It’s fascinating how for most people when they move to a new place for geographical reasons they also seek out a local church. This avoids traffic inconveniences, the need to wake up too early on Sundays, and perhaps provides more time to enjoy breakfast with the family or avoid a chaotic morning trying to get their kids ready at a specific time.
For our Chinese church, it’s interesting that people without a Chinese background feel that Manchester Alliance Church is their church. Even if they live far away, they don’t want to change or transfer their memberships to other churches. Last year, I increased my hours of online courses with our brothers and sisters from Crewe and Sheffield. Together with Pastor Chiu, we advocated for individuals going through the asylum process. It felt awkward expressing in my own words before the Court, “I urged him to transfer his membership to a local church, but he was unwilling to do so and he stays with us”
Due to the cold winter, rain, and wind, we shifted our physical Bible studies online last December. We had more people connected, but at the same time, we all missed hugging each other and sharing meals.
What leads people from the Muslim background to continue in our church?
On December 24th, we had a dinner with people from almost every corner of the city of Manchester in our small table. You could easily count almost ten languages… do you know that MAC – without asking them, are helping this fellowship providing money for our meals?
While it’s typical for our local church budget to see growth, it’s uncommon for a church to boost its budget in the mission area—often the most overlooked aspect. However Manchester Alliance Church defies this norm. This year, we’re embarking on five significant outreaches with non-Chinese groups. We’re excited to welcome Prince Avenue Baptist Church from Athens, Georgia, South London Alliance Church from London, and Yanfok Church from Hong Kong to join forces with us in spreading the gospel among the unreached in Manchester.
It’s intriguing that even with numerous Chinese fellowships and English-speaking fellowships rooted in Chinese backgrounds in our church, MAC persists in ensuring pastoral care for individuals of other nationalities. MAC not only permits them to use our building but also fosters their development without confining them to a Chinese structure. I believe this isn’t a common occurrence even in British or American churches, – generally speaking.
Last year we also participated with God in sending a small team to Thailand to help a Hong Kong missionary lady. We were praying for her to have a team and God answered our prayers! This year Hong Kong Alliance Missions is sending six young people to do an internship for a year. MAC cares locally and globally. The joy continues as we extend our support and presence to our Chinese Alliance sister in Peru joining a team from CACU UK next June. We’re already in discussions about identifying a place to serve and sending a small team in a European country come October.
How do we preach to the unreached then?
Locally, we’re exploring a variety of approaches. We take to the streets for a condensed version of the gospel, organise gatherings with dialogues to discuss Christ with Muslims, teaching ESOL course at our facilities and host meals where, through deep relationships, we passionately share about our Saviour.
But it doesn’t stop there. In December alone, during just two events organised by MAC, the message of salvation reached over 170 people. The majority were individuals without access to the gospel openly. Additionally, among this group were English speakers, women from Pakistan living in Rochdale, Africans, Turks living in the northwest ring, local religious leaders, and even notable figures such as the Lady Mayor of Manchester and the Bishop of Manchester.
Starting on January 16th, we embark on our Baptism course, extending the invitation to those without a Chinese background.
What makes people without a Chinese background embrace the Chinese church as their own?
I’m inclined to think that the answer doesn’t rest in the charisma or excellence of our pastors and leaders.
The formal answer would be that Manchester Alliance Church obeys Jesus’ command to go and preach to the whole world. And another formal answer would be that we are part of the worldwide Alliance legacy, in our DNA is missions. But sincerely, I think the answer is simpler, more honest, and more straightforward.
So, what? makes MAC so special then?
To be honest, I believe it’s not our programs, worship services, retreats or even our finest sermons.
At Manchester Alliance Church, everyone is embraced with open arms. Why? Because MAC genuinely cares for each individual. It doesn’t matter where you’re from: MAC wants every fellowship to blossom in Christ’s likeness. We reach out to the unreached because we care about eternity. Why go through the effort of thinking and planning for non-Chinese people? Because Manchester is unique, and its people make it truly special even in the midst of our misunderstandings and cultural mistakes.
Rev. Lucho Sanchez