Each year we aim during Lent to raise money for a need arising out of mission overseas. Many such projects have been connected to one of our mission partners and have included cycles, vehicles, buildings and equipment. The money raised is never for personal support or for mission sending agencies, but always for a tangible practical need. Some projects have supported Christians living in difficult circumstances due to persecution. Our last one 2 years ago was for helping subsistence farmers affected by severe drought in Ethiopia to adopt new methods in order to farm more sustainably and become more resilient in a changing climate.

This year Ann, one of our longest serving mission partners, now working in Chad, has asked us for help for the little church she supports. They have started to construct a new church building but have insufficient funds for the roof.  She wrote for us:

According to church growth principles, a church is unlikely to grow much when the building is full. That is the reason that we have wanted to have a bigger building in Tuum town. Our current building is small and, on Sundays, often full. The congregation is small and building a new church is a very big task. The members are encouraged to give monthly as well as to special offerings from time to time. Thus, and with the help of a matching funds project, we were able to build the new building up to the eaves. It was an impressive effort. Now however, the next job is to put a roof on. This is important because it will protect the brick work from erosion. (It is built with a cement frame and bricks stuck together with earth). The roof, however, must be done all at the same time and not in stages as we could do for the foundations and walls. We have less than half the necessary £6,000 needed to complete the roof. Even though the builder and the supplier of materials will let us finish paying later, we don’t have enough to consider starting the project. Hence, we will be very glad if St Giles Lent project could help us get going. Having the roof on (even without windows and doors) will mean we can use the church for some activities as 9 months of the year, there is no rain.

New building with old, smaller building beside it.	Earlier stage of building from the office end. There will be an office for pastor and secretary/library and a store.

Let me give you some background to help you understand the situation where I work:  Tuum town, as we call it, is a small village in an area which is almost entirely Muslim. There are, however, people from further south in the country who have come to work there as civil servants, teachers, medical workers or manual workers. Some of these are Christians and they gathered around the Pastor who was sent there 20+ years ago as an evangelist. Thus, a small church was started. None of the members are local people and indeed the culture of the church is very different to how local people (Muslims) would approach God.

Africa Inland Mission, who I serve with, believes very strongly that we should be involved in encouraging the local church to reach out to others with the Gospel. Thus, I am currently heading up the women’s group (even while I am in UK because they could find nobody else to take over and they knew I will be returning.) A colleague also comes to the group and has started a small bible study with some of the ladies to help them know how to interpret the Bible. Two others are involved in a small Arabic bible study with a Chadian missionary and some local people. I attend elders’ meetings. All in all, we are well involved. The work is not easy because the population of southerners is not very stable since they are there for work and may be posted elsewhere or return to their families. Those who are teachers go back to their homes to farm for 3+ months in the rainy season.

Nevertheless, the church has grown in the 5 years since I went to Tuum town. The building is old and rather dilapidated and, as I have said, full in Sunday services. Although we would not attract local people who turn to Christ to come there, there are many southerners in the area who do not attend. It would be good to see the church continue growing in the number attending (as well as in depth of spirituality). This would be a witness to the local community of the strength of the Christian community as well as providing more to witness locally!

You can help by giving!

How can I give to the 2025 Lent Project ?

If you are a UK taxpayer St Giles Church is able to reclaim a further 25% of the value of your gift and any tax reclaim will be added to your donation. If you are able to Gift Aid your donation please ensure that you complete the necessary declarations.

If you have not previously completed a Gift Aid form you can download it here  and send it to the parish office.

There are three ways you can contribute financially to this year's project.

1 ) Cheques and cash

Donations by cash or cheque can be placed with the offering in Church, using one of the envelopes provided. If you are a UK tax payer please add a Gift Aid if you have not previously completed one to St. Giles.

Cheques made payable to ‘St Giles PCC - Lent Project’ can also be posted to the church office.  Please mark your envelope or enclose a note to clearly show the gift is intended for the 2025 Lent Project.

All money received via gift aid, is increased through a tax refund by 25% of the original donation and is included in the final sum we are able to give.

2) Giving online via MyChurchSuite

You can make a donation through ChurchSuite choosing the option Lent Project via the first drop-down menu:

Please follow this link:

3) Bank Transfer

If you wish to give this way please contact Serena in the Parish Office for details of the account.  Plese ensure you identify the money asfor  'Lent Project 2025' so that reference will appear on the church bank statement.

Need more information?

If you’re not sure about how to give or want more information about what happens to your gifts
then please email us:  or speak to our financial administrator Serena.

OUR LENT PROJECT FROM TWO YEARS AGO (2023)

Our 2023 project was with TEAR Fund in Ethiopia  - Building resilience, improving food security

The project we  supported was about increasing longer term food security. The input by Tearfund, delivered through local churches and over several years, always aims to leave a community better equipped to look after its own needs. This is holistic input leading to both material and spiritual development. For information on this ongoing situation see this link.

For a list of previous Lent Projects from 1979 to 2023 and the amounts raised please click here: