Twenty one years ago, Simon and Beks Allen moved from Bedford to London to start the Jericho Road Project (JRP) here at King's Church London. We had always had a heart for the poor and vulnerable, but no leader had emerged from within to lead on this. We therefore asked Simon to come and pioneer a new work and help us fulfil our call to serve this part of our local community.Simon began with a clear vision: to alleviate poverty in this part of southeast London. The work of JRP is rooted in the declarations of Isaiah 61 proclaiming 'good news to the poor'. One of my favourite leadership quotes comes from Jim Collins, who states that 'overnight success takes twenty years'; when we look at JRP now, with the many ministries it incorporates, it is easy to forget that it started small. It was years before we acquired our first house. JRP began with The Feast, a weekly meal and drop-in service for local homeless and vulnerable people. This was initially held in the Salvation Army building in the centre of Catford, before finding its permanent home at the King's Catford venue. From such small beginnings, Simon laid a foundation which has served thousands of people in the borough of Lewisham and beyond. As well as The Feast, JRP has gone on to include a low support housing project, addiction support groups, mentoring and befriending, Feast Alpha groups, King's Christmas Trees and Big Red Box, a Christmas initiative which has provided thousands of food hampers for those in need.During the pandemic, Simon led our response to some of those in greatest need, transforming The Feast into a delivery service providing hundreds of hot meals week by week. It was a remarkable feat, involving numerous volunteers from both King's and the local community over many months. There is no doubt it was a lifeline to many during this very difficult period.Alongside his leadership of the JRP project, Simon has been at the heart of the remarkable journey King's has been on over the latest twenty years. He has made a lasting impact on hundreds of people who have become part of our church, particularly on our Catford site. Simon's capacity to serve the person in front of him will be one of my lasting memories. His compassion for people and his drive to seek justice for the vulnerable are standout features of his character and ministry among us.On Monday night this week, the four of us, Simon, Beks, Deb and I, enjoyed a meal together at one of our favourite local restaurants, La Pizzeria, next to Eros house in Catford - an appropriate location in the heart of the community Simon has served so well. It was an opportunity for us to say our personal thanks for their friendship, for the sense of family we've enjoyed as our kids have grown up together, and for the fruitful gospel partnership we have seen over these last two decades.Simon, on behalf of King's, thank you for serving God's Kingdom and His church so faithfully. We send you with our love and gratitude as you move to pioneer again at City Church in Bristol.As we send Simon, we welcome Judith, our new JRP manager, who has already picked up the baton. While God has called Simon on to a new venture, we remain committed to the gospel mandate to 'remember the poor' - here, in southeast London.
