Theme
Beyond Intercultural
Becoming the Church Jesus Prayed For - In Our Communities (John 17)
Across our cities and towns, cultural diversity is growing, but true unity is still being learned, moving beyond simply gathering to deeper worship and relationships, lived justice, shared leadership, and shared mission.
In Birmingham, leaders and communities from many cultures will come together again, seeking to walk as one
This is an invitation to go further. To move beyond the language we have learned, and step into the life we are called to live together.
Beyond Intercultural
-
Beyond intercultural church into the Church of Christ.
-
Beyond unity into lived justice
-
Beyond conversations into deep relationships.
-
Beyond representation into shared leadership.
-
Beyond tolerance into true discipleship and belonging.
-
Beyond cultural awareness into cultural intelligence.
-
Beyond events into lasting transformation.
-
Beyond programmes into presence.
TRACK 1: THE VISION - Becoming the Church of Christ “That all of them may be one… so that the world may believe.” (John 17:21) This is where we begin, with a picture. Gathering delegates are invited to move: Beyond the intercultural church toward the Church of Christ. Beyond conversations about unity toward lived justice. This track grounds participants in theology, vision, and faithful practice by exploring: The meaning of unity in diversity as rooted in Christ. A unity that is not superficial, but expressed through justice, mission, worship, compassion, and shared life. The Church as a living witness to the Kingdom of God, not merely a gathering of people. This is an invitation to rediscover the Church as a community where reconciliation, justice, and belonging are lived realities. Outcome: A renewed vision of the Church — not simply diverse, but deeply united, carrying justice as a natural expression of life together in Christ. Participants will also engage with our Justice Hub and Art Exhibition, offering creative and reflective spaces for dialogue, storytelling, and action.
TRACK 2: THE HEART - Forming Deep Relationships “I in them and you in me…” (John 17:23) Unity is not formed in isolation. It is cultivated through relationships. This track invites delegates to move: Beyond conversations into deep and meaningful relationships. Beyond tolerance into genuine belonging, shared life, and discipleship. This space is designed to encourage: Honest storytelling across cultures and experiences. Deep listening that restores dignity, understanding, and trust. Relationships that extend beyond conference sessions into everyday life and ministry. Through shared meals, cultural exchange, and intentional fellowship over lunch and dinner, strangers become brothers and sisters in Christ. Outcome: Communities where people are not simply present, but truly known, valued, welcomed, and deeply connected.
TRACK 3: THE STRUCTURE - Shared Leadership for a New Future “That they may be brought to complete unity.” (John 17:23) Does unity shape the way we lead, serve, and build together? This track calls leaders to move: Beyond representation into shared leadership. Beyond cultural awareness into cultural intelligence. It focuses on: Reimagining leadership structures that reflect intercultural collaboration and shared responsibility. Developing leaders who can navigate cultural complexity with wisdom, humility, and confidence. Moving beyond token inclusion toward genuine co-leadership and mutual influence. At the heart of this track is a simple yet challenging question: Whose voices are being heard, and who is helping shape the future? Outcome: Leadership that reflects the whole body of Christ — diverse, collaborative, discerning, and Spirit-led.
TRACK 4: THE PRACTICE & WORSHIP - Living It Out Daily “Sanctify them by the truth… As you sent me, I have sent them.” (John 17:17–18) What we build must endure beyond the gathering itself. This track calls leaders to move: Beyond events toward lasting transformation. Beyond programmes toward faithful presence. It is designed to equip church and community leaders to: Embed intercultural life into the everyday worship, leadership, and practice of the Church. Cultivate rhythms of prayer, discipleship, and shared life that sustain unity and mission. Live as a visible and consistent presence within their communities through faithful engagement and service. Because transformation is not a single moment or event. It is a sustained way of life. Outcome: Churches and communities that carry this vision into their cities with faithfulness, consistency, and transformative impact.
Contributors
Prof Anthony Reddie
Professor Anthony G. Reddie, University of Oxford Professor of Black Theology, a historic first ever appointment. He is also the Director of The Centre for Black Theology, Regent’s Park College, in the University of Oxford. He is also an Extraordinary Professor of Theological Ethics and a Research Fellow with the University of South Africa. He is the first Black person to get an ‘A’ rating in Theology and Religious studies in the South African National Research Foundation. This designation means that he is a leading international researcher. He is a prolific author of books, articles and chapters in edited books. He is the Editor of Black Theology: An International Journal. He is a recipient of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s 2020 Lambeth, Lanfranc Award for Education and Scholarship, given for ‘exceptional and sustained contribution to Black Theology in Britain and Beyond’.
Revd Duncan Clark
Duncan Clark, Co-Lead Pastor ELIM Coventry. Duncan commenced his ministry at Coventry Elim in 1997. Initially he became the church’s Youth Pastor, and then in 2005 the church’s Senior Pastor. Following 20 years in this role, he is now one of the Lead Pastors of the church, co-leading with Shirene Agbelusi. Duncan is married to Helen and they have four grown-up children. In his spare time, Duncan loves to run and read, and is a West Ham United season ticket holder. He has also been a member of Elim’s National Leadership Team for 12 years.
Dr Angela Okotie-Eboh
Dr. Angela Okotie-Eboh, Lead Pastor The Ark Fellowship Tx, affectionately known as Dr. Angela, Pastor Angela, or Mama Angela - is a dynamic leader whose life bridges the boardroom and the pulpit. With over 24 years of executive and clinical leadership, she has built thriving healthcare enterprises while faithfully leading as Pastor of The Ark Fellowship in Cypress, Texas. She is the founder of NP Care Services, one of Texas’s first nurse practitioner-led multi-specialty practices, and Heart & Health, a nonprofit that has brought medical care and missions to tens of thousands across the U.S., Africa, and Asia. As a pastor, she has cultivated an intercultural church community marked by prayer, discipleship, and outreach, all while creating systems and raising up leaders that allow her to flourish in both ministry and marketplace without compromise.
Revd Shirene Agbelusi
Shirene Agbelusi, Co-Lead Pastor ELIM Coventry. She has served on the leadership team at Coventry Elim since 2016, progressing from Elder to Associate Pastor and now Lead Pastor, co-leading alongside Duncan Clark. She also serves on Aspire, Elim's national women's ministry team. Prior to pastoral ministry, Shirene worked extensively in education as an experienced safeguarding practitioner across multiple agencies and is a qualified counsellor. She is passionate about helping people from every generation know Jesus more deeply and live out their God-given purpose, and her greatest joy is seeing people encounter Jesus and walk in freedom, whether through preaching, pastoring, or mentoring. Shirene is married to Sope and they have two teenage children.
Carl Knightly
Carl Knightly is the director of church engagement at London City Mission (LCM) and leads LCM’s work with senior church and parachurch leaders, building national relationships and partnerships that help share and partner in LCM’s vision for London and beyond. LCM’s heart is to ignite a movement of mission to people on the margins, through the local church. Carl also leads the wider ‘City Mission Movement’, an umbrella membership of 16 City Missions across the UK and Ireland. Away from this Carl holds several trustee and charity ambassador positions and is also a certified executive coach.
Olivia Amartey
Olivia is the Executive Director for Elim Pentecostal Church in the UK and NI. She also serves as Associate Pastor to a pioneer church plant in north Birmingham. Her career encompasses a number of senior management positions in a range of different organisations including the Church of England and the NHS. Olivia wholeheartedly believes that everyone benefits from the skilful application of sound business practices as these can positively impact beneficiaries and contribute to God-honouring, kingdom-building. She is on the board of WeaveUK She has a passion for creatively sharing God’s word. Olivia has been guest speaker at national and local events and is a regular presenter on Radio 4’s Daily Service. Olivia is a mum to Josh, loves to cook and is addicted to Strictly Come Dancing!
Revd Bert Han
Rev Bert Han, Lead Pastor Birmingham Chinese Evangelical Church (BCEC) Bert is an American born Chinese who has been serving the Chinese heritage churches in the UK for nearly 30 years. He started the ministry here with the Chinese Overseas Christian Mission (COCM), and then began serving at the Birmingham Chinese Evangelical Church (BCEC). He has played a part in the development of English speaking ministries within the Chinese-heritage church context, both locally and nationally.
Paul Hobbs
Paul Hobbs makes painting and sculpture that deals with social and spiritual issues from a Christian perspective. Through a mixture of materials, layering, surprise and play, Paul’s work stimulates discussion about human values and dignity, and responsibility and service to others. It seeks to show the relevance of Jesus to contemporary concerns, asking, ‘If we believe this from the Bible, how does it relate to what we read in the newspaper? If we see this in the news, has God’s word got anything to say?’ and to draw the outsider to begin to take Jesus Christ seriously. Themes include famine, inequality, fatherhood, old age, sexuality, our capacity for violence, suffering, the Beatitudes and the Trinity. There is also a collection of shoes and stories from believers all around the world, and a series on contemporary martyrdom. Paul exhibits in a wide range of venues—frequently in schools and churches—leading discussions and engaging people with the gospel through his artwork. The materials include paint, collage, wood, steel, and assembled objects. For details please see my website, www.arthobbs.com.
Nathaniel Jennings
Nathaniel Jennings is the Intercultural Ministries Director for OMF (UK) Nathaniel’s father is American and his mother Anglo-Caribbean, but he was born and raised in Bangladesh. He has lived in Northern Ireland with his wife Donna since 2011. Nathaniel was a cross-cultural Christian worker in Bangladesh for seven years before moving to Northern Ireland.
Dr Jill Ford
Jill was born and raised in the UK and has a background in music, performing arts and arts education. Jill is the Arts Programme Leader and Arts Lecturer at All Nations Christian College, a cross-cultural mission college in the UK. She is responsible for the creative curriculum at both the Undergraduate and Postgraduate level. She supervises BA and MA students implementing creative research projects into multicultural churches. Jill holds a Masters in Education (culture, language identity), and has recently completed a Doctorate in Worship Studies with the Robert Webber Institute (USA). Her Doctoral Thesis was ‘Worship Across the Cultures: Training for Liturgical Diversity: Implementing A Course For Students At All Nations Christian College UK.’ She has the joy of serving as Executive Board Member of the ARTS+ network, and has a role as ‘Creative Synergist’ for the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).
Ben Stansfield
Ben is CEO of Global Connections - a network of around 250 organisations, churches and businesses, representing more than 17,000 individuals, with a shared vision to see the whole church take the whole gospel to the whole world. Married to Esther, with two boys Josh & Zach, Ben currently lives down in East Devon, UK. Having trained initially as a teacher and moved into youth & student work, Ben then followed a desire to work with Christian organisations seeking to tackle the causes of poverty and injustice. Combining this with studying a MSc in Global Development Management & an MBA, Ben has spent the last 25+ years working for international development charities, local church-based community organisations and international discipleship ministries. He has also lived and worked in Honduras, Central America for a national NGO. He currently serves on the board of 4 charities with international and local ministry focuses. Ben has trained as an Executive Coach and has recently been involved in running a global leadership development programme, connecting and equipping local leaders with a vision to see their communities transformed. A keen (though now ageing!) rugby player & open water swimmer, Ben loves the chance to play most sports and get outside, hanging out with friends and family.
Revd Dr Guichun Jun
Learning & Development Manager at the Methodist Church, UK · Guichun Jun has been a research tutor in congregational studies and an admissions tutor at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS) since 2019. He earned his BA in Theology from Seoul Theological University, MDiv from Seoul Theological Seminary, and PhD from OCMS in partnership with Middlesex University. He is an ordained minister with vast ministry experience in South Korea and UK. Dr Guichun served as the secretary general of the Korean Christian Fellowship in London and the senior minister of Chessington Korean Church and Shirley Community Church in the UK.
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Update Coming Soon
Update coming soon
Inspiring Workshops
Grateful to Our Incredible Partners and Sponsors
