Posted by Paul Williams

Part of The Crowded House network of churches, Urban Life is a church seeking to bring Gospel hope and transformation in an inner-city area of Derby, UK. Recently we caught up with Andy Thomson, a member of the team at Urban Life, and asked him how things are going. Here's what he had to say:

'A couple of months ago Anthony met a guy called 'Geoff' on the street. It was quickly clear that he'd had a few too many to drink that night. Ant helped him home and over the next few days and weeks became friends with him. Ant has been able to help 'Geoff' out in various ways such as lifts to the hospital and other bits and bobs. There have been several 'chance' encounters with him as Ant was walking through our community. Currently 'Geoff' has gone into rehab. As a community we're praying that God would be at work in his life and that when he returns from rehab he might spend some time with us be introduced to Jesus. 

The guys at Urban Life have been spending some of their evenings at a Kurdish cafe on the local high street. Over the last few months many a cup of coffee has been consumed as we watched the football with them and hung out. More recently a table tennis table has been purchased which has provided many an entertaining game. Over this time we have been learning names and getting to know some of the guys quite well, but be feel strongly that we need to be spending more time with these young men. 

We've had the amazing priviledge since we began last year, of seeing God powerfully at work. We see him answer prayer after prayer in regard to people moving house, children moving schools, jobs and bringing us into contact with lots of diffferent people in our community. God is definitely at work and I look forward to bringing you more stories in the near future.

Get connected!

• Head over to our 'Pray With Us' Blog for current prayer information for Urban Life. 
• Contact Andy Thomson or Anthony Adams to find out more about this pioneering work in the heart of a city in the heart of the UK.