United Kingdom at a Glance

Birmingham is a diverse city, home to over 187 nationalities from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. As Europe's second largest city, it offers a global ministry opportunity and will steal your heart bite-by-bite with each curry, kofta, or doner kebab!

The scenes and cityscape of Birmingham are second to none. Its beautiful canals are more numerous than those of Venice. Villa Park, where Premier League football matches are played, is located in the outskirts of Birmingham. Some visitors may notice a low number of churches and faith-based ministry centers. This is due to Birmingham’s unique post-Christian culture. More churches and ministry centers are needed to provide services for the area’s many refugees and asylum-seekers.

Lifeline in the United Kingdom

Lifeline has recently expanded to the United Kingdom, living out the organization’s four main causes by meeting tangible needs amongst asylum seekers and refugees. In 2023 alone, over 80,000 people sought asylum in the UK, many of whom live on less than $10 per week. Some of the specific needs for people seeking asylum are: 

• counseling and practical care
• physical health outlets 
• food insecurity 

In the UK since fall 2023, Shane and McKenzie Robison have a vision to launch a community center in Birmingham, England, creating a place for the above needs to be met. A future Lifeline community center will seek to mobilize churches and businesses to grow God’s kingdom together. It will benefit from microbusinesses attached to the facility. 

The Robisons are gaining practical experience in the charity sector, investigating and learning about local opportunities and making connections as they build their vision for this future plan.

If you would like to get involved with the UK project, you can give today and/or reach out to Shane via email at shane.robison@lifeline.org.