Igniting the heARTs of the City of Birmingham

Daniel J. Blyden

Birmingham City’s largest and busiest park will see the Adventist church intimately engage with and minister to the community on August Bank Holiday Monday. Envisioned by a group of young Christians the event which has been branded ‘IGNITE Birmingham’ takes a new and more creative approach to evangelism, aiming to ‘Ignite the hearts of the people.’

The event is set to feature a pioneering Christian visual art exhibition where members of the community are invited to view artwork produced and curated by members of the church. The idea is that the exhibition is arranged in a way that viewers can be ministered to through the messages from the artwork as they are explained by the artists and students supporting from the Pan-European Advanced Centre of Evangelism (PEACE).

The event will also feature a health expo introducing the community to the health principles of the church as well as many other fun and field activities.

The arts, culture and health are subjects very high on the socio-political agenda within Birmingham city particularly in light of its bid to become the UK’s city of culture in 2013. 21-year-old visionary of the project, Keiran McKenzie shared his testimony of how his spiritual experience led him away from his preoccupation with visual art studies to a place where he now does it for the Glory of God. Now his artistic gifts are expressed in ways that not only tell others about the gospel, but also helps his peers to do the same through this ministry project; Vision: Create: Evangelise.

The project is mentored by district Pastor, Malcolm Watson. Commenting on the project, he said ‘I think it’s important the church supports the youth giving them opportunities to use their gifts in God’s work. The Adventist church was founded by the young pioneers and IGNITE Birmingham will be the perfect opportunity to place the Seventh-day Adventist Church in position to influence a positive change within the city of Birmingham City, but it will not be as effective without the support of the wider church membership.’

The event will be preceded by a weekend of evangelistic activity  starting 27th & 28th August with an Area 5 day of fellowship and community outreach.

IGNITE Birmingham will take place on Bank Holiday Monday 30th August 2010 at the Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham. B12 9QH ...Volunteers and monetary support are needed.

For more information, please contact, Daniel Blyden on 07707 531 915 or email daniel_blyden@btinternet.com

Website: www.ignitebirmingham.org.uk