“I met Britney when she came to our church looking for somewhere to attend. We talked and exchanged phone numbers, and though she eventually chose to attend a different church, I continued reaching out to invite her to events we were hosting. She only came to about half of the things I invited her to, but we stayed in touch over the course of two years.
At the last event she attended, she told me, ‘I just want to thank you for approaching me that day at church and continuing to invite me to things. I don’t always respond to your invitations, but I want you to know that they have come at the perfect time on multiple occasions. Thank you for including me and not forgetting about me.’”
Rich and Rachel Hendrickson are Mesa Workers who moved to Birmingham, England, in 2022. They arrived with an awareness of the city’s posture toward Christianity—many people have an incomplete understanding of the gospel and, as a result, have rejected God. Yet they also came with a clear mission: to share the gospel, disciple believers, and help others discover the life-changing love of Christ.
In Birmingham, Rich and Rachel serve in a variety of capacities. They lead a youth team focused on helping local churches develop and sustain healthy youth ministries, meeting the needs of a population in which nearly 25% are under the age of 16. They also engage in ministries across the city, including women’s ministry, and outreaches among senior citizens and the unhoused. In addition, they are working to train and equip emerging leaders who will be sent out for long-term ministry.
Though their work is diverse, a common thread connects everything they do: hospitality. One day, while reading John 13:35—“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”—Rachel felt encouraged by the Lord to expand their ministry of hospitality. She and Rich sat down and made a list of events they could host in their home: craft nights, ballroom dance lessons, New Year’s Eve celebrations, birthday parties, dinners, Bible studies, and more. In that moment, they made a commitment to open their home to their community and share the love of Jesus with both believers and those who did not yet know Him.
Britney is just one example of someone impacted by the hospitality Rich and Rachel have extended in Birmingham. Rachel also tells the story of Chloe, a young girl from their daughter’s dance class who attended an Easter party at their home with her aunt and heard the Easter story for the first time. Witnessing this ecnouraged Chloe’s aunt, who then decided to return to church after ten years away. Rachel recalls Tim, a friend who grew up in a different religion and, after attending an event at the Hendrickson’s home for those who wanted to learn more about Jesus, accepted Christ a year later. The stories continue—people encountering the love of Christ in the comfortable, natural setting of the Hendrickson’s’ home, discovering a safe and loving space where they are welcomed with open arms.
For Rich and Rachel, hospitality has not just supported their ministry—it is their ministry. They came to Birmingham with a deep love for people and an understanding that many simply want to be included and invited in. Day by day, they are setting a table for the city of Birmingham—one where people are hearing the name of Jesus and experiencing the powerful invitation to truly know Him.
