What has been challenging for NLSS?

New Life Suwarta Sangat, (www.nlss.org.uk) is a church community seeking to live out and proclaim the good news of Jesus in ways that bless and resonate culturally in the diverse, multi-faith neighbourhoods of Harrow and Brent, NW London.

Many of us come from Gujarati Hindu and Jain or other South Asian cultural backgrounds. What’s been challenging for us?

In general: over many years we’ve felt our collective weakness and limitations especially in our small size and as we encounter cultural perceptions which suggest that Jesus is ‘not wrong’ but ‘just not culturally for me/us.’

More recently we’ve also experienced all the challenges of the pandemic (like everybody else), along with various serious health challenges within the sangat (church community).

But as Prabhu Isu (Lord Jesus) says, “My grace (krupa) is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So, in Jan 2021, during the second lockdown, we began to pray that Jesus would renew us with His love, give us eyes to see new ways to serve, and give us the motivation in the face of discouragement to pursue opportunities that arose. Jesus answered! We slowly began to venture out to knock on many doors in our neighbourhood, offering practical support and prayers for those willing to receive them. This led to opportunities to pray for those who were ill and to grieve with and support those who lost loved ones and to speak of the shaanti (peace) and mukti (freedom) that Prabhu Isu offers.

Later, as in-person worship gatherings returned, we missed congregational singing and so we worshipped twice in our front courtyard (as pictured) so that everyone could sing. We remember vividly the joy that shone through one of the sisters as she sang in Gujarati a self-composed bhajan (worship song) to Jesus and as she shared her story of coming to believe in Prabhu Isu.

Then in November 2021 we organised a special ‘YaadGiri Naa Bhajan’ (‘Memorial Worship Gathering’) where both regular attenders and any visitors were invited to come and remember by name family or friends they had lost, whether during the pandemic or previously. Many came, especially since normal opportunities to grieve collectively had been disrupted during the pandemic. After a time of sharing, we prayed, asking Prabhu Isu to comfort those who grieve, and thanking God for the blessing these loved ones had been to us during their time on earth. We also read God’s word and the promise of Peace and Hope that Jesus offers in the face of death (as death’s conqueror) for all who would embrace him in faith. Afterwards we enjoyed a warm time of fellowship and Gujarati vegetarian food.

This is just one recent example of how God has faithfully answered prayers. Over coffee we could share so much more. His grace is truly sufficient. And yet, as always, we face fresh challenges! Please continue to pray that Jesus would provide all we need and that the life-changing Love of Jesus would continue to shine through us.