Hello!  We are Ben and Ez Lucas, Baptist minsters with our four children Gracie, Anna, Bethany and William, and we are all missional listening here in rural Dorset.   What is missional listening?  It’s a sort of dual listening - one ear to God remembering his unchanging promises and one ear to the community discerning where God is at work, what the Gospel might look like for our community and how we might participate in all that God is doing.  We have learnt so much by listening to the community. 
 
We are living in a village called Charlton Down, where there is no visible presence of church.   As we have listened, we have found ourselves getting involved in many aspects of village life.  Running the thriving toddler group, schools work, cricket club, parish council and village hall committees are a few ways we are involved.   We are at the moment adapting part of the village hall into a café to create much needed community space for the community to be community.   Our work also manifests itself regionally.   The village churches are few and those that there are, would be considered small.   We gather Christians from different villages to pray and equip one another to join in the mission of God, with the hope that the result will be a light in every village.  
 
Ben also works for the Fuelcast, fresh expression rural guiding team and is studying for an MA in Missional spirituality.   It’s full, fun and fulfilling!   We are in such a privileged position and are so thankful for SCBA and Rural Ministries for our funding - without partnership - this is not possible.  We are passionate about encouraging pioneering, encouraging the inherited church and closing the gap to see all working together, being one - both expressions are beautiful! 

"Hi, I'm John and this is my wife Mim and three boys - Dylan, Jake and Josh. I'm a keen surfer. In fact, my whole family loves the sea. In October 2019 we moved into a new build estate in Hamworthy on the edge of Poole Harbour after being somewhere else in Poole for a year. We are excited to see what God is already up to here. Our house is one of 100 homes built here in 2015. We believe that God is already at work and our job is simply to join in serving, loving and listening to our new neighbourhood as it grows and develops. Over the next decade, there will be at least another 1000 homes built next to us which means that soon, we may have a lot more neighbours.
 
When we moved, some of the locals were talking about wanting to get out on the water but not being able to afford it. I'm very excited to have launched a little enterprise responding to those comments which might act as a sharing platform for watersports equipment. It's a project which uses what I'm passionate about but also has the potential to develop community down the line. 

The first is an evangelistic tool. It's called Why did that just happen? and its free to use. This tool is especially for people who want to spread the word but are less sure about using the 'E' word. Yes, Evangelism. Sounds familiar?

Well, when you're out and about - and when you spot someone who you think might like to know more about Christianity - you  simply offer to but them a coffee! But instead of engaging with them in conversation, you give them a small card with the words 'Why did that just happen?' on one side and a QR code on the other. You smile, turn around, and walk away! Many of these people will be intrigued to find out why you, a stranger, just brought them a coffee.

They hang onto your card an maybe later decide to follow it up. The QR code takes them to an app. There, you can choose a person who then explains why you brought them a coffee - it's because you're a Christian and you simply wanted to do something kind for a stranger. After the short video, they can follow up with a set of carefully selected web links, including Alpha Course, that offer more depth about the Christian faith.

To find out more, see it in action at: Why did that just happen?

The second initiative has national reach and it's called Walking Church. The thinking behind it is that church was never meant to be restricted by the walls of a building and for many people this puts them off. Instead, it takes place outside in the fresh air - much healthier for mind and body and far more fun! Walking Church works by bringing people together on walks led by Christians like you, but it takes a gentle approach. Although you may be remarking on the presence of God amid the lush landscapes or tarmacked streets of your locality, you probably won't be preaching or reciting long prayers.

Above all Walking Church is a simple way for people to experience something of the Christian faith. In doing so we foster friendships and share thoughts. If the idea of an outdoor church sounds as old as the hills, then now is the time to refresh it and connect with people who don't have the slightest intention of going to church.

Paul is offering a page on the website to anyone that wants to get involved. He would love to talk to you about his own recent experiences of Walking Church, as well as provide you with support and share ideas.