What is Let’s Talk English all about & how can you be involved?
Mission Statement
Let's Talk English is a way for the church to develop authentic relationships with the migrant and former refugee community, in order to share the love of God and the good news of Jesus Christ with the nations on our doorstep.
Let’s Talk Vision
We long to be:
A church abounding in love for God and our neighbour.
A people obedient to the command to go and make disciples of all nations.
A redeemed people from every tongue and tribe and people and nation worshipping God together.
Why Does This Ministry Matter?
God has called us to “make disciples of all nations”, and we live in a time now where God is bringing the nations to us. We don’t even have to venture outside of our neighbourhoods to reach the unreached.
The migrant and former refugee community is a relatively “hidden” one to the church. We will not build relationships with this community unless we are active in seeking them out.
Many people in this community are very lonely, having left family and friends behind in their home countries. Many also struggle to find opportunities to practice speaking English in non-threatening environments. We can meet a real need by providing help with English and by offering friendship, and through this have an opportunity to share the gospel.
What Does This Ministry Involve?
Weekly English lessons throughout the school term. These lessons would be casual and informal, focusing on spoken English.
The evenings will be run by volunteers who seek to welcome and befriend the learners who come.
Through the English lessons we hope that the volunteers will have opportunities to develop relationships with the families who come.
The volunteers will be free to follow the Spirit’s leading in how to develop these relationships further outside of lessons.
We will also provide weekly meals before the lesson to show hospitality which is an integral part of many cultures.
Who Do We Need?
Anyone with a heart for the migrant/former refugee community.
People who are willing to invest in this community outside of the weekly lessons. The English classes provide an opportunity to meet people and make friends, but a 1.5 hour lesson once a week is probably not sufficient when it comes to developing real relationships with this community.
We need people to:
Be involved in lesson planning (preferably people with ESOL experience)
Provide childcare (this will enable mothers of young children to attend the lessons)
Drive families without transport to/from the lessons.
Help with food preperation for dinner before the lesson.
Generally act as conversation partners and friends to the people who come.
When/Where Will This Happen?
Monday evenings from 6pm - 8pm.
The lessons will run in the Crossroads cafe area.
Info night 7pm on Thursday 3rd of June at Crossroads.
Some training nights to follow.
Kicking off the 26th of July.