Student work led by Angela

by Anne Forbes

Angela Leeding arrived in Norwich six months ago, but is already leading the way!
In recent weeks, she has organised a Welsh evening for St David’s Day, a Pancake Party and a day-time tour around Norwich. No, she’s not a new member of the Norwich Tourist Board.
A former teacher and later missionary for 12 years in Nigeria with SIM, Angela has been loaned by them to work for International Student Christian Services (ISCS), which seeks to befriend overseas students studying in Britain and to share with them, as opportunity presents, the good news of the gospel.
After 11 years in London, she came to Norwich having received an encouraging response from church leaders. Some churches are already much involved and other fellowships are finding that their members can share in the project on a more individual and personal level.
Welcoming, sharing, befriending are the key words. As Christians, we have a Biblical responsibility to welcome strangers living among us as well as the Great Commission. Thousands of overseas students come to this country every year, some from countries where it is difficult or impossible for Western Christians to go in with the Gospel. Many of them will return to influential and important posts in education, politics and business. Christians in Norwich, with its fine university, have the opportunity to be involved in a vital and strategic ministry..

Angela Leeding

What can we do? ISCS needs:
Hosts - who are able and willing to offer an occasional meal, a day visit, or a weekend in a Christian home. Loneliness creates many problems and all international students appreciate the experience of being in an ordinary British home, outside the academic context. ISCS gives help and guidance.
Practical help - at events to introduce students to our culture and heritage, volunteers are needed for washing-up, preparing food, transport and being there to chat and listen.
Finance - an obvious need for on-going support from individuals and churches.
In addition to facilitating these contacts, Angela organises

Bible studies for those who want them, and has regular “open house” times. There is a VISA course available - similar to Alpha, but designed for international students.
No-one pretends that cross-culture contact is always easy (even with fellow Europeans the potential for misunderstanding is quite startling), but it is worthwhile, as many enduring friendships demonstrate.
Angela is already excited by the way this new initiative is developing and hopes to extend it through other academic establishments in the city. If you would like to know more or to ask her to speak to your church or small group, contact her on 01603 504128 or angela.leeding@iscs.org.uk

1000 see Tribe in city

Norwich played host to the Worldwide Message Tribe in March when 1000 excited youngsters danced along at the UEA to one of the hottest Christian bands around.
The concert was part of a nationwide tour taking in seven major cities in the UK, in a breathtaking 10 days by the Tribe, well-known dance band, Manchester missionaries and youth evangelists extraordinaire.
The Frantik Tour combines the Tribe’s powerful and youth-relevant presentation of Christian truth with appeals for support for The Message 2000, a major evangelistic outreach they are running this summer in Manchester in partnership with Soul Survivor.
The UEA concert was visually and musically stunning, punctuated by short, direct, gospel messages from individual band members.
Some 70 young people responded to a Gospel presentation

made by Tribe leader Andy Hawthorne, many making first time Christian commitments.
The whole event was hosted by Norwich Youth for Christ, who guaranteed the costs of the event as part of NYFC work amongst young people in the area.
NYFC director Paul Cracknell said: “NYFC took a big step of faith in hosting this event. We are delighted by its fruitfulness, the whole-hearted support we received from many individuals and churches, and the enthusiasm the concert generated. The whole event was covered in prayer, with support from many individuals throughout the area.
“The concert itself was great - and the big response very rewarding. We’ve been in touch with churches and individuals to arrange effective follow-up for those who responded and, as they always do, the Tribe will be supporting this work.”

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