Over the course of the Commonwealth Games (28 July - 8 Aug 2022) Lozells Methodist Church hosted a team of 40 young adults from around the world and the UK as part of a YWAM (Youth With A Mission) summer project.

Preparation for the games began many days before the opening ceremony.

As Laurence Sharman of the World Prayer Centre reports: "During the lead up to The Games, each of the different venues had been prayed for – either around the edge of the stadia or around the different parks and centres; Services had been held focussing on different aspects of prayer for The Commonwealth – praying for healing of, blessing over and welcoming all the athletes, families and visitors from every Commonwealth nation and territory to the West Midlands region. We had the privilege of praying for and blessing every Commonwealth nation and territory as the Queen’s Baton visited each one and created a prayer diary, encouraging people around the globe to pray as The Baton travelled."

So the YWAM team arrived in a city with an atmosphere of expectation and hope.

Debora, a full-time YWAM London Radiant team member, co-led the outreach. 

"When we heard about the games back in January we thought yeah, let's be hands and feet and a help for the church and to bless and serve this city. In evangelism we love to use drums because it draws attention and you find so many people you can talk with. Drums bring joy to the streets. it changes the atmosphere.

We love collaborating so we worked with Healing on the Streets and helped lead some services at St Martins in the Bullring and also volunteered there during the games.

God blessed us in crazy ways. People provided whole meals - for 40 people - that happened at several locations!

We've built some long-term relationships. We've love to come back to Birmingham. Lozells Methodist Church offered us this beautiful space. It's such a blessing to have a home here. It's great to see how they love people here in Lozells.

Chloe of the project team says: Birmingham is beautiful. The people I've got to meet are seeking for something deeper.

Jordon says: I had a nervousness of talking with others. We did this prayer walk and as we were walking around I just felt so calm. I'm a very quiet guy and don't easily talk to strangers but I did!

Before the YWAMers departed they shared prayers of prophetic encouragement and blessing for the Lozells church and wider community.

One prayer of blessing reads: I got a picture of a wall and it was empty except for one rose. You are the rose in this community. I believe God wants to encourage you...You make a big impact in this community. You bring hope.

Here's the whole team:

Lozells has been blessed and is a blessing. Everybody wins.