Not forgotten
Tim & Becky Burr partner with Dignity as Associate Missionaries in the UK. This is their story.
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In the last 10 years, 3,500 churches have closed across the UK, the majority of them rural and remote towns and villages. It was while on holiday in a remote part of Scotland that we experienced first-hand the reality faced by communities where churches have closed - one that is shared by thousands across the UK.
The term “left behind communities” often refers to places facing economic decline, deprivation, and social challenges. We use the word forgotten. The reality is that many of these places are also experiencing spiritual decline as churches close and people and resources are generally directed to larger towns and cities.
As we spoke to a woman in a remote corner of Scotland, we felt the Lord say to us, “Who cares about this woman? Because I do.” This is the good news - God has not forgotten!
This realisation had a significant impact and prompted us to start asking questions. What would it take to help people experience Jesus in their daily lives? How could we help establish an active Christian presence in the forgotten places across the UK? Who might God be calling to do something about it? How could we find them?
The approach Dignity has established in its work in Africa is simple. As Jesus was, we’re sent to preach good news to the poor, and to bring people together to learn how to know and follow Jesus. Through that, they learn of their value, and how to work together for the benefit of others. This can bring life in all its fullness to their community. As Associate Missionaries of Dignity in the UK, we believe our mission is very similar: to find and empower local people to reach the forgotten places across the UK, by helping them start and multiply new communities of faith on mission together.
In the last 18 months since we started, we have spent time with Christians in communities like this all across England, Scotland and Wales and discovered that people need three things:
- Vision. A sense that they are personally called by God to do something to reach their community, and the permission to take a step forward. This is not getting permission from us, a church or denomination, but helping people realise that they already have it from Jesus. The Great Commission is the Great Permission!
- Practical tools: People need to know what to do practically, and they need the confidence to believe they could do it!
- Friends for the mission: To know that they are not alone and that they are part of something bigger to overcome the sense of isolation that many experience - through encouragement, friendship and people who believe in them.
The work is already underway, and we’ve seen examples of it.
While serving in a church plant in Dundee, Jonathan and Elizabeth longed to reach the people of Kirriemuir in Angus, 40 minutes’ drive from Dundee . Inspired by the vision of local Christians reaching the people around them, they began praying and inviting neighbours to join a Life Group. The group now helps people reconnect with God and out of that a Christian community is growing.
In Cheshire, Mike and Amy were inspired by the book of Acts and longed to see the Holy Spirit empower local people. Their ambition was to build a community where everyone could explore faith together. In January 2025, they launched an Alpha course and invited friends and neighbours to it. Their simple approach has already led to one young man’s baptism and others coming to faith.
During COVID, Danny and Kay started a group in their neighbourhood in Handforth As people found faith and were baptised, the group grew. After a period of transition, this little Christian community is now ready to explore how they can revive church locally. To this end, connecting with others across the UK who share their dreams and struggles has inspired them to pursue God’s next steps.
These are just three examples of how we’re supporting people as they invite God to bring new life to those who, on the face of it, have been left behind. Working together, what we’re coming to see is that God is unwilling to leave anyone behind.
We are able to give our time to this mission because we have a team of people that partner with us in prayer, encouragement and regular financial giving. To all of our partners we want to say a big “thank you!” We also want to say thank you to the Dignity team for their ongoing investment, love and support. What a great thing to be your friends on mission!