Update from Burn Bradford, UK

by Ben Alder (Director of Burn Bradford, UK)

Bradford has a reputation in the UK of being a very ethnically diverse and socially fragmented city, and it’s recognised by most people that there is a lot of need here. We’ve been burning here since May ’09, and every month for 6 hours since January this year. We’ve a relatively small crew but God’s Spirit is moving, and presenting us with some great opportunities, some of which have been both surprising and humbling.

We were recently invited by a local ministry to worship and intercede for them as they journey through a tough season for them. They work to bring the freedom of Christ to drug users that want to be freed. The time we spent together, standing with them, worshipping with them and seeking God’s heart together was a real source of encouragement for the leaders of the ministry. His Presence changes things!

This weekend we were out on the streets of Bradford city centre with a prayer and healing ministry called Healing on the Streets (HoTS). The HoTS crew asked us to come and worship whilst they prayed for people for any that asked for it. We’d never done this before, but were more than grateful for the invite. The team leaders told us after that, although they were over-staffed, they were constantly praying for people as they came off the street throughout the two hours, and that two people were also led to the Lord that afternoon! Praise God!

We’re also building relationship with the Asian church here in the city, who have worship services completely in Hindi and Urdu. Through this connection we’ve made, we’ve been invited to take a slot of worship at a large Evangelical Alliance event in September, worshipping alongside Asian and Congolese worshippers that live here in the city. In addition to that, we’re really looking forward to hearing worship at an upcoming Burn on traditional Indian instruments, being sung in Hindi and Urdu!