Traditionally BMS traffic has been one way with regard to the UK. We have informed churches about our work and they have responded with generous funding. There has been an increasing sense within the BMS that there might be a unique contribution that BMS might be able to make within the UK mission scene. That will mean that BMS’ relationships within the United Kingdom will become two way. BMS have recognized that they need someone to coordinate their response to the United Kingdom. Hence the creation of the post of “United Kingdom Field Leader”, and my appointment to it.

As no one has done my job before it means that there are going to be two phases to the way my role develops:

• Learning, listening and creating the scope of the role.
• Setting direction and strategy for BMS response to its developing role within the UK.

So at the moment I am in the first phase:

• I am learning about the organisation, the work we do and what makes the organisation tick.
• I will be networking within our supporting churches, associations as well as other mission agencies working within the UK.
• I will also be developing the partnerships that are already in existence.