St Martin’s HOTS in June reached a record so far this year. We had again a blessed time reaching out to passers-by with a wonderful team. The team was great in number and as usual in quality too. I’d like to start with this testimony a gentleman sent to me on his email: ‘Last Saturday I was in church at St Martin’s as usual, and my priest asked me to come especially the next day on Sunday as his sermon would be on baptism. I knew the HOTS team was outside on Edgbaston St so I went there for prayer.  Whilst outside chatting to two of the team members, one of them asked me ‘why don’t you just get baptised tomorrow.’ As I sat there I was holding a water bottle and I replied ‘ here’s some water why don’t you just use this…’ When she heard this she asked me to repeat what I had just said. I did, and she stepped back amazed as she said this situation was similar to something that happened in the Bible with Phillip and the Ethiopian. When

Hi, My name is Joy Cairns and I’ve just started working at St Martins as Community Lay Minister. I love travelling the world, swimming, Ballroom and Latin dancing  and watching American TV series! My husband and I moved to Birmingham 4 years ago having previously been studying at the University of Durham. Since living in Birmingham I have worked with many different people including those with substance abuse issues, mental health issues and those who are homeless, to name a few. I am passionate about caring and supporting those people who for whatever reason have had a hard life. I am looking forward to using my new role to show the love of God to the people of Birmingham and seeing what happens! Watch this space……   Photo by Nutmeg Designs – Flickr