Authentic Collaboration
On Tuesday last week, Alex Harris, our Regional Minister for Pioneering and Church Planting, was invited to speak to the Sheffield Leaders in Prayer network, helping them reflect on how a city like Sheffield can be effectively reached with Jesus. Drawing on key themes from the book of Acts, Alex explored how cities are transformed through three interwoven strands: personal, social, and commercial transformation.
Acts records the names and conversion stories of so many individuals, reminding leaders that lasting city-wide change begins with personal encounters with Jesus. Acts shows the gospel reshaping the social fabric of a city, meeting needs sustainably and renewing communities. Finally, Acts shows how economic life is also transformed, as the making, using, and spending of money are radically re-engineered in light of the kingdom of God.
Over 70 Business leaders, charity CEOs, and church ministers - many of them Baptist - from across Sheffield together wrestled with what authentic collaboration across these three sectors might look like - to have gospel evangelists, social reformers and business entrepreneurs working in collaboration not only appreciation. Their shared vision was not only that the whole city of Sheffield might be reached with Jesus, but that the whole gospel of Jesus might be experienced by the city—personally, socially, and economically.
It was a great example of how the YBA continues to serves churches and networks of churches to make disciples by multiplying healthy churches across Yorkshire.