Dr. Ash & Anji Barker

Dr. Ash and Anji Barker are urban ministers and pioneers based in Winson Green, Birmingham, cultivating seedbeds of hope in diverse communities. With over 35 years of marriage and ministry experience, they have worked across three continents, equipping local leaders and transforming urban neighborhoods. Born in Melbourne, Australia, they spent 12 years living and serving in Bangkok’s largest slum before relocating to Birmingham in 2014.

Ash is a shalom activist, author, and Pioneer Minister, leading Seedbeds, an initiative seeking the flourishing of local communities by releasing the unique potential of people and places into fullness of life. He also lectures at Nazarene Theological College (University of Manchester) and ministers with Lodge Road Community Church (URC) alongside Anji. Previously, Ash founded Urban Neighbours of Hope (1993-2014), which revitalized marginalized communities across Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand, and initiated Surrender Conferences, Urban Shalom Society, and Red Letter Christians UK.

Anji is a social worker, Pioneer Minister, and advocate for justice and discipleship. She leads URC Pioneers in the West Midlands, equipping grassroots leaders, and directs Seedbeds’ work in Myanmar, supporting change-makers in crisis-affected communities. Anji has previously led Newbigin Community Trust in Winson Green as well as Klong Toey Handicrafts in Bangkok. Anji co-leads Newbigin House, a hub for neighborhood renewal, and ministers with Lodge Road Community Church (URC).

Together, Ash and Anji live in community at Newbigin House and lead two URC congregations in Winson Green.

Seedbeds: Growing Hope from the Ground Up

At Seedbeds, we believe every person and place carries the seeds of God’s shalom. Our mission is to equip local leaders to release this transformative potential, cultivating peace, justice, and flourishing from the ground up.

Through programs like Change Makers, Pioneers, and the Seedbeds School for Shalom (in partnership with Nazarene Theological College, University of Manchester), we walk alongside leaders, helping them discover, connect, and cultivate the gifts already present in their communities. The result? People empowered. Places transformed. Communities growing hope. From its roots in Winson Green, Birmingham, Seedbeds now works across the UK, Ukraine, Myanmar, and Australia, equipping local leaders to see renewal emerge from within.

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