In Stockton-on-Tees, our Parkfield and Oxbridge Eden team have been working hard to break down barriers that people have towards church. We caught up with team leader Stephen to hear more about what’s been happening.
What is life like on your estate?
Lots of our neighbours struggle with addiction, extreme poverty and cycles of homelessness. We’re determined to be Jesus to them, meeting where they’re at and showing them his love in word and action.
Church is not somewhere our neighbours would naturally head to, so we’re taking it to them using the Message Bus. And we love getting the chance to meet more of our neighbours. It’s something that’s been close to our heart since day one of our Eden team when we would have coffee in people’s front gardens!
Tell us more about what’s been happening.
We provide tea, coffee, sandwiches and a friendly ear for anyone who wants to come along. As people open up, we build friendships with them, always taking every opportunity to share the gospel with those we meet.
It’s been a great opportunity to get to know our neighbours and invite people along to Connect Stockton (a more informal church service with food, worship and testimonies run by junction42 and our partner church, TVCC). There, they’re able to chat with others and connect with church in a more accessible way.
And people are responding. Three people who first connected with us through Connect Stockton, became Christians at church, were discipled by our Eden team and are now serving as part of our Eden team too. It’s a proper coming-full-circle moment as the three of them are now sharing their story about what Jesus has done for them with others around them!
