At GrowTH, we recognise that many people may benefit from faith and pastoral support, so we have a chaplain and a small team of volunteers to help the guests and residents across our projects.  Often the chaplain is one of the first to meet new guests in our Day Centre, where people may arrive after some disorienting times on the street.  Many guests have found it helpful to share something of their experiences in a safe place, where someone takes the time to listen to them.   

 

For lots of our guests, this may be the first time that they have encountered Jesus’ love, expressed so practically in our Day Centre or at the nightshelter, hosted by our partner churches.  Many are interested to talk further about their own beliefs and to find out more.  During the course of a week, we host a mixture of courses, such as Al Massira, for those who want to explore the Christian faith through the eyes of the prophets, to more regular Bible studies for those who want to read and pray together.  We also host a Community Lunch on Thursday, where we invite a diverse range of speakers, such as those who have been homeless or local church leaders, to share their testimony of how they came to know Jesus.  These are often popular events, attended by others in the local community too.  We hope that we can provide something of a spiritual “first response” from the Tower Hamlets churches, as well as being a gateway to point people towards the local churches that can offer them a more longer-term spiritual home. 

 

The chaplain meets with people of all faiths and none to provide a welcoming and non-judgmental, listening ear, with some of these conversations developing into longer term support in the form of talking therapy and spiritual direction.  For some of our longer-term residents, such as those in Lazarus House, the chaplain also provides a greater degree of discipleship support to help them grow in their relationship with Jesus.  

 

In addition, the chaplaincy is blessed by a number of volunteers, who offer greater support, particularly around areas such as prayer ministry.  Guests, residents and staff are welcome to meet with them to address their spiritual needs and to learn to hand over their concerns to God.  

 

Overall, the chaplaincy works closely with our partner churches across Tower Hamlets to complement their ministry.