July 2006 - Evangelicals Now - Christian Newspaper

Until the mid-1960s Canary Wharf was a warehouse storing exotic goods from the Canary Islands in Docklands, at the heart of one of the world’s largest and busiest ports.

But, by the end of the 1970s, all that was over — the docks had closed down and the area had become an urban wasteland. Proposals for regeneration of the area were derided by many and when, in 1988, foundation work began at Canary Wharf, it was widely assumed that whatever emerged on it was sure to become a white elephant. But things have turned out somewhat differently.

In 1991, the first tenants moved in and Canary Wharf is now one of Europe’s premier business districts. The iconic pyramid-topped main tower is the tallest in Britain at 244 metres and rises above an underground shopping mall which is the second largest within the M25. Canary Wharf now boasts a skyline that would not look out of place alongside that of Manhattan as more and more companies move to this prestigious location, home already to some 80,000 workers.

Vision for the area

But business developers were not the only ones who had a vision for the area. A large part of Canary Wharf lies in the parish of St. Anne’s, Limehouse, and as the number of daily commuters to the Wharf grew, so did the desire of local Christians to reach them with the gospel.

A Bible study began in a Wharf wine bar. As the ones and twos multiplied they moved to a pub; then to the multi-faith prayer-room on the estate. The work expanded as St. Helen’s, Bishopsgate, joined in gospel partnership with St. Anne’s to provide additional staffing for the ministry, but growth was hampered for want of a large enough and near enough venue that was affordable. Many years before, a former rector of St. Anne’s had had the idea of a church on a boat in Canary Wharf. In 2003, that dream became reality with the arrival of St. Peter’s Barge. The Dutch freight barge, bought and refitted in the Netherlands, financed by the generosity of Christians in commerce, sailed across under its own power, and is now permanently moored on West India Quay just five minutes’ walk from One Canada Square.

Gospel to the Wharf

The primary purpose of the Barge is to get the gospel of Jesus Christ out to as many as possible of the 80,000 workers in the Wharf. Every Wednesday lunch time there is a half-hour ‘service’ comprising a Bible reading and a 20-minute Bible-talk to which Christians are encouraged to bring their non-Christian colleagues. The Barge is laid out in cafŽ-style format with workers sitting around tables and served with free coffee.

Witness to workers

Although all true Christians in the Wharf will be members of local churches in the areas where they live, the fact remains that their most meaningful non-Christian relationships are probably in the workplace. The Barge exists to support these Christians in their witness to their colleagues who are unlikely to ever accompany them to their local churches, given that Wharf workers commute in from all over the South East of England. We are thankful to the Lord that this lunchtime ministry has now grown to about 100 on any given Wednesday spread across two services at 12.15 and 1.05 pm, but we are also keenly aware that when you are the only church in a town the size of Hemel Hempstead or High Wycombe there is no room for complacency.

To support Christians in their witness in the workplace the Barge also runs small group programmes. Eight single-sex Partnership Groups meet for an hour a week for Bible-study, prayer and discussion, at breakfast, lunchtime and early evening; and there are regular courses for those who want to explore the Christian claims. In addition to this weekly programme we lay on evangelistic events to which Christians can invite colleagues — a week of evening talks on ‘Ultimate Questions’ after a sit-down dinner; a seminar on contentment for women; a presentation on The Da Vinci Code; Jonathan Aitken giving his testimony; a high-profile Christian businessman speaking on ‘True Success’ at an early evening drinks reception.

Residential development

However, the commuters are not the only new arrivals in Docklands. The regeneration of the area has brought with it not just office towers but also extensive residential development, with many thousands of young professionals moving in to waterfront apartments. Property prices are soaring as E14 becomes the postcode to have, and all the more so now with the prospect of the 2012 Olympics and the further development of the area that will come with it. This is good news for the developers but also a gospel opportunity for the churches.

To reach out to these new professional residents the Barge launched a Sunday evening church 18 months ago. There are currently some 80 or so representing over a dozen nationalities coming on board each Sunday for the 6.00 pm service. With capacity on the Barge being only 110 seated it feels full even with current numbers, and so the plan is to move to 4.00 pm and 7.00 pm services in September to promote further growth.

Sometimes we wish the Barge were bigger, but any one congregation being restricted to 100 or so can actually be a benefit in that it promotes every-member ministry.

Lifeboat

That said, perhaps the Barge as lifeboat would be a better analogy. As we constantly remind ourselves, we are here for the salvation of the thousands of new Dockland residents who are materially wealthy but spiritually bankrupt. The Barge is ideally equipped to reach them. Many, who would never darken the doors of a church building because for them it has negative associations, would be prepared to come along to church on a boat. But first they need to find out that the Barge is here. Perhaps you could help us in spreading the word. Our website gives full details (www.stpetersbarge.org) and has all the talks given on the Barge available as audio files for free download. Most of all we would value your prayers.

Floating the church

Vision for the area

Gospel to the Wharf

Witness to workers

Residential development

Lifeboat

Marcus Nodder

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