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About Us |
Our motivation
Urban Expression is a mission agency and a mutually supportive network of mission partners – individuals, families and teams, who choose to live in some of the most disadvantaged and marginalised communities in the UK, motivated by our belief in the all-encompassing love of God and our desire to follow the words and ways of Jesus.
Who we are
Urban Expression recruits, deploys and supports people - as individuals, in teams or whole families - who move into local communities, build relationships, try to discern what God is already doing there and then and join in. We call them 'mission partners'.
What we do
Some mission partners are employed full -time or part-time in regular jobs whilst others have full or part-time roles with faith organisations or churches; others operate as volunteers in their communities – their roles range from local councillors to supermarket stockers, play workers to bicycle repairers, gardeners to labyrinth creators.
The support we give
We recognise that working in marginalised communities is demanding and that this mission approach is high-risk and long-term. We provide strategic and pastoral support, and opportunities for ongoing training. We host opportunities for meeting together throughout the year, enabling relational support between mission partners.
We are committed to...
Margins
…following God on the margins and in the gaps, expecting to discover God at work among powerless people and in places of weakness.
…following God on the margins and in the gaps, expecting to discover God at work among powerless people and in places of weakness.
Jesus-centred
…being Jesus-centred in our view of the Bible, our understanding of mission and all aspects of discipleship.
…being Jesus-centred in our view of the Bible, our understanding of mission and all aspects of discipleship.
Peace
…a vision of justice, peace and human flourishing for the city and all its inhabitants
…a vision of justice, peace and human flourishing for the city and all its inhabitants
Uncluttered
…uncluttered church, focused on mission, rooted in local culture and equipping all to develop and use their God-given gifts.
…uncluttered church, focused on mission, rooted in local culture and equipping all to develop and use their God-given gifts.
Relationships
…respecting and building relationship with other faith communities and averse to all forms of manipulation or erosion of liberty.
…respecting and building relationship with other faith communities and averse to all forms of manipulation or erosion of liberty.
Kingdom
…seeking God’s kingdom in the urban context, both by pioneering creative and relevant expressions of the Christian church and by working in partnership with others in mission.
…seeking God’s kingdom in the urban context, both by pioneering creative and relevant expressions of the Christian church and by working in partnership with others in mission.
Unconditional
…unconditional service, holistic ministry, bold proclamation, prioritising the poor and being a voice for the voiceless.
…unconditional service, holistic ministry, bold proclamation, prioritising the poor and being a voice for the voiceless.
Our Key Values
Coordinators
Urban Expression charity and the teams are supported by a dispersed team of coordinators, who work on average one - two days per week. If you want to know more about Urban Expression or would like to visit one of the areas to talk to mission partners or one of the coordinators, do email us.
Southwest England & Coastal Expression
Barney Barron is a Baptist pioneer minister, church planter and youth worker. He works part-time connecting, coaching and mentoring pioneers and church planters through the Anabaptist Mennonite Network, Urban Expression and Coastal Expression. He is also the Chair and one of the founding trustees of the Incarnate Network. He lived and served on a large council estate near Portsmouth for 16 years, where he was involved in church planting and running a youth and community charity. He now lives in Looe, Cornwall where he has started a small missional community and has recently set up a youth and community charity. He also takes time to enjoy kayaking, snorkeling and walking.
Operations and Communications
(Scotland & The Borders)
(Scotland & The Borders)
Now living in southwest Scotland Marg Hardcastle spent 15 years in Stoke-on-Trent as a mission partner with Urban Expression where she was involved in pioneering new expressions of church. She also set up a participatory arts collaborative, organising events and festivals in the city. When not at her computer Marg can be found outdoors, up hills and along lanes by foot or on two wheels.
Strategy & Development , London & SW England
Stuart Murray Williams has been involved since Urban Expression began. He looks after teams in London and the south-east, teaches on the Crucible course and provides some of the strategic direction for Urban Expression.
Midlands, England & Youth
Simon Jay lives in Birmingham, and alongside his wife, Rachel, set up the Haven Community Project on the Welsh House Farm estate. He is currently studying for a master’s degree and ministerial training at Bristol Baptist College and also sits on various panels to approve foster carers. One of his proudest moments is when he completed the first Birmingham Marathon.
Anabaptist Link & Crucible Course
South African by birth, Alexandra Ellish spent her teenage years in England, studied theology in Edinburgh and later Prague, where she was also ordained as a Baptist minister. Alexandra has been part of Urban Expression in various ways since 2009. Alexandra, her husband Philip and their two children live in Peckham, South London, where Alexandra is also the minister of Amott Baptist Church. Alexandra loves the Anabaptists, Woman’s Hour and long walks with her Jack Russell, Westley.
TrusteesPhil Warburton (Chair) Dirk Uitterdijk Bev Thomas Andy Dorton Rachel Meyrick |