Recent news from across the Diocese of Leicester has brought some really encouraging stories to light, with a significant rise in baptisms and growing numbers of people coming to church, particularly from global majority heritage backgrounds.
But this growth hasn’t happened overnight. It reflects years of intentional work through one of the diocese’s key priorities, Intercultural Communities and the Intercultural Worshipping Community Project. And we’re now seeing the difference this has made in real, tangible ways.
At their heart, Intercultural Communities are churches that reflect the rich diversity of the communities they serve - places where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels they belong.
Across the Diocese of Leicester, this priority calls churches to move beyond simply being multicultural, where different groups coexist, to becoming truly intercultural - where relationships are built, cultures are shared, and faith is expressed together.
Jessie Tang, Diocesan Director of Intercultural Ministry, explains: “This vision is about people - about learning to truly see, hear, and value one another across our differences, and discovering how our shared faith can bring us together in deeper and more meaningful ways.”
She says: “That means worship that reflects multiple cultures and languages, leadership that represents the diversity of the congregation, discipleship shaped by different cultural experiences of faith and a deep commitment to hospitality, listening, and mutual transformation.”
The aim is not uniformity, but unity in Christ - recognising that each culture brings gifts that enrich the whole body of the Church.
The recent rise in baptisms across the diocese is a visible sign of this renewal. Many of those being baptised are people who have encountered Christianity for the first time through our intercultural expressions of church life.
Simple but intentional changes have made a significant impact on people, such as hearing prayers or songs in their own language, experiencing worship that connects with cultural identity and being invited into genuine relationships across cultural boundaries.
These practices have particularly connected with international students in Leicester, and those new to this country, many of whom have found not only faith but also community and belonging.
Across our churches, we have seen this vision taking shape in inspiring ways. Congregations are exploring how their worship, outreach, and community life can better reflect the people around them. They’re celebrating global festivals and shared meals, incorporating different languages in prayer and worship, creating spaces where stories, cultures and testimonies are shared, and building connections with local schools, universities and community groups.
Our IWC churches including St Paul’s Oadby, All Saints with Holy Trinity Loughborough, The Church of the Martyrs, and Hope Hamilton are great examples of this.
“These churches have grown into communities where everyone is seen, valued, and able to flourish in Christ,” says Michael Ravuri, Diocesan Intercultural Ministry Enabler.
Leicester is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the UK, and the Church is being called to reflect that reality more fully.
“We do not bring God to a culture; rather, God brings us to a culture.”
“We love this quote from theologian, Dr W Jay Moon,” says Michael. “This shifts the focus from doing mission to people, to discovering how God is already at work among them - and joining in.”
The growth in baptisms and participation is just a small celebration of our intercultural communities work. Funded by the national Church, the IWC project has had significant impact on the Diocese of Leicester over the last seven years. As well as growing intercultural worshipping populations, it has helped embed intercultural ministry into the life and culture of the diocese, reshaping worship, leadership, belonging, and mission. The project has positioned Leicester as a leading example of intercultural ministry in practice across the Church.
The long-term mission and legacy of the IWC Project is to see more intercultural leaders raised up, more new intercultural worshipping communities formed, a deeper unity across difference, and a whole Church that more fully reflects the global body of Christ.
As our diocese continues on this journey, there’s a lot to be thankful for - lives are being changed, communities are growing, and the gospel is being shared in fresh and meaningful ways.
Each of our churches, in their own setting, are encouraged to take steps towards becoming more intercultural. As we do this, we’re not just responding to the needs of our communities, we’re also discovering more of the richness of God’s kingdom along the way.
Intercultural Worshipping Communities Project Celebration
This weekend, on Saturday 13 June, everyone is warmly invited to a celebration and learning event marking seven years of the Intercultural Worshipping Communities Project in the Diocese of Leicester – exploring how churches can grow as places where people of different cultures and languages worship and belong together.
The day will include live intercultural worship, practical workshops, and a shared hot meal, alongside reflections on the journey of the project from its beginnings.
There will also be opportunities to ask questions and engage with those who have been involved in developing and leading intercultural churches.
Our aim is to create a space to share insights, experiences, and practical tools. During the event, we will launch a Legacy Handbook featuring key resources and stories, as well as commission a new Intercultural Network.
The event is taking place from 10am – 4.30pm, at St Martins House, Leicester, and is open to anyone—whether you are part of a church, exploring intercultural ministry, or simply curious.