The Fullness of Life

gelism n a v s in E e i d u trick t a p S z n t ul Fi Seve a P y db Edite

Faith Words Action Church Army We're about sharing faith through words and action to transform lives by making Jesus famous. Our focus is on the 7 out of 10 people who have little or no meaningful contact with church. Watch this short film to discover more at www.churcharmy.org.uk.

Purpose Church Army exists to enable people to come to living faith in Jesus Christ.

Values We will seek to follow our values in all that we do.

• Listening to God: We take the time to be open to God, willing to listen and open to change.

• Respect: We recognise that all people are created in the image of God and that all people are valued equally by God. • Professionalism: We strive for the highest standards in all that we do.

• Partnership: We are part of the Christian community, called to work with each other, with compatible agencies and with the wider church.

Words and Action: We are committed to sharing the Christian faith through words and action.

The values espoused are organisational/corporate values and not those of an individual. Individual values are set out in the Rule of Life (for Evangelists) and the Personal Way of Life (for members). There are many other values not included as they are taken as read.

Vision To be a leading organisation in the training, equipping and deploying of Evangelists, to develop appropriate and relevant forms of Christian community for pioneering situations.

gelism n a v in E s e i rick d u t t a p S z n ul Fit Seve a P d by e t i d E

Faith Words Action

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Foreword

’s came to work with me at St. Leonard I first met Paul in 1995, when he list nge Eva was then in training as an Church, in Norwood, Sheffield. He gs that struck me was his ability to with Church Army. One of the thin ns; ordinary and down to earth situatio engage in evangelism in the most . pub the in ing alongside men whether in a school assembly or gett of l has drawn from the experiences In compiling The Fullness of Life, Pau how easy it is for each of us to fellow Evangelists to bring to the fore that d News. Before you, are 7 studies engage in the work of sharing Goo with rged cha ble you, as you are will encourage, challenge and hum llenge of evangelism. engaging in the great task and cha d approach to evangelism is laid out Paul’s practical, simple, yet profoun the ordinary man and woman to feel for us here in a way that enables their adventure of evangelism is within that their involvement in the great to ple peo n greater for ordinary Christia grasp. The need has never been r thei of selves in the spiritual growth step up to the plate and involve them . and to involve them in discipleship neighbour and their communities g in evangelism are things that will The study of the Bible and engagin aps, even energise us to go out invariably challenge, shape and, perh ise of living life to the full that Jesus and share with others the very prom describes in John 10:10. our hearts and Let us be encouraged in opening Truth and, minds to God and in searching for sharing the joy through the insights of this book, rs. and inspiration of that Truth with othe Rt Revd Dr Tim Ellis Bishop of Grantham

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Introduction

Within this publication you will find seven examples of evangelism that I believe will contribute to your understanding of what evangelism is and how easy it is for you to engage in evangelism.

In compiling this study guide, I have not intended it to be an exhaustive or definitive list of what evangelism is; my experience is that evangelism takes place where we find ourselves. That could be the work-place, the cafe, on the streets or with our neighbour.

You will explore different types of evangelism in the context of where they were used and you will discover what the Bible says about how we witness and the manner in which we should undertake that witness.

Whatever form of evangelism we choose to use, our overall aim should be to see a life transforming to the fullness of life that Christ describes in John 10:10. I hope that as you study The Fullness of Life, you will begin to find the riches that Christ offers to us to use in our calling to increase his Kingdom.

We all desire to deepen our knowledge of God, especially in how we should be a witness to our faith in Christ on a day-to-day basis. Jesus calls us to be witnesses to His saving power. For some this is a joyful task and one approached with energy and prayer.

Church Army Evangelists are committed to sharing faith through words and action. This often means enabling the people of God to do this through training and experience. This study guide is designed to help you think about what God is calling you to do in your witness for Him, either as an individual or as a group.

We hope that you have as much of a blessing in studying evangelism, as you do practicing evangelism.

God bless Paul Fitzpatrick C.A.

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s e t o N g n i Support uals and d i v i d n I for s r e d a e Group L I remember the first time I prepared to lead a bible study; I was 22 years old and went bald! Well, I think that was down to nature rather than the preparation. However, it was scary as well as exciting. Ring a bell? Then read on‌.

The scriptures are littered with stories of God's people being called to do something they feel they are not humanly capable of. Yet it is similarly littered with outcomes of God's people completing what He has called them to undertake and the blessing therein.

So let's take those fears and chill a bit, in the knowledge that God will help you, as he has helped countless others.

Part of my ministry as an evangelist over the past 10 years has been to encourage and enable, so be encouraged that the Lord is moulding you in leadership. In my experience it helps to know that you do not have to be an expert on the Bible or even a college professor! Essentially it is all about preparation and discussion. Allow God to enable you by His Holy Spirit to lead you with confidence and discernment. Therefore in order to offer some help to you, I have set out below some of the things that have aided me in leading studies in the past.

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Before you begin Studying the scriptures and exploring other people’s experiences of evangelism can be for some, very exciting; for others it can be very daunting indeed.

I have put together some suggestions that may help you as you prepare to get the most out of The Fullness of Life. We hope that each week you will be stimulated through the scriptures and through the content on the Web. To find out more about how all of our Evangelists and staff are working at transforming lives and communities visit http://www.churcharmy.org.uk/people to see videos of ministry in action.

Each of our contributors to these studies has carefully thought through how you can apply this learning in your own life and context, in order to engage in evangelism. Their questions are designed to challenge and encourage action.

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Studying as an individual Pray: Before you begin each study, ask the Lord to guide you and open your mind. Give yourself time to allow God to stabilise your inner self so that you can apply what you are learning in your life.

Time: Give yourself space to learn; the studies are designed that you can learn at a pace that suits you. It may help you to briefly read all seven studies before you begin; this may help you to think about where the studies will take you.

Bible: Having your own Bible is important as it will be a book that you will be familiar with. The version that you find most helpful is the best one to use. All Bible verses quoted in these studies are from the New International Version.

Notes: Make notes within each study. Remember there are no wrong answers; the beauty about our relationship with God is that He illuminates our life and inspires us by the Holy Spirit. So jot down your response to the question honestly.

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Studying as a group For the leader: These notes may be of some help as you prepare to lead the group either for the first time or as a seasoned veteran!

Preparation: Groups are naturally formed of individuals, so be encouraged to follow the points suggested for individuals, as you prepare for your group study. In this way you will find your learning in group study deepens through your preparation.

Participation: Discussion is by far the best form of learning.

Remember that as the leader you will need to ensure that everyone has their say. No answer is wrong! Share how God is teaching you, how He is encouraging/challenging you, and how He is doing that with others.

Be focussed: Stick to the study material being discussed for that week. It has been my intention that you only have to use the scriptures referred to. There is no need to look up commentaries or other views.

The core essence of these studies is to reflect upon the evangelistic example given. Therefore the paramount questions of the study are: How can I do this? How do I apply this?

Listen: Encouraging all that listening to other members of a group is as important as contributing. If you have an attentive ear, you may be surprised at how much you can learn from others. In parish ministry I was always amazed at how the quiet person sometimes came with a suggestion that was as a blast of fresh air.

A balanced input: As group leader you should be able to ensure all have the chance to contribute. It is important that we ensure that individuals do not dominate the discussions. The eagerness one has to share can often be at the cost of others not having time to respond.

Therefore encourage one another; after all, the Christian journey really should not be about outsmarting each other.

Involve God: God wants to share with each of us; His desire to see us evangelise. Be open to the Holy Spirit talking to you and to your fellow group mates. Most of all have fun discovering new boundaries.

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r u o y f o t e u n o O z t r o f com By

ard Rich

Tett

Scripture Philippians 1:3-6 James 5:7-16

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Let’s Focus:

We are currently working on an estate in the north west of England. The estate is made up of post war housing mainly owner occupied but still pockets of council and housing association properties, there are some new builds near by. The estate is on the outskirts of town just out of reasonable walking distance. It is an urban priority area and has swathes of poverty. There are many issues within the area as always highlighted in the media regarding young people. There are problems with drugs, alcohol and vandalism. The area also has a high proportion of teenage pregnancies.

With high unemployment and not being close to working areas this gives rise to the young people being bored and finding other ways to entertain themselves.

Facilities on the estate are few and far between for the teenagers, a youth centre that is open only 2 nights a week. The general norm is for the teenagers to hang around the 5 or 6 shops that are nearby or the pub car park. At the centre of the estate is the church, a relatively modern church. The church is working to serve the community and the congregation work together to the glory of God and in the service of an established but ever changing community.

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Let’s Reflect: When Paul writes this letter to the Philippians, he is full of joy, even though he is in prison, joy at sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

He has joy in finding unity of heart within the body of Christ.

Even though we are often challenged by the contexts that God places us in, indeed even resistant to them; when we overcome those challenges and relinquish ourselves to God, it is then that we will see the power of our obedience to God bearing some fruit in the lives of those whom we are witnessing to.

When we step out in faith, God can do massive things with us through ordinary everyday situations. Paul in his letter to the Philippians is setting the mark that it is important to pray. This manifests itself in how we show and reflect Christian community when engaging with the young people.

There are great opportunities to explore the Gospel with the young people and the potential of transforming lives.

A God moment as I call them happened one week; a young person was talking about how prayer doesn’t work, she needed a job and was unable to find one. So I said to her I would pray with her and ask God to help her in her confidence and ability to find the right job for her. She said 'I still don’t believe prayer works'.

At this point, a young lad, whom we had been praying with some weeks ago, came onto the bus and said 'oh yes it does, because I was prayed for and I have found a job and I never thought I would'.

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Like this story, James encourages us not to give up (James 5:7-16).

Through this scripture we learn to ask God to help us to develop more patience as we wait for something; for instance when we make a long term commitment to pray for a non Christian friend.

When working with young people their language can sometimes be a challenge. We try to teach the young people that praying can help them with difficulties they may face in their daily lives, how it can turn their lives around and help them to be more positive when talking to others. In James's view, oaths and prayers are simply the verbal expressions of what a person is truly feeling but cannot articulate. In many ways, it is the same with young people and faith. James is clearly a man of faith; he has a passion for prayer.

Let’s be encouraged to think on this matter of prayer with three emphases: • When to Pray? (5:13-14) When we are in trouble and facing adversity.

We teach these young people that when in a crisis turning to God in a prayer is infinitely more rewarding than responding with violence or anger.

• How to Pray? (5:14-15) Pray with others, pray in the name of the Lord, pray as if you believe that God will answer your request! The prayer of genuine faith is the prayer that is effective.

• Why Pray? (5:16) If you spent time thinking about this you would undoubtedly come to the conclusion that God certainly does answer prayer. Therefore we pray to seek an answer. We also pray to develop our righteousness before God, that is to develop our humble side of our nature.

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Let’s Discuss: 1. Where are you challenged to move out of your comfort zone and give some ground to an apparently resistant group?

2. Can you stand firm in your faith with the most basic things like belief in the power of prayer?

3. What can you draw from your own life experience that would benefit another person on their journey? (remember no one has an ordinary experience)

4. In reading the passage in James, where are you challenged in your prayer life?

5. How can the knowledge that Jesus is returning, help us to be patient in our prayers today?

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Action: The team is made up from the congregation and tend to be of the older age group. They have had some uneasy experiences of the local young people in the past, so for most of them they are stepping out of their comfort zones and dealing with their prejudices and fears. The team have battled with these issues and have come a long way to being themselves amongst the young people and gelling with us and the rest of the team.

The key to this type of evangelism is being comfortable with yourself.

Young people search for role models. They look to those role models for advice, guidance, love and humour.

There have been many great turning points in facilitating the team to share in what they believe with the young people. One man, a dedicated member of the volunteers, has grown in confidence in the relatively short time we have been on the estate with the bus. He shared an incident with me, which occurred a short time ago. He was walking down the road with his friend and there were some young people hanging off a bridge, they started to take it out of him until he got closer. Then they recognised him and said 'Hey aren’t you the guy from the Jesus bus? When’s it coming back?' For him, this was a big step in his faith and understanding of how he engaged with the young people.

When we engage with young people, they develop an understanding of who we are and what we represent. They might take the rise out of us, but underneath, deep down, they see that we belong to something.

They will often overcome big hurdles, not least peer pressure, to get to the point where they feel comfortable about belonging too.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Help us to embrace what our young people offer us.

Through our witness, equip us to encourage and establish them. Through your Holy Spirit, guide us to be faithful witnesses to the power of prayer, and in doing so enable others to live life to the full. Amen.

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It’s a mans world gam

By Jonathon Wig

Scripture Mark 16:15 Proverbs 27:17

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Let’s Focus: Why do evangelism specifically among men? What is the context for such a ministry?

First we need to recognise that there are different types of men, and there are therefore different reasons why men are not drawn to Christianity. I believe that God the Holy Spirit is stirring men in fresh and relevant ways to show that Jesus Christ and Christianity do not take away manliness, but can enhance and bring out the best qualities of men.

Jesus had no problem attracting men – His strong leadership, blunt honesty and bold action mesmerised men. So what is the problem with men, church and Christianity?

Look to the local church what is the percentage of men in the congregation;? Average statistics would suggest 70% women to 30% men. Because of this there is an imbalance between the feminine and masculine in church, this is one of the reasons why many men choose to stay away from Christianity and remark that ‘Christianity is for women, wimps and is not relevant.’

There are those men who feel that to be manly means to be macho and so see Christianity as in some way taking away from that - there are others who don’t feel they need to be macho but consider Christianity to be a non-male environment and also not relevant.

There is also a feeling among men that you have to be strong and macho and cope with whatever life throws at you – many men turn to alcohol, binge-eating and other addictive behaviours to deal with their problems, many men suffer in silence.

Research bears this out in that a staggering 51% of men feel depressed, stressed or anxious at least once a month. These are some of the reasons why we do evangelism amongst men.

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Let’s Reflect: As Christians, God teaches us that we should look at our context with Him, and seek to make Him known. Let us look at some of the principles that we should put in place as we seek to reach out to non-churched or as others would say ‘not yet believing men’.

Firstly, we should look at our mission context – factors that should be taken into account are culture, class and ethnicity. Secondly, ask the obvious questions relating to why men consider Christianity not relevant.

Thirdly, consider what and where are the points of contact, the networks where Christian men cross over with non-churched men e.g. family, friends, work colleagues, sport clubs, hobbies, other local communities such as football club, or military. Also ask, what are men interested in, what can we do realistically?

Statistics that have encouraged evangelism among men – 0.6% of British men attend church weekly. It takes 3 to 5 years on average for a man to come into a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ.

• If you lead a child to Christ, 3% of their families follow • If you lead a mother to Christ, 17% of their families follow • If you lead a father to Christ, 93% of their families follow These do not take away from the fact that God intervenes miraculously in a person’s life without any other human intervention.

However what they do show is that most men come to know Jesus through a process of time and for this to occur men will be required to be conduits, explaining the good news to other men.

(Romans 10:14-15)

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A male environment is essential to attract men. In the UK over the last 20 years not much has happened in terms of direct ministry to men, and consequently the attention of men has not been captured by the church – the window by which men understand Christianity and its relevance.

A male environment is also essential for discipleship growth. ‘As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another’ is so apt for men as they do not have many close friends; they may have many colleagues or acquaintances but trusted friends with whom they bond deeply are usually in low numbers. Some men have no firm male friends. Some men find it difficult to start conversations and therefore talking in large groups is difficult other than the usual small talk.

Discipleship through friendship sharpens a man’s spirit and passion for Jesus. Two minds acting on each other and two spirits acting on each other sharpens men’s natural and spiritual character – men meeting together in small groups enables opportunity for accountability and encouragement, challenge that provokes a man to understand and accept himself, his weaknesses and his strengths and find his completeness in Jesus Christ. Strong and tough men, shy men, suffering men, angry men, and ordinary men begin to believe in themselves.

Generally speaking, men like to be active both physically and mentally.

Masculine values that men appreciate such as risk, challenge, adventure, fun, healthy competition and achievement are worth considering when planning any evangelistic events for men; but always take a broad approach as men enjoy many different interests.

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Successful elements have proved to be: • High standard of hospitality (men appreciate things done well) • High fun content • Escapism • Some level of challenge • Unique – an event that a man can go to that he can’t or would not do at home or in his normal social network • Social – any event where men can talk side-by-side or be occupied and talking. Face-to-face talking is difficult and awkward not a natural stance for men • Friendship – men don’t easily share inner emotions or significant issues, men require friendships of substance Examples of events - Giant Scalextric, Radio Control Tanks, Pub Nights, Themed Food Nights, Science & Faith Debate, Adventure Days, Weekends Away, Sports Days and Movies.

Prayer is an important part of evangelism and discipling of men. ‘Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone’, including men. Men are hard to reach for Christ; some have likened it to ‘pushing boulders up hill’ and suggested that it ‘can’t be done single-handedly’.

To reach men, to keep men, prayer is key; It is a partnership between the Holy Spirit and us but also requires a team effort, standing together to see men set free, empowered and moving forward with a sense of purpose.

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Let’s Discuss: 1. How can we encourage and empower men to use their skills within our ‘churches’ as a means of assisting them to feel like they belong?

2. How committed are you to sharing your faith with a man, whilst knowing that it could be a long time before you get the ‘results’ you want?

3. What encouragement can you give to your church leadership to ensure they account for men in their mission/evangelism plans?

4. What environment do we need to create so that men can share their faith with other men?

5. How can we show men that being a Christian does not diminish masculinity, but actually enhances and brings out the best qualities in men?

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Action: Paul’s story – I was born in Manchester over 50 years ago, I was raised as a Catholic and spent 10 years being nearly brainwashed to death by religion. By my mid teens I had had enough of its hypocrisy and rejected God as not relevant.

The Lockerbie bombing and 9/11 terrorist attacks made me realise my attitude to the world needed to change. I became involved with Holy Trinity Church, Aldershot. It was here that I encountered J-men, a social group for men that offers first and foremost fun, as well as adventure, healthy competition, challenge and a little uncertainty.

The J-Men introduced me to other Christian guys and the respective journeys they had taken to reach Christ. Listening to their stories made me realise that you could find answers to difficult questions, receive advice on dealing with difficult issues and develop spiritually. Most of all, through J-Men I have developed lasting and dependable friendships I did not think were possible.

I was encouraged with my passion in playing guitar and have ended up playing rock and roll songs. I heard about the Alpha Course and went along out of curiosity. I was surprised by the relaxed style and how much sense it made. I have learnt about why people feel a need to worship and why spiritual sustenance is so important, how the Bible is relevant to every day life, I slowly began to realise that God does indeed work in mysterious ways to bring back the lost.

As well as now going to church, I have joined a Magnet Group (Men’s Accountability Group Network). The group has proved invaluable in providing support and encouragement for me as a man and a Christian.

Would I go back to my past life? No way.

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Prayer: Heavenly Father, assist me to be a good witness to the men who are my friends. Help me to be strong in my faith, energetic in my actions and clear in my words. Bless me with creativity and passion for the way I will evangelise. Open up my heart and mind, that I too may learn from life and its experiences. Amen.

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e h t n i s u Jes e c a l p k r o w rd

By Richa

Martin

Scripture Proverbs 31: 10-31

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Let’s Focus: I have bosses who set targets, decide policies, establish the ethos, hire and fire. They are under pressure from the LEA and OFSTED. To what extent do I support the leadership team in their decisions, popular or not? To what extent do I take the side of the staff? Is it possible to be friendly with managers, and even to offer pastoral care?

Some of my colleagues are Christians. We communicate via an email distribution list for prayer requests. Others have Christian sympathies or a church background, and are supportive of celebrating Christmas in a ‘religious’ way.

Some are members of other faiths, are agnostic or overtly atheist. In this context, my first duty is to be accepted as a fellow professional. There is no room for an incompetent member of staff who drags the school’s results down.

Nonetheless, I want to bring something “extra”, for example, offering to help with difficult or boring administrative tasks, sharing resources, giving a listening ear, and befriending the non-teaching staff.

I work with students and their parents, especially in the sixth form. They buy into our ethos; they could take their custom elsewhere. My responsibility is to give them the outcome they require in a form that they enjoy. However I have to maintain standards of dress, behaviour, and work.

The customer is not always right! Being a Christian means there is a balance to be found.

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Let’s Reflect: Workplace evangelism is about availability to God and people. The reading from Proverbs is a description of an ideal wife but I think it also outlines the qualities of an ideal employee. Teaching in a state school often presents challenges which are common to other workplaces.

Availability to God is about taking up opportunities to serve, and infusing them with Christian values as far as possible. Most of the Christian activities I am involved with at work arise ‘by chance’: I supplied biscuits when the canteen stopped bringing biscuits to the staff-room, people recognised that as a kind act; I was invited to speak at the Christmas assembly, because I am known for my faith. If I waited for the perfect evangelistic opportunity, or tried to engineer it, I would probably never start. I try to say “yes” to God, believing that he has placed me in my workplace and knows how best to use my gifts there. Mary’s example (Luke 1:38) affirms this approach.

Availability to people means responding to their questions and letting them grow at their own pace. It means caring for people as whole persons, inside and outside of work, and representing their interests.

It means respecting the individuality of each person, treating the afterschool cleaner in the same way as you would the Chair of Governors. The next conversation could be the key one – be ready. The risen Jesus appeared to his disciples when they least expected him, in a form they did not recognise: we

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must not let him walk on, uninvited, into the night (Luke 24:28).

This attitude of availability means that the actions which you hoped might occasion conversations about Christ do not do so, but that God is able to use you to respond to the unexpected. Being obedient to God’s prompting is the key to effective discipleship. Paul’s vision at Troas (Acts 16: 9) and Peter’s at Joppa (Acts 10:10) show that God calls us to new possibilities when we are faithfully fulfilling our calling.

Workplace evangelism is first of all being good news; before one can tell good news, you have to be a respected colleague. The incompetent religious fanatic cuts no ice among professionals. Paul was able to hold down a place as a partner in a tent-making business (Acts 18:3); he did not compromise the standards of his work because he was too busy preaching. Christians are called to professional development and excellence.

Integrity is the key; the workplace is second only to the home in showing what you are really like, day after day. Evangelism which is not matched by lifestyle will soon be discredited. We will sometimes be called upon to go the extra mile, attending meetings outside hours, working at home, interrupting holiday: we should do so, and more (Matthew 6:41). However, in protecting others we must also protect ourselves. Rest is prescribed for everyone (Exodus 20:8-11), and defines the work-life balance we are

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to expect of ourselves, our colleagues and our managers.

Workplace evangelism must therefore be rooted in godly habits and immersed in prayer.

There are no shortcuts to holiness, we have to take up our cross every day and follow (Luke 9:23). It can be difficult, early in the morning, to find the words to pray for our workplace. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) is all we need.

It places us first and foremost in the business of hallowing God’s name and seeking his rule. It then asks that God’s will be revealed to us and through us. We ask for the resources we need for the day, and for good, healthy relationships, even with people who are difficult. The prayer forces us to recognise our frailty and need for protection. Jesus lived incognito for 30 years before he was called to preach: this was the prayer he used in those years, as well as during his ministry.

God has called you to your workplace to do something only you can do there. Maybe He will call you on from there in due time, but today that is where He has placed you. Today could be the day when your actions,

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Let’s Discuss: 1. Verse 12 of our reading can lead us to ask 'what is our attitude to our workplace and our employers?' Optimists are good proponents for sharing good news at work. Do you seek excellence in all you do or do you bring negativity, complaint and resistance to change?

2. We know from verse 16 that the wife (employee) has the means and ability to buy and cultivate land. In effect she is a good steward of God's resources, and is therefore recognised as a witness to God's provision. Is your integrity held high in your work-place?

3. Does verse 20 challenge you? Our attitude to our colleagues is important; showing concern about their lives outside work is a way of supporting them. Do you regard them as machines who turn up and switch on each day, or as vulnerable but valuable persons? Do you pray for them?

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4. In a sense one could read verse 24 as being about value. Our attitudes towards our customers or clients are important. Are they potential victims to be exploited, or partners to be nurtured? To what extent is your transaction a mutually enjoyable and beneficial experience? What are your standards? Where do you draw the line in business ethics?

5. Respect is important to all of us. What does verse 31 challenge you to do in terms of respecting others?

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Action: John is a colleague who trained me in imaginative use of computers with young people. Soon after I arrived at the school he had time off because his wife had given birth to a very premature baby. Eventually John returned to work and we had a brief conversation.

A few months later John approached me to say that he and his wife had been to the local Church to enquire about having the baby christened, but that the vicar had recommended a thanksgiving. What is the difference, he asked, between thanksgiving and baptism? I gave John a copy of the baptism service, pointing out the promises he would need to make in it. He went away promising to read it and to attend the local Church’s family services.

After a few weeks I asked how he was finding the services. He said they were very enjoyable and that the vicar had an excellent way of involving everyone. He said they had decided to go for a baptism, and that the vicar had agreed.

A year or so later, John asked me what confirmation was about. Again I tried to explain, and gave him a copy of the service. Soon he told me that he had decided to be confirmed. Frequently thereafter John would tell me about his Church and the activities he had taken part in.

When John left the school, he gave me a card. It thanked me for our friendship, “but above all, for re-awakening my faith”.

Prayer: Loving Lord, enable me to be a consistent witness at work.

Inspire me to seek out the needy in spirit. Equip me to respond to their needs in an appropriate manner. By your grace, give me the humility to encourage and uplift those who rightly deserve praise. Amen.

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r e v o God pa a cup Colby y n n e

By J

Scripture John 14:1-9

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Let’s Focus: One of the places I visit regularly is the Tea House in Bracknell. It is a place where people come for refreshments or a rest. But most of all they come for some fellowship; many of these visitors are perhaps lonely or isolated. My witness as a Christian is simply to make myself available to anyone who wants to talk or seek prayer with me.

‘I wish I could believe like you’; these words have been said to me on more than one occasion by visitors I see most weeks in the Tea House.

Sometimes they are followed by a conversation about the Christian faith; sometimes simply a chat about mundane matters.

Through getting to know people at the Tea House, I have developed links with families wanting Baptism for their children and requesting me to lead their funeral service when the time comes. I see this ministry as sharing with people along life’s journey: sharing with them in their glad times and supporting them through difficult times.

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Let’s Reflect: The Bible reading speaks about Jesus’ patience with his disciples. In answer to Philip’s request ‘Lord show us the Father’, Jesus says ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.’ (John 14:8-9).

Jesus has called me to be his hands and his feet (as shown clearly in the writings of St Teresa of Avila). My prayer is that people will come to know Christ through seeing him in my life, my words and my actions; for we also read in John’s gospel, ‘I am in my Father and you are in me, and I am in you.’ (John 14:20).

When others see Christ in our life through our actions and words, we are being true witnesses in a most natural way. This scripture is apt when considering what presence evangelism is all about. It is easy to make ourselves available to God for Him to use us through our ordinary, unexciting everyday experiences. What is important is that we are prepared to serve and ready to share our faith when the moment is right.

Whether we agree or not that Christian presence can rightfully be termed evangelism, Christians are present in the world and this will have a direct bearing on how they are perceived by non Christians.

The way we live our everyday lives should lead us to ask the question, ‘Are we Good News to society?’ When we give testimony of our life transformed by Christ we share in the mission of the Church that was inaugurated

by Christ himself. In my ministry as an Evangelist, I have seen those who previously lived for themselves start to live with others’ needs in mind. I have

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seen people who are materialistic, change and share their resources with others. Transforming lives reflect Christ and are inspirational.

St Paul teaches us in Romans 12:18 that we should live at peace with everyone. That peace is born out of love. The heart of presence evangelism is the ability for one to love unconditionally those that God places on our path. That ability to love comes about through prayer.

For me, prayer is an essential tool to succeed in the mission God has placed before me. We need to challenge ourselves to be different and love those who come into our life; we need to be good to them, by at least praying for them.

I have had the privilege of meeting people who are hurting. I have prayed for each of them. I often contemplate that if Jesus had not prayed for forgiveness for those who crucified Him, then all of us would not have the opportunity to experience the joy of salvation. Just be aware that broken people can unwittingly upset us as they reach out for help; it is easy to reject them because of their actions. In those moments, pray that they will experience calmness and be open to the gospel and come to Christ.

When someone sees or experiences our genuine love for them they may well say, ‘I wish I could believe like you’. Sincere actions will draw them to Christ.

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Let’s Discuss: 1. Can true Christ-like love be insincere? How do we ensure it remains sincere?

2. How can I share my faith in a natural manner?

3. What activities might we consider as being presence evangelism?

4. Where could we engage in presence evangelism?

5. What will we do when people respond to us?

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Action: People come into the Tea House each Friday, not to hear me preach the gospel, but to enjoy the atmosphere and spend time in the company of friends or chatting to me or one of my volunteer helpers. I have got to know many members of the public over the last four years, through serving them Fairtrade tea and coffee each week.

One family I have got to know through the Tea House asked me to baptise their baby son and less than a year later asked me to officiate at the funeral of their still-born daughter. I drew very much on God’s strength for the later occasion and tried to show to them through my words and actions how much God loves them and had placed them as a family, including their still-born daughter, in His loving arms.

Many people who come into the Tea House have learning difficulties.

They are welcomed, loved and shown that they are valued, by me and by God who is a loving Father to all. Others who come are elderly people who live alone and value the time spent chatting, listening to music or just being in the company of other people. For them it is important to show that Jesus is the constant companion to all who believe in Him. Also to share with them that Jesus gives us hope for this life and a promise of eternal life with Him and with our loved ones.

Being prepared to share one’s faith in an environment where there are no rules and every encounter is unique, challenging and encouraging.

You need to be open to God bringing you those who have a need. You need to be prepared to ask people ‘are you ok?’; be ready to really listen to the answer, and finally be open to respond in a loving and caring manner.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, use my body as if it were yours. Utilise my hands and feet to take me to the places you want me to be. Enable me to see with your eyes, bless me to look with compassion on this world.

Christ you have no body now on earth but ours. Amen.

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e h t g n i n n a p S divide Maher

By Ian

Scripture Matthew 15:22-28

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Let’s Focus: Evangelism through conversation and dialogue There was a time when it would have been necessary for Christians to travel overseas to meet significant groups of people belonging to other faiths, but that is no longer the case. Population and travel patterns have changed so that living and working alongside people with diverse religious beliefs and practices is becoming commonplace, particularly in our large towns and cities. This presents to Christians the opportunity of communicating the good news to followers of different religions in a way that is respectful of their beliefs and practices, yet faithful to the call to be witness to God's love for the world as revealed through Jesus Christ.

A good starting point for sharing good news in a multifaith society is to get to know, for example, your Muslim or Hindu neighbour along the street. The common identity as people of faith will usually make it quite straightforward to begin discussion about matters of faith and belief.

On the basis of such relationships it then becomes possible to create opportunities for Christians and people of other faiths to meet together and discuss their beliefs and practices with each other in more depth. Meetings could cover particular topics such as beliefs about God, prayer, peace and justice, the place of Scripture, etc.

Initially such meetings could be informal gatherings in people's homes and they work best on the basis of existing friendships.

Then, if there is sufficient interest they could be moved to a

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larger venue - either in a neutral venue or alternating between the buildings of those involved in the discussion - perhaps with a panel discussion. Clearly it would be important for the leadership of the religions to be supportive of any such initiative in order to avoid misunderstandings occurring. But if Christians are up front about their desire to talk about their faith in Jesus, yet genuinely open also to hear about what makes the followers of other religions tick, suspicions can be overcome and the way for dialogue opened up.

Sometimes, the barriers that exist between Christians and people of other faiths are caused by misinformation and second or third-hand accounts of what the other believes. So the best way to discover what a Christian believes is to talk to a Christian; to find out about Islam talk to a Muslim, and so on.

Every such encounter provides an opening to make the good news of Jesus known.

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Let’s Reflect: The gospel story of the Canaanite woman draws attention to the way in which Jesus approached people of other faiths. She was not only from outside of the covenant community, i.e. not an Israelite, but belonged to a religious tradition with which the people of Israel had long been opposed. It was, in fact, the Canaanites who were driven out by the Israelites when they entered their promised land.

In this story, both the action of the Canaanite woman and the response of Jesus are significant in helping us consider how Christians should conduct themselves in their encounter with people of other faiths. The woman saw that there was something about Jesus that set him apart, so much so that she felt compelled to approach Him about the plight of her daughter who was possessed by a demon. The fact that she came from a different religious starting point was of secondary importance to her and she cried out 'Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David' (Mt. 15.22). Her religious boundary was not so rigid that it prevented her from seeing God as present and at work beyond it.

It is true to say that all of the world's major religions hold Jesus in high esteem. Their theological interpretations of Jesus differ considerably but very few religious believers will be dismissive of Him, and that provides an important platform for discussion and dialogue. Members of other religions will often be more open to talk with Christians about Jesus than people of no faith, and sometimes more ready to talk about him than is the case between Christians.

Going back to the story, Jesus responded to the woman's plea by saying that his calling was initially to the lost sheep of the

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house of Israel and then, rather harshly, that it was not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs. In Jesus' day, as is still the case in the MiddleEast, to call someone a dog was the harshest of insults. It was an unpleasant but commonly used term by groups who despised each other. That was certainly the case between Jews and Canaanites. So we see the human Jesus very much embedded within the culture of his day, making use of that term in a society devoid of the political correctness which is to the fore in our own. Using such terminology was simply the done thing.

Maybe that is why the woman was, apparently, undaunted by the comment from Jesus. She persisted and Jesus ended up by commending her for her faith and telling her that her daughter was healed. Jesus saw beyond the boundaries of his Jewish identity and recognised the depth of faith within this 'outsider'. This could well have been a significant moment in Jesus' ministry when, in His humanity, he recognised that His mission was in fact to the whole of humanity and not just to the people of Israel. Notice too, that there is nothing in the story to suggest that Jesus then sought to distance the woman from her own religious tradition. He simply responded with compassion to the need that she presented.

In fact, throughout the gospels Jesus appears to be far more concerned with the intention and sincerity of a person's heart than in the outward trappings of religious observance. He looks beyond the external forms of religion to its very heart and the longing for relationship with God. And therein lies the clue to constructive encounter between people of other religions. If instead of dismissing people of other faiths as mistaken or deluded (as is the attitude of some Christians) they are seen as people genuinely seeking to serve God in their lives, an exciting platform of opportunity opens up to share what we know of God through Jesus.

God's love knows no boundaries and is at work in the world beyond the confines of the Christian faith. We cannot draw our own limits around God's grace and mercy, which extends to every man, woman and child created in God's image. To do so is to turn God into an idol of our own making. What we can do is declare gracefully, but boldly, through our words and deeds, our faith in the God revealed in Jesus so that, like the Canaanite woman, people of other faiths might come to recognise him as their Lord.

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Let’s Discuss: 1. Do you know any people who belong to other religions? If so, are they people who you regard as your friends?

2. What thoughts and feelings do you have about the presence of different religions within our society?

3. Have you ever spoken to someone from another religion about your Christian faith? If so, what can you recall from that conversation? If not, is it because the opportunity has never arisen or because you have felt anxious or unsure?

4. Why do you think Jesus did not say anything to the Canaanite woman to challenge her religious beliefs?

5. What practical steps could you take to create opportunities for helping people of other religious traditions with whom you might have contact to learn more about Jesus?

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Action: Here are some pointers to setting up an event, working on the assumption that the local Christian leadership and the leaders of the other religion(s) concerned have a good relationship with each other.

1. Choose an appropriate venue. A 'neutral' venue for a first meeting, such as a community hall, can be helpful in overcoming apprehension about meeting in the place of worship of another religion.

2. Identify a title for the session. For example, 'The heart of our faith: Christian and Muslim views about God'.

3. Agree the ground rules for the session, emphasising that it's purpose is to help people come to a deeper understanding of each other's beliefs, not to attack or disrespect different beliefs. People will need to agree to differ.

4. Decide the format for the session. One approach is for a representative(s) from each religion to present their beliefs in 10-15 minutes in total. After each speaker, provide opportunity for questions of clarification only. Then, through a chairperson, the session can be opened up for questions and discussion. If there are only two religions involved in the event, limit the formal part of the session to around one hour. The chairperson's role is particularly important in ensuring that questions are directed to the speakers in a balanced way through the chair in a way that is consistent with the ground rules.

5. Ensure some social time over light refreshments before the session gets underway and/or afterwards. This will help build relationships between people from different religions and allow for conversation to continue.

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Prayer: Lord, help us to see our rightful place on this Earth. Equip us with open minds, that we may appreciate every aspect of your creation. Help us to be a people that embrace culture and difference. Give us voices that we can have dialogue, ears that we may listen, and smiles that we can be welcoming. Amen.

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Our daily bread Banks

By Gordon

Scripture Mark 9:35-41

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Let’s Focus: Rural community events come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, from a prestigious County Show run over several days to a modest flower festival in a tiny rural church. They can also have a very long history going back hundreds of years, or be a relatively new venture or possibly something that has not been done before. They can also be run entirely by the church or by a community group or as in the case of County Shows a long established organisation with both voluntary and salaried staff.

In the majority of cases these events will happen in a spring/summer window, May through to September/October. It is of paramount importance that any involvement by the church must be both distinctive and engaged. This is a fine balance, and an overt and over enthusiastic presentation of the Christian faith may seek only to distance and harden opinions about the church and its motives.

However we can and should have confidence to declare who we are and the faith to which we adhere. On occasions an event with a history may have developed factions and an acrimonious spirit. The church may be in a position to be good news of peace and reconciliation as well as sharing the Good News, i.e. sharing faith through words and action.

A small village in rural Sussex had at one time the Church at the physical centre of the community. Development gradually moved the village a couple of miles away and across a busy road. The church now sits in glorious isolation surrounded by a cluster of older residential properties. In the ‘new village’, there is a modern village hall that sits on a large expanse of a flat green park area.

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Some residents in the new village suffer social deprivation. It was decided to run a series of events over a Saturday running on into an Act of Worship on the Sunday. The first event on the Saturday morning was a session on faith sharing, based around 1 Peter 3:15 and was held in the church. In the afternoon a Food Fair was held in the Village Hall. Local farmers and producers were invited to come together to sell and display their wares, free of charge.

The whole event was based around the Lord’s Prayer ‘Our Daily Bread.’ Alongside the produce on sale there were simple refreshments using local produce and fair traded goods, plus activities for children. Everyone was welcomed by appointed people and on leaving given an invitation to the Act of Worship. In the evening they held a supper in the Village Hall with the title ‘Food for Thought’ with testimonies and song.

Members of the congregation could have a ticket, the price bring at least one not yet believer.

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Let’s Reflect: “He who is not against us is for us” It is John the ‘son of thunder’ who comes to Jesus with a report of someone not of the group using the name of Jesus to cast out demons.

In the thinking of the time it was a common understanding that demons had names and a power attached to that name. If you could invoke a stronger power by use of another name then the demon would become subject to dismissal.

This is broadly the argument thrown at Jesus in Mark 3:22. There is a danger here that the disciples are using the same argument as the Scribes. On the power and use of names see the story of Moses’ meeting with God and his subsequent discussion with ‘God’ about his name - Exodus 3.

Is it ever right to invoke the name of someone, perhaps known as a personal friend, to try and gain favour or shortcut due process? “…we told him to stop because he was not one of our group.”

Sadly, in some instances the mounting of what should be a celebration and an opportunity to work together becomes a battleground with control over miner-kingdoms being jealously guarded and fought over.

‘They do not belong to the flower arranger’s guild and therefore they have no right to mount a floral display.’ How can we find a way of being inclusive and yet at the same time get the best out of everybody, because not everybody will be good at flower arranging?

At another level we will find ourselves dealing with those outside the Christian faith, or those of another faith community. These people are clearly ‘not of our group’ - what is the right approach to engaging with them?

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Isaiah speaks very clearly about those ‘outside’ being called by God to fulfil his purposes. See Isaiah 44:28. However, for the most part Isaiah speaks to wayward Israel, that has failed to look after the orphan and the widow, to exercise justice, mercy, care and compassion. This begs the question does God only work through Christians and His church to fulfil His purposes in the world?

So, if you are holding an event at which you are inviting stall holders, what criteria might you use to discern who may or may not mount a display or a stall? If you are participating in an event organised by others, would there be things you would feel it inappropriate to associate with?

Taking a literal reading of ‘anyone who is not against us, is for us’; could enable us to associate with absolutely anyone who invites us to be part of their event.

‘If anyone gives you a cup of cold water because you belong to the Messiah, I assure you that person will be rewarded.” Just how they will be rewarded is not spelt out, but perhaps we need to hold this against the story of the separation of sheep and goats, (see Matthew 25:31).

This judgement echoes that of Isaiah with a call of correct practice over orthodoxy.

Should we have been the grateful recipient of that ‘cup of cold water’, are there ways in which we could say ‘thank you?’ This might be a practical letter or email after an event thanking someone for their help.

What effect do you think this may have on someone receiving such a thank you?

People may not be regular worshippers, and being aware of the danger of sexist stereotypes, this might often be the men who live their faith by proxy through their spouses. However, again perhaps being a tad sexist, men can often be drawn into a venture such as a flower festival, if for example they are asked to build a water feature. The opportunity to enlist the good will and support of those ‘not of our group’ and work together in the common enterprise of realising God’s kingdom is manifold through fetes, festivals and fun-days.

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Let’s Discuss: 1. Organising an event like this takes a lot of effort and good will.

How can we ensure that no one rides roughshod over someone else in their desire to control or to be seen as too important to be ignored?

2. Very often an event will be organised and only then will thought be given to any children who may just happen to be about.

How can we ensure children and young people are not simply an afterthought but considered as integral to any initiative that involves all ages?

3. One of the rules of St. Benedict is that guests should be greeted as if they were Christ. How can we learn to greet and welcome everyone in this spirit?

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4. Christians do not live in glorious isolation for the most part.

How can we share in a common enterprise with those who do not hold to the same values and morals as we may do as Christians?

5. Community events need to have the goodwill and practical help of everyone, those who attend church and those who do not. How can we be witnesses to our faith so that it contributes to a transforming community?

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Action: This context lends itself more accurately to be described as transforming communities. The Christian community worked well at engaging different groups within the community so that all those who involved themselves in the Food Fair felt integrated and respected.

The Parish Council was so enthused by the success of the Food Fair that they are now keen to carry the initiative forward. A crucial part of the success was to pass on to them all the right information. This has resulted in both buyers and sellers indicating their keenness to see the Food Fair continue on the church premises. Therefore a pre-Christmas market has been arranged in November, with even more stall holders, to be followed by regular (probably quarterly) Food Fairs in 2009.

I am thrilled that our local producers will continue to have this support and that the community will be given the opportunity to buy fresh local produce. What is great is that the Food Fair will continue at the Church, it will give us a great opportunity to gently share our faith through the building up of relationships.

Prayer: Almighty God, help us to get alongside everyone within our community. Through our ministry enable us to be people who hold the community together rather than divide. Enable your grace to abound in each of us as we witness in practical ways, to those around us. Amen.

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Befriending the outcasts

By Sue

Scripture Luke 7:37-50

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Let’s Focus: There are approximately 80,000 women involved in street prostitution within the UK. In the city where I am based in the North of the UK, it is estimated that around 300 women have been involved in street prostitution in the past 12 months. On any given 2 hour outreach session we could, as a team, chat to between 2 and 19 women. Almost all of the women we meet will have some dependency on heroin, crack cocaine or alcohol – for many their dependency will, at some level, be on all three. Whilst on the street, the women regularly encounter abuse in some form, whether verbally from passers-by or physically from the clients they go with. Women have shared stories with us of occasions when they have been held at knife point and raped.

Our approach is simple - we take out hot drinks and cakes to the women on the streets and use these gifts as symbols of our love and care; this also provides us with the opportunity to ask the women how they are and ask if there is anything we can pray for. We are also a visible presence to others and the women regularly thank us for coming out because, they tell us, our presence on the streets helps them feel safe.

Our vision for the outreach we do each week is simple • to show the women we meet that people do care • to share with them that they are loved by God and precious to Him • to offer to pray for the women when it feels appropriate, praying into their experiences and situations • to offer to meet the women away from the street to develop our relationship with them.

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Let’s Reflect: In all 4 Gospels there is the story of a woman who came to anoint Jesus with an alabaster jar of perfume. The woman who came to anoint Jesus in the Gospel of Luke is a different woman than the one we meet in Matthew, Mark and John. For in these Gospels the woman with the perfume comes much later in Jesus’ ministry. In fact she appears in the last week of Jesus’ life and therefore the anointing of the perfume was to prepare Jesus’ body for burial – an ancient ritual used at that time.

The woman of Luke comes much earlier in Jesus’ ministry; she comes to anoint Him with the perfume not to prepare Him for burial, but as a sign of her heartfelt gratitude and thanksgiving.

We have no background information about the woman of Luke, we don’t even know her name, there is no mention of her meeting Jesus before her visit to the Pharisee’s house, but something has happened to her, for after hearing that Jesus is in Simon’s house, she decides to visit him.

Meals of this type hosted by the Pharisees for special guests were not private events but public – anyone could come in and watch what was going on. In fact it was custom that those who were poor and had no means of providing for themselves could come to such an event and eat what was left on the table after the guests had finished eating.

It was a public event, open to all – except the town’s outcasts; this wasn’t the place for them to show their faces. Being an outcast meant that you were ostracised, banished from the public gaze. And there was no-one more ostracised than this woman – who is simply termed as ‘a

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woman who lived a sinful life in that town’. She was in fact the town’s prostitute – ‘the sinner’. Can you imagine the stares and the sneers that she got each time she left her home? Can you imagine that wherever she went the townsfolk would have been gossiping behind her back? If you can imagine the abuse she suffered, then you might be able to grasp how courageous she was in visiting Jesus at such a public event and especially in the home of a Pharisee. Remember that the Pharisees were those who followed the Jewish Law to the letter and particularly the codes of purity, yet such a woman dares to enter Simon’s home.

She was a courageous woman or maybe we might argue she was hardfaced. And hard-faced is what she would have learnt to become to survive in that town. To cope with the accusing eyes, the judging comments and the hurls of abuse – being hard-faced was a survival strategy – a survival strategy for this woman and also for the women caught up in prostitution all over the UK today, some 80,000! The hard-faced-ness can give off an air of - “I don’t care” attitude and yet in reality it’s only a mask to hide what’s really happening underneath - the shame, degradation and the guilt that haunt those involved in such a lifestyle.

We are not told when it happened but somewhere along the way this woman, known by everyone as ‘the one who led a sinful life’ experienced a life-changing encounter with Jesus. An encounter that allowed her to summon up all her courage, which enabled her to get through the door of Simon’s home, ignoring the glares and the whispers so that she could fall at Jesus feet and pour out the perfume as a sign of her heartfelt gratitude and thanksgiving.

An encounter that sets about a change in her that Jesus speaks about when He tells Simon about the story of the two money lenders and how their debts were cancelled and asks which one would love more – the one who owed 50 Denarii or the one who owed 500? Jesus uses that story to show that the woman anointed Him because she loved much, and she loved much, Jesus tells us, because she had been forgiven much. And before she leaves, Jesus says to her “Your faith has saved you: go in peace”. Peace now that she is released from the shame, the degradation and the guilt. Peace to know that she is forgiven and can now begin a new life, a new life given to her from her encounter with Jesus.

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Let’s Discuss: 1. Has there ever been a time in your life when you have felt an outcast or have felt that you’ve been ostracised?

2. Who are the outcasts in the community where you live? Who are those who are viewed as having ‘lived a sinful life’?

3. What is your attitude towards them? How do you feel about them?

4. Imagine such a person coming to a home in your community because they’ve heard that Jesus is eating there. What reaction would they get from those meeting in the house? What do you think Jesus would say to them?

5. What do you think the good news of the Gospel would mean for them?

How might their life change?

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Action: Jackie, who has been involved in prostitution from fifteen years of age, she is now in her thirties. In the past Jackie has been dependent on heroin and has been an alcoholic for many years. Her story is one of pain and heartache from a young age. We have recently begun meeting up with her away from the streets.

She has a need to be forgiven of her past; she also has a desperate need to receive from God a new life. When she was asked recently if she wanted to accept Jesus into her life her reply was, “Well I think I deserve Him after all I have been through in my life!” Jackie’s life experiences are so harrowing that on hearing them you almost think that they couldn’t possibly be true.

One day we took Jackie out and when our time together was drawing to an end she said that we must pray for her before we left.

Then she emphasised that she wanted us to pray with her and not for her. And sure enough as we started to pray she began to pray for herself and in tears she asked God to forgive her and asked Him to come to her and to help her sort her life out. As we left she told us, “God’s come, I know He’s come because I feel different, I feel a weight has been lifted”.

Jackie is at the beginning of a new journey in her life, and she accepts that it is one step at a time. There has been a lot of darkness in her life and she has been ostracised by many people, including her own family. But we trust that peace will be hers, for just as Jesus said to the woman with the alabaster jar of perfume, He also says to Jackie, “Your faith has saved you: go in peace”. (names have been changed)

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Prayer: Almighty God, help me to have a heart for those who are outcasts. Let me see through the veneer of their life and be part of their potential for the future. Where there is hopelessness let me instil hope. Where there is silence, enable me to bring forth a voice of joy. Above all give me love in my heart for those you love. Amen.

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Biography of Contributors All our contributors are Church Army Evangelists who have excellent experience of the subject of the study they have submitted.

Paul Fitzpatrick C.A. As Church Army’s Head of Fundraising, Paul views his ministry as ensuring the resources required for effective evangelistic ministry are raised. He was commissioned in 1998 and has worked in a variety of parish contexts. As an Evangelist he has a passion to see the Kingdom of God grow and develop.

Richard Tett C.A. As an evangelist with the Church Army Bus Project, based in Ellsemere Port, Richard wants to see young people come to a living faith in Jesus Christ through the ministry of the project.

Richard was commissioned in 2006; he has a passion to make the good news known to all those he meets daily.

Richard Martin C.A. Born in Brighton, Richard has worked in insurance and as a Church Army Evangelist in two parishes in Yorkshire and one in Kent. He currently teaches RE at a school in Maidstone, and as the Assistant Minister at St Francis of Assisi Church in Strood.

Jenny Colby C.A. Jenny is Licensed to the Bracknell Deanery and sees her work as a Church Army Evangelist as showing God's love to all in the community. She does this through Church links such as Baptisms and Funerals and also by involvement in schools, residential homes, and at the Tea House. She was commissioned in 1974. She has four grown up children and loves being Grandma to her three grandchildren.

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Jonathan Wiggam C.A. Jonathan acts as an initiator for community outreach in Aldershot. Envisioning, enabling and empowering the church in mission. His ministry is all encompassing with particular key mission focuses on young people, men and the pub and club culture. Jonathan was commissioned in 2004.

Ian Maher C.A. As Head of the Multifaith Chaplaincy at Sheffield Hallam University, Ian oversees the chaplaincy's response to the religious, spiritual and pastoral needs of its students and staff. Commissioned in 1991 Ian's previous posts include a parish in south-east London and a stint on the staff at Wilson Carlile College of Evangelism.

Gordon Banks C.A. Commissioned in 1986, Gordon has served in Luton, the North East and the South West. He is now diocesan Evangelist for the diocese of Chichester. He seeks to stand along side people in the spirit of Barnabas, enthusing and giving encouragement to share the faith in words and action.

Sue a Church Army Evangelist Sue’s ministry involves developing relationships with women involved in street prostitution, in a city in the north of the UK. She was commissioned in 2001.

Today through exploring Christian community as a fresh expression of Church, working with a team of volunteers, Sue as project coordinator, enables these vulnerable women to taste and see something of the Life in its Fullness that Jesus Christ gives us.

Faith Words Action Supporting Church Army Your prayers and financial support are vital to the success of Church Army ministry. There are many ways in which you can partner with us at home, in church, with friends, by joining us in prayer, making a regular donation or even with a bequest in your Will.

Make a regular donation A regular gift enables us to plan with confidence, as well as reducing our administrative and banking costs.

Whether you choose to give towards Church Army's general funds or to support a particular evangelist or project, knowing that we can count on your regular donation makes budgeting easier and improves the effectiveness of our ministry.

Make a one-off donation £15 - would enable a Church Army evangelist to minister with children and young people through a school assembly or after-school club. £25 - would fund a prayer group for homeless people at a Church Army project. £50 - would provide a three course meal for 30 isolated older people at one of Church Army's afternoon lunch clubs

Pray for us You can receive a prayer diary in paper format by ticking the box opposite, or electronically by going to www.churcharmy.org.uk/pub/support/prayer/ePrayersignup.asp

Supporter communication Shareit! is our supporter magazine published twice a year in print and online, and gives an overview of the work of our Evangelists and projects. You can view the latest copy online at www.churcharmy.org.uk In Touch is our regular supporter e-newsletter.

You can sign up online at www.churcharmy.org.uk

I want to support Church Army and help people discover life to the full Title:

Name:

Address:

Postcode: Telephone Number: E-mail:

I want to be kept in touch with the work of Church Army.

Yes I would like to receive: Prayer Diary

I am (please tick): Under 24

I am interested in supporting your work and would like to find out more

Shareit!

25-35

36-45

Return address: Please return this card to:

Captain Paul Fitzpatrick C.A. The Fullness of Life Church Army Freepost WD1884 Sidcup DA15 7BR (or please use a stamp to save our costs)

64-55

Over 65

Here’s my financial support I would like to make a donation of

£15

£30

£50

I enclose my cheque/postal order/CAF voucher (made payable to Church Army) Please debit my MasterCard/Visa/CAF Charity Card Maestro/Switch/Delta (circle as applicable) Card no: Valid from:

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Expiry date:

Security number: Issue number:

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(last 3 digits on the back of the card in the signature strip) (for Maestro/Switch/Delta)

Signature:

Date:

To make a donation by telephone please call 020 8309 3519 and quote SGD09 You can also give online by visiting www.churcharmy.org.uk/giving Please tick if you DO NOT wish to receive an acknowledgement.

Gift Aid Declaration By giving your consent for Gift Aid you can make your donation worth more at no extra cost to you. For every pound you give to us, we get an extra 28 pence from the Inland Revenue. So just tick here. It's that simple.

To qualify for Gift Aid, what you pay in income tax or capital gains tax must at least equal the amount we will claim in the tax year. Remember to notify us if you no longer pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax equal to the tax we reclaim on your donations.

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, we will not pass your details on to third parties for mailing purposes but will hold your details to provide you with updates and information on how you can pray and support our work. If you do not wish to receive any future communications from Church Army please tick this box

Church Army, Marlowe House, 109 Station Road, Sidcup, Kent DA15 7BR Tel: 020 8309 3519 Fax: 020 8309 3500 info@churcharmy.org.uk www.churcharmy.org.uk Registered Charity No. 226226 ISBN 978-0-9509281-1-1