What’s been happening?
- Some years ago Panahpur Charitable Trust (PCT), owner of the property at 20-26 Aberdeen Park, which Foreign Missions Club (FMC) had been occupying since 1953, decided to sell it. After lengthy negotiations a purchase price of £3.5m was agreed.
- PCT generously offered to include in the purchase price additional properties which FMC had been maintaining and managing for a good number of years as affordable accommodation for missionaries and other Christian workers.
- FMC sold the part of the main premises known as the Garden Flat, which had been occupied by several previous managers and also by missionary families who required more extended stays.
- As a result of sales, along with contributions from FMC’s own resources, and donations received through the fund-raising appeal, £2.4m has been raised. In order to cover the shortfall of £1.1m, FMC has taken out a mortgage which will involve monthly interest payments and an eventual repayment of the capital sum borrowed.
- At the conclusion of all these negotiations, FMC is finally the legal owner of 20-26 Aberdeen Park, and for this we give God thanks and pledge ourselves to continue serving the worldwide Christian community to the best of our ability
What are our plans now?
- In the first place we want to continue our much appreciated ministry to missionaries and Christian workers who need affordable accommodation in central London. This ministry has continued uninterrupted for 114 years.
- In addition, we want to serve the growing number of present and prospective church leaders from all over the world who need to spend time in London for conferences, training courses and missionary planning. Langham Partnership International already use the premises for such purposes, and Houghton College from New York State, whose students have been coming to FMC for 11 years, have the personnel, resources and expertise to bring students from developing countries for training courses in London.
- As funds become available, we want to improve our facilities to meet such growing needs. This will include the provisional installation of a lift, a gradual programme of en-suiting more rooms and eventually the construction of a new teaching centre on what is currently the tennis court.
- In view of this expansion of our ministry, the new name of The Highbury Centre has been adopted, but to maintain continuity with the past and indicate the nature of future ministries, it will be known for the time being as The Highbury Centre (home of the Foreign Missions Club and the Centre for Global Christian Leadership).
How can you help?
- Pray for us: the staff, the trustees and all our guests. Pray that we will always remember that “unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain.”
- If you feel thankful for the ministry of The Highbury Centre, let us know. We have had some heart-warming messages along with donations from present and former guests, and these are a great encouragement in what is for us a very daunting task.
- We welcome your donations, large or small, since we still have a large amount to raise in repayment of our loan. Click Donations below to find out more.
- If you have personal knowledge of any trusts or churches, which would sympathise with our aims and be willing to give grants or donations, please let us know.
- Spread the word among your friends and acquaintances that although preference is always given to missionaries and Christian workers, others are very welcome to stay here when there are vacancies. Even though reduced rates are only available for full-time Christian workers, the prices are very competitive for central London, and most guests greatly appreciate the quiet conservation area and the welcoming Christian atmosphere.
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