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Community & WitnessUK

Learning to Trust: Faith and Service Among the Vulnerable

Franciscan friar Br Michael Jacob shares a profound reflection on ministry among asylum seekers and the homeless in areas like Harehills, Leeds. His central insight is simple yet transformative: trust in God is the foundation of all authentic Christian service.

Franciscan friar with homeless individuals

Analysis

Franciscan friar Br Michael Jacob shares a profound reflection on ministry among asylum seekers and the homeless in areas like Harehills, Leeds. His central insight is simple yet transformative: trust in God is the foundation of all authentic Christian service.

Br Michael's experiences in deprived communities have taught him that faith is not an abstract belief but a lived practice—a daily exercise in trusting God's provision and presence. In witnessing both profound need and inspiring humanity, he has discovered the kingdom of God breaking through in unexpected places. His testimony challenges us to ask: Do we truly trust God? And does that trust translate into concrete action on behalf of the vulnerable? Church Urban Fund's work, exemplified in stories like this, reminds us that the gospel is incarnational—it takes flesh in our communities and our relationships with those on the margins.

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