Fifteen years ago, Stoke-on-Trent came 134th out of 134 places in a survey of the best places to live. Our friend Lloyd Cooke, a proud Potteries lad was distressed. “This happened on our watch”, he told the church leaders.

They started to run citywide prayer events to pray for change and improvement. They invited local politicians and civic leaders to work with them and gradually started to see change, whilst significantly strengthening church unity in the city. Alongside this they began to explore what input the church was making and found the work with the elderly was four times bigger than the work of Help the Aged. The churches work with children, young people and families was essential to the city. The church now has credibility and a shared responsibility for the good of Stoke-on-Trent. Alongside this Beacon House of Prayer act as watchers for the city, praying for Stoke, and people to come to Christ.

The Stoke story is mirrored across the country. In Bristol, churches have repented of the cities role in slavery, held large prayer gatherings and seen a very active Christian become their elected mayor. They have started to get prayer into every aspect of the city, because they believe Jesus is Lord of Bristol’s politics and arts, its business and its children and education, its health and its communities.

In Liverpool, the passion for the city is tangible with many people coming to Christ after concerted prayer for the city. This prayer has seen large drug imports exposed, a thousand Iranian and Iraqis come to Christ and the obtaining of justice for the 96 Hillsborough victims.

There are many more stories from across the UK. The whole Turning movement, which has seen thousands come to Christ, is based on working with places where the church is already praying and working together. God is shouting a very clear message to us – He cares about our place and He wants to redeem it. Whether it is the tiniest village or a thriving city, Jesus is building unity and a shared passion for mission.

On 6-7 October the Movement Day conference takes place in Westminster Central Hall. The national, denominational, and city leaders will proclaim this is the time for unity in the Church, for the Church to bring unity to the nation and for us to refresh our commitment to take the Gospel to the nations. The conference will be a launch pad for increased prayer and mission across our large towns and cities.

It joins a global movement. Houston, Texas is responding fast to the devastation that has hit them because the church has built strong supportive relationships.

Mumbai in India sees the churches working together to rescue and restore child slaves, outreach to the prison and prayer walk the boundaries of this 22 million strong city.

Lloyd Cooke has a deep and very obvious passion for Stoke-on-Trent. He loves his place, he has seen what can change when the church realises it is better working together than standing alone. We can follow Lloyd – praying with expectations for our place and working with others to bless it.

We will feedback from Movement Day but please keep it in your prayers and go to www.movementday.uk for more information.