JUSTICE AND MISSIONS
At Parklands Church, we are passionate about supporting both local and global missions, individuals and organisations. We believe that every act of kindness, no matter how small, contributes to a tapestry of hope and transformation in our community and beyond.
Keep reading to find out more about our teams and what you can do to get involved!
For more information please contact us via [email protected].
HUGH TREGONING, INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
International Justice Mission is a global organisation that protects those in poverty from violence.
IJM’s mission is to protect people by rescuing victims, bringing criminals to justice, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and helping local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts. Together, we can bring about change.
Please click on the relevant link for more info on IJM, to contact our local IJM coordinator, or to access further resources and ways in which we can help fight modern day slavery in our City and our World.
HEDDWYN AND LYDIAH, CHILDREN OF HOPE, KENYA
The mission of Children in Hope, is to “set lonely children into families (Psalm 68:6) through building relationships, prayer, counselling, empowerment, training and transformation through the Word of God.“ Tumaini Kwa Watoto, (Children of Hope), founded by Heddwyn and Lydiah Williams in 1999 following their relocation to Kenya, was started to address the plight of orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya. Their vision is to see “every child in Africa restored into a transformed family, impacting their community, generation and beyond.”
The word “hope” formed an important part of the charity’s name, because for the orphans and vulnerable children living on the streets in Kenya, life seemed hopeless. Heddwyn recalls a visit to Nairobi when he mistakenly thought a bundle of rags was actually a small child. He did not know what to do, but vowed he would be back. For Lydiah who grew up in Kenya, it was not unusual to see young children begging and snatching food from people. Upon seeing their plight, Lydiah reached out to these vulnerable children.
Heddwyn and Lydiah trusted their lives to God as they set about rescuing these children and reintegrating them with their families. As Children of Hope celebrate 25 years of bringing hope and transformation to children in Kenya, we rejoice that over 6,000 children have been removed from the streets and placed into stable family environments.
Children of Hope have a faithful, committed team of Christians based in Kenya, who have thrived and served in the ministry with their own families. The team do not give up pursuing the mission and continue to live out the charity’s vision with God who sets the lonely in families.
Click the link for more information on Children of Hope.
DAVE COPP, MERCY SHIPS, MADAGASCAR
David Copp is currently on an incredible adventure with Mercy Ships, a Christian charity that delivers hope and healing through their fleet of hospital ships.
For nine months, these vessels transform into floating medical centres, docked in developing countries to offer free, life-changing surgeries and treatments. From removing debilitating growths and repairing deformities to restoring sight with cataract operations, the volunteer medical professionals on board make a profound difference.
Dave is part of the dedicated team that ensures the smooth operation of the ship. He previously experienced working on Mercy Ships in 2022, where he was based in Senegal.
MIKE & SARAH ADAMS, WORLD HORIZONS, SWANSEA
Mike and Sarah are both members of World Horizons, a prayer-based mission movement that focuses on seeing God’s Kingdom come in unreached places – places which have no church. In many of these places, people have never heard of Jesus. World Horizons is primarily a sending movement; sending Christians out to unreached places.
However, as people are coming to Swansea from countries all over the world, including China, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Turkey, Morocco, Colombia, Mexico, Senegal, Eritrea, El Salvador and many other nations, World Horizons is establishing teams here in the UK.
Mike and Sarah lead a small team in Swansea, reaching out to internationals across our city. The team are forming new partnerships with different
churches to expand their ministry.
Please click on the relevant link to find out more about World Horizons, to contact Sarah and Mike and receive their newsletters, or to support them financially.
PROJECT DENGKE, CHINA
One person cannot change the world but we can change the world for one person.
Project Dengke supports, helps and encourages Tibetan and Chinese people who have been affected by poverty, earthquakes, and the severe climate in a mountainous and remote area of Ganzi. The vision to set up an “International Friendship Centre” in Dengke has now become a reality, led by Tom and Phoebe.
Tom and Phoebe (along with their five children) have moved from their home in another part of China to live in Dengke, where they now call the Friendship Centre their home. They offer tutition to local children and they run summer camps which are popular and well attended. Pheobe also teaches in the local school and the family care for several Tibetan children during school time.
Interesting fact : The World Record breaking Sino-British Hovercraft Expedition to China set up their first medical and scientific base in Dengke in May 1990, whilst en route to the Source of the River Yangtze!
Since the Hovercraft Expedition, we have been able to take many visitors to Dengke and made many friends there!
National teams are encouraged to visit and share their experiences with their home churches.
If you want to learn more about Project Dengke or embark on the trip of a lifetime, please click on the relevant link below.
Dengke is nestled along the banks of the River Yangste. Dengke is on the right while Tibet lies to the left of the
river.
JOSH & MEG FARR, YWAM, AUSTRALIA
Josh and Meg serve Youth with a Mission (YWAM), on the Sunshine Coast, Down Under! YWAM offers a range of schools on the coast, including the School of Biblical Studies (SBS). The SBS is a nine-month Inductive Bible Study course with YWAM and University of the Nations, and their goal is to train and equip people to be Bible teachers.
Josh and Meg love the motto, “If you give a man a fish then you will feed him for a day, but if you teach him how to fish then you will feed him and his family for a lifetime.” When they witness the power of God’s Word transforming individuals and falling more in love with Jesus every day, they feel truly blessed by their time in YWAM.
Josh oversees the Bible distribution efforts that the missionary outreach teams support all over the world. Parklands supports this outreach and has previously raised funds for this project; playing a big role in the funding of Bible material which has been sent to many different countries.
Megan currently runs the YWAM enquiries email, and she receives and processes staff applications. Meg also has a big involvement in the staff care team, focusing on ensuring each team member feels seen and cared for during their time serving in YWAM.
To find out more about YWAM or to support Josh and Meg financially, please click the relevant link below.
LARA DAVIES, YWAM, AUSTRALIA
Lara is continuing her faith journey as she embarks on an adventure which will take her to another school within YWAM, Discipleship Training School (DTS).
Lara’s journey will begin with a 12-week lecture phase where she will study the Bible, hear God’s Word and have the opportunity to grow deeper in her relationship with the Lord.
Following this period, Lara will then experience an 8-week outreach phrase in another country.
Lara will be in away between September 2024 and January 2025. She has asked us to pray for her during her trip, focusing specifically on :
1. Financial provision (to cover the fees before she leaves, and to provide support while she is there) and for her
2. Physical and Mental Health, that Lara will be well during her time away.
To stay in contact with Lara, or to provide financial support through Parklands, please click on the relevant link below. Please mark any payments with the reference – Lara Davies YWAM.
Parklands Football Club, Swansea
Established in 1998, our mens football team is based here in Swansea, playing football matches across South Wales for the United Christian Churches League. We have three consecutive cup wins!
Do you love football or want to get involved with training? We would love for you to join us!
We train every Monday evening at Cae Duke Playing Fields in Loughor, Swansea.
Please get in touch if you want to know more.
KEYHOPE, SWANSEA
The Keyhope Centre is a registered charity which was established in 1993 to support women through an unexpected pregnancy, through baby-loss following a miscarriage or still birth, or following an abortion.
Keyhope aims to provide short and long term support that is client led. Their help and support is impartial and confidential, offering one to one support and family support where appropriate.
This outreach project is important to us as a church as we seek to bring hope and transformation in our community and beyond.