London | InnerCHANGE | Disciple-Makers From the Nations
Wilson is one example of what Darren and the team in East London see throughout their neighborhood: “amazing people who are everyday, ordinary disciple-makers…excited about the gospel and eager to share.”
Darren Prince and his family have served in East London for almost 20 years, and they see God at work, especially among asylum seekers and refugees. “The nations are coming to London’s doorsteps,” he shares.
Together with their local church community, Darren and the team in East London connect with asylum seekers from many countries: Iran, Turkey, Syria, Ukraine, Eritrea, and more. Through food banks, English classes, and community meals, staff and volunteers connect with London’s newcomers. Offering prayer and spiritual conversations often leads to simple discovery studies using the Easy English version of the Bible.
One of the refugees they’ve welcomed into their circle is Wilson, who is from Cameroon and has been waiting for his refugee status for three years. Life in London has been challenging. “Sometimes it weighs on you,” he admitted. He describes staying in a hotel with hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers, hearing the shouts and cries of others carrying the same pain.
“I did not need to cry alone,” Wilson shared. Spending time with Darren and his wife Pam, along with their community—praying together or sharing a meal—has felt like God’s special provision during some of Wilson’s most painful days. “That has been very helpful for someone who left his family and was just alone in the UK,” he said. “They are not my biological parents or family, but I have someone. Others don’t.”
As a Christian, Wilson believes one of the most powerful things he can offer others is a listening ear and prayer. Recently, he received a call from a friend who’s likely not a believer. The friend shared that he had just received his refugee status. Wilson congratulated him and offered to pray with him, and his friend was really happy.
“I don’t know why he called me, but I think maybe God was trying to make something new in his life, and maybe this is the start of his new journey.”
Wilson is one example of what Darren and the team in East London see throughout their neighborhood: “amazing people who are everyday, ordinary disciple-makers…excited about the gospel and eager to share.”
The disciple-makers saying yes to Jesus in London come from many different nations. Many have experienced hardship themselves, but like Wilson, they are finding community and encouragement among other believers—and then sharing that same hope and care with others.
