* Images used in this story are generated by AI and are intended as an illustrative depiction of people and events rather than an exact representation.
I’ve been part of World Horizons since 1990. I’ve always served in the UK, specifically in just two places in South Wales: Llanelli and Swansea. So why am I writing for a mission movement?
Acts 1:8 tells us that we will be Christ’s witnesses, starting locally and reaching to the ends of the earth. Although I’ve never moved overseas, I’ve always been drawn to people from different nations right here in my local area, as well as to children and youth ministries.
The mission training I received has shaped me to be a more effective witness in my hometown. It’s also equipped me to engage meaningfully in the multicultural environment I now find myself in. Being part of God’s mission doesn’t always mean crossing borders—it often starts by crossing the street.
One powerful experience was walking alongside a man from Iraq. Over many months, we supported him through the challenges of visa applications and court hearings. In the middle of all that uncertainty, we invited him to a Bible study. During this time, he began having visions of Jesus—clear, personal encounters that deeply impacted him. It was a reminder that while we can offer practical help, it’s the Holy Spirit who truly reveals Christ.
Another highlight was taking a group of young people from Llanelli on a short-term mission trip to Spain. Many of them had never been abroad before, and the experience stretched them beyond their comfort zones. We partnered with a team distributing Bibles to North Africans returning home for the summer. I watched these young people grow in confidence and faith as they stepped out to share God’s love. They came home different—more courageous, more prayerful, and more aware of the global church.
These stories are just small glimpses of what it means to live missionally in your own town. Whether it’s in Llanelli, Swansea, or beyond, God is at work—and He invites us to be part of it, right where we are.
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