Living in London

Getting to London

Ministry in London

City Guide

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Vision

Why London?

Living in London

Getting to London

Church in London

Ministry in London

Q&A

Next steps

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Vision

We believe that business will play an integral role in the future of global movements of God. We’re not saying we think professionals and businesspeople will replace traditional Christian workers. Rather, we hope to see professionals, students and retirees coming alongside them and helping with their work. To that end, we want to fuel this future movement of God that uses both business professionals and church planters by helping Christian professionals, students and retirees find jobs overseas and build healthy churches.

In today’s globalized economy, the doors of many unreached countries are closing to traditional Christian workers, but they are opening to profes-sionals, students and retirees. Many companies in global cities even offer generous benefit pack-ages to attract Western expats. In God’s amazing sovereign plan, abundant opportunities exist to go to unreached people and places around the world. We want to encourage you — the Christian professional, student or retiree — toward a two-part vision: Whatever you are good at (1) do it well, for the glory of God; and (2) do it somewhere strategic, for the mission of God.

We’re here to help you envision the possibility of serving the Lord by moving overseas in your vocation, university studies or retirement years, whether you’re an accountant or an engineer, a doctor or a graphic designer. We want to encourage you to think about working somewhere strategic for the gospel.

How to use this guide

This guide seeks to give you an overview of what a move to London would entail. It’s divided into eight sections, designed to give you a feel for life, work and ministry in London. We encourage you to read it and pray, asking God if He might be leading you overseas for the sake of the gospel. We also urge you to talk with your pastor, close friends and family about this possibility.

“I volunteered and served at the local university with a mission group, which allowed me to form relationships with and share my faith with students from around the world.”

Sheri Burney*homemaker

introduction

“It’s an exciting place to live. There are lots of opportunities in the professional and finance fields. I’d encourage people coming here to take in all the culture London has to offer.”

Paul Burney*managing director for a temporary power company

*Name changed 3

Why London?

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Why London?

Why London?

Why focus on London as a global city?

We look primarily at five criteria when determining such global cities — and London meets all five:

1 Western-friendly: Even with more than 300 different spoken languages, most London residents speak English.

2 Expat jobs: London’s “Square Mile” is home to more than 80 million square feet of office floor space and 5 million square feet of retail space. It boasts 17,000 businesses (more than 98 percent are small- and medium-sized enterprises).

3 Gospel-believing churches: There is a mis-sional church-planting movement that has be gun to take shape across the city that des perately needs gospel-centered participants. These churches and missional communities can simultaneously serve as a community for expats to fit into and also offer them opportunities to serve in active ministry.

4 Unreached people and places: While nearly half of Londoners claim Christianity, a vast majority of them do not attend church or pray.

5 Regional hub: In 2014, 73.4 million passen-gers passed through Heathrow Airport, with traffic of more than 200,000 people each day. About 93 percent were international travelers.

Statistics about London*ToTal PoPulaTion: 8.6 million people (estimates range as high as 14 million for the greater metro region) London is divided into City of London, Inner London, Outer London and Greater London.City of London (Square Mile) — 7,375Inner London — 3,232,000Outer London — 4,942,000Greater London — 8,546,000

Ethnicities of London:

White British 45%

Other British 15%

Other 11%

Black African 7%

Indian 7%

Mixed 5%

Black Caribbean 4%

Pakistani 3%

Bangladeshi 3%

Religions of London:

Christian 48.4%

No religion 29.3%

Muslim 12.4%

Hindu 5%

Jewish 1.8%

Sikh 1.5%

Buddhist 1%

Other .6%

Languages of London:English (national language) 77.9%

Polish 1.9%

Bengali 1.5%

Gujarati 1.3%

French 1.1%

Urdu 1%

Examples of those under 1%PortugueseTurkishSpanishArabicTamilPanjabiSomaliItalian

why london?*Source: 2011 English census, IMB Global Research

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LivingIN LONDON

Hear from Christian professionals about what it’s like to live in London

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LivingIN LONDON

London at a glance

London proclaims itself the “capital of the world” — and for good reason. With a population of some 8.6 million people (estimates range as high as 14 million for the greater metro region), London is the largest city in Western Europe. Much of the world’s high-powered finance flows through its gleaming office towers and great investment houses.

Population numbers and dollars, however, don’t tell the true tale of London’s global reach. The Guardian newspaper confirmed London has become “a world in one city,” finding major and minor ethnic/language communities throughout the city: Algerians, Bangladeshis, Chinese, Indians, Iranians, Jamaicans, Nigerians, Pakistanis, Poles, Russians, Somalis, Sri Lankans, Turks, Vietnamese — to name only a few groups. Two strangers bumping into each other by accident have a less than 50 percent chance of belonging to the same racial group in some United Kingdom (U.K.) cities, the newspaper reported.

“Altogether, more than 300 languages are spoken by the people of London, and the city has at least 50 non-indigenous communities with populations of 10,000 or more,” wrote Guardian reporter Leo Benedictus. “Virtually every race, nation, culture and religion in the world can claim at least a handful of Londoners.”

Passing through the city one day on the way home from an overseas trip, Patrick Simms* visited a friend who lived there.

“As we walked the streets of London, I bet I heard 65 languages,” recalled the IMB missionary. “When I got back home, I was waking up at night hearing those voices and seeing those faces from all over the world. It was as if God said, ‘You don’t have to go to the world; the world has come to you. The world is in London, and that is where I want you to be.’”

As an expat, you won’t be alone in your adven-tures in London. According to BBC’s expat’s guide, 538,817 visas were granted for people to live and work in the U.K. in 2014. Americans will find many online resources, such as The American Hour, directed toward American expats living in the U.K.

Most expats tend to rent out flats in

apartment buildings rather than rent or

buy houses

Average rent costs per month as of augusT 2015*

1-bedroom flat in the city center£1,659 | $2,603 USD

1-bedroom flat outside of the city center£1,110 | $1,742 USD

3-bedroom flat in the city center £3,360 | $5,272 USD

3-bedroom flat outside of the city center£1,965 | $3,083 USD

Basic utilities for 915-square-foot apartment£129 | $202 USD

*Source: Numbeo.com

*Name changed living in london 7

Cost of living

London is considered one of the most expensive cities in the world. According to Expatistan.com, London living can cost 50 to 70 percent more than an average U.S. city such as Dallas, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; or Richmond, Virginia. But like many popular expat destinations, cost of living in the United Kingdom can be adjusted through lifestyle choices and choice of locations. As long as you plan carefully and use cost-saving strat-egies, you can adjust to the differences between London and your current location.

And there are plenty of ways to save while still experiencing expat life in the U.K., notes the popular expat website ExpatArrivals.com. For example, expats living in the United Kingdom can expect to have access to some level of free health care on the U.K.’s National Health Service, and they’ll also be eligible to send their children to British state schools.

But some things do just cost more than they do in the States. In the U.K., for example, a liter of milk costs £0.89 ($1.39 USD, or $5.56 per gallon), and 500 grams (or a little more than a pound) of cheese costs £4.67 ($7). A dozen eggs is £3.15 ($4.92 USD), but 4.5 pounds of potatoes will only cost £1.43 ($2.23 USD).

You can check Expatistan.com for a cost-of-living difference between your current city and London. Other sites with helpful cost-of-living information about the U.K. include ExpatArrivals.com and WorkGateways.com.

Housing

Housing in London’s city center is much more expensive than it is in the nearby suburbs, and the ability of London’s residents to find affordable housing is often lamented. For renters, the market is very competitive. The cost of rent in London for a flat (apartment) or house has recently increased, according to The Guardian news, to a monthly average of £1,500 per month (nearly $2,355 USD).

Some sources advise being prepared to commit to property at a first viewing and being ready to put down six weeks’ rent as a security deposit.

For a price break, the suburbs are the way to go; average rent outside the capital is £751 per month (about $1,180 USD). Remember to factor in the costs of transportation into and out of the city.

Since London is such a large city with lots of traffic, it’s important to live near your work, your kids’ school, your church and/or other people from your church. We also would recommend finding a place in close proximity to stations for the subway (called the London Underground, or Tube). You might pull up Google Maps to find the locations of your workplace, your kids’ school and your church, and then try to find housing in the cross-section.

Neighborhoods

Greater London has 32 diverse boroughs, each with their own governments, schools and identities. Harrow is reported as the most religiously diverse borough in the city, with a 62 percent chance that a random encounter would be between people declaring a different religion.

Members of gospel-believing churches in London live all throughout the many neighbor-hoods and boroughs of the city. Your experience in London will be greatly enhanced by choosing a neighborhood near both your work and church, so your commute will be short and your community will be strong.

There are abundant opportunities to

connect with many people groups in

London

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Transportation

MetroThe metro system in London is called the London Underground, or Tube. As you might expect, this afford-able and efficient metro system makes maneuvering this enormous city easy. While single tickets can be

purchased, fares are much lower if you use a permanent, reloadable card called The Oyster. Other options include contactless payment cards or Travelcards. You will rarely have to wait more than five minutes for an Underground train at any time of the day. The Underground runs between 5 a.m. and midnight, Monday to Saturday, with reduced operating hours Sunday.

Children under 11 can travel free on the London Underground, DLR (Docklands Light Railway) and buses without a ticket. If a child is between 11 and 15 years old, you require an Oyster 11-15 Photocard, which has a fee. This allows 11 to 15 year olds to travel at child fares on the

Underground, DLR, Overground and some trains; buses are free for this age group with a Photocard. If you reside in London and are over 60, you can get a pass for free bus and Underground travel.

For details about London’s public transportation, visit the Transport for London website. (For a fun look at London Underground and its history, check out the Telegraph news’ 150 Tube facts.)

TaxiLondon has two types of taxis to consider: iconic, licensed “black taxies” and licensed minicabs (private-hire cars offering pre-booked services). Unlicensed minicabs are illegal.

In black cabs, fares are metered and start with a minimum charge of £2.40 ($3.77). Additional charges apply when you take a black cab from Heathrow. Many black cabs accept payment by credit or debit card, but you should check with the driver before the trip starts.

For specific information on London’s taxis and minicabs, visit the Transport for London taxi page.

Car Many Londoners use public transport, and many sources recommend you avoid driving in London due to the hectic center of the city, as well as the high cost of parking both at home and at work. If you decide you want to own and/or drive a car, be aware of the “Congestion Zone,” which covers most of central London — you will need to pay a fee (around £10, or about $15.70 USD) if you drive within the Congestion Zone during working hours. Also remember that the British drive on the left side of the road!

living in london

IMB teams reach into communities by making friends and meeting needs through teaching English and other services. They’re working with local Christian partners to build community, from middle-class workers to the jobless poor, as well as a variety of ethnic groups — Poles, Hindus, Muslims and others.

“We meet people of all different backgrounds and faiths,” said an evangelistic Anglican pastor in London. “Not only do we minister to people in poverty; we’re able to reach them with a language school. We do job fairs. We help put people in

jobs. We go into the schools. We even bought the coffee shop down on the high street so we’ve got a ‘front door’ to ensure people have got a way in. And it works.”

You’ll find there are opportunities to connect with different people groups in London and the surrounding areas. We’d also encourage you to build relationships with locals wherever you end up living and avoid the tendency to abide in an “expat bubble.” If you’re interested in figuring out the best place to live, let us know and we can help you figure out the best fit.

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The Moving to London blog provides helpful information about Greater London’s 32 boroughs.

Education & schools

Every child residing in the U.K. can attend a state school free of charge, including expat children. All state schools follow a nationwide curric-ulum. However, the standards of individual schools vary depending on funding and location; it’s widely reported that the best schools are found in the more affluent areas. You should plan to attend an open day or arrange a private visit before enrolling your child in a state school.

Another option is to attend one of the U.K.’s 2,000 independent schools, often referred to as “public schools.” The SchoolSearch website provides basic details of every independent school and college, including the related fees for each school.

There are a variety of international schools in London established to meet the needs of various expat groups. Many expat parents send their chil-dren to international schools so they can continue the education they began at home. Some British parents send their children to international schools to broaden the curriculum their children receive.

Admission requirements and costs will vary from school to school, so the best approach is to contact the international schools you’re interested in to get specific details. Tuition fees usually range from £3,000 to £6,000 ($4,709 USD to $9,418 USD) per term, but can be as high as £10,000 ($15,698 USD) per term, plus extra costs for school meals, uniforms and music lessons. The London Pre-Prep website provides a list of British independent preparatory schools for children, along with demographics for each school.

A reported 20,000 to 100,000 children are homeschooled in the U.K. Homeschool blogs recommend parents interested in homeschooling in the U.K. check out the Education Otherwise website, which includes information about getting started as a homeschooler.

Health care

Health care in the U.K., known as the National Health Service (NHS), is considered one of the world’s leading health systems. All expats in the U.K. can receive free emergency treatment at NHS hospitals. Some expats must pay for inpatient treat-ment and dental work, depending on where they are from. (The U.K. has arranged reciprocal health care agreements with some countries.)

If using the NHS system, expats must register for an NHS number to be able to make an appoint-ment with a general practitioner (GP) or dentist. Registration requires some patience with bureau-cracy. Once registered, expats can apply for medical appointments; for non-emergencies, expect to wait about a week for an appointment.

Private hospitals are plentiful and generally are considered to provide better service and faster care. However, costs can be expensive, so it’s best to investigate your international health care insurance options. Employers in the U.K. are not required by law to provide medical insurance, so expats should be prepared to provide for their own health care.

Pharmacies (called “chemists” in the U.K.) can easily be found on major streets and in shopping centers. Most medicines are readily available, and many chemists stay open until midnight.

For more information on health care in the U.K., go online to ExpatArrivals.com.

Every child residing in the U.K. can attend a state

school free of charge, including expat children.

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Top five challenges of living in London

1 Cost of living and housing: As a densely populated city, real estate is valuable, expensive and competitive, particularly when people need a decent place to live on a tight budget. However, finding a place outside the city center or living with roommates can help alleviate exorbitant costs.

2 Population: Lots and lots of people — not a lot of space. But for sharing the gospel, this could be ideal: the vast majority of people do not have a relationship with Jesus and more than likely never have met a true follower of Jesus. Think of the possi-bilities for giving them the good news.

3 Pollution: The air quality in London is not great — in fact, some reports say it’s the worst in Europe. That’s what happens when you pack millions of people in a tight space, and more come into the city for work.

4 Traffic and getting around: The traffic, especially around rush hour, is bad in London. Many expats will use the Tube or walk rather than drive. Most streets are designed heavily in favor of buses and cyclists, and these provide both quicker and cheaper methods of getting around the city’s center than in your own car.

5 Privacy/lack of interaction: Londoners may sit on the Tube with their heads buried in their iPhones or look the other way when a stranger needs help. But as in any city, making an effort to get to know your neighbors and coworkers makes a big difference — and that’s a better way to build relationships to share the gospel.

Taxes

Taxes in the U.K. have a reputation for being daunting to expats. The U.K.’s taxing authority is known as Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and the tax year runs from April 6 to April 5. There is no system of joint filing, and married couples must submit separate tax returns. For most employees, including expats, taxes are taken care of through payroll tax deductions, known as PAYE (for

“Pay As You Earn”). However, you might still need to file a self-assessment tax return (similar to tax returns in the U.S.) if you have other income sources.

Expat tax tips found online include valuable information, such as the U.K. allows up to £8,000 ($12,556 USD) of certain employer-reimbursed costs to be paid tax-free, in addition to the initial international travel costs of going to the U.K.

For the most comprehensive overview of taxes in the U.K., visit the HM Revenue & Customs website.

living in london 11

Safety

Like many European capitals — and more so than some — London is a relatively safe city for a person who uses practical caution. Police are known to be approachable and helpful. Thousands of security cameras are located throughout the city, from public transportation to other public and private areas. It is estimated that a person who walks through London’s downtown is filmed 800 times in one day.

As in any city, be aware of pickpockets and petty thieves. Only take licensed taxis (“black cabs”) and licensed minicabs; women should never take an unlicensed minicab alone. Recent reports of an increase in violent crime indicate “trouble spots” include pubs, nightclubs and fast food outlets.

Weather

Getting used to Britain’s famously rainy weather can be a big adjustment for some, but in fact, other inter-national cities such as Sydney, Rome and Naples boast more rainfall in a year than London. You can expect to experience all four seasons in London. Temperatures in winter max out at 46 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and average 35 degrees at night. July averages maximum temperatures of about 75 degrees, with seven hours of sunshine per day; some days, temperatures will rise into the 80s.

Lifestyle

London is no longer really an English city; it is a world city. Sure, millions of tourists still visit the great sites of the old city. They still ride the double-decker red buses and flock to view the changing of the guard. But as the self-proclaimed “capital of the world” and one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities, thousands of shops, restaurants, theaters and parks open their doors to millions of residents and tourists from around the world. London’s people are “all squeezed in” — the total area of London is 1,572 sq. km. (607 sq. mile) with a population density of 5,491 people per sq. km.

Culture abounds here: Three of the top 10 museums and galleries in the world are in London with 857 art galleries in total. London has more than 170 museums. It has 11 national museums, including the British Museum — home to thousands of years of culture and history, including the Rosetta Stone (196 B.C.). The city hosts around 250 festivals each year.

Find other interesting things to do in the city on TheLondonExpat.com.

While English is the national language, even Americans may stumble over local colloquialisms. But a Google search will reveal multiple sources for culture and phrase tips, such as those posted by National Geographic.

Living as a single adult in London

For single women or men, living in London would be comparable to living in a large U.S. city. One of the main challenges for singles in London will be housing, as rentals are expensive and very compet-itive to get in the city. You may want to investi-gate opportunities for a roommate, as this is very common in the city.

Dress code

American style works well in London. With very little adjustment, you can fit in with the average Londoner, especially if you’re willing to try some British fashion.

Holidays in England

England observes various bank holidays (public holidays), traditional holidays and national events, some dating back hundreds of years and some related to the British Royal Family. During bank holidays, most shops, businesses and institutions are closed.

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GettingTO LONDON

Find out more from Christians working in London and other opportunities available for Western expats, including students and retirees

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Professionals

In London, more than 85 percent of the city’s popu-lation is employed in service-based industries. The dominant industry in the city is finance, according to ExpatArrivals.com. More than half of the FTSE 100 index (Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index) companies and more than 100 of Europe’s largest companies have headquarters in London. About 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies have offices in the city.

The media industry is a major employer in London, including the BBC headquarters and other broadcasters and national newspapers. Soho is the center of London’s post-production industry. Creative industries such as film, design and fashion are big employers. The European headquarters of some of the world’s leading advertising and digital agencies such as Mediacom, McCann Eriksson, Carat, OMD Group and ZenithOptimedia can be found in London, many based around Camden and Islington. In the technology sector, major companies are found in East London Tech City, also known as Silicon Roundabout.

Tourism is huge for the city’s economy: London attracts about 15 million international tourists each year, and tourism employs more than 2 million people.

Several internationally renowned universities are found in London, which attract experts in fields such as biotechnology and life sciences to their research facilities. Medicine and engineering also are prominent sectors.

How much experience do I need to find a job in London?

“Attracting expats has allowed industries in London to prosper, from entertainment and catering to media and leisure,” reports ExpatArrivals.com. “Small- and medium-sized companies often draw much of their workforce from outside the U.K. This combined effect has also helped give the U.K. its multicultural appeal.”

We can give you access to a job coach who

can give you job search advice and

connections Finding a job in London should be aided by the U.K.’s flexible employment laws, which promote commerce and do not restrict the number of foreign applications for a position. Companies in the U.K. tend to give preference to people with the right skills set for the position, rather than candidates of a particular nationality.

Many companies want to know the interna-tional equivalent of your degrees or other qualifi-cations. For a fee, the U.K.’s National Recognition Information Centre will provide a comparison state-ment — an officially recognized document — for expats, which confirms your qualification and the comparable level of your degree in the U.K.

Competition for jobs in London is high — hundreds of applicants may apply for a single position. Pay close attention to an employer’s expec-tations for CV/resume formats, cover letters and applications.

In general, the more experience you have working in the U.S., the better shot you’ll have at landing a job in London. However, there is also a high value placed on personal networking. In some companies, you’ll have a better chance of getting a job if you have a personal connection than an unknown person with an impressive CV or resume. As with any job search, in London sometimes it’s “who” you know more than “what” you know that will land you a job; expats should not underestimate the value of personal networking.

How long will it take to find a job in London?

On average, from start to finish, it will probably take around three to six months to find a job in London. However, it may take longer than six months for some job seekers depending on their industry, especially for executive-level positions. Those searching for jobs in the education industry will find more demand and have a better chance of finding a job more quickly than those in other industries.

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getting to london

Examples of jobs for Christian professionals in London:

Banking and financeSoftware developmentSocial workSkilled chefsMediaCreative (film, design and fashion) AdvertisingTechnology/digital industryTourism University professor/other university rolesBiotechnology and life sciencesMedicine Engineering

People who are citizens of European Union (EU) nations do not need a visa to work or live in the United Kingdom, but all other foreign nationals will need a work visa — which entails a substantial amount of red tape. In general, there are two tiers of work visas that could apply to Americans: Tier 1 requires a certain number of “points” and can be more difficult to obtain; the benefit is you can move your employment between companies. More common is the Tier 2 visa, which basically requires you to be sponsored by your employer. Some American expats who have found jobs in London say to allow six to eight weeks to obtain your work visa.

Potential job perks

Extravagant expat packages are less common in London than in the past, according to a BBC report. Typically, senior-level expats hired by a large multi-national corporation (MNC) will receive the most perks, but expat talent at all levels that are recruited by MNCs in London should negotiate for basic benefits which include: an accommodation allow-ance; relocation costs; some health care coverage; an annual trip home; and an education allowance for children.

Job-hunting tips

Searching for jobs in the U.S. is hard enough, but trying to find a job in a different country can be outright intimidating. We’re here to help.

We can give you access to a job coach who can give you job search advice and connections, or a London Google Group enabling you to email Christian professionals currently living and working in London. See “Next steps” on page 26 for more information.

One expat who works in London said she cannot express how important it is that you update your LinkedIn profile, join U.K.-related LinkedIn groups and follow major companies in London, such as Unilever, BP, Burberry, Anglo American and

Strategy&. Also follow U.K. recruiting agencies on LinkedIn. Many London companies use such agencies to fill their vacant positions.

You will find a large selection of employment opportunities through career websites, London newspaper websites and online recruitment agen-cies. Four popular sites where both companies and recruitment agencies place jobs are jobsite.co.uk, jobserve.co.uk, monster.co.uk and totaljobs.com.

Senior management positions are advertised in The Times. The employment sections in The Guardian and Daily Telegraph list positions across all levels of management by industry.

Agencies that specialize in the recruitment of international staff include Reed, Michael Page International, NetExpat and Robert Walters. Send your resume or CV directly to recruiting agencies in your industry (including those listed above).

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“Take classes, join a gym, network as much as possible.

Accommodation can be expensive, as can travel. [If you can connect] with

friends who are already here, or be prepared to share [expenses]

with others, that will help.”

Lydia Newkirk*works for a nonprofit organization that provides forums

for discussing faith

getting to london

Students

The doors are open for college students to make an impact in London. Opportunities may include study abroad for a semester or one year; four-year undergraduate university programs; graduate school abroad (i.e., international MBA, master’s degree in international affairs); or studying foreign languages at a local university.

Other opportunities are available for individual students and groups during the summer, for a semester or during school breaks. Recent graduates also may work in London through local businesses and internships.

Retirees

More than a quarter million Americans turn 65 every month — about 10,000 each day. Consider retiring overseas to help make a ministry impact.

There are unique opportunities for retirees to make an impact for God’s kingdom in London. Experience and wisdom are greatly valued in the cultures of those making up this multicultural city. Professional expertise from years of work experi-ence, coupled with overall life experience, will gain access to many in similar fields seeking knowledge and experience from one who understands their field of interest.

Having worked in the local church in evange-lism and discipleship will allow you to take those professional relationships to a level of spiritual significance as people realize what they are looking for is spiritual rather than material.

Stories from the field

Ciara* Mission worker in Europe

God is at work in the midst of stress and diffi-cult times. Hearts are hurting, searching and looking for answers. As followers of Christ we are compelled and called to share.

Lydia Newkirk*works for a nonprofit organization that provides forums for discussing faith

It is easy to invite friends along to come and have a meal, listen to a talk and discuss the meaning of life! Likewise, I sing in my church choir, and I ask people to come along and here me sing, either at church or for our Christmas carol or Easter services. I find it is easiest to build a relationship first, and trust. There are so many people from different backgrounds, religions and nations here. It isn’t unusual to ask people what they think about things and what their own faith teaches them about what’s going on in the world. People respect you if you are relaxed and open about your faith and willing to listen to them express their opinions. Sometimes people are looking to explore faith, and the fact that you have one can be a real opener to interesting conversations and the possibility of their attending [church].

*Name changed“Time and time again God has shown me it’s not me — it’s Him. I never have to fear how He will

come up in a conversation. … I would encourage people to

surrender … all fears and things holding you back: give them to

God. He can use you.”Tori Keating*

Short-term student worker in Europe 17

We have relationships with many Bible-believing, gospel-preaching churches in London. Each of these churches has very strong biblical teaching, so you would be well-fed spiritually and have plenty of fellowship during your time in the U.K. In addition, you’ll find that these churches offer many ways to get involved with various ministries.

In addition, there has been a rise in gospel-cen-tered church planting happening all across the city. These more traditional forms of church planting, as

well as many expats and other Londoners involved in pioneering new missional churches, would greatly benefit from you plugging in and serving. Missions is happening in so many different ways across the city — there are limitless opportunities to serve.

If you are interested in learning more about healthy churches in London, please let us know and we’d be happy to share more information.

ChurchIN LONDON

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MinistryIN LONDON

What does ministry in London look like? To some extent, fruitful ministry in London doesn’t look much different from how it looks in your current city or town, except for one major caveat: the majority of people in the U.K. have never heard the gospel and have little access to the true gospel message. For instance, it is reported that if you are in your 20s

ministry in london 19

in the U.K., there is a 97 percent chance that you are not a believer and have never met a follower of Jesus in your entire life! If you’re intentional during your time in London, you will consistently find opportunities to meet people who’ve never heard the gospel.

Professionals, pastors and church planters in London share the top ways they would most want to use mature, disciple-making Christian expats:

Share the gospel with colleagues — Because people from all around the world come to London for work, Christian professionals have abundant opportunities to build relationships and share the gospel in the workplace with those who’ve never heard it before. As a colleague, you will have access and opportunity to be a witness to your co-workers in ways that missionaries and Christian workers will never have.

Befriend your neighbors — We encourage every Christian moving overseas to live intentionally among people who have little to no access to the gospel. In London, many people were raised without regard to spiritual matters — and haven’t had a chance to hear the gospel. Make relationships with them and share the gospel.

Disciple young believers in your local church — There are numerous opportunities for cross-cul-tural discipleship in several of the congregations in London. Remember, this is a cosmopolitan city representing people who speak as many as 300 different languages. These churches are comprised of many young Christians who have never been discipled and are hungry for this investment from mature believers.

Serve the children’s ministry in your local church — Many gospel-preaching churches in London need more workers to serve the growing number of children during the children’s ministry time at church services. This is a great way to serve your local church and to help build up the next genera-tion of believers in the U.K.

Local church leader training — The U.K. is in great need of biblically trained church leaders or pastors. If you have any ministry experience, whether as a lay leader or in full-time ministry, you can teach, mentor or just encourage and fellowship with local house church leaders or pastors.

Lead a small group or evangelistic Bible study — The gospel-preaching churches in the U.K. always need additional mature believers who can lead small-group Bible studies with other members of the church. Look for opportunities to start an evan-gelistic Bible study either in your neighborhood or workplace.

Serve the urban poor, homeless and refugees through biblical justice ministries — There is a great need in London for believers to leverage their time, gifts and finances in serving the “least of these.” Many churches have outreach programs to this demographic but lack the volunteers and commitment from true believers who want to see God’s love poured out to this large segment of the population.

Share your faith — Join others who live and work among certain people groups within London. Get excited about learning a new language and culture, with the hopes of sharing the good news with people who are largely unreached. 20

Lyle and Sadie Pershing*He is an oil company engineerShe is a stay-at-home mom to four children

What have been some of the biggest challenges about moving with a family? Sadie: I think the biggest challenges in moving to London in the beginning were the logistics of things. Small things became big, like where to get school supplies, how to find camping equipment for my child’s school trip, where to find the right foods in the grocery store (things have different names or are completely different products altogether). Oh, and I can’t forget probably the biggest daily challenge at first … driving on the other side of the road!

As the first few months passed, however, it became clear that our biggest challenge would be adjusting from living in America’s Bible Belt to living in a community that was less than 2 percent evangelical Christian. Our children did not “enjoy” church anymore, and we only knew two to three other families with the same beliefs at their school. My younger two did not know Christ at the time we moved the England, so they started asking tough questions about why we believed that way when no one else does. That being said, it was a blessing in

disguise, as we had to really count on God to speak to them Himself, and He, of course, came through big like He loves to do!Lyle: We also had the adjustment of being away from friends and family. It wasn’t like we could take a six- to seven-hour drive or a one-hour plan ride for the kids to see grandparents. However, we found that we made some really great friends while living in England, the type of friends that we expect to be lifelong friends.

Describe your health care experience in your city. How does it compare to U.S. health care in terms of quality and cost?Sadie: In England, they have the National Health Service (NHS). It is a socialized medicine. You have to have a visa and register to be in the system. At times, it can be difficult to get timely appointments. Most of the time it was a perfectly good (and free!) system. You do also have the option of taking out private health insurance and referring yourself to

Q&A INTERVIEWS OF PROFESSIONALS IN LONDON

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doctors. You have to pay for the doctors/prescrip-tions in this case, but you are prioritized and get quick attention, plus can choose where you want to go and which specialists you want to see. There were a few circumstances where we utilized our compa-ny’s private health insurance (like when our son got pneumonia), but overall NHS worked perfectly well.

Describe your experience with the child education systems in your city. Sadie: My kids were fortunate enough to attend an international school just outside of London. It was an amazing experience. They had friends from all over the world. We told the kids that instead of going to the world, God brought the world to us. It was really amazing. One of my son’s friend groups included children who were Jewish, Muslim, Catholic, Protestant, Mormon and agnostic. Of course, we had to be actively discussing truth and help our children navigate those situations, but we really believe it taught them how to have genuine love for the (spiritually) lost. What was very inter-esting is that the lost people in our environment were often times showing extreme kindness, consid-eration and graciousness.

Have you experienced any surprising joys? Sadie: I think the most surprising joy that God gave me while I was there was being able to have a ministry within a very international community. I expected to get to know English people and have a ministry that reached out mainly to them. That happened some, but what God surprised me with was being able to reach out to people who were going through the same sort of experience that I was going though. First, He connected our family with missionaries who run an international student ministry at a local university. I found that I could completely relate to what these students were going through, even if they were not from America.

We had all left our cultures, friends and extended families to set up a life in London. The same was true in our school community. People were moving in from all over the world and had left cultures, friends and family. People in these situations can often feel lonely and helpless, so it is great to be able to share your faith with them. Also, almost all of them that I encountered were without Christ.Lyle: We’ve also had a great experience living in another part of the world, which we never expected to do. We’ve been able to travel to some incredible places and see things that would have never been possible had we not been on this assignment. I think our lives have changed in so many ways through living as expats in England, all for the better.

What does your average weekday look like? Sadie: In addition to getting the kids off to school and doing daily household chores … I would usually go on one to two arranged tours or lectures per week with the local international women’s club. This allowed me to develop relationships with other moms/families in my community. Maybe one week I would go to my Indian friend’s house to take cooking lessons, or would go on a tour in London with a group of women from around the world, or make a point to go on a long hike with a (spiritually) lost friend. Over time, friendships and deeper topics could be explored. I also went to the local gym two to three times per week. In addition, I worked in a few ministries. One was with missionaries. I went to a weekly lunch (on a university campus) for the international club. I would help supply lunch for the students and then would sit at lunch tables and intentionally form relationships with the student and ask questions that got us talking about our beliefs. One year I also worked with American exchange students (at another university) who were there for the semester. I would meet up with two to three exchange students per week in a one-on-one setting

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and offer mentorship and also the opportunity to talk with some of them who were either lost or questioning their faith.Lyle: For me, the workplace is probably the least different environment that I’ve been around while living abroad. Work is work, as they say. However, there are some differences here as well. It’s a much more relaxed working environment — most of the locals start their workday later and many end earlier than you’d see in the U.S. Doesn’t mean they don’t work hard or get their work done, just a different pace. I’ve enjoyed the work, and I’ve been able to travel to Kazakhstan three to four times per year for my job. Interestingly enough, most of the folks I deal with there are Americans. However, I have met many Kazakhs and found them to be very friendly people.

What does your average weekend look like? Sadie: Our typical weekend involved sports for our kids. We loved it! Our kids played American football, basketball and baseball while in England. We definitely got to know a lot of families this way.Lyle: As Sadie said, lots of sports for the kids. As part of the international school and smaller school environment, the kids have been able to participate in any sport that they’ve wanted. We’ve traveled a lot while living here and on many weekends we’ve been able to take hikes close to our home. The countryside on the outskirts of London is amazing and we’ve loved getting to spend time hiking.

What advice would you give to others who are looking for a job in London?Sadie: Plan well. London is a very expensive place to live. Make sure you understand all of the costs before heading over. In our case, we had company sponsorship and they helped subsidize our budget while we were assigned there. Otherwise, it is a difficult place to be from that perspective. The work culture is also different from America. That

being said, it is a wonderful, diverse, culturally rich place to live. It really is an amazing city with limit-less witnessing opportunities. There are amazing Christian ministries in the city that are reaching out to the different people groups. For instance, there is a group that is purposely mission-minded toward Muslims. They have training sessions every week and then head to Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park to engage in conversations.

Describe your experience in making friends in your city. Sadie: We made a lot of friends in the student ministry we were involved in and also in our inter-national school. No matter what community you live in in London metro area, whether it be completely English or international, you can use common inter-ests like gym, kids’ school, sports, neighborhood, etc., and you will be around almost entirely (spiritu-ally) lost people. Wherever we may live in the world, I find the best way to make friends is by showing genuine compassion and caring for those around you. Being “real” and transparent and also being a true friend, i.e., helping others in time of need, being willing to offer help, mentioning that you’re willing to pray for them.

Tell us a bit about a relationship you have at work or in your neighborhood — for God’s kingdom?Sadie: Within the student ministry, we would get to have discussions about where we were from and what we were all doing in London. I would be able to listen to the students about where they came from. I would then transition to asking them what life was like there and then ask what religion was practiced in their country. From there, you could ask if they practiced that religion or not. Interestingly, we found most people, regardless of their back-grounds (Christian, Muslim, Hindu, etc.), are really

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either seeking or don’t know what they think or are agnostic. Some were devout in their respective faiths, but most were open.

Within the adult community, I usually formed trust/genuine friendship/relationship with those around me. I would mention my faith but not push right away. If they asked me what I did during the week, I would tell them about the ministry with inter-national students and study abroad students. This gave me an opportunity to discuss my faith when they asked questions. After mentioning these things, many of my friends asked to know more about my beliefs. They would usually say something like, “I’m not religious, what are your reasons for believing that?” I never met anyone in England who was confrontational about talking about religion, really. They are usually open to discussing things, as it is usually something they haven’t thought much about before (or been talked to much about before). If a person respected you and you had a relationship with them, they would usually be genuinely inter-ested in what you had to say. There were some people we knew who went through health and job crises. I would always offer to pray for them and, of course, offer help and genuine concern.

We see many people that don’t plug into a church because they can’t find something that is like their church in America. The churches are culturally different but there are many sincere, committed believers. Persevere in finding the church where God wants you.

Kelly Braxton*global vice president for a Christian charity based in London

What have been some of the biggest chal-lenges in transitioning to London? Living in a city that feels like a microcosm of the world! Cultural awareness both to local English culture but also to the vast number of cultures represented in the community. My experience is that someone who embraces life to the full in London can never rely on their own cultural subconscious but rather must remain present in a conscious mindset of cultural awareness and sensitivity to the whole world. This is both exhilarating and exhausting. Those that cannot live comfortably in that mindset tend to struggle. Those that can, tend to thrive and never want to leave this amazing city.

Have you experienced any surprising joys? London is a city inhabiting the dual worlds of local community and global context.

Each area of London is a distinct neighborhood with its own specific rhythm and feel — you can tell when you move from one to another, even though often there won’t be any distinct marking. You go from Holland Park to Notting Hill, and your senses tell you that a change has occurred.

Regarding the global nature of “Londoners,” I used to walk from the flat in Kensington to the office in South Kensington (approximately 15 minutes) and count how many languages I would hear on that short walk. It ranged from three to seven!

What advice would you give? Engage with all that this world-renowned city has

to offer, be as open-minded as you can consciously be, plan to work hard, fall in love with the Thames River, endure the rush hour crush on the Tube, eat new foods from around the world.

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Try to get your head around the different meaning of words — pants (underwear) and trousers (pants), public school (fee-based independent schools) and state (free) schools. Be conscious of social clues that are different to home — How loudly do people speak? How closely do they stand to each other?

Always bring [a gift of chocolate or flowers] if someone invites you to his or her home for a meal. If someone says, “You must pop in at some point,” that is not an invitation! Agree warmly but wait for an actual invitation.

Our cultures and languages have such a similar foundation, but the nuances can really trip you up! Listen, watch, engage, listen, watch, engage, repeat, repeat … and you will fall in love with your experience of London.

Tell us a bit about a relationship you have at work or in your neighborhood — for God’s kingdom.

Around a quarter of the population of the U.K. knows what Alpha is — an introduction to the Christian faith run by (various) denominations of the church — so inviting people … to them is a very easy way to engage with conversations around faith. No pressure and an appealing format to engage with the big questions of life. They may not say yes but if not, a typical response would be “No thanks, that’s not for me, but why do you like it?” So even a “no” is a great conversation starter!

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friends regularly can sometimes be difficult. I also think that while we speak the same language, theBritish culture is very different from much of America, and there is a subtlety to the words said and the meanings implied. It can take a bit of time to work out what people really think/feel — it’s not obvious the way it often is with Americans. Oh — and then there’s the weather!

Have you experienced any surprising joys? London is a beautiful and exciting city. Walking is great here and often yields to seeing and experi-encing things you would miss if you only travel on the Tube.

What advice would you give to others who are looking for a job in London? Be patient, go through the right process to get clearance to work and transfer over properly. It can take time, but it’s worth doing correctly.

Tell us a bit about a relationship you have at work or in your neighborhood — for God’s kingdom. There are many vibrant churches in London, and I would encourage someone new to the city to get involved quickly with a church and help out/be a part as much as you can. Most churches have connect groups and outreach events. That makes it easy to meet people and to grow in faith.

Sharing your faith can often be hard, as Londoners tend to be quite secular and non-church going. However, under the surface, everyone has the same questions and the same wonderings through life about meaning and whether or not there is more than what they see on the surface. I have found that by being open and vulnerable, you will impact people, even if you don’t realize it at the time.

Alisa Jarrett*works for a Christian charity based in London

What have been some of the biggest chal-lenges in transitioning to London? London can be a very lonely city. People are very busy and getting around can be difficult, so seeing

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Next steps Global Cities — step-by-step

mobilization process

Guide: Read our guide, start conversations with your family and ask God if He might be leading you to move overseas to work, study or retire.

Assessment: Talk with your church’s missions pastor — or another pastor/elder you’re close with — about your preparedness for missions. If your pastor encourages you in this pursuit, we’ll ask him to provide an assessment.

Coach: If your local church gives you the go ahead, we will connect you with a coach — essentially a Christian professional, student or retiree — willing to help other Christians interested in living in London find a job, answer questions about study abroad programs or explain how to retire there.

Training: Partnering with your church, we will provide you with cross-cultural training to help prepare you for a fruitful life and ministry in London.

Go: Be sent by your local church, move to London and get plugged into a local church and ministry team. We will continue to support you by helping you connect with like-minded believers in London and providing ongoing training. Once overseas, you can help more Christian professionals, students and retirees get plugged in!

A Southern Baptist Convention entity supported by the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®.

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Ready to start?If you’re interested in learning more about finding a job in London for gospel purposes, go to imb.org/send or call (800) 999-3113.

®imb.org • (800) 999-3113

A Southern Baptist Convention entity supported by the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®.

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