Prayer and Spiritual Alignment
Unity often begins with prayer. Churches coming together in regular prayer gatherings, interceding for their city and seeking God’s guidance, fosters a shared spiritual alignment and a sense of common purpose.
Twenty years of church unity across Doncaster.
2004 – 2024
One Heart One Voice was founded on 23rd September 2004, when Ian & Alyson Mayer gathered Doncaster church leaders for a Leaders Day. Inspired by Romans 15 v5–7, the vision was to reach beyond the core Doncaster Ministers Prayer Fellowship and engage with Church leaders across the denominational spectrum.
The network grew and became the heartbeat of unity across Doncaster for twenty years — through City Celebrations, City Prayer, City Hope, Movement Day Doncaster and beyond — until passing the baton in 2024 to Passion for Doncaster.
What began with a small group gathering for prayer became a tapestry of networks, projects, celebrations and partnerships, each one a chapter in the bigger story of unity across our city.
“I love the mathematical definition of unity, ‘a quantity assuming the value of one’. There is a sense here of defining ‘quantity’ in the singular, rather than in the plural. Imagine the church across a locality choosing to be identified in the singular rather than the plural? Every denomination, every stream and flavour saying, we choose to be known as one. What would such a church look like? Are we brave enough to walk a path like this? Is it even a choice?”
— Ian Mayer
From the birth of One Heart One Voice in 2004, through the era of City Celebrations and Movement Day, on to the passing of the baton to Passion for Doncaster in 2024 — a timeline of the people, events and partnerships that shaped the journey.
Inspired during a Leaders Day on 23rd September 2004 and based on Romans 15 v5–7, the One Heart One Voice network is formed by Ian & Alyson to reach beyond the core prayer fellowship and engage Church leaders across the denominational spectrum.
Three large celebrations are held during the first year at Priory Place Methodist Church — on 27th March, 3rd July and 2nd October 2005 — with speakers from Bessacarr Evangelical Church, St Mary’s Wheatley and Mattersey Bible College. In 2007 the celebrations move to the Salvation Army at Lakeside, and continue at venues across Doncaster until 2017.
Launched as part of the growing portfolio of unity-driven projects across the city, focused on young people.
After struggling as an independently registered charity between 2003 and 2005, Mission Doncaster is rebranded and adopted as a project of The Jubilee Trust.
Two new initiatives are added to the unity portfolio — City Prayer in 2007 and City Hope in 2008 — deepening the rhythms of prayer and outreach across the Borough.
Mission Doncaster formally ceases to be registered as a charity and is re-registered as a working name of The Jubilee Trust.
A new programme launches at which Ian & Alyson present each leader in attendance with an Olympic-standard relay baton — symbolic of the generational race we are all called to run as we see God’s Kingdom grow across Doncaster. Between 2011 and 2018, over 30 Network Days serve hundreds of key leaders, growing to use venues such as The Point and The CAST in central Doncaster.
Alyson Mayer founds Manna Community CIC. Manna’s debut project, Light up Doncaster, features nativity scenes and contemporary Christmas artwork projected onto Doncaster Minster during advent — artwork produced by local Primary Schools and artists exploring “What does Christmas mean to you?” Read the full Manna story →
Churches across Doncaster unite in a single creative journey exploring the message of Easter. Led by Grace Harris, each church volunteers as a stopping point telling one of the sacrificial steps Jesus took — culminating in a unity service at Christchurch Doncaster on Sunday 3rd April 2016.
Leaders from around the world gather for three powerful days at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. One Heart One Voice is part of a UK group of over 100 leaders, sending a team of 7 (five of them millennial leaders) — coming away humbled, energised and inspired to see change in our city.
Movement Day UK is held in London, drawing over 1,000 leaders from across the country. A team from One Heart One Voice attends and helps to lead the event.
Ian & Alyson produce a declaration of unity for Doncaster:
We declare that Doncaster will be known as a city where the church is seen as one; a city known for its love, compassion and unity; a place where the love of God is outpoured through the church, the community and the marketplace. We pray for Godly leaders who will seek righteousness, peace and joy, to rise up within each area of our Borough; we declare that every soul in our Borough shall have the opportunity to hear the message of Jesus, and that His eternal message of hope will reign over our Borough.
The very first city-based Movement Day held in the UK. Continuing the conversation begun in New York, the day grows the global relationships started with the NYC Leadership team and brings together Church, Commercial, Civic and Community leaders to join the movement of unity in Doncaster.
The Doncaster Ministers Prayer Fellowship forms a new management group which takes over the governance (and finances) of Mission Doncaster from Jubilee. This group is constituted, with a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, and is formally launched at a United Celebration under the name One Heart One Voice. (The name Mission Doncaster ceases to be used.)
Following Movement Day Doncaster and the launch of their book Are We Brave Enough?, Ian & Alyson step aside from leadership of One Heart One Voice to focus on Catalyst — a stimulus for unity across the entire spectrum of place leadership (Church, Commercial, Civic, Community), creating contexts for connections, growth and transformation.
Worldshare invites church leaders from across Doncaster to a meal to discuss the next chapter of unity in the city. Leaders pray together and explore what mission would look like if it was done together.
Twenty churches come together at a city-wide celebration held at Powerhouse Doncaster for the official launch of Passion for Doncaster. (The name One Heart One Voice ceases to be used.) Worldshare continues to facilitate church leaders’ lunches and other unity events across Doncaster under the Passion for Doncaster banner.
Ian & Alyson continue to invest in the City of Doncaster through their Business, Civic and Community roles — pursuing the transformational agenda set during Movement Day Doncaster. Through The Jubilee Trust, this includes connecting strategic Christian leaders across Yorkshire, developing transformational community projects, working with civic leadership on community assets and societal agendas, and growing the wider Church, Commercial, Civic and Community connections that make city transformation possible.
Church unity within cities develops through a combination of spiritual, organisational and relational factors. Here are ten strategies and principles we’ve learned contribute to building unity that lasts.
Unity often begins with prayer. Churches coming together in regular prayer gatherings, interceding for their city and seeking God’s guidance, fosters a shared spiritual alignment and a sense of common purpose.
Key leaders from different churches and denominations play a crucial role. Citywide pastor networks and forums provide opportunities for leaders to build relationships, share resources, and work together on common goals.
Establishing a shared vision and core values creates common ground for churches to unite around — often focused on serving the community, spreading the Gospel and addressing social needs.
Joint worship services, evangelistic campaigns, community outreach and humanitarian projects facilitate collaboration and build trust — tangible opportunities for churches to demonstrate unity in action.
Non-profits, parachurch ministries and citywide alliances dedicated to promoting unity serve as catalysts for collaboration — providing resources, facilitating communication and coordinating joint initiatives.
Recognising and celebrating cultural and denominational diversity within the city is essential. Embracing diversity and learning from one another’s traditions enriches the collective experience of unity.
Addressing conflicts and promoting reconciliation is crucial for sustaining long-term unity — establishing processes for conflict resolution, fostering open dialogue and practising forgiveness.
Building relationships among church members and leaders through intentional gatherings, small groups and social events helps break down barriers and foster trust and camaraderie.
Collaborating on issues of social justice, advocacy and community development is a powerful way for churches to demonstrate their commitment to unity and make a positive impact on society.
Unity is a dynamic process that requires ongoing evaluation, adaptation and renewal — regularly assessing efforts, celebrating successes, addressing challenges, and remaining open to new opportunities.
The kingdom of God advances at the speed of relationships, and as leaders our role is to provide contexts for those who are connected with us to grow and flourish in unity with the wider church.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind … love your neighbour as yourself.”
Matthew 22:37–39The journey of unity across Doncaster continues. If you’d like to partner with us, find out about our current projects, or simply get in touch — we’d love to hear from you.