25th Annual Tinsley Lecture

May 13, 2024

Placemaking in Challenging Neighbourhoods

Growing Seedbeds of shalom in difficult places

Dr Ash Barker has intentionally lived missionally for over 34 years in three places that face complex urban poverty (in Melbourne, Bangkok and Birmingham). A common quest has been how to discover, connect and release local community leadership and assets as a way for change to come from within local communities. Can the prophesy in Ezekiel 36:35 that 'former wastelands' can become 'gardens of our lord' come true in places facing poverty today? What can be the role and value of 'relocators', 'place makers' and 'churches' in local communities some consider wastelands? This lecture will share my insights and findings thorugh stories, scriptures and spiritual practices. 

Ash Barker will draw from his recently published book, No Wastelands.

About Ash Barker

Dr Ash Barker is the founder of Newbigin House, a Christian enterprise in Birmingham, UK, that includes a school of urban leadership, a local charity (Newbigin Community Trust), and several new inner-city congregations. Prior to that, Ash and his wife Anji founded and led Urban Neighbours of Hope (UNOH), living and serving on the front line of urban poverty for ten years in Melbourne and twelve years in a Bangkok slum.

Dr Barker is the author of nine books, including Risky Compassion, Make Poverty Personal, Slum Life Rising, and his new book No Wastelands.

Recently, Dr Barker launched Seedbeds, a program designed to equip people to discover, connect and release their unique potential to partner with and serve alongside their neighbours in local community renewal.

He has also founded the Surrender Conference, the International Society for Urban Mission, and Red Letter Christians UK.

Ash and Anji Barker, who directs the Newbigin Community Trust, are both United Reformed Church ministers serving together at the Lodge Road Community Church in Winson Green.

If you'd like to join us for the lecture please make sure to register below!

7pm arrival for a 7:30pm start to the lecture.

Supper will be served for those attending on-campus at our Sydney location.