The London City Mission (LCM) was started in Hoxton, east London, by David Nasmith on May 16, 1835. Its early work centered on the poor and needy, and it carried out extensive charity work, including in so-called ‘Ragged Schools’, and ministries for workers. One missionary walked 3,000 miles from London and made 1,300 visits, including 300 visits to sick and dying taxi drivers. Additionally, a missionary assigned to visit new firefighters in London visited 19 fire stations across London and ministered to 450 people (firefighters, their wives, and dependents) over the course of five years.
The late Pastor Timothy Keller loved his three sons enough to send them to LCM to learn, and also in his book, he introduced the status of this organization as follows. ‘LCM’s history is amazing. The commitment to urban missions was far ahead of its time. How could such a large institution remain so firmly committed to its vision for so long? The simplicity of the mission may be the ‘secret’. “The same people visit the same people regularly and become friends for Jesus.” While adhering to our core value of witnessing the gospel to our neighbors in the city, we will continue to play a major, effective, and strategic role in God’s kingdom ministry. London is one of the three or four most influential cities in the world today. “I am deeply grateful that LCM continues to be an anchor for gospel witness in that great city.”
I have been consistently participating in LCM’s Ministry Reference Panel since 2020. This meeting invites key LCM leaders and external pastors like me, where they introduce LCM’s major ministries and we receive advice on them. On the contrary, through this meeting, I hear and learn a lot about how missionary organizations and churches in England are doing their work. Whenever I have the opportunity, I have shared that vision with churches of various ethnic groups in the city, especially because I am personaly very interested in establishing their next generation as leaders in missions. The person who showed the greatest interest in this vision was LCM Vice President Efem Buckle. He, who has a crazy schedule, personally called me into his office twice and spoke with me about his vision for immigrant diasporas in the city.
I am just grateful for his humility and love, for considering me as his one of his best friends and always welcoming me warmly every time I see him. I believe that it is a precious relationship that God has given us, and especially today as he comes to our church on Mission Sunday in November to deliver precious words. It will be a time of grace for our congregation, but I also pray that it will also be a touching time for Efem. I believe that in the future, if churches from numerous countries and ethnicities in London open their hearts, meet together, help each other, and above all, if LCM joins in the work of building the next generation of leaders in each country, good fruits will soon be borne. It is truly a heart-warming prospecet, and I believe that the long-held slogan to complete spreading the good word in our time will be practically realized.
The United Nations says that 70% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. If the next generation of all ethnic groups unite as one in London, one of the most influential cities among many others, and move forward for missionary work throughout the UK, it will serve as a good model to others. I believe that the flame of revival will spread to cities around the world. We sincerely pray that our church will be valuable in this work along with LCM.
