Alan West gets away from Fulham’s Jimmy Conway and Les Strong
S&G/ALPhA/EMPICS
This was 1986. There were about 70 people with the Good News of Jesus Unsurprisingly, sport has played a big
people in the congregation; the Fel- in a changing world. part in building relationships between
lowship was a fairly traditional Elim LCF and the community around them.
church at this point. ‘Our aim is to reach the community Several years ago they started a lo-
of people who are outside the church cal men’s football team, then a local
‘So I tried to bring the church as fast and try to turn them into fully devoted netball team. They run holiday soc-
as I could into the twentieth century, followers of Christ. Our vision is to cer and cricket camps, attended by
and broke quite a few old moulds,’ reach lost people and turn them into up to 50–60 children at a time – who
Alan recalls. That meant gradual mature followers.’ then bring their families to church on
changes to the style of worship and Sunday to watch them collect their
music, the church programme, the The church is also involved in work trophies.
way church people reached out to among the community that doesn’t
those outside… The result? include any kind of direct ‘message’. ‘These are the kind of things that
Alan believes this is crucial to the helped us break out of the four walls
In 2007, Sunday attendance aver- church’s mission as it is the only way to of the church, and put us in the com-
aged 300 people, including children, build a platform of trust with outsiders. munity.’
although according to Alan around
400 people would probably call LCF ‘We are seeing more and more that we Alan is particularly proud of LCF’s
their ‘home’ church. need to be part of the community, rath- part in fostering links between other
er than just inviting people to church. churches in Luton, through a formative
With a staff team of eight people there You need to serve the community be- role in the development of Churches
is a thriving children’s and youth min- fore you gain any credibility. Once you Together in the town. Between 20 and
istry and busy midweek programme. have gained that credibility with people 30 churches are now involved, meet-
they say, yes, you are showing love ing regularly for celebrations, prayer
The most important changes have and compassion, and they are willing meetings for the town, and working
been to the mentality of church mem- to start asking questions.’ together on a major evangelistic out-
bers as they consider how to reach reach every year.
www.elim.org.uk 27
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