Hope-filled Conversations

A two day conference about planting and growing intercultural and ethnolinguistic congregations

Hope-filled Conversations Conference

Over 90 people gathered together in January 2025 to share in Hope-filled Conversations, a two-day conference about planting and growing intercultural and ethnolinguistic congregations. The event, which was oversubscribed, brought a new focus to these types of church planting in the Church of England across the North. It was supported by the Racial Justice Unit and run in partnership with Emmanuel Theological College, with speakers including BishopBishop Bishops exercised pastoral care over a diocese and authority to confirm and ordain Saju Muthalaly, Bishop Smitha Prasadam, Canon David Onabanjo, Revd Daniel Tsoi, Dr Sharon Prentis and Dr Harvey Kwiyani. 

Hope-Filled Conversations builds on developments in the area of intercultural church, in which the cultures of the UK are celebrated in shared worshipWorship 1. Doing homage and giving honour and respect to God. The Bible includes a wide range of physical expression in worship, including bowing down, lifting hands, dancing, processions and singing. The main day on which Christians gather for communal worship is Sunday (the day when Christ is believed to have risen from the dead). 2. Christian liturgy including sung material and prayers of thanksgiving and praise. and missionMission 1. A group of people sent out to share religious faith. 2. The task of sharing faith.. Alongside this, it also brought together those planting ethnolinguistic congregations – that is, new language-specific services, such as in Urdu, Farsi, Spanish, Tamil and Cantonese. What emerged from the conversations was a rich and diverse range of approaches to ethnicity and culture, including new forms only just receiving attention in the Church of England.

 Bing Liu, Lead Church Army EvangelistEvangelist 1. Used of the four Gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.2. Someone who proclaims the the Christian message or Gospel (evangel).3. A character in John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. for Rochdale Centre of Mission commented, ‘Not only did I enjoy the content, the stay, and meet a lot of amazing people, but also as a Chinese, I felt seen and valued by the Church. I am very touched! This is the beginning of something amazing to come.’ 

Speaking for a group of observers Javaid Iqbal, Archdeacon of Sheffield, highlighted the potential of ethnolinguistic congregations to bring energy and passion to the church, and to help connect with younger generations. But he also said greater support and recognition was needed, with more appropriate forms of training for leaders. He concluded: ‘Global Majority Heritage people are a gift and blessings to the church, bringing worship that is a taste of heavenHeaven The dwelling-place of God and the angels and eventually all those who will live with God for eternity. among us. We need to use their wisdom and skills to revitalise Britain for the glory of God’. 

If you’d like to be involved in further conversations about this ministry, please get in touch