Tim Pilkington Chief Executive of World Vision UK

Pilkington is chief executive of World Vision UK, overseeing strategy, direction and performance toward the organisation’s mission ‘to inspire the UK to take action that transforms the lives of the world’s poorest children’. Pilkington joined World Vision UK in 2013 as director of finance & risk and as company secretary, bringing together his skills, his Christian faith and his passion for making a difference in the lives of children. He lives near Cambridge with his wife, Gail, and two teenage children. He’s an active member of his local church and serves on the committee of his local youth initiative

There is much for us to shout about in terms of the difference the Church is making both here in the UK and abroad. I hope you’ll find The UK Church in Action incredibly helpful in this regard, as it highlights some of the amazing things that churches report actually doing. We may need to turn the volume up though, as this study also reveals that many outside of the Church remain relatively unaware of such an impact, either in their community or the world. In fact, perceptions about and even within the Church vary significantly. The insights from these pages will, I trust, serve as a valuable reference point for you, wherever you are engaged in mission.

We’re called, as part of the Church, to be God’s agents for change in this world At World Vision, our distinctive calling is to bring hope to vulnerable children as a sign of God’s unconditional love. They are living in some of the most difficult places in the world, experiencing poverty, conflict, violence and exploitation. We believe every child matters. We also believe we’re called, as part of the Church, to be God’s agents for change in this world. To achieve this, we partner with people of all faiths or no faith, providing help to all, regardless of faith. Right now, in thousands of communities, our local staff live and work alongside children and families to help change the world they live in for good.

Communities up and down the UK are full of Christ’s followers who also have a heart for those living in abject poverty and other heartbreaking circumstances at home and around the world. Church leaders are actively finding ways to meet the needs they see in their communities. The fact is that UK Christians are feeding the hungry, housing the homeless and providing much-needed companionship and friendship to the lonely. They are making a difference, locally and globally. Many see this mission as an integral part of Christian witness and discipleship.