Mission

Our church has a strong commitment to Mission both locally, within our Leeds Diocese, and further afield. Here are some details of our current twelve Mission Partners, who have strong personal links to St John's and whom we support. We regularly pray for them in church, and display updates of their work on our church notice-board.

The Revival Christian Life Centre in Matugga, Uganda

Since 2000 we have been privileged to help Bishop Ivan Lugolobi develop an orphanage for 150+ orphans; a primary school for 450 children; a secondary school for 200 children; a clinic, a Vocational Skills Centre , and a new Senior School classroom block.  Bishop Ivan visits us alternate years and an increasing number of supporters are now going out to Matugga to support Ivan’s ministry and to be a blessing to all at the Revival Centre.   The centre runs a Champions Support programme and many people make gifts of time and money to support this work via the charity Give A Child a Hope. Some of our own congregation visit Uganda whenever they can.

 Bishop Ivan hopes to visit us next in 2027; and is supported also by Churches Together in Ilkley, and some of our local schools.

Open the Book – Otley Christian Resources Hub

Open the Book is a programme taken into local schools to inform and engage children with the Christian story. The Resources Hub provides excellent presentation, drama and material resources to facilitate the teams, who much enjoy engaging with the youngsters and exchanging thoughts with them.

CMS (Church Missionary Society) - Azaria and David Pocasangre, Guatemala

Azaria and David work supporting vulnerable communities especially young people and families through  partnership with the local church in some of the most challenging areas of Guatemala. Through training and mentoring they seek to help improve the lives of those they meet and introduce them to their loving God.  CMS works throughout the world seeking to share Jesus with the people at the edges of society, and bringing hope to those unconnected with any church.

Sudan

The Leeds Diocese has established a strong link with the Episcopal Church in Sudan to support those in the country who feel marginalised and oppressed whilst maintaining their faith. Regular visits are exchanged, and warm relationships are  continually being formed. At St. John`s, we also seek to support this work financially and in prayer. 

    Sudan has a long and very troubled history, and the deep relationship is valued very greatly on both sides.

MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowships – The Wonderlii Family

   MAF believes that every community, however remote, should have the essentials for life. With our support, this vital work can continue with planes fuelled, pilots trained, and every part of the mission sustained so that help can reach those who would otherwise remain isolated.  Provision of fuel to keep the planes flying is a real problem in these politically disruptive times.

   MAF is the world’s largest humanitarian air operator, flying medical supplies, doctors, and nurses to places no one else can reach and ensuring critical care gets to where it’s needed most. Simon works as a pilot and Flight Instructor.

Christian Aid

    Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. They are involved in providing aid and resources to communities affected by Global warming; helping farmers and those with a little land to grow drought resistant and flood-resilient crops; and providing education and business opportunities for those struggling to earn a living. They are also involved in advocacy; for example, fighting for the rights of indigenous people to own and manage their land sustainably.

Open Doors – Supporting the Persecuted Church

 More than 388 million Christians throughout the world face persecution and discrimination for their faith. Open Doors stands with them through partners on the ground, who offer support in the form of emergency food and shelter; comfort and new business opportunities for those with nothing, and who have often had to flee their homes in fear.

They also provide training to stand firm under persecution; and trauma counselling and spiritual support for those who have suffered, and are suffering, so greatly.

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) (based in Bradford)

Through a team of hundreds of dedicated staff members based in all four UK nations, and hundreds of incredible churches delivering their services, people in desperate need are discovering life-changing freedom and hope every day. Through CAP`s work.  Since 1996, tens of thousands of families and individuals  have broken free from debt and poverty. And as the impact of the cost of living crisis is felt in households across the UK, there has never been a more important time to support this important work.

 CPAS Holidays and  Falcon Camps

 Falcon camps - in conjunction with CPAS - are exciting, affordable, safe camps for children and young people (of all faiths and none). Amidst the varied, adventurous activities, there is the chance for exploring life with Jesus in a relevant and creative way.

                                 ‘One child, one life, one summer could change everything.’

These camps provide a holistic and exciting time away for children and young people facing challenging circumstances. Many would not otherwise have a holiday and an amazing opportunity to make friends, experience new things and have fun.

 We pray for more than 10,000 children and young people in the UK who will hear God’s word during the summer, locally in Yorkshire, at Netherfield Hall near Grassington and Summerfest at Scargill, Kettlewell; and nationally, on Christian family holidays, beach missions and summer Christian camps throughout our country.

Bradford Refugee Action and Inn Churches

Inn Churches provides practical support to those that need it most across the Bradford District.   

Through their activities they try to empower people who are homeless, vulnerably housed, hungry or cold, helping them to help themselves to make permanent and lasting  change with dignity and choice. 

Bradford Refugee Action offers one-to-one support and group activities for refugees and     asylum seekers in Bradford. They also provide days away (we host several of these a year), and offer clothing, toiletries, and other vital day-to-day supplies.

Fairtrade

Fairtrade is the most recognised and trusted sustainability label working to make trade fairer for the people who grow our food. They work with small-scale farmers and workers around the world to build a fairer trade system – one where they can earn a decent income, work in safe conditions, and invest in their futures as they see fit. They help small-holder farms to adopt climate-smart practices, improve crop quality and build long-term resilience, working with governments and supply chains to advocate for ethical, just contracts.

We run regular Fairtrade and Traidcraft stalls.

CTI 2000

​Based in Ilkley, CTI 2000 was set up as a millennium project by Churches Together in Ilkley, and for over 25 years it has been supporting local people with learning disabilities.  The original goal was to provide supported housing in the town for adults to enable them to live independently. This house is now well established.

CTI works amongst  members of the local community to help them to reach their full potential.  Whilst the emphasis is on having fun together, activities are designed to build self-confidence and improve essential  life skills. A lovely example of this is Open the Box in Ilkley –  which enables clients to learn how to prepare, cook and serve food in a safe and friendly environment a cafe.