Caption : Pastor Lawrence Fagbayi, (2nd left) Pastor (Mrs) Victoria Fagbayi and other dignitaries at the event.
As part of its efforts to address inequalities that could pose threats to Thriving in a community,the GP Ministries recently held a 2-day Thriving Together Community Event in Luton
According to Pastor -in- charge Lawrence Fagbayi, the event was hosted to provide a family fun-day on a Saturday 6th September and seminar on Sunday 7th September 2025. The aim is to address stress related issues, well being and Community cohesion.
Pastor Fagbayi said further that the event success was helped by the suitable weather adding,” many people turned up for this impacting community event including the Deputy Mayor of Luton, Councillor Shahanara Naser.
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“I’m more than willing to avail myself to lay down my skills to help in the future,now that I know that this church passionately cares about putting up events that impact the welfare of their community” remarked one of the Christain women who came to the GP Ministries for the first time.
Background to the Event:
In many parts of the developed world, the relevance of a Church organisation is not measured merely by the size of their building or numerical strength of the congregation but by their local engagement and social responsibilities.
Luton as a town and local government recognised the extent of poverty in their town and the obvious link between this and some other concerns, including education and health inequalities.
Hence, in their conscious efforts to tackle this, the local government made it part of their five points 2040 vision to have a healthy, fair and sustainable town, where everyone can thrive, and no one has to live in poverty.
The citizens and different organisation were encouraged to play positive roles, and some monies were budgeted to facilitate the delivery of different projects in Luton. This funds was being managed by BLCF which after due diligence would disburse specified amount to those willing participants who met the set criteria in order to alleviate their financial burdens towards the delivery of the projects.
Since 2011 that The GP Ministries launched its popular Neighbours Together Community Festival in Luton, we have continued to serve as a Community Hub by providing a warm space for those affected by the Credit Crunch or financial hardship, Police Engagement Surgery, Reading Together, Warm Hub, Smoking Cessation, Coffee & Chat, just to mention a few.
Some of our programmes and events have won us different business and community recognition and awards including the Luton Best Awards for Community Cohesion in 2014.
Faces at the 2-day Event
In pursuit of The GP Ministries vision of reconciliation & restoration, and in partnership with Luton Borough Council towards achieving their 2040 vision, The GP Ministries aka The Gospel Pentecostal Church applied for the fund, met the criteria, and was selected to deliver our proposed projects themed thriving together in Luton.
Its well and good for the local government to aspire for their people to thrive but an African proverb in Yoruba says ajoje ko dun bi enikan ko ba ni which in English means communal eating is better where everyone has got something to put on the table and to eat.
