A conference that focuses
on how congregations can
most appropriately receive
the gifts of God in the stranger.
God so loved the world
That means everyone
St Martin In The Bullring Birmingham
Wednesday June 3rd 2026
9.30 for 10 until 4
About this event
The foundational conviction of HeartEdge is that God gives us everything we need but we need to be willing to receive it in the form in which God sends it. Matthew 25 and Luke 10 show us some of the forms in which God sends it – and both refer explicitly to the stranger.
The conference will focus on how congregations can most appropriately receive the gifts of God in the stranger and how in particular they may respond to the Christian-influenced voices in this country expressing hostility to migrants today.
This HeartEdge event, headlined by Rt Revd. Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford and Revd Dr. Sam Wells, vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields provides an opportunity to consider how we might bring a vision of hope to the communities we are part of. The day will bring together a range of people leading us in practical on the ground workshops
In Sam’s book “A Nazareth Manifesto” presents an impassioned ecumenical proposal for re-envisioning Christianity’s approach to social engagement, shifting from working “for” people to being “with” them.
Join us as we come together to explore new ways of working within our communities. For some attendees, this event will also introduce the vision of the HeartEdge network: churches living out a theology of a God of abundance, focusing on the 4Cs of Compassion, Culture, Commerce, and Congregation. For existing HeartEdge practitioners, there will be a welcome chance to network with colleagues and form new connections.
The fee for the day will be £40 to include lunch and refreshments. And we will now offer the opportunity to bring an additional one person from your church for £10. But we don’t want these charges to be a barrier to people’s participation. Please contact us at heartedge@smitf.org if you need help with this cost.
Speakers:
The Right Reverend Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani
is Bishop of Chelmsford and previously served as the first Bishop of Loughborough, in the Diocese of Leicester, from 2017 to 2021. Guli arrived in this country as a refugee from Iran, aged 14.
She has a doctorate in theology and cross cultural mission, is the Church of England’s Lead Bishop for Housing and Chair of the Board of Church Army.
Guli has written extensively and, among other things, is the author of Cries for a Lost Homeland: Reflections on Jesus’ sayings from the cross and co-author, with Malcolm Guite, of Stations of the Resurrection: Encounters with the risen Christ.
Reverend Dr Sam Wells
is Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, a unique configuration of commercial, cultural, and charitable initiatives rooted in a vibrant congregational life.
He is also a widely known preacher, pastor, writer, broadcaster, and theologian.
He co-founded the HeartEdge movement and co-authored the Being With enquirers’ course.
He has served as a Church of England parish priest for 25 years – of which 10 years were spent in urban priority areas.
Organised by HeartEdge
HeartEdge’s mission is to help you discover what God is doing in your church and community and equip you to develop your plans to be a transforming presence for good Across the country, there are churches that are creating new ways of being church in a changing world.
They are churches at the heart of their communities, whilst being with those on the edge.
When scarcity could so easily dictate their thinking and their actions, what the leaders of these churches have in common is an effective innovation skillset, a shift to an abundance mindset, and a belief that God provides more than they need.
