Tim's Update July 2026
Visa Update and Prayer Request

Dear friends,
We've been really grateful for all your prayers as Ogbonna has begun working for Friends International Loughborough. As you may know, we've been asking people to pray for Ogbonna's visa application these last few months. Recently we received the news that the visa has been rejected. This is highly unusual since a number of our staff work in the UK on a 'Minister of Religion' visa. This specific visa was also the one recommended to us by the government. The reason for the rejection was given by the case worker, who assumed that since Ogbonna would not be leading a congregation, he doesn't meet the criteria for a Minister of Religion visa. However, with Friends International the visa is applied for, not because the applicant will be leading a congregation, but because the applicant will be acting as a Missionary. The case worker appears to have assumed the application was sent relating to the former rather than the latter. A number of Friends International staff have successfully applied for visas on this basis.

For that reason, we are confident that our appeal will be successful. We need to challenge the rejection because it has been made in error and because we don't want to set a precedent for future Friends International visa applications. Thankfully, Ogbonna can continue working for Friends International until the end of October while the appeal is processed. But we need your prayers! Please pray with us for Ogbonna using the points below as prompts.

Pray for:

The successful appeal against Ogbonna's visa rejection and for this to be resolved quickly.
That the comfort and peace of Christ would dwell in Ogbonna and his family richly in an unsettling time.
That they would receive confirmation of God's call in the face of challenges and difficulties.
God's protection over Ogbonna and his family from anything that might hinder him from a strong start with us and their settling in Loughborough.
Eriadong as she looks for jobs to complement Ogbonna's ministry with us and as an extra means of supporting the family. For discernment and provision.
Ogbonna as he continues to raise up a network of mission partners, in dependence upon the Holy Spirit, so that he can continue long-term in this valuable ministry.

Thank you so much for your support and for praying with us as we seek to work with the church to declare the glory of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, among the nations.
"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19

With best wishes in Christ,
Tim, Ogbonna, and the FI Loughborough Team

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

We meet at the Church Building (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team who will be wearing a Welcome lanyard.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits from 10am, before the service begins. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. All refreshments are free.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the main foyer.

Our Service

The main service begins at 10am with a warm welcome from one of our team members. Then follows a time of sung worship, led by our band. We typically have 2 or 3 songs lasting approximately 20 minutes. Sometimes a person might pray out loud or read a small passage from the bible. Sometimes people share things that they believe God is saying to the whole church family. This might seem strange the first time you hear it but it’s all part of our connecting with God. We then share news and notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the church. One of our leaders will then give a sermon that is bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We then finish with a final worship song. Sometimes there is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service.

images: Services

What about my kids?

We have a great programme lined up for kids of all ages:

Creche (0 months to 3 years). Children under 6 months are welcome but must be accompanied by their parent/grown-up at all times.
Livewires (3-7 years)
Encounter (7-11 years)
Katalyst (11-15 years)
Young people (15+ years) Stay in service.

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the welcome, songs and notices. We really value worshipping God all together as a family. At the end of the notices someone will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go to their various groups. You will need to go with your children to their groups and register them as part of our child safety policy. Whilst you are dropping your kids off at their groups, we pause to take time to chat to someone sitting near or next to us, giving folk a chance to come back before the sermon begins.

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, testimonies, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Other Ministries

We also run the following ministries:

Men's Ministries
Women's Ministries
Night Shelter
Foodbank

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership


Leader 1		Leader 2
Leader Intro		Leader Intro

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

(Handwritten Signature)