Posted on: 22nd September 2026

There were not enough chairs.

There were not enough chairs to sit on for the numbers of people who turned up to the Praise Gathering & Open Afternoon last Saturday afternoon at the Leeds City Mission (LCM) Hub located in Armley.

Dozens of supporters and friends from around Leeds and beyond attended this City Mission event.  It turned out to be an outstandingly successful afternoon.

Rain in the early morning of last Saturday was greeted with dismay by staff and volunteers at the City Mission.  However by late morning the rain had ceased - being replaced by warm sunshine.

Good use was made of the adjoining grassed area.  Volunteers set out tables and available chairs for visitors to sit and enjoy free food, drinks and ice-creams.

Halfway through the afternoon everyone enjoyed a time of worship together as well as listening to short reports about the work of City Mission staff and its evangelistic initiatives. 

They also heard about the latest LCM project which is linking with the Christian charity Book Aid.  LCM is becoming their collection point for the West Yorkshire area.  Book Aid sends second hand books and bibles around the world to partner bookshops and other institutions (eg bible colleges, church libraries, mission schools etc) as a distinctive mission activity. Over the last 35 years they have distributed nearly 35 million books.  Most of these are in countries where english is still the language medium of secondary education.  LCM have already despatched 250 boxes of books and bibles donated by believing people and churches in the Greater Leeds area in the early stages of this partnership.

Rev Bill Innis from New Testament Church of God brought a concluding devotional message.

City Mission Coordinator Andy Dalton said that many believing people who came to the Open Afternoon really appreciated the opportunity to catch up on news about City Mission work.  They found the bible message inspiring and also met with a wide range of people from different churches in Leeds. A total of 25 different churches from eleven denominational backgrounds were represented.

Andy Dalton concluded “The City Mission hopes to organise a similar event with an Advent theme in the christmas season.  These occasions are proving to be popular with the Christian public in the City.”

Leeds City Mission is a multi-church Christian agency which has brought gospel hope, practical help and effective outreach to generations of Leeds residents since 1837.  More details on 0113 345 3118

Accompanying photographs show (1) Leeds City Mission Hub in Armley (2) visitors sat around the tables on the adjoining grassed area to the LCM Hub (3) LCM Hub Manager Sinclair Martin speaking to a section of the visitors who gathered at the LCM Praise Gathering & Open Afternoon