Cannon Street is involved in missions in many ways at both local and worldwide levels. Like most Baptist churches we have strong links with BMS World Mission, supporting this financially, prayerfully and by hosting various visitors and speakers. In total, as a church we give away at least 10% of our annual income to a wide range of missions and charities.
We are proud to be long-term partners with Vinebranch International Ministries UK, and have been blessed to see coming to fruition the dream of Rev Desmond Gordon to build and develop a well-equipped Aids Orphanage in Zambia. As Christians we take our responsibility to promote justice at all levels seriously and in 2007 we hosted Rev Jesse Jackson who spoke as part of his Equanomics tour. Release International is another organisation close to our hearts. Supported by our prayer group, they have hosted events at our church.
Our congregation meets at the heart of the diverse community of Handsworth and we are at the forefront of the Good Friday Walk of Witness. This has become an annual event seeing Christians from a variety of denominations and traditions unite together to tell our neighbours the Good News at Easter.
We occasionally witness on the steps of our church on a Saturday afternoon. The shoppers are greeted with the word, testimonies, music and song. The inmates of Winson Green Prison are not forgotten. Members of our congregation are involved with the local prison ministry team.
Over the years, members of Cannon Street have been actively involved in Hands Outstretched, an inter-denominational Handsworth Schools Outreach which takes Assemblies predominantly in Infant and Junior Schools, presenting particularly the Christmas and Easter Stories, using Drama, Puppetry, Mime and Song. Hands Outstretched derives its name from a) Hands(worth); b) JESUS Hands Outstretched on the Cross; and c) the Team’s Hands Outstretched to the Children, Staff and Parents.
We host a number of local community meetings and support the local Food Bank by being a drop off point. We believe mission starts on our doorstep and try to support out local community when we can.