Streets Paved with Gold

'The history of London City Mission is remarkable . . . its dedication to urban mission was far ahead of its time. In some ways, we are just catching up to them. How is it possible for such a large agency to have stayed so steadfastly committed to its vision for so long? The simplicity of its mission may be its 'secret'. "The same person, going to the same people, regularly, to become their friend, for Jesus' sake." As it holds on to its core value of urban neighbour evangelism, it will continue to play a major, effective, strategic role in one of the three or four most influential urban centres in the world today'     Comment on the book by Dr. Tim Keller, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City

This is the story of men and women walking the poorest streets of London, getting their hands dirty as they reached out with practical help to people in need, with the message of the Gospel. From the days in which cholera ravaged the city, through two World Wars, a depression and countless influxes of poor refugees and immigrants London city Mission has carried out a truly extraordinary ministry.   This is not a dry history; the use of original sources does not allow for that. Since 1835 missionaries have kept daily journals, which provide countless vivid, street-level glimpses of the work.   Presently, about 20% of those serving with the Mission come from outside the United Kingdom. A huge range of nationalities and ethnic differences are represented in its ranks. Over 20 languages are spoken by missionaries, and several are converts from Islam and Hinduism, well equipped to understand the mind-set of those to whom they minister.