Church Without Walls, Westminster
Since 1994, Eleos International Ministries has been reaching out to the homeless community throughout the greater London area. Over the years, this ministry has established a fixed meeting place in the heart of the city. "The Church Without Walls" (CWW), as the homeless affectionately call it, has been ministering the gospel to literally thousands of London's homeless and street community. The team arrives early every Saturday and it has been estimated that over the years, CWW has served over 40,000 cups of tea, distributed 24,000 sandwiches, 21,000 hard boiled eggs, 6,000 Kit Kat bars, numerous boxes of fresh fruit as well as countless sweaters, gloves, shoes, jackets and hats. They have also assisted their transient flock in the distribution of many rail and telephone cards.
The workers gather from all over London and from all walks of life, occupations and lifestyles. All share the common belief that God can and will make a difference to anyone who calls upon His name. To the rough sleepers, the homeless and jobless, the drifters, outcasts, ex-offenders and social misfits, drug users and alcoholics and all the lonely, displaced and misunderstood persons who gather every week, this is the only church they have ever experienced. CWW has also aided in the process of bringing families back together and restoring marriages. There is an unspoken membership, an acceptance, a belonging to a fellowship of believers, and a strong community of faith.
Above Us Only Sky? has been working with Church Without Walls to provide sleeping bags, warm clothing and other immediate support for the homeless. The Church Without Walls Homeless Outreach meets every Saturday morning.
For more information please contact Pastor Kurt Erickson: KErick4333@aol.com
The Salvation Army, Romford
The Salvation Army is a worldwide Christian church and registered charity, working in 124 countries, demonstrating Christian principles through practical support; offering unconditional friendship and very practical help to people of all ages, backgrounds and needs.
Founded in East London by William Booth in 1865, The Salvation Army is one of the largest, most diverse providers of social services in the UK. A visionary social reformer ahead of his time, William Booth believed that charity demeaned the individual and people should be offered a ‘hand up' and not ‘hand outs' to get them back on their feet.
Today, The Salvation Army extends a helping hand to those who are homeless, friendless and in need. They believe that no one is beyond hope, however great their problems. They aim to make sure that disadvantaged people are given respect and access to the practical, social and spiritual support they need to realise their God-given potential and recover their personal dignity.
The Salvation Army in Romford has become a distribution centre for Above Us Only Sky? sleeping bags. For more information contact Trevor Fisher: admin@romfordsa.org.uk
Teen Challenge
Teen Challenge UK is a registered charity and operates nationally to help young people who have developed life-controlling problems, especially drug and alcohol addictions, and also offers preventative help to those who may be in danger of doing so. Teen Challenge UK started in the late seventies and now works in fifteen locations across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. It is a Christian faith-based organisation.
Teen Challenge UK also operates residential centres to minister to young people with serious addictions. Thousands of young people have been through the programme and many of them have gone on to live successful drug-free lives.
Teen Challenge believes that everybody deserves another chance. The ministry is built on and driven by Christian values and beliefs which clearly show how precious and loved each human being is. Teen Challenge seeks to take that message to young people whose lives are messed up, who have lost all sense of self-worth, self-esteem and often the will to live. They believe everybody deserves the opportunity to live in freedom, becoming everything they were created to be. The goal of Teen Challenge is to help people become mentally sound, physically well, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted & spiritually alive.
Above Us Only Sky? is now working with Teen Challenge UK, providing referrals for young people with addictions who have a desire to make a fresh start. For more information contact Chris Coughlan: info@tclondon.org.uk