In a podcast to advertise the next Baptist Assembly, the Revd Joe Kapolyo, lead minister of Edmonton Baptist Church in London and a trustee of the Baptist Union of Great Britain said that Baptists had, along with Catholics, been able to keep their numbers relatively stable because of immigration.

However, there was now a drift by African Christians into their own communities, in part because of an 'uneasy welcome', and this had had the effect of lessening the cross cultural energy that had 'revitalised' cultures in the past. Both sides need to do better and try to cross cultural boundaries, Mr Kapolyo said.

'It is easier, much easier to set up an African church than it is to set up a church that includes white middle class, white working class and other people that come from other parts of the world.  There is a problem on both sides and that is where I would like to see people working.'

Also in the interview Mr Kapolyo, originally from Zambia, talks about what to learn and reject about African Christianity and what the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics this summer said about us spiritually as a nation. 

To listen to the podcast go to http://soundcloud.com/baptistassemblyuk/2013-baptist-assembly-guests

Joe Kapolyo will be speaking at the Baptist Assembly at the Norbreck Hotel, Blackpool (3-6 May 2013).