Missions
Throughout its history, Velmore Church has believed that it is important for a church to look outwards, beyond our immediate area, to the wider world.
Over the years, we have supported many Christian missions, and in recent years we have adopted a ‘Mission for the Month’ approach, focusing on a different mission in prayer and giving each month.
The missions we support include local, national and international works. What they all have in common is a desire to spread the good news about Jesus Christ, some directly through evangelism and others through showing his love in acts of service.
We have personal connections with many of these missions, and often have speakers from the missions at our services.
Here is some information, and in most cases, a link, to the missions we support.
Solomon Nathaniel
Solomon Nathaniel is an Indian evangelist, based in Poole, Dorset. He works among Asian communities in the UK, and he also travels to his home area in the north of India to encourage local people in their gospel outreach. He often faces opposition from religious extremists in India, and because of this, he does not publicise his work through a website, instead sending newsletters to trusted friends. We have known and supported Solomon for over thirty years.
https://pamojacharity.org/ is a small Christian charity with its UK base in Eastleigh. One of our leaders, Richard, is a trustee. Pamoja works among the poor and needy of Kenya, through Kenyans who are known and trusted by the UK trustees. Because the work in the UK is done voluntarily, almost all donations are able to be sent directly to Kenya. The work there includes two Care Centres for needy children, a school and a clinic. Since Covid, and a real cost of living crisis in Kenya, Pamoja has also sent relief money on a regular basis.
https://www.lcm.org.uk/ , as its name suggests, is an organisation that exists to share the good news about Jesus with Londoners. It has been established for nearly 200 years. LCM says, ” We share the gospel alongside the local church of London, equipping everyday Christians to lovingly bring a message of hope in Christ to those least likely to hear it.” Over the years, we at Velmore have often had visits from LCM missionaries, who always challenge and inspire us. Much of what LCM does can also be applied to our local situation on the Velmore estate in Chandler’s Ford.
https://www.urbandevotion.org/ exists to see the transformation of communities one life at a time. UBD says “We care about people and places and express this in long-term commitment to our priority neighbourhoods – all within a few miles of each other in North East Birmingham.” Why is Velmore Church interested in a mission in Birmingham? Because we have a personal connection: one of its workers is the grandson of members of Velmore Church.
Slavic Gospel Association https://sga.org.uk/ is an organisation “which serves the church among the Slavic nations of the world by assisting it to become fully equipped to fulfil the great commission of Jesus Christ, particularly among its own people”. Velmore has supported SGA for many years: we have long had church members who are enthusiastic ambassadors for this work, which started in Eastern Europe, and continues there and in the countries of Central Asia.
https://yeldall.org.uk/ is a Christian drug and rehabilitation centre based near Reading. Velmore has supported this work for many years, and we have regular visits from staff and residents who inspire us with news of what God, through Yeldall, is able to do in transforming men’s lives.
https://wycliffe.org.uk/ aims to “create a world where everyone can know Jesus through the Bible”, by translating the Bible into local languages. This is a truly international mission which raises our local vision to ‘the whole world for Jesus’. Currently 1 in 5 of the world population do not have access to the Bible in their native language and we are inspired and challenged by the work Wycliffe do. We look forward to continuing to support them in the coming years.
https://www.countiesuk.org/ Counties makes Jesus known across every UK county through the work of their national network of evangelists, innovative schools’ resources, community chaplains, pioneering church planters and professional training opportunities. Our local ‘counties’ evangelists are Gordon and Penny Curley, who have worked in Hampshire for over 30 years. https://www.gcurley.info/ Gordon and Penny Curley enjoy the challenge of sharing the Christian message with a range of age-groups and in a variety of situations, e.g. churches, pubs, schools, children’s and youth clubs, their home, in fact wherever an opportunity opens up! They also help to run Christian camps, family weekends and house parties for children and young people. Gordon is a regular and popular speaker at Velmore, especially for our outreach meal services, where he is a clear and passionate communicator of the good news about Jesus Christ.
https://hopenow.org.uk/ is a Southampton-based organisation, that has worked in Ukraine for over 30 years. It also has links to Sri Lanka. At this present time, there is a major focus on Ukraine, with hundreds of boxes of clothes and medical supplies being sent out over the past months. Hope Now is more than a relief organisation, though: the ‘HOPE’ stands for Healthcare, Orphans, Prison ministry, Education and Evangelism. One of our members is a former trustee, and we retain a personal interest in the work as Velmore members donate goods and help to pack boxes.
https://gb.ambassadorsfootball.org/ Velmore’s link with Ambassadors Football is through one of its staff who was at college with the sons of members of the church. Though not everyone at Velmore is football mad, we are united in supporting Ambassadors Football’s aim of “Investing in churches, investing in people, sharing Jesus through football”. They put into action what the apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:22: “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”
https://www.opendoorsuk.org/ As we, in Chandler’s Ford enjoy peace and freedom in our worship and witness, it is right to remember those of our brothers and sisters in Christ who daily risk, or even lay down, their lives, for Jesus. The Open Doors website headline says: “Over 360 million Christians suffer persecution and discrimination. They follow Jesus, no matter the cost. With your help, we’re bringing them resources and hope.” We particularly remember them on Suffering Church Sunday, the first Sunday in November each year, when for the past few years, we have welcomed the local representative, to update and inspire us.
https://winchesterbeacon.org.uk/ Formerly known as the Winchester Churches Night shelter, Winchester Beacon is open 365 days a year and provides accommodation, food and vital support services to help break the cycle of homelessness and enable residents to rebuild their lives. They aim to offer much more than a bed for the night, aiming to create a safe, caring temporary home and give support when it’s needed most. Their vision is to transform lives, inspire hope and end homelessness. For many years, Velmore Church has focused on this work during December, with our Christmas giving and any money collected from carol singing going to this vital local charity.