The United Kingdom based GP Ministries run by a Nigerian, Pastor Lawrence Fagbayi recently held a 2-day Thriving Together Community Event in Luton to address issues of inequalities and create a sense of togetherness among residents of the ever boisterous settlement.
Fagbayi said in a statement that the event which took place on September 6 and 7 was one of the ways the GP Ministries cpuld impact the community and bring the life of Christ to bear on it
He expressed great delight that many people turned up for this impactful community event including the Deputy Mayor of Luton ,Councillor Shahanara Naser.
One of the women at the event remarked, “I’m more than willing to avail myself to lay down my skills to help in the future,now that I know that this church passionately cares about putting up events that impact the welfare of their community”
What informed the Event:
Fagbayi stated that the event is a response to the peculiar nature of Luton, the need to be a blessing to it. “The programme was also a response to the goals of the Local Government of Luton’. He stated.
According to him, “Luton is a town known for it’s apparent poverty and the obvious link between this and some other concerns, including education and health inequalities.
“To address this issue, the local government made it part of its five points 2040 vision to have a healthy, fair and sustainable town, where everyone can thrive, and no one has to live in poverty.
“it also encouraged organisations to play positive roles. Some monies were budgeted to facilitate the delivery of different projects that will ultimately bridge the gap of inequalities and create sense of belonging among all.
“The funds was being managed by a body known as BLCF, and specific amount was disbursed to organisations that are willing to drive the vision and who met the set criteria. That was how GP Ministries came into the scene.”
GP as a community hub
Since 2011 that The GP Ministries launched its popular Neighbours Together Community Festival in Luton. It has continued to serve as a Community Hub by providing a warm space for those affected by the Credit Crunch or financial hardship.
GP Minorities has also helped in Police Engagements to address crime issues, carried out free surgeries, create a community of people that read together and socialise. The ministries has also campaigned against smoking and has carried out a host of other projects to mitigate social vices in the community.
Some of the efforts of GP Ministries have won it different business and community recognition and awards including the Luton Best Awards for Community Cohesion in 2014.
Fagbayi explains that the vision of the church is in tandem with the goals of the local government saying, “It is well and good for the local government to aspire for their people to thrive but an African proverb in Yoruba says ajoje ko dun bi enikan ko ba ni which in English means communal eating is better where everyone has got something to put on the table and to eat. It is our expertise that has come to play in the delivery of the goals of the local government. ‘