Mel and James Lynch
James and Mel Lynch studied at All Nations Christian College from 2005 to 2007 and worshipped at Christ Church. During their final year they became increasingly convinced that the Lord was calling them to give themselves to His service in Mission among the Asian & Arab communities living in Birmingham. They have three children: Toby, Zac and Lucy.
A WoW activity
Mel works for Interserve and Riverside Church as a Community Worker. She runs a women’s project called “Women of Worth” (WoW) from Interserve’s base, St Johns House (st-johns-house.org) in East Birmingham. It is in one of the most deprived and diverse communities in the country. WoW is a group where local, majority Muslim women are free to come for coffee & cake, craft and storytelling. Friendships are made and deepened and faith is shared: “Prayer is a big part of our morning and we have seen God move mightily in some of the women’s lives and situations”.
Mel also meets up 1:1 with women for advocacy, which includes accompanying them to medical appointments, court, helping with foodbank vouchers etc. as well as sharing life and friendship together. Mel is involved as trustee for New Family Connections (NFC), seeking to provide accommodation for those who need to flee for safety within the UK.
www.newfamilyconnections.org
Mel also meets up 1:1 with women for advocacy, which includes accompanying them to medical appointments, court, helping with foodbank vouchers etc. as well as sharing life and friendship together. Mel is involved as trustee for New Family Connections (NFC), seeking to provide accommodation for those who need to flee for safety within the UK.
www.newfamilyconnections.org
James (right) serving Foodbanks
Since 2007, James has been working in various community projects aiming to build relationships between the churches in Birmingham and their neighbouring ‘other-faith’ communities. James currently works as Strategic Coordinator for Sandwell Church’s Link (sandwellchurcheslink.org.uk) and another initiative called “Opening New Doors”, which aims to provide strategy and vision for churches that are looking to adapt how they work in partnership with other organisations enabling them to fulfil their mission in an ever-changing context.
His role involves networking and liaising with 150 churches of many denominations in Sandwell, a borough NW of Birmingham, also characterised by high deprivation. He works with a network of Foodbanks and community allotments. He also supports “Places of Welcome”, a homelessness initiative and is campaigning with churches to make Sandwell a borough of sanctuary, which affects the way in which Sandwell accepts and welcomes refugees. cityofsanctuary.org
If you’d like to get their news please email: mell@riverside-Church.org.uk
His role involves networking and liaising with 150 churches of many denominations in Sandwell, a borough NW of Birmingham, also characterised by high deprivation. He works with a network of Foodbanks and community allotments. He also supports “Places of Welcome”, a homelessness initiative and is campaigning with churches to make Sandwell a borough of sanctuary, which affects the way in which Sandwell accepts and welcomes refugees. cityofsanctuary.org
If you’d like to get their news please email: mell@riverside-Church.org.uk