Evangelical Alliance

Churches encouraged to build unity with South Asian Christians   

A new resource is available to help churches across the UK build connections with South Asian Christians, and an upcoming conference will help train Christians for mission.

The UK Directory of Asian Ministries provides vital information about individuals, churches and organisations that are involved in ministry with Asians. These range from predominantly Asian churches and fellowships, to churches committed to reaching Asians.

The latest edition of the directory, which was first published in 1999, is produced by South Asian Concern and the South Asian Forum (SAF) of the Evangelical Alliance.

Manoj Raithatha, national co-ordinator for SAF, said: "This directory gives us population statistics and information for the counties and local authorities across the UK. At a glance we can see how many Asians are in different parts of the country and who is working among them.

"Many Christians in the UK are not aware of the thriving communities that surround them, nor have the confidence and skills to know how to reach out to South Asians of other faiths."

The publication of the directory comes during a period when ministry to South Asians is gaining increased attention. On 26 November SAF will join with Jewels in his Crown to run a conference in Wolverhampton.

The conference will encourage and equip individuals and churches of a variety of denominations to take up the challenge of reaching non-Christian South Asians.

Steve Uppal, the keynote speaker says: "Different models will be explored during the day, resources shared and relationships built. The Church must seize the opportunity to get alongside South Asians who have never before to our knowledge been so open to the gospel."

The conference will take place at All Nations Christian Centre where Steve Uppal is the senior leader. All Nations is a multicultural church with services in both English and Punjabi.

Manoj Raithatha went on to say: "I want to see churches working together and I want us to use all the creativity we can to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to South Asians across the UK. "