#007 – As the pandemic has swept across the world, governments, NGOs, faith communities, local citizens and many others have been engaged in supporting vulnerable populations effected by COVID-19. In the UK, the church has also been in the forefront seeking to do just that through their Love Your Neighbour initiative. Through Love Your Neighbour over 2300 churches and local organizations have partnered together to tackle the social consequences of COVID-19 to support vulnerable people.

On this episode of The Lean-in Podcast, my special guest is Pastor Tom Jackson from Holy Trinity (HTB), Brompton in London, UK. Tom is the Curate & CEO of Love Your Neighbour, and Head of Social Transformation at HTB.

Topics discussed in this episode:

Discussed in this podcast is the grassroots work of thousands of churches and local organizations across the UK, who have been reaching out during the pandemic. Tom shares how the church's true calling is one that bears the Kingdom marks of a new community - one that comes from the heart of God and explained in the Bible - one that brings both true freedom to people, as well as answers their cry and longing for deep connection. The Love Your Neighbour initiative has been a practical and loving example of this, and as the church has let its light shine for the glory of God!

During the podcast Tom shares:

• How he caught a passion for the poor by seeing everyday people investing in their nation
• How partnership and collaboration are at the heart of engaging the church nationally
• What is the Church Revitalization Trust, and Holy Trinity Brompton's vision around Social Transformation
• Why there is a need for renewed community in the UK, and the importance of the 'new community'
• God stories emerging from the Love Your Neighbour initiative
• The difference the church is and could make
• Lesson learned along the way through this initiative
• The role that the 60 hubs/networks across the country are playing, and the key resources they are providing for the future sustainability of the Love Your Neighbour initiative

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For full show notes and/or If you'd like to learn more about bridging the gap between church and community, head to:

http://www.in2neighbourhoods.com/loveyourneighbouruk

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