points
The coronavirus pandemic has hit hard in the region, particularly within the poorer communities where medical support is limited and those that are reliant almost solely on tourism/pilgrimage. The Church is reaching out to support these communities but their resources are low with churches and pilgrimage hostels/retreats and schools having been closed for much of last year.
Please pray for Archbishops of the region; Archbishop Michael Lewis, Archbishop Suheil Dawani and Archbishop Mouneer Anis and the Bishops who serve with them, that God will uphold them and give them wisdom.
Please pray for Bishop Hosam Naoum as he becomes the new Archbishop in Jerusalem this year.