JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2019 THE MAGAZINE OF THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE

GOD IS WITH US Keynote Speakers: Bill Johnson & Graham Cooke

7 themed tracks every afternoon at #ELA201 with 50 European speakers/practitioners

Tim & Sue Eldridge Co-Hosts of ELA Venue: Bradford Life Centre Campus Dates: 29-31 July 2019 Book: www.ela2019.org WWW.EAUK.ORG

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Membership queries and updates [email protected] Advertising Candy O’Donovan 2 Not as expected [email protected] In the mix God exceeds our wildest expectations, Keynote Speakers: Bill Johnson & Graham Cooke 07966 539777 Design n 21 November says Dr Anna Robbins Darren Southworth Christians from S2 Design & Advertising Ltd around the UK 4 Inside out 020 7093 1978 Five ways to bolster your Christian walk came together for Evangelical Alliance with prayer, by Fred Drummond leadership team the celebration of Steve Clifford, the One People Commission, an 6 United we stand in Christ general director O On the One People Commission’s fifth initiative launched by the Evangelical Alliance in Peter Lynas, anniversary, Chrishanthy Sathiyaraj 2012 to help believers from different cultural and director of Northern Ireland renews the group’s calls for unity amid Fred Drummond, ethnic backgrounds celebrate diversity while director of prayer and diversity Scotland promoting unity so that God’s will Dr David Landrum, for our country comes to pass. 12 Rescue and set free director of advocacy The remarkable celebration How can the church help stop drugs Gavin Calver, wrecking lives? director of mission demonstrated how God is with us, Emrys Jones, working wonders, in and through our director of finance and 15 God, where are you? operations unity. Some of the highlights from the Do we need a break to realise that God Jo Frost, evening and the OPC’s story so far is with us? asks Abigail Meeke director of communications are on pages 6 to 10. and membership A broken education system This event was just one of many 16 Evangelical Alliance offices Tim Morfin calls on local churches to help Head office encouraging stories I have heard in vulnerable children stay in school 176 Copenhagen Street recent weeks. South Asian Forum, which strives to London N1 0ST share Jesus, mainly among South Asians, released 20 Unhooked tel 020 7520 3830 Combatting drug addiction – a church Simply Eat, a coffee table book that [Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm] leader’s story fax 020 7520 3850 boasts scores of stories on how God [email protected] has reconciled humanity to Himself 22 Persecuted but not abandoned Northern Ireland and deepened His relationship Open Doors urges the UK church to get First Floor behind persecuted Christians Ravenhill House with people through food-centred 105 Ravenhill Road fellowship (p. 30). 25 The fabric of fashion Belfast BT6 8DR Then there’s the exciting progress 7 themed tracks every afternoon tel 028 9073 9079 Let’s be clothed in Christ, says fashion at #ELA201 with 50 European [email protected] that is being made by Transforming chief, Simon Ward MBE Wales Lives for Good, as it takes Jesus, love 20 High Street personified, into the lives of children 26 Senior servants speakers/practitioners We shouldn’t write off old people, Cardiff CF10 1PT who, sadly, suffer because the education system tel 029 2022 9822 says Carl Knightly [email protected] often struggles to remedy the implications of a

Scotland fractured home life (p. 16). Meeting Jesus at the 100 Borron Street As ever, there’s much more 30 dinner table Blair Court, Suite D besides, and we hope that as you Manoj Raithatha explores the possibilities Glasgow G4 9XE of food-centred fellowship with Simply tel 0141 353 0150 get ready for Christmas, you will be Eat [email protected] encouraged and inspired when you The Evangelical Alliance. A read these incredible accounts of company limited by guarantee. 32 God is at work Registered in England and Wales challenge and triumph, as God Steve Clifford reminds us that our God No. 123448. Registered Charity is with us. cannot be boxed in No. England and Wales: 212325, Scotland: SC040576. Registered Merry Christmas. Office: 176 Copenhagen Street, Tim & Sue Eldridge Co-Hosts of ELA London, N1 0ST Naomi Osinnowo Venue: Bradford Life Centre Campus Editor Dates: 29-31 July 2019 Book: www.ela2019.org JAN / FEB 2019 01 THEOLOGY

NOT AS

God is with us and will exceed our wildest expectations, says expectedDr Anna Robbins, vice-president, Acadia Divinity College. ave you ever received a large to the Father, this wasn’t quite what they package in the post, and expected. They had been through a roller- opened it with excitement, Obedience coaster of emotions and experiences. Their only to discover that there to God’s ways expectations of death and life had been was a box, inside a box, inside means pausing turned completely upside down. Yet, they yet another box, and simply too much still didn’t get it. Like us, they were slow to H to listen to packaging for the small and unimpressive understand that God’s purposes don’t work item it contained? You were expecting a God’s voice. according to our wants and desires. big surprise but were disappointed with The exhilaration of encountering Jesus something much less than you were alive after they lost all hope gives way to counting on. another round of bitter disappointment. “How ‘Not as expected’ often means that the thinking you’d rather be at home in bed can you go away? You’ve just come back to reality turns out to be less than one’s hopes. with a book. You pushed yourself to go, us – don’t leave!” No wonder they stood for Maybe you ordered a cake, organised on a cold wet evening, and it ended up so long, looking into the sky (Acts 1:11). “Wow... an event, or bought an item, only to be being one of the best nights of your life. You that’s not what we expected. What now?” All disappointed by its diminutive size and expected something dull and uninteresting, they can do is wait. diminished appearance. But sometimes, an and you got something that surpassed all The coming of the Holy Spirit is not experience ‘not as expected’ can be positive. expectations. what His disciples expect at all. As Jesus is Maybe you’ve gone to an event, When Jesus left His disciples, to ascend wrapping things up for His departure, they

02 JAN / FEB 2019 The exhilaration of encountering Jesus are consumed with concerns for an earthly alive after they lost of the Holy Spirit? Perhaps it means for us kingdom, and Jesus establishing His throne all hope gives way to the same thing as it did for the disciples. It in Jerusalem. They love this idea, especially means we are sent on a mission that we did since it means they might get to rule with another round of bitter not expect or ask for, but we are not without Him. You know, just a little golden throne on disappointment. help. It means that the purposes for our lives the side. They thought something big was are redefined in Christ, and we’re about His coming; their expectations were high. eternal work and not simply our temporal “Lord, is this the time when you will expectations or desires. restore the kingdom to Israel?” they asked by the much more demanding mission of the The Holy Spirit does some mighty Him (Acts 1:6). (The author Luke gives a kingdom of God. spiritual work, as He seals us for redemption horrific reminder of what comes from putting What it means for God to be with us by (Ephesians 1:13) and advocates for us before your agenda, your expectations, ahead His Holy Spirit is not always what we expect the Father (1 John 2:1). These are good gifts. of God’s reality when He tells us what either. We may have come to think of the But the Holy Spirit is real and present in the happened to Judas.) Holy Spirit as our cosmic Santa Claus, doling grit and spit of messy life, too. Hard times The promise was made: it’s not for you out blessings at our request, or even at our come, and when they do, it’s the Holy Spirit to know about dates and times, Jesus said. command. We take authority over the Spirit who comforts and convicts, draws us into “But you will receive power when the Holy as though we can somehow tell God what community, renews our peace and restores Spirit has come upon you; and you will be to do. our hope. my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and When things don’t go as we expect, The Holy Spirit enables us to sing in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts and God doesn’t do what we expect, we the dark of the prison and hold the hand of 1:8). In other words, Jesus was reorienting sometimes question our faith or turn away the dying child. He shouts when we aren’t their expectations away from their desires, from God. In a world largely shaped by listening, and whispers when we are afraid. towards God’s purposes. human ingenuity, we have reduced God’s He enables us to speak truth to lies, and Jesus’ disciples were about to discover role in our lives to one of Provider – but only to cry justice to exploitation. He shows us that their grief over the absence of Jesus the provider of things we cannot provide for how things really are. They are not what we beside them would be overcome by the ourselves. He is only in charge when things expect. presence of Jesus within them, through are out of our control; and even then, we The Holy Spirit draws out the lines of our them, and around them. They would now be expect Him to respond to our expressed lives as Christians, just as much as Jesus bound to the Father, to Jesus, and to one desires. Christ determined the path of His disciples. another with a closeness and commitment Yet, throughout scripture, from beginning We can refuse to understand that ‘God with they could not have imagined. The Spirit to end, one thing is clear: all authority us’ means rewriting our expectations of would give them power in proclamation belongs to God alone. He will be who He God and ourselves. Or we can surrender (Acts 2:14-41); discernment in decision- will be; He is absolutely free and self- and have our lives caught up in a purpose making (Acts 16:6); comfort in community determining, yet consistent with His character that is greater than anything we could ask (Acts 2:42-47); hope for healing (Acts 3:1-10); of holy love. We cannot tell Him what to do. or imagine. It doesn’t mean that it will be and peace in persecution (Acts 7:55). They And He will often do things that we do not, easy, or that it will come with flowers. But it needed these things because, ultimately, and cannot, understand. comes with the promise of the presence of their kingdom expectations of comfort and What does it matter then, to say that Christ Himself. The Holy Spirit is God with us. privilege had to disappear and be replaced God is with us in the person and presence Beyond our wildest expectations.

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JAN / FEB 2019 03 PRAYER

Fred Drummond, director of prayer and Scotland, Evangelical Alliance, reveals his prayer techniques to draw near to God as he lives out his faith.

INSIDEhave been a follower of Jesus for more also embrace silence, waiting and listening. than 30 years. Throughout most of that OUTHow else will we find out what is on God’s time I have regarded prayer as vital to As we set our heart if we never give the space to hear Him? my Christian life. However, recognising something is important and giving it a hearts and minds So, I always pray with a Bible and a Ipriority place are two different things. towards Him, we can notebook and ask God, what are you I identify with Richard Foster in his book be overwhelmed with saying? Prayer, when he wrote: “We believe prayer adoration. is something we should do, even something we want to do; but it seems as if a chasm 2. Being full of praise stands between us and actually praying.” When we begin to focus on the character So, here I share practices that I have to make space to listen, to put my own and work of God through Jesus, we can be found helpful as I have grown in intimacy concerns aside for a while and listen for the filled with praise and adoration, because He with Jesus – practices that have helped thoughts, feelings and passions of my wife. is a holy, mighty gracious and loving God, shape me as a believer and kept me in the I believe it can be the same with our who lavishes love upon us. As we set our presence of God as I go about my life. prayer lives. Sometimes we talk way too hearts and minds towards Him, we can be much. Then, when we have gone through overwhelmed with adoration. I do not believe 1. Being relational our list of concerns, we say a quick ‘amen’ we can separate praise and prayer. I also Sometimes I talk too much. I have been and get on with our lives. believe praise touches the heart of God. married for more than 30 years to a woman That is no way to build a deep and I love this image, again from Foster: of great patience. One of the things I have meaningful relationship. Of course, we need “Our God is not made of stone; His heart learned over these years is that it pays to share our hearts, but we would do well to is sensitive and tender of all…a cup of cold

04 JAN / FEB 2019 water is enough to put tears in the eyes of 5. Being bold God. Like a proud mother who is thrilled Prayer is the When Jesus taught on prayer, He said that to receive a wilted bouquet of dandelions oxygen of our faith. we should pray that the kingdom should from her child, so God celebrates our feeble It is the heartbeat come and the will of God should be done expressions of gratitude.” of our journey with on earth as it is in heaven. That is a prayer of We cannot praise too much – it is our Jesus. faith. It is a bold statement that the rule of the destiny to be a people of praise. King would come. It is clearly missional, that the justice, mercy, love and power of King So, even when things are going Jesus may advance. terribly, I always start any time of I know that in my community and in prayer with praise and adoration So, I keep it real so that I can live each my nation, Scotland, there is brokenness. – it is the context for life. day in the blessed relationship that Despair haunts the streets and the gods of Jesus died to give me. this world hold many captives. Therefore, my prayer has to be big and bold, because it is 3. Being honest in the name of a big and bold God. So, I pray From early in my Christian life I attended 4. Being biblical as I drive through my neighbourhood, as I sit prayer meetings. They have been some of I use the Bible in my prayer life regularly. in a café. I pray for my neighbours and for my the sweetest times with Jesus, but on other There are some amazing prayers to read church. I pray for our world and the injustice occasions they have left me so frustrated. I and reflect on. I use and meditate on the in it, and for all who are persecuted, broken used to think I had to pretend that everything Psalms a lot. I also sometimes just try and and homeless. I pray with as much faith as I was going great, even when it wasn’t, and think through the prayers of Nehemiah, Paul have because I believe God is able. that I had to learn a whole different language and so many others. Every emotion, pain and I ask God to do what only He can do and of big religious words to pray properly. I joy are contained in the words of the Bible. snap the chains of oppression and bring His sometimes carried that mindset into my Times of deep despair and doubt alongside healing, His redemptive love. Prayer is the wider prayer life. moments of revelation and victory. oxygen of our faith. It is the heartbeat of our Then I realised that what God wanted A way to deepen our prayer life, so that journey with Jesus. We don’t always get it was for me to be real before Him. I mess we become more aware of the presence right, but as we spend time in the presence up. I get impatient. I am passionate about of God in our day-to-day life, is to open our of Jesus, we grow in deeper intimacy with lots of things. I have been known to moan hearts to the word of God, reflect upon it, Him, building a relationship of love that sees about stuff. I sin. And the list goes on, and use it, imagine the situations – get soaked in miracles happen. INSIDE yet God loves me. His Spirit is changing me, scripture. OUT but He meets me as I am in Christ, and He is So, I pray boldly. interested in every detail of my life. Isn’t that So, I allow God to speak through His so amazing? The God of glory is interested in word by using it in my prayers. every detail of my life, success and failure – high and low.

“While the rest of the world was turning its back on my dad... the most significant thing that I could do was hold my dad’s hand through it all.” – excerpt from Tim’s story

Visit eauk.org/trans for new Transformed resources on transgender

JAN / FEB 2019 05 UNITY

WE UnitedSTAND IN CHRIST Ethnic strife tore apart two communities in my home country, so I know the importance of unity, says Chrishanthy Sathiyaraj, pastor and member of the One People Commission.

lmost three decades of civil I still remember the humble beginnings war in Sri Lanka created and how my husband, Jonathan Eden and a huge chasm between I encourage us to Christina Balasingham would knock on Sinhalese and Tamils, two be bold and stretch the doors of people’s homes in Southall, ethnic groups. The war, beyond our traditions share the gospel, and work among the UK’s Awhich started in the early ‘80s, forced growing Tamil community. many Tamils and Sinhalese to the UK or and circles so that we Southall Tamil Church (STC) was elsewhere, where they sought asylum, can embrace one birthed out of this mission work, but God a place of safety. Rev TMI Sathiyaraj, my another. had a bigger plan. The evangelism led to husband, was called and sponsored to a Sinhalese person accepting Jesus as move to the UK in 1994, to work as a their saviour and joining the church. This missionary among the Tamils. marked major progress, as it was ethnic strife

06 JAN / FEB 2019 between these two groups that led to the civil war in Sri Lanka. So, to meet the needs of both groups, we established a bilingual service in Tamil and Sinhala, making STC the first Tamil-Sinhala church in Europe. This gradual bridge-building between the two groups was not without its challenges. When there was a clash among the communities in Sri Lanka, it was reflected in the church. Members of the congregation had different ideas and would demand two different services. People left the church. My husband and I, Tamils serving the new If we stand Sinhala Christian community, received death today, it’s because threats from both communities. of the pure grace It became difficult for us to share of God. Unity the gospel, because there were still isn’t easy! many people who didn’t like to see both communities in one room. And most of our congregants were new Christians, which meant the journey had only begun for said it wouldn’t work out. But we’re still going them. Yet, to this day we praise God for His strong. Our church testifies that God is with marvellous work. Back home these groups of Jesus did make a way for us to worship us when we are united. fought, but the love together, in spite of the tests and trials, and But God didn’t stop there; He had a still in the midst of tests and trials. bigger plan. God wanted us to reach out United If we stand today, it’s because and connect with Christians in the wider of the pure grace of God. Unity community, and He made this possible isn’t easy! It requires vision through the One People Commission and effort. We had to make (OPC), for which I am grateful. When Steve big changes. To start Clifford, general director of the Evangelical with, we changed the Alliance, and Rev Yemi Adedeji, director of name of the church the OPC, invited me to join this unique unity to Bethany Church movement, which encourages believers (which upset the around the UK to see beyond cultural or majority of the ethnic differences and work together to Tamil community). make Jesus known, how could I not jump on Then, we had all board? the worship songs In 2012 the OPC became a platform with translated into lots of bridges for Christians from different three languages: ethnic and cultural backgrounds to respond English, Tamil and to Jesus’ call to live out the unity in Him that Sinhala. Again, when He died for us to have. Even now, this is we stood for God’s will, difficult. The UK is incredibly diverse, with everybody wasn’t happy. people from all over the world, who may, Members left the church and like my husband and I, have witnessed or

JAN / FEB 2019 07 MAF uses planes to transform the lives of the world’s most isolated people, bringing help and hope to those in need.

BRAND NEW FEET

Imanya was only six months old when she accidentally crawled into the burning fireplace, burning her feet so severely the hospital could do nothing to save them. But, with the help of a kind teacher and an MAF plane, Imanya got brand new prosthetic feet and learnt to walk! To hear more inspirational stories like Imanya’s, request a speaker for your church or group this year.

Request a speaker www.maf-uk.org/idea

MAF UK Castle House, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent CT20 2TQ Scotland Office 29 Canal Street, Glasgow G4 0AD T 01303 850950 E [email protected] www.maf-uk.org MAF UK @flying4life @MAFUK MAFUKFILM Registered charity in England and Wales (1064598) and in Scotland (SC039107) ® Registered trademark 3026860, 3026908, 3026915

18-244 Idea (297x210) - New Feet.indd 1 23/11/2018 11:57 MAF uses planes to transform the lives of the world’s most isolated people, bringing help and hope to those in need.

known of war over differences. So, the OPC pushes us all BRAND to challenge and renew our thinking, embrace one another and our differences, and share our culture, insight and spiritual gifts, for the sake of the church and the wider NEW FEET world. As the OPC celebrates its anniversary, I praise God and take my hat off to Steve, Yemi, and the great leaders around them, for carrying out God’s great plan for Christian unity in the UK. The OPC has been a great blessing to me and many others, and I hope more churches come to not be proud, but be willing to associate with know about it and join us. For when we are people of low position. Do not be conceited.” together, we are stronger and better. And, I urge us to forgive one another, as most of all, God is with us. harbouring unforgiveness weighs us down Unity is a practice. When we talk about and hinders our ability to work together Imanya was only six months old when she accidentally crawled into the burning celebrating diversity while promoting unity, to make Jesus known. Colossians 3:13-14 fireplace, burning her feet so severely the hospital could do nothing to save them. it’s as much between countries as it is The OPC has reads: “Bear with each other and forgive one between men and women, and different another if any of you has a grievance against been a great But, with the help of a kind teacher and an MAF plane, Imanya got brand new languages, tribes, casts and statuses. God someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. is delighted when we are united: “After this blessing to me and And over all these virtues put on love, which prosthetic feet and learnt to walk! To hear more inspirational stories like Imanya’s, I looked, and there before me was a great many others. binds them all together in perfect unity.” request a speaker for your church or group this year. multitude that no one could count, from Additionally, let’s respect one another, every nation, tribe, people and language, showing appreciation for our brothers and standing before the throne and before the sisters in Christ always. Philippians 2:3 reads: Request a speaker Lamb. They were wearing white robes and “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain were holding palm branches in their hands” conceit. Rather, in humility value others (Revelation 7:9). above yourselves.” Lastly, I implore us to www.maf-uk.org/idea I believe there are some key steps that take every effort to build our relationship and we can take to live in a unified way amid do it for show, as if we’re performing on a not be a people who are too busy to do this our diversity. I encourage us to be bold and stage; let’s be genuine, allowing our unity to most important thing. Ephesians 4:3 reads: stretch beyond our traditions and circles so be part of our very existence. Romans 12:16 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the MAF UK Castle House, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent CT20 2TQ Scotland Office 29 Canal Street, Glasgow G4 0AD that we can embrace one another. Let us not reads: “Live in harmony with one another. Do Spirit through the bond of peace.” T 01303 850950 E [email protected] www.maf-uk.org MAF UK @flying4life @MAFUK MAFUKFILM Registered charity in England and Wales (1064598) and in Scotland (SC039107) JAN / FEB 2019 09 ® Registered trademark 3026860, 3026908, 3026915

18-244 Idea (297x210) - New Feet.indd 1 23/11/2018 11:57 The OPC’s STORY so far

The Evangelical Alliance council was challenged by Bishop Wilton Powell and Pastor Agu Irukwu on unity across ethnic divides.

A national gathering of church leaders at Jesus House agreed to establish a commission.

One People Commission (OPC) was established and Rev Canon Yemi Adedeji was appointed director.

Christian leaders from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East and South America became part of the OPC and a young adult forum of leaders in their 20s and 30s was set up. The OPC launched a landmark piece of research regarding UK young adults’ experiences and concerns on church and faith entitled Building Tomorrow’s Church Today. Dr Tani Omideyi, an OPC leader, became the first black and ethnic minority chair of the Evangelical Alliance board.

Evangelical Alliance general director Steve Clifford and Rev Yemi Adedeji led joint presentations at both the Movement Day Conference at Westminster Central Hall and the Spring Harvest Festival, Hundreds of Christians from around the as a model of unity for the church. UK, including church leaders and heads of Christians charities, came together in London to celebrate the OPC’s journey so far and look to God in preparation for an even brighter future.

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REE EA ad 210x297 LAUNCH 2019 v3.indd 1 11/30/18 12:37 PM ADVOCACY

As the church continues to break the chains of drug addiction in the lives of many, the Evangelical Alliance’s advocacy team shares what’s being done and what more Christians can do.

Rescue AND SET FREE s the 70 of us gathered at St We also heard about the power of George’s Church in Leeds for Many Christian community to break the chains of addiction, the annual UK conference of ministries work in this such as the work of Betel which plants the International Substance area in the UK, and the churches for people seeking to be free of Abuse and Addiction need is great. addiction. They live together, work together ACoalition (ISAAC), courage and unity filled and worship together, supporting each the building. ISAAC represents Christian other in their recovery. The success of this organisations working with those who model can be seen in the leaders of Betel’s suffer from substance abuse or addiction. part of the conference was the testimony of many communities worldwide, who have There were also organisations there that two men whose lives had been transformed themselves been freed from addiction and focus on prevention, from Yeldall Manor by the work of Lighthouse Yorkshire. Both had come to know Jesus through the ministry and Jubilee Plus to Hope UK and Christians been homeless and used drugs after difficult they now lead. Betel’s ministry is a wonderful Against Poverty. life experiences. Through the outreach of illustration of the freedom for which There was a sense of awe in the room, Lighthouse, they were drawn to The Crypt at Christians pray and advocate in society. both by the amount of work still to do in this St George’s Church, where they not only were For more on this, please read our What area and by what these various organisations freed from their addictions but also went on to kind of society? resource, which has further manage to achieve. Perhaps the most powerful accept Christ and start a completely new life. information on Betel (eauk.org/wkos).

12 JAN / FEB 2019 The church is not able Christian intervention policies that protect the most vulnerable All these stories exemplify how Christians to perform this role in its and recognise moral concerns beyond offer a unique ministry to those with own strength, but only maximising individual freedom. addictions. While other organisations can because it is the way also help people to get off drugs, Christians God has chosen to act More than policy offer a whole new life in Christ and freedom in the world. But this question is not simply a matter of from the underlying factors that cause finding the right government policies to dependency on drugs. Many Christian address the problem. Above all, the church ministries work in this area in the UK, and the is called to be the community in which and need is great. In one year, 2016-17, 136,352 through which God works in the lives of drug offences were recorded in England Christians dealing with this in the family and those dealing with addiction. We see this and Wales, and this no doubt represents in schools need our prayers. In an effort in different ways – from the prison chaplain only a fraction of all those caught up in such to understand how Christian youth were giving hope in Clyde’s story (see page 20), addiction. affected by drugs compared to the general to the work of St George’s Crypt, to Christian The Evangelical Alliance has responded population, the ECOD put out a survey at teachers and youth workers focusing on in the past to the great damage that drugs Spring Harvest that polled around 8,000 prevention more than cure (see page 16). can cause in our society. In 1987 it created young people from ages 12 to 30. Its findings We see it in larger ministries like Betel, the Evangelical Coalition on Drugs (ECOD) were shockingly similar to that of secular which focus primarily on addiction, but also in response to rising numbers of people in studies and “revealed the church’s drug in the local church, which may offer a hand the UK being exposed to and affected by problem”. of support and walk with someone who drugs, while government policies merely In 2001 the ECOD passed over its struggles in this area. focused on ‘harm reduction’ rather than work to ISAAC. And from the recent The church is not able to perform this dealing with the issue at its roots. In addition, conference, Christian work in this area is still role in its own strength, but only because it is there was concern that the church was going strong. What motivates evangelical the way God has chosen to act in the world. failing to provide vital long-term support to Christians to engage with such a difficult The church is the body of Christ: Christ’s drug and alcohol users, so the Evangelical set of problems as addiction? Some find hands and feet and the conduit of God’s Alliance started the ECOD as an umbrella it surprising that issues such as gambling, presence by the Holy Spirit. The hope that organisation to support those working in the alcohol and illegal drugs are key areas of this presence of God brings to the darkest area of drug and alcohol addiction, and to advocacy for evangelical Christians, as of situations is set out by Dr Anna Robbins encourage more Christians to get involved. represented by the Evangelical Alliance. We in our theology piece (page 2). She writes: The ECOD was involved in several work on these issues with the recognition, “The Holy Spirit enables us to sing in the projects, from policy work to providing reinforced by the experience of those in dark of the prison and hold the hand of educational resources. On policy, in 1992 our poorest communities, that addiction the dying child. He shouts when we aren’t it campaigned against the legalisation of has a disproportionate impact on the most listening, and whispers when we are afraid. cannabis by writing for different publications vulnerable. He enables us to speak truth to lies, and and lobbying MEPs before a vote in the But as the ECOD’s survey noted, those to cry justice to exploitation. He shows us European Parliament, where the motion who struggle with such things are not only how things really are. They are not what we to legalise cannabis was voted down. ministered to by our churches but are also expect.” The debate about legalising certain drugs part of our churches. These are reasons Part of this unexpectedness of God’s has not gone away since that time. As for enough for Christians and churches to be work can be seen when those who struggle education, the Drug-free Schools initiative concerned about addiction. So, when we with addiction are rescued and set free was another large project undertaken by engage with government on this issue, as from it. This perhaps lies behind the words the ECOD. It provided a range of attractive the Evangelical Alliance we are giving a of missionary C.T. Studd, often cited as an and user-friendly materials alongside a wider voice to the concerns of our members. inspiration to addiction ministries. He wrote: promotional video and magazine articles for When it came to gambling, this engagement “Some want to live within the sound of young people, parents, and youth leaders was prompted by member churches that church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue promoting a drug-free lifestyle. were concerned with the liberalisation of the shop, within a yard of hell.” In ministries As the Government revises its guidance gambling law and what that meant for their across the UK, the church remains that on age-appropriate health education, communities. As with legal substances such rescue shop from the living hell of addiction, this discussion remains vital even today. as alcohol, and with illegal drugs, we want even to this day.

JAN / FEB 2019 13 So, what can Christians do to support these different ministries? We’ll leave you with three suggestions:

The organisations mentioned in this article are engaged in a tremendously difficult field. While they see great miracles and wonderful testimonies, they also face great difficulties in PRAY the issues they deal with, and need our prayers each day, both for those who work in this area and for those they support. Consider praying regularly for one of the organisations we have highlighted here, either individually or as a local church or small group.

1 Find out if any of the ministries mentioned above are active in your local area, or if any churches are working with those recovering from addiction. Why not ask one of them to LEARN speak at your own church, particularly if they are working nearby?

2 As the issues of drug addiction and policy responses are debated in Parliament, the Evangelical Alliance will seek to be a voice for the vulnerable in these debates. Keep STAY informed about our advocacy and public policy work on this and other issues by TUNED subscribing to our updates at www.eauk.org/stay-in-the-loop

3 By the Evangelical Alliance’s John Coleby, public policy researcher, and Kaiya Huleatt, advocacy team assistant

Join us in April at Harrogate, Minehead or Skegness for an unforgettable break. Spring Harvest is a holiday, festival, conference and encounter with God. Be inspired and equipped with fantastic teaching and Spirit-led worship. Enjoy Bible teaching, workshops, seminars, children’s and youth programmes, #WhenYouPray fantastic facilities and more.

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HARROGATE SKEGNESS Simon Ponsonby Pete Greig Anna Robbins Harrogate Skegness and Minehead Two 40 Minehead One YEARS Find out more at 1979-2019 springharvest.org Minehead One Minehead Two Harrogate Skegness 9-13 April 13-18 April 13-17 April 15-19 April

14 JAN / FEB 2019 DAILY LIFE

WHEREGOD ARE YOU? Do we need ‘time out’ to realise that God is with us? asks Abigail Meeke, a writer at Nicholaston House.

aybe it even with Jesus has resulted in many receiving stopped me healing and restoration in spirit, soul and burning out. I didn’t Time out is where our body. These stories of healing here are both realise how much I everyday stresses, intense and numerous. needed time away, anxieties, worries and The Rev Rob Hingley, who leads themed “Mto stop and be with my Father.” This is illnesses meet calm, retreats at Nicholaston House, shares, “Our the type of candid confession from many gracious God is ever present in His world, believers who, at times staring directly prayerful solutions. always longing to communicate His love down into the abyss, make time out a and guidance with us human beings, the consistent feature in their calendar so that high point of His creation. However, He has they can rejuvenate from what sometimes given us freedom of choice and respects our seems like a daily slog. a little more bearable. When the scenery independence. Usually He waits for us to try When Jesus died for us, He didn’t say dramatically changes to that of the glistening to contact Him. life was going to be a ‘bed of roses’. Nor did ocean, mountain views or even our comfty “And, even when we want a relationship He whisk us away to our eternal home. So, sofa, the mind starts to relax. with God, we often find ourselves absorbed as much as we have Him with us, fighting our God said He’ll never leave nor forsake with the details of our own individual lives corner, keeping us strong, the commitments, us, so we don’t necessarily have to get and all that is going on around us. Today challenges and, even, excitement of daily away to realise He is with us. But, time out the immediate preoccupations of daily living life can take their toll, sometimes hindering does allow our everyday stresses, anxieties, are greater than ever. Alongside this, many our ability to see the wood from the trees, worries and illnesses to meet calm, prayerful struggle with difficult human relationships, or notice God’s small voice or gentle touch solutions. For many, taking a break also past hurts or the pain of loneliness in a busy amid the busyness and noise. leads to an advancement and deepening world. So, when the noise, crowds and smoggy of their Christian faith. Erik and Mary Fok, “We do need a quieter balance for roadworks of a city start to fade out as who together lead Breakfast on the Beach healthy living, and to find space to receive we get closer to our place of retreat, be Encounter Weekends at Nicholaston House, what God wants to share with us. Time out it a Christian retreat centre, holiday or a testify that the focus of allowing the Holy offers this; it is a place to soothe tired souls weekend indoors, the load starts to feel Spirit to lead people to a fresh encounter and be open to God.”

JAN / FEB 2019 15 SPOTLIGHT

Vulnerable children are falling through the cracks in the education system and they need the church’s help, Tim Morfin, Transforming Lives for Good founder, tells Naomi Osinnowo.

A BROKEN EDUCATION SYSTEM 16 JAN / FEB 2019 t quickly became apparent during our Why is the church sharing in one-hour conversation that Tim’s heart It’s exciting to see the the responsibility to provide for children, which he clearly had when way that God is stirring education? he founded Transforming Lives for Good up His church to bring Matthew 19:14 reads: “Let the little children (TLG) almost 20 years ago, burns with come to me, and do not hinder them, for Jesus and His love and Ithe same degree of passion today. So, it the kingdom belongs to such as these.” comes as no surprise that the 2018 winner compassion to these We’ve got to see that whilst our instinct might of the Change Maker of the Year award is children and families. be other challenges and people, Jesus committed to sharing with fellow Christians said the kingdom belongs to children; He how God is transforming the lives of has elevated their importance. So, we ask children who desperately need to know ourselves, what would Jesus’ response be to that they are loved. a child who is alone? lack of money and food, and life was typically TLG is enabling the church to respond What does TLG do? chaotic. As a result, he found school difficult. to some of the most significant incidents Our team of trained church-based volunteers When Lewis was 15, we became of social injustice of our time. The scale carry Jesus into the lives of children who aware that he wasn’t going to school, so of vulnerable children who are faced with struggle with school owing to the tough we spoke with his school and staff agreed school exclusion and holiday hunger is circumstances they face. The common to allow our volunteers to help him in his epidemic – exclusion and hunger are scenario we come across is the breakdown education, to encourage him back into growing faster than ever before. of family life: mum and dad no longer living school. We connected his whole family into in the same house. The impact on a child is the wider support of the church, as part of How bad are conditions for vast, and their sense of safety and wellbeing the assistance we offered. Gradually, he the most vulnerable children is jeopardised. reengaged with school life, sat some exams, around the UK? So, in collaboration with schools and and went on to get a job. Lewis’ school said, The stats are shocking. More than four local churches, we run three programmes: “We’ve got so many youngsters like him,” million children are growing up in relative education centres for teenagers who are and asked how we could help. TLG was poverty – up 100,000 in the last year. One in excluded from school; an early intervention born. We will have been going 20 years next three parents on a low income skip meals to programme that supports pupils who are year. feed their children during the school breaks, at risk of being excluded by offering them God has taken us on an amazing journey making 13 weeks of holidays a massive contact time (an hour a week); and our Make over the past 19 years, from helping just burden on families – children and their Lunch scheme, which provides food for one young person in Bradford to a network families are going hungry! Over the past 12 children who go hungry during the school of education centres in partnership with months, 422,910 exclusions have been given holidays. churches across the country, and we have to children in secondary school, which affect Our programmes build and support helped thousands of children and their more than 200,000 different children across children’s emotional wellbeing, helping them families to date. Today, each of our education the UK. to stay connected to school and home life, centres is registered and inspected by The social injustice is heart-wrenching. which is the beginning of a relationship with Ofsted. Schools make a referral to a local Poor children are four times more likely a family that enables us to introduce them to church for a package of support. The church to be excluded. The system should make their local church. will then assign trained church-based adjustments for those who face the biggest volunteers, who (for the Early Intervention challenges at home, because they have What motivated you to programme, for example) go into schools to huge additional needs, but the opposite is EDUCATION set up TLG? meet with pupils for an hour a week. They true. Those who are identified as having TLG began when I was a volunteer at a spend that hour supporting the children specific needs are nine times more likely to church in Bradford, West Yorkshire. We through some of the issues and challenges be excluded. How can that be fair and just? opened a youth club and a crowd of local they face, and make a connection with home, Add to this, 25,765 primary aged children young people came. There I met 12-year- which helps to foster better relationships have been excluded from school in England old Lewis, who lived with his mum, her between the family and the school. The alone, an increase of 11 per cent in a year. boyfriend and his siblings in a small house volunteer also introduces the family to the Children who struggle in primary school are SYSTEM on a council estate, where there was often a local church. much more likely to become excluded from JAN / FEB 2019 17 Your gift today could help five children like Sesan see the wonder of God’s creation. Help unlock extra funds for more cataract surgeries.

Dear Idea reader, Life with severe cataracts has not been easy for five- How it works year-old Sesan. Unable to see, this bright boy has been unable to play with friends, help at home and go to school. 1 For every £95 you give... Education is the key to employment, a way out of poverty. Perhaps the most heart-breaking thing about children like …our funding partner Sesan, living in Africa, is that their sight could be so easily 2 unlocks another £380, restored. Cataract surgery to restore sight can take just 45 enabling FOUR MORE minutes, but many families in poor countries cannot afford sight-saving treatments. the £95 cost of surgery. So their children have no choice but to live in darkness. A gift of £95 can help 3 more children like... You can change that with a gift to CBM right now. For a limited time, a kind funding partner has pledged to unlock £4 for every £1 you give. This means that if you can give £95 for one child’s surgery today, five children could have their sight restored.

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Yes, I want to unlock funds to help FIVE TIMES more blind children like Sesan Increase the value I will give: £95 My choice amount of: ______of your gift by 25% I enclose a cheque/postal order/CAF voucher made out to CBM or If you are a UK taxpayer and if Please debit my Visa/Mastercard/Maestro Card/CAF Card you tick the Gift Aid box when you make a donation, HMRC Card holder’s name: will add an extra 25p for every pound you donate. Card number: Expiry date: M M / Y Y I want to Gift Aid my donation 3-digit Cardholder’s and any donations I make in the security number: signature: Date: / / future or have made in the past 4 years to Christian Blind Mission. I Title: First Name: Surname: am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax or Address: Capitals Gains Tax than the amount Postcode: of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my We’d love to keep you informed about our life-changing work and how you can responsibility to pay any difference. support it by making a donation. By giving your email address or phone number We will need your name and below you give CBM UK consent to contact you using these methods: address to claim the additional 25% of your donation from Phone: Email: Gift Aid. We like to contact our supporters with postal fundraising messages and updates from the projects we support. If you do NOT want to receive such messages from CBM UK in the future please contact us on 01223 484700 or email [email protected]. You can update your contact preferences or unsubscribe Call 0800 567 7000 to at any time. You can view our privacy policy at www.cbmuk.org.uk/privacy make your donation Please return this form to: Freepost Plus RSKK-HXAX-CYGZ, CBM, today. THANK YOU. Oakington Business Park, Dry Drayton Road, Oakington, Cambridge CB24 3DQ A1810PR-WT02

In the event of there being insufficient funds to carry out a project, or in the event of a surplus arising on a project, any unspent funds will be used wherever the need is greatest. and Wales under 1058162 Scotland SC041101 Registered in England school. And the lasting effects fair share of relationship trauma, are real: two thirds of the prison is rejected again. Relationship population were excluded from is the key to children’s wellbeing. school, and so were 88 per cent of Therefore, our message to offenders. government and the system is: no This issue is enormous, it’s growing, child should be excluded! and it discriminates against people who need the most help. Whose story stands out to you the most? Why is now a good time for the Ten-year-old Ruby had frequent meltdowns church to step in and be part at the thought of leaving year 6 for of the solution? 200+ secondary school, so her mum, Emma, got in There are great teachers doing a fantastic touch with us. Through our Early Intervention job, and we admire the difference they’re schools programme, a volunteer from the local making to the lives of children. Unfortunately, use TLG’s church, Jo, helped Ruby transition to year 7 though, a system that was designed to successfully. Ruby started secondary school support integration isn’t working. Take pupil Early Intervention and has so far done brilliantly. She was made referral units, for example: these centres have programme a prefect in her first year. become a destination for children, who end What’s more, we introduced Emma, a up outside mainstream education for years. via 118 local single parent, to her local church – a place Public resources are scarce, but there’s churches of support, where the family can go and still a choice about where we spend the enjoy adventure weekends, ‘together time’, money. In times of austerity, often it is the and hear God’s heart for family and His love prevention and enrichment that is the first to 50+ new for us. After accepting Christ, Emma shared: go. We see this as a golden opportunity for “I knew God was saying, ‘I have a plan for the local church to serve struggling children churches signed you; Emma you are going to be alright.’ The and their parents and to connect with a depression and anxiety were lifted from me. school. It’s a three-way partnership: church, up to a TLG It was as if a great weight had been taken off school, home. And the amazing difference my shoulders.” that the church is making is saving the programme country a lot of money. How can more local in the last year churches help? How do you make the There’s need everywhere, because families government aware of the and children struggle everywhere. Wherever cracks that TLG is seeing 183 churches there’s a church and a school, there’s an in the education system? use all three opportunity for a TLG programme to make We speak to the government and the media a difference. It’s exciting to see the way that about the plights of the most vulnerable TLG programmes God is stirring up His church to bring Jesus children in our country. We challenge a and His love and compassion to these system that accepts exclusion. When it children and families. We are seeing more comes to excluding a child, MPs talk about than a church a week signing up to a TLG protecting the needs of other pupils. But, programme, to be trained and equipped to even if an education setting isn’t right for a serve struggling children in their community. child, the word exclusion denotes rejection. Of course, the more churches that work with So, the child, who has likely already us, the more children and families we can experienced rejection, and has had their help, so we encourage you to find our more.

JAN / FEB 2019 19 CHURCH LIFE

HOOKED Church leader Clyde Thomas was miraculously freed from drug addiction and now Unhelps those who are where he once was.

was hooked on heroin and cocaine When I was 15 I started to smoke and committing crimes when I was in cannabis and, after getting in with the wrong my teens. It’s not that I didn’t have a When I was 15 I started crowd, I quickly progressed to harder drugs. good start in life, a stable home. Quite to smoke cannabis With this came recurring spells in prison. the opposite. I grew up in Leamington Sadly, being behind bars didn’t help me to and, after getting in ISpa, in the midlands, in a good home, with turnaround my life. Nothing worked. Nothing parents who took me to church. But, I went with the wrong crowd, gave me the kick up the backside that I to church out of a sense of duty rather than I quickly progressed to needed to change. I hit rock bottom when I for any meaningful reason. By the time I harder drugs. was in Bournemouth and ended up in prison was around 10 years old, I stopped going again, but this time in Dorchester. I knew that to church on Sundays and played football this was the end for me. instead. This time in prison was different,

20 JAN / FEB 2019 I guess it was a though. After I couple of weeks ‘inside’, godsend that the programme for people who live in recovery. the prison chaplain passed me a message chaplain gave me Then there’s Phase 3 Supported Housing, from my family, who I hadn’t spoken with a Gideon Bible and which helps those who are well enough for a year. He told me that a friend of mine to live in their own homes. We’ve also had committed suicide. On hearing the prayed for me. recently opened a new support centre for news, I broke down, realising how frail life girls in Bridgend. (Visit hopecm.co.uk and is. Withdrawing from drugs, I felt sorry for victorychurch.co.uk to find out more about myself. our projects.) I guess it was a godsend that the So far, we’ve helped 27 people back chaplain gave me a Gideon Bible and people and glory to God. into full-time work, and have seen others prayed for me. In my cell, where I was So, a third of the work we do as a go on to study at Bible college, or live with alone, I read it. I read about Jesus and His church is with people who are recovering their family, drug- and alcohol-free. These miracles, and these accounts challenged from addiction. Through my journey, God success stories are testament of God being me. I remember looking out of the window at has shown me that many people who have with us, moving into our neighbourhoods and a world with no hope, where no-one could signed up to Christian rehab have fallen flat getting involved in communities, around real help me, and thinking: if these stories are on their faces because they didn’t have the people. Jesus did the same when He was on true, maybe it could happen to me. support afterwards. What typically happens is earth; He connected with people and their I continued to read. Psalm 40:1-4, which that those undergoing rehabilitation are put lives. Because of Him, we get to carry God’s begins with “I waited patiently for the Lord; in a ‘goldfish bowl’, where everything is fine, presence to a broken world. What greater He turned to me and heard my cry”, stood and moved around different churches, where privilege do we have than this? out to me; and as I continued to read, God they can’t put down roots. But, once they’re began to minister to me. At that point I knew, taken out, they can’t swim, and they don’t Kingdom come so I gave my life to Christ and believed that I have the structure to help them. We live in a fallen world and may often look would never take drugs again and that God We use a different model. We plant them to the government, arguing about policies had a plan for me. in a single church, so that when they are and politics, to try to bring about change. Was it all plain sailing from there? Of going through their recovery, they’ve got But whatever government we have, it’s the course not. I was in Christian rehab for the support network that they need. We run government of heaven and earth that needs two years, and I had to slowly rebuild three services, which range from high to low to get involved. When we as the church of relationships with family members, which support, to take people from the streets to a Christ take the love of God into devastating wasn’t easy, and reintegrate into society, with place of Christian flourishing where there’s circumstances in the right way, we engage a criminal record. But my life did gradually hope. Celebrate Recovery is our connection with all the great work that is being done out turnaround over the years, as God continued point, through which people from all walks there, by Christians and others. to work in me. I completed Bible college in of life gather in a confidential environment Having a Christian at the table shows 2008, got married, and was called to serve and get support with their addictions. Hope that the work we do is actually making a at Victory Church, in Wales, which I now lead. Center Ministries is a residential support difference in the lives of real people. People who aren’t Christian, who have seen what Time to give back God does through us, can’t argue with His There are so many people in the UK who are grace and support. It’s a witness to the world. addicted to drugs and/or alcohol, who are I encourage us, then, to focus on desperate with no hope. Cwmbran, where my There are so many the truth that the love of God has been church is based, is surrounded by Newport people in the UK who shed abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5), and the Valleys, places that have a high are addicted to drugs empowering us to make a difference through percentage of people who are struggling to and/or alcohol, who the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, get work, people who are in debt, people with as we are on co-mission with Him. Are we addiction, generations of alcoholics. To the are desperate with no carrying the presence of God into our world? natural eyes, it’s a bleak picture, like a valley hope. And are we doing God justice? of dry bones (Ezekiel 37). But we believe, as ministers of God, a priesthood, that we can all Clyde Thomas spoke to the editor, speak life into our communities, bring hope to Naomi Osinnowo.

JAN / FEB 2019 21 GLOBAL

As Christians around the world are killed, tortured and ostracised for their faith, Open Doors’ communications manager Tamsin Taylor shares the hope and faith of steadfast survivors. PERSECUTED but not

ABANDONEDhen do you find it Women in particular can face rape and easiest to feel close forced marriage if they don’t convert. Some to God? At church, in I learned about Christians are targeted and murdered a moment of worship? Jesus and I just because they choose to follow Jesus. At home, praying knew it was right Yet others face more subtle forms of Wwith a friend? Or in the darkest hours, persecution. Children are unable to get a facing persecution? God is with us even in and so I accepted place at school because of the faith of their persecution; we know this from reading the Him. parents. Mothers and fathers are refused Bible. James wrote: “Consider it pure joy, jobs they are qualified to do, because of their my brothers and sisters, whenever you face beliefs. Families are forced to move from trials of many kinds, because you know their homes if the neighbours feel they don’t that the testing of your faith produces More Christians than ever are facing ‘fit in’. perseverance” (James 1:2-4). persecution for their love of Jesus, and But what is it really like to experience the nature of the persecution is growing Fighting for persecuted persecution for your faith? One pastor of a in severity, too. Every year, Open Doors Christians persecuted church in the Middle East says, produces the World Watch List to measure The complex layers of conflict in the Middle “I have heard many people from my church the scale and intensity of Christian East have caused Open Doors to launch say that the verses in the Bible used to be persecution worldwide. The list shows that a campaign to support Syria, where the something that we learnt in the service. But persecution is rising year on year. crisis is not over yet. The most vulnerable during the crisis, we experienced the verses Across the world, Christians face people have been left behind: the displaced, of the Bible. We knew them to be real.” kidnappings, torture and imprisonment. the elderly, those who need medical care.

22 JAN / FEB 2019 Courageous Christians and church through the trauma they experienced leaders have chosen to stay to serve during the crisis. their communities. The church also runs children’s The campaign is supporting programmes. God is working in this Christians like pastor Abdullah, a situation, fuelling faith and bringing preacher in an evangelical church people to Christ. “People feel safe in Aleppo, Syria. When the ancient and happy sending their children to city, the largest in Syria, became a the church,” says pastor Abdullah. battleground between government “Before the crisis, that wouldn’t have and rebel forces, an estimated 70 per happened, but because of the way cent of Christians left Aleppo. Yet pastor we have served the community during Abdullah and his family felt called to stay the crisis, the families were happy to send to keep the church alive in Syria and to their children to our church.” serve their community. How did he sustain God is using the church’s willingness his faith through the crisis? to serve to reach whole families, as well He says, “We feel sadness, fear, as children. “Some of the families we confusion – you can imagine all the were serving came to know Jesus. feelings. What makes me go on is The majority of them were women the close relationship I have with from Kurdish backgrounds. A large God and especially with His word. number of them accepted Christ.” The book of Psalms became my Open Doors, founded by ‘God’s faithful friend during the crisis. I can smuggler’, Brother Andrew, supports feel it and it became real during this persecuted Christians like pastor time. Also, I saw what God is doing in Abdullah through a global network. people’s lives. When I see His power Offering prayer and encouragement, in our situation, it gives me joy and helps food packages and legal advice, trauma me keep going. I believe God’s grace will counselling and income generating continue in our situation.” projects, Open Doors creates meaningful Pastor Abdullah’s decision to stay connections between Christians around has put him and his family in personal the world. When one part of the body danger. Four bombs exploded in of Christ suffers, we all suffer. Yet ABANDONED his daughter’s school, killing four when our persecuted brothers and children. Yet he was determined that sisters need us, we can be there for the church should continue meeting them. It’s a two-way relationship of to worship God. encouragement, helping to become He says, “Some would have closer to God. thought that the church was Pastor Abdullah explains, stopped, but we carried on our “This is what the Bible says about services among families, women, the early church. Paul used to ask children, youth – everybody. Even the church, ‘Who can help the other though the bombs were falling around the churches in need?’. During the crisis, building every day, we didn’t stop.” we saw the church worldwide act like In his congregation, there are a one family, supporting us, praying for us, number of families whose sons have been helping us, and that made a difference. kidnapped by ISIS, an Islamist militant group The church prays for people, yet That meant a lot to us.” that follows a doctrine of Sunni Islam. “We they also run vital services providing Your support and prayers are helping have a family whose son, Yousef, was food, education and healthcare. With so the church in Syria to shine as a light in serving in the army and kidnapped by ISIS. much infrastructure destroyed, jobs lost the darkness. They need the support They still don’t know if Yousef is alive or and living costs spiralling, it is difficult for and prayers of their global church family dead. We are a small church, but we have families to afford the medicines they need. to keep going, so we encourage you to three situations like this. As a church, we are Pastor Abdullah is currently developing remember them in your conversations with supporting them in prayer.” counselling programmes to help people God Almighty.

JAN / FEB 2019 23 Regional Leadership Conferences March 2019

Early bird deadline ends 31 January 2019 and under thirties save over 30%! ETHICS To, perhaps, the disbelief of many, what we choose to wear can show that God is with us, says Simon Ward MBE, former chief operating officer for the British Fashion Council. The fabric of

’ve often heard,fashion at first hand, fellow (Numbers 35:33). So, we bear witness to Christians dismissing as mere vanity our living, present God by ensuring that any idea that we should be concerned our clothes come from sources that are about our appearance and, what’s more, sustainable, ethical and compassionate the assembly of an even half interesting (Micah 6:8; Colossians 3:12). Iwardrobe is clearly a waste of money. I’ve also noted that, within the church, which I believe to be the vehicle through which God has chosen to bring restoration The fact that these to individuals and hope to a broken world, are challenging fashion is rarely taken seriously. ‘Give me a places, makes it all the doctor, teacher or missionary any day!’ more important to After a 35-year career running develop a God-centred London Fashion Week and working at the intersection of business and creativity, I have perspective on found myself investigating another place of them. juncture: faith and fashion. I am aware that there are many who believe God would A favourite phrase of mine goes have little to do with what is sometimes something like this: “Creating an image is viewed as a dark place, where exploitation where we dress to impress others, but is and narcissism run riot. But I don’t agree with essentially false; expressing identity is where that view, any more than the suggestion that we know the truth of who we are (Galatians God would avoid banking, as if it were about 3:26), and dress accordingly.” The clothes nothing more than greed, or politics for being we put on, then, should be chosen with care, dominated by unbridled ambition. so they suit our personality, but also respect The fact that these are challenging the people with whom we wear them. places, makes it all the more important to By contrast, in blindly following the latest develop a God-centred perspective on trend, we risk dressing in a way that’s not in Regional Leadership them and to be the people through which harmony with who we are. Conferences March 2019 God reveals Himself and His ways. Thus, the Essentially, it comes down to applying question I have formulated in my book The to our clothes the greatest commandment: Character of Fashion is: If God were boss, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, how would He run the fashion industry? And soul, mind, body; and, love your neighbour I think we can comfortably adapt that, to ask: as yourself” (Luke 10:27). You’ll find a whole Early bird deadline ends 31 January 2019 What would God approve of in the way we lot more about this, and much else from the and under thirties save over 30%! dress? world of faith and fashion, in an eight-part My suggested response comes in two podcast, The Heart of Fashion, that I have parts: first, where are our clothes made? presented this autumn on Premier Christian And, second, what do they say about us? Radio. The Bible is quite clear that workers should be paid properly for their labours (Luke 10:7), The Heart of Fashion is available as a and that we should care for the environment podcast on www.premierchristianradio.com

JAN / FEB 2019 25 MISSION

Senior FarSERVANTS from being on their last legs, Carl Knightly, director of Faith in Later Life, says there’s an untapped ministry among and for older Christians.

26 JAN / FEB 2019 “I am pleased here are more than 11.8 million to support Faith in Later a resource hub and a directory of churches people aged 65 and over in the Life, in particular its focus and UK-wide Christian-led community UK, with this figure projected on helping churches apply activities. Faith in Later Life is also keen to to rise in the next 17 years to Biblical principles to its work shine a light on the gifts and wisdom that over 16 million. Of this group, with older people.” older Christians have, often built up over a 40 per cent say the television is their main lifetime of following Jesus. T Terry Puttick, company, with more than 1 million older field director of ministries at people admitting that they always, or often, London City Mission Working with others feel lonely. A vision on this scale can only be realised It seems that older people are so if we work as a team. We seek to connect easily forgotten by society, written off as they existing projects run by local churches and are deemed unable to make a contribution individual Christians so that more churches in their later years. But this isn’t true. Psalm may be encouraged and equipped for 92:13-14 tells us: “…they will flourish in the Faith in Later Life effective ministry with their seniors, as well as courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in was founded by help them to reach older people in the wider old age, they will stay fresh and green”. London City Mission, community. The ageing and loneliness statistics, Holy Trinity Claygate, Surrey launched then, indicate that there are significant The Salvation Army Connections eight years ago “to create a opportunities for the church and Christians and others safe and welcoming community for seniors around the UK to set the tone and lead living in Claygate, where they can connect the country in re-evaluating how we view with each other and the church, and to and treat those in later life. Older people By 2040, nearly one provide the opportunity to demonstrate may feel increasingly marginalised in wider and share the love of Jesus”. Overseen by society, and sadly this is sometimes the case in four people in the Pippa Cramer, it reaches elderly church and in churches too. So, how does the body of UK will be aged 65 non-church members, many of whom are Christ get better at bucking the trend? lonely and isolated, building a community of or over support and friendship that has also served Empowering the elderly as a bridge into church so that Holy Trinity’s Betty was asked by her local church to The value of Sunday morning service is its fastest-growing share something on her ministry. Betty, aged congregation. 98, said that whilst she couldn’t do much community work by Faith in Later Life is working with physically anymore, she was someone churches and faith Connections to develop and produce an who prayed. Unbeknown to many in the evangelism course focused on singing old congregation, she had been praying for her groups amounts to hymns and discussing the gospel message church, and people inside and outside the £3.5m a year they contain. Holy Trinity Claygate has church, for 70 years. Betty humbly revealed trialled this already and found it to be a how she regularly sought prayer requests very simple, gentle, yet powerful way of from people by sending emails from her There are over 11.8 sharing the gospel and God’s love through iPad. familiar and well-loved hymns, which can On a mission to hear more stories like million people aged speak powerfully even to those who live Betty’s, Faith in Later Life was established 65+ in the UK with dementia, awakening old memories last year by a group of Christian charities that Forty per cent of of singing these hymns when they were have been engaging and sharing the gospel younger. with older people for hundreds of years people aged 65+ Many churches and Christian groups are (London City Mission, The Salvation Army, in the UK say TV is doing excellent work, and it is a blessing to Keychange, Pilgrims’ Friend Society, and be able to partner with others to ensure all Mission Care), to enable individual Christians their main company our work relating to older people is available and churches to reach, serve and empower via faithinlaterlife.org You can find resources older people in every community through relating to different aspects of older age, as

JAN / FEB 2019 27 “Older people are a wonderful asset. I pray that Faith in Later Life will help many older people well insights into the biblical view of later life. discover and live out their contact us via our website if you would like The website also provides helpful guidance calling.” to find out more, or to become a church and practical advice to anyone considering champion. starting an initiative or group in their church Elaine Cobb, So, what does the future hold? By 2040, director of older people’s services or community. at The Salvation Army nearly one in four people in the UK will be Alongside this, it also contains a national aged 65 or over. And it would be reasonable directory of activities for older people, which to assume that unless things change, are run by churches or Christian groups. loneliness and a sense of marginalisation The idea is that someone can see what amongst many of the older generation will activities are going on in their area, and join rise too. But the latter doesn’t have to be the in, or recommend them to a friend. There Our website case. are already more than 2,300 activities listed has more than We envision a society where Christians on the website, which churches or Christian 2,300 church- or are leading the change, starting by serving organisations have told us about, and we are and affirming the older members of their seeing the list grow weekly. Christian-led activities congregations, but also empowering them, Local authorities are increasingly looking countrywide recognising all the gifts and wisdom they to community groups and undertaking ‘social have, as well as the faith that has guided prescribing’. At least one local council and GP them throughout their lives. surgery have expressed an interest in sharing 120+ resources Many churches are already doing our directory of activities with their service excellent community work, and recent users, which means more and more people available, a number research by a national charity found the will learn of churches that are seeking to of which are free value of community work by churches and reach out to local people in later life. of charge, on our faith groups amounts to more than £3bn a It’s been exciting to see Faith in Later year. We want to support these churches Life grow over the last year. We recently website and Christians, and share what they are launched a national network of ‘church doing, whilst encouraging other churches champions’, people in their church who want in reaching out to their local communities, to share what we do, encourage seniors’ We offer guidance providing opportunities to show older people ministry, or just stay updated with how we and suggestions for the hope, love and community found in the are seeking to bring together activity in this church and, ultimately, in Jesus. area, across churches everywhere. What a starting a group or As we seek to inspire and equip great encouragement it was to hear from an activity churches to reach older people for Christ, 81 year old who wanted to become a church as well as encourage churches to empower champion because “she had a passion for their older members, we remember the helping the older people” in her church. We are building a words of Isaiah: “Even to your old age and And this network is even spreading beyond national network of gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain the UK, with a church champion in Malawi you. I have made you and I will carry you; I recently signing up. We encourage you to ‘church champions’ will sustain you and I will rescue you” (46:4).

28 JAN / FEB 2019

EVANGELISM

Meeting Jesus at the TABLE DINNERWe can combine food, faith and friendship to achieve miraculous results, says Manoj Raithatha, national coordinator of the Evangelical Alliance’s South Asian Forum.

s someone who came to faith and with the multitudes at the feeding of the from a Hindu background, My son suddenly 5,000, pointing to His kingship. Then there I love sharing the awe- bolted upright in bed, is Jesus’ meal with Levi the tax collector, inspiring story of Jesus Christ where His welcome of ‘sinners’ at the meal with others. This gospel no more than an hour table offends the religious Pharisees. And Amessage meets our innermost need and after the challenging of course, as every Sunday school kid could deserves to be heard by everyone. Intent conversation we had tell you, there is Zacchaeus’ lifechanging on grabbing daily opportunities to share had with the consultant. encounter with Jesus when He invites God’s amazing grace, I have pursued It was a miracle. Himself to be Zacchaeus’ guest. all sorts of strategies, and many would Sharing a meal with someone always describe me as a serial evangelist. Yet, it My son was alive! builds intimacy, and Jesus was clearly was not that long ago that I realised I had seeking to do this with all sorts of people. failed to model one of the most profound While they ate together, people had ways Jesus shared the kingdom. opportunities to experience Emmanuel, God When we read the gospels, it soon these meals were about far more than just with us, in a way they could relate to and becomes clear that Jesus intentionally food. We see Him eat with His disciples at understand – after all, what better way to allocated time to eat with people, and that the last supper, instituting the new covenant, demonstrate God incarnate than to share

30 JAN / FEB 2019 It was around food that trust had been built, enabling us to go deeper in our conversations about lunch. As people’s physical needs were met faith, and for the Holy A key thing about the Christian friends and relationships established, the way was Spirit to speak. who had prayed for my son was that they opened for them to acknowledge spiritual had regularly invited my family over for needs and how they too might be met a meal. It was around food that trust had through Christ. By eating with Jesus, people been built, enabling us to go deeper in our got more than a conversation conversations about faith, and with Him, they got more than for the Holy Spirit to speak. I a message of hope, they got distinctly recall one particular to experience hope Himself, to meal where the conversation encounter God in relationship. focused on the historical evidence for Jesus Christ, a A lifesaving relationship discussion that couldn’t have When I saw this, it was revelatory, happened in a less intimate and I was astounded I had missed setting. This may have been less it, given that eating with Christians dramatic than the miraculous had been so pivotal to my own answer to their prayers, but my faith journey. In 2008, my son journey would not have been was critically ill. It wasn’t the first complete without it. time and we knew the drill: race I began to realise that him to hospital where he would spending time around the be given the nebuliser. Except on meal table had brought me this occasion the nebuliser failed closer to God Himself – to to work. He was subsequently Emmanuel – through the work rushed into resuscitation where of the Holy Spirit operating in my I vividly recall holding him as friends’ lives. As we built deep his airways shut down. He was relationship over food, meeting TABLE intubated and later transferred to my physical hunger together with St Thomas’ Hospital in London. My them made space to speak into wife and I wept for our son, and my spiritual need. Unbeknown on the fourth day, the doctor didn’t at the time, the Holy Spirit was have positive news. clearly present, revealing Jesus Nonetheless, I was hugely and convicting me of the truth as strengthened by the prayers of a we ate and talked. Christian couple we had recently For this reason, I am hugely met. Then, to our utter disbelief, my son encouraged by the release of a new coffee- suddenly bolted upright in bed, no more than Spending time table book entitled Simply Eat. Produced by an hour after the challenging conversation the Evangelical Alliance in partnership with we had had with the consultant. It was a around the London City Mission, Church of England miracle. My son was alive! A few weeks later, meal table had – Birmingham, Interserve, and All Nations I would be walking to the front of a church brought me Church Wolverhampton, Simply Eat is a and giving my life to the One who gave His closer to God Himself, fascinating collection of recipes and stories life for me. God had heard those prayers and through the work of Christians eating with others to build saved my son, but His own Son He had not genuine community and share the message saved. of the Holy Spirit. of Jesus in natural and loving ways. It makes But while this miraculous intervention perfect sense. Jesus always grabbed had been a significant step in my journey to opportunities to eat with others and share faith, it was not the whole story. Something His life with them, and so should we. else had been fundamental: eating together.

JAN / FEB 2019 31 LAST WORD

By Steve Clifford, general director, Evangelical Alliance God is at

few weeks back, I had the WORKJews and folly to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23). opportunity to visit SPAC As I look across the UK church today, Nation, a church which meets I am so thankful God continues to work, in a central London hotel. It seems to be a refusing to be put into a box. I love watching I would have loved for you hallmark of the God some of the videos that come out of the Ato attend with me, although I suspect, for we worship; He will Evangelical Alliance’s Great Commission some, it would have been a bit of a shock. not be boxed in. website (greatcommission.co.uk); lives are I described it to a friend as “church, but being changed and churches are making a not as we have known it”. Led by pastor Toby significant impact on their communities. Take Abegboyega (or PT, as he is affectionately the story of Joyce at Whitefield Methodist known by the congregation), SPAC Nation Church overcoming fear and creating a is a vibrant, colourful, high energy, loud thankful that God is at work, often in ways I gospel-focused toddler group which has church, with approximately 1,000 mainly 16 to would have not expected. It seems to be a enhanced the lives of adults and children. 35-year-old young adults. hallmark of the God we worship; He will not Then there’s Adele, who, by telling her own Many in the meeting had found God and be boxed in. Indeed, He has a habit of using children they were special, touched the left behind violent gang and drug cultures. surprising people in unpredictable ways. hearts of all the children in her street. I could Their testimonies are powerful, and their As one reads scripture time and time again, go on. faith is infectious. What also emerged as I am surprised who God chooses to use: Day in and day out, often in surprising their stories were told, was that here are a murderer, an adulterer, a sex worker. He ways, God is with us, using His people to lives that have been turned around, no chose a number of fishermen, among others, make a difference for good, transforming longer facing prison or selling drugs, but to be His disciples, and a persecutor of the the lives of millions of people. As I reflect getting themselves sorted out, pursuing church to preach the gospel to the Gentile on all this, there is just one common factor I higher education and successful careers and world. If I were God, would I have selected have observed: individuals or small groups businesses. At the end of the service, pastor this team? I’m not sure I would. (Thank of friends making themselves available to Toby invited those who didn’t know Christ God I’m not responsible for making these God and taking the risk of obedience to or needed to get right with Him to respond. decisions.) And, of course, God’s rescue Him in the setting in which they have been More than 60 people immediately went to plan for humanity, a crucified Messiah, did called to work as they are empowered by the front to receive prayer and pass on their not match people’s expectations. He was the Holy Spirit. So, let’s be thankful to our details so they could be followed up. ‘supposed’ to lead a heavenly army, defeat surprising God, and let’s be available to As I have reflected back on what I the Romans and establish His earthly rule. commit ourselves to him. Who knows, He experienced that Sunday afternoon, I am so This crucified Messiah was “a scandal to may surprise us.

32 JAN / FEB 2019 Dementia from the inside Advertorial.pdf 1 27/11/2018 09:37:14

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13–14 Mar 2019 Event City, Manchester www.creonline.co.uk

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