History and Development

A few years ago a number of leaders met together to discuss how churches across the city and across the nationalities in the city could relate and work together more effectively in mission. Relationships became established and there was a public declaration of reconciliation and mission intention in the Millenium Square.

From this a desire developed, to research and network other nationalities in Leeds in order to widen further involvement.

During this time an international movement emerged known as “The Global Day of Prayer” and this gave the impetus to gather over 40 nationalities within Leeds for prayer. From this relationships developed which enabled us to consider how we could partner together from an international perspective.

In 2007 Paul Lancaster was asked if he could organise an event celebrating international diversity in Leeds, as part of the city’s 800th anniversary celebrations of Leeds being granted a town charter. An event was held in Briggate called “Feast of Nations” involving musicians, singers, dancers, free food on market stalls, together with the parading of a 60 foot banner consisting of 126 flags of nations resident in Leeds. The event held on 7/7/7 was seen as a huge success, especially in the way the general public responded and also in the publicity which was given. The banner was on the front cover of “About Leeds”, the free Council newspaper which goes to every home.

It was decided that this event should happen every year and in July 2008 “Hope for the Nations” was the title given to the celebration in line with Hope 08 initiatives happening across the UK.

“Hope for the Nations” has now been adopted on a more permanent basis since it encapsulates so much of what the wider vision is all about. New relationships have been formed across nationalities in the city and it has been so encouraging to see a growing passion for working together.

It is so easy for different nationalities to become “locked in “to their own cultures , just as white majority churches are often caught up in their own agendas, rather than working more effectively together. We believe that there is a great potency in working together cross-culturally, as has been clearly seen in Briggate and at the Global Day of Prayer events.

2009 will see a number of initiatives which should encourage further development, together with ongoing events already mentioned. Many of us are greatly encouraged with what has developed so far but recognize and pray for much more to come.

Our ongoing motivation is best expressed from Revelation

” After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. ….they cried in a loud voice

‘ Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb’

Revelation 7v 9-10