Urban Hope

The Rev Kate Bottley visits a growing Christian community centred around The Message Trust in Wythenshawe, Manchester, to explore how prayer, faith and community are transforming lives.

At The Message Trust HQ on an industrial estate, Kate discovers a remarkable sacred space - a cabin in the car park dedicated to prayer and worship. Kate speaks to Danielle, who shares the vision that one day soon the space will be occupied with people praying 24 hours a day. She explains how prayer underpins everything they do as they strive to show the love of God through practical ways in the community.

Kate also talks to Andy Hawthorne, founder of The Message Trust, who emphasises the necessity of combining prayer with social justice to effect lasting change in communities, adding how he is constantly inspired by seeing people coming to faith. Kate then meets some of those local people whose lives have been profoundly transformed through faith.

With hymns from across the UK, including special acoustic worship songs recorded in that unique prayer cabin in the car park.

1. O For a Thousand Tongues - The Albert Hall, Nottingham
2. Who You Say I Am - Message Prayer Hut, Wythenshawe
3. God of Justice - Message Prayer Hut, Wythenshawe
4. Lord Thy Church on Earth Is Seeking - Chester Cathedral
5. Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble - Saint Wilfred, Bognor Regis, West Sussex
6. Strength Will Rise - St Elisabeth's Church, Reddish