Author: Editor

For the first time in three years a collaborative Christmas Concert organised by the churches of Ilford is to take place in Ilford Town Centre.  The event that was driven by the passion of  Pastor Andrew Willis of Ilford High Road whose desire for a joining-up of local churches during one of the most important Christian events in the calendar, led him to have a discussion with Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association and chief organiser of Redbridge Easter Parade. The two of them set a date for the event for the 16th December, which is the…

Nissar Hussain is a Pakistan Christian convert from Islam, initially hitting national headlines for his incorrigible stand for Christ in 2005. Born and raised in Birmingham, England, Nissar first came to hear of Christianity, upon the imparting of a New Gideon New Testament Bible by a school peer; aged 15. Covert readings in the confines of his bedroom, Nissar was convicted by the profound truth of the Gospel and consequently accepted Jesus as his Lord and personal Saviour. However, he was forced to return to Islam once family members discovered his new-found faith and fell away from Christian fellowship; yet…

The lack of solutions for women involved in domestic violence has triggered an Ilford based charity to initiate a free counselling service. When a local Pakistani Christian woman from Ilford sought assistance from local police after alcohol induced violence became a regular pattern in her family home, she learned that her efforts to create a safe and stable environment for their children began a unfortunate domino effect that resulted in more anguish for their fragile family. After experiencing escalated violence, which was not present during the early first years of their marriage, the woman felt she had no choice but to…

In recent months BPCA has been alarmed by failures by the Pak-Government to resolve gravely highlighted apostasy practice that is causing hurt, financial loss and flaunts the vaunted international freedoms of Article 18 of the UN Human Rights Convention for which Pakistan is a signatory. Evidence of this bias has emerged through the innocuous process of applying for a passport and ‘National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis’ (NICOP) card by Nissar Hussain and his family ,who have bravely openly declared adherence to the Christian faith despite the threat of death and persecution that such actions inherently illicit. Nissar Hussain, a…

A Baptist Pastor in Ilford has been jumping with joy over the exciting prospect that faces him over the next few days. Ilford High Road Baptist Church (IHRBC) which was the first free church in Ilford celebrates its 216th anniversary on Sunday. Ian Morris the church archivist described the history of the church, he said: “High Road as a church is 216 years old, the fellowship itself is a little older going back to 1796 when a  few men from London engaged two small rooms for nonconformist worship. “Two years later the fellowship meet in Mr Pratt’s front room and it…

A mother stranded in Thailand with three children is calling for immediate assistance from the UNHCR and Thai Government who she believes is responsible for her husbands death. Ijaz Patras Masih a detainee with a known heart condition died on 27th May 2017 after he was put through a strenuous exercise routine with other inmate at the brutal Immigration Detention Centre (IDC), in Bangkok. His physical capacity to cope with any form of exertion was massively diminished as IDC staff refused to allow him access to medicine and failed to ensure he received the regular medical assessments, that his condition…

Some images have been lost in the transfer of our website in 2021 after our previous website provider Adobe Business Catalyst terminated their business. Pakistani Christians took to the streets to mourn the loss of a Christian man killed whilst in police custody in a Lahore prison on 13th August 2017 – one day before the nations independence day celebrations. Christian activists are declaring independence has created a nation with double standards in politics, law and everyday life -one in which Christians are at best second-class Citizens. Indaryas Ghulam (RIP) Indaryas Ghulam RIP (38 yrs) a victim of circumstance was…

Hundreds of people attended a ‘Party in the Park’ at South Park, Ilford that brought diverse people together during a day of fun, food and fellowship. The event which was held from 12pm – 3pm on Sunday 23rd July 2017,was organised by Ilford High Road Baptist Church based on the Corner of Green Lane and the High Road in Ilford.  Their main aim was to connect with local people and share the relevance of the Christian Gospel in modern times. During the 3 hour event local people were treated to sports such as football, and Swingball with anyone welcome to…

A statement or a government debate about what is being done to tackle crimes motivated by anti-apostasy was called for by MP Martyn Day in UK Parliament on 20th May 2017. in his question, Mr Day asked: “Many individuals who convert their religion or renounce faith altogether can be ostracized by sections of their community and even from family members, making them more vulnerable to hate crime. Can we therefore have a statement or a debate in government time, regarding what is being done to tackle anti-apostasy.” In what was an extremely positive response Andrea Leadsom, Leader of the House. said:…

Newly ordained Shahriar Ashrafkorasani and Wilson Chowdhry Last Saturday I was pleasantly surprised to find two Pakistani Christians being ordained within the Church of England at Blackburn Cathedral. My reason for the visit to the north of England was to meet my friend Shahriar Ashrafkorasani a convert from Islam who graduated from  Wycliffe College at Oxford University and was also ordained at Saturday’s ceremony.  He will soon be taking up a curacy in Preston. The ceremony was presided over by the Bishop of Blackburn, Julian Henderson and Rev’d Dr Rosalyn Murphy of St Thomas Church in Blackpool led the sermon.…