Over 700 Christians gather to worship and pray for Bristol on Pentecost
More than 700 Christians from across Bristol gathered on Pentecost Sunday to welcome the Holy Spirit and pray for the peace and flourishing of the city.
Hundreds met at Canons House on Bristol Harbourside, the iconic former home to Lloyds Bank. The building has been recently acquired by Kinrise, an investment company who has expressed a desire to invest in people and communities, alongside its wider plans to redevelop the site into high-end offices, retail units, and event spaces.
As part of their vision, Kinrise were pleased to see their space first used by churches.
The afternoon event provided an opportunity to pray and worship together, declaring Jesus’ lordship over the city. Both those present and those leading worship (including Renewal Choir) reflected the diversity of churches in Bristol in age, geography, and ethnicity.
A particular point was made to recognise the presence of young people and to commission them in their schools to be lights among Generation Z and Generation Alpha.
Believers came together to pray for inter-church unity and the well-being of the city. Pastor Fatima Sibanda (God’s House International Centre) reminded those gathered that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, leading to a powerful moment as Christians joined hands and prayed with those they had only just met, as one body.
Andy Street (Chair of Christian Action Bristol) encouraged those gathered to look out the windows to the amphitheatre and harbourside below, reminding them that this event is not only about churches getting together, but also getting out into the city.
Highlighting the recently published Bristol Thriving Communities report, Andy celebrated the way that churches are already playing important roles in supporting the most vulnerable in Bristol, specifically mentioning 427 local social action projects that the report identified.
It was a privilege to be joined by Helen Godwin, the newly appointed West of England Combined Authority (WECA) mayor. She expressed her desire to partner with Bristol churches for the good of the city, and said she’s willing to work with other political parties, sectors and stakeholders to achieve shared goals and priorities. Andy Street noted how “the church also sees that special things come from working in unity, collaboration and partnership.”
Helen also articulated two specific and key ways the church can help. Firstly, she noted churches can be key mechanisms for amplifying the voices, stories and real experiences of people in their communities. She said she wanted to hear those stories and reiterated her open-door policy.
Secondly, Helen highlighted her key delivery goals, including public transport, homes, and training and skills to access jobs, encouraging churches to support her by making their communities aware of new projects and initiatives when they launch.
After she finished addressing the crowds, she was prayed for by Mark Detzler (Broadmead Baptist Church).
As we read in Acts 2, powerful things happen when we come together in one place. The event on Pentecost in central Bristol will hopefully be a catalyst for further unity and collaboration amongst churches, and beyond the church.