Mortimer West End Chapel recently invited Mike Simpson to speak about his missionary work in the UK and overseas.

Mike is a freelance charity consultant, who supports and develops charity governance. One major part of his work at present is leading the development of a Single Friendly Church Network.

Does the church welcome and value single people?

The aim of the charity is to encourage churches to welcome and value single people at ‘every stage of life', including those who have never married, the divorced, bereaved and single parents. Mike notes that UK society is changing. 40% of adults are single, and this is increasing in every age group. But single people often report feeling unwelcome or less welcome in church, particularly if it has become so 'family-focused' it fails to reach these groups effectively.

Yet, in Matthew Chapter 12, Jesus speaks of ‘a new family’ when he says,  “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:48-50).

Mike has more than 40 years experience in the charity sector, including working with the homeless and drug addicts in the UK and with persecuted Christians in the Middle East. He has spoken many times at Mortimer West End Chapel about these initiatives and how the Lord has guided and empowered his work.

To find out more about Single Friendly Church, click on this  website link.