shareit! The Magazine of Church Army
29
Summer 2009
Little worshippers From robber to fundraiser The shop that gives hugs
e l b i s s o p n o i s Mis g n i r e e n o i p n o Missi g n i t i c x e Mission
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shareit! The Magazine of Church Army
Patron: HM The Queen President: The Most Revd Desmond Tutu Church Army Evangelists share the Christian faith through words and action and equip others to do the same. Evangelists and staff are devoted to a wide range of service in Anglican churches, projects and teams throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. Shareit! is the magazine of Church Army and it is available free upon request. Please let us know if you would prefer not to receive further issues of Shareit! or other communications from Church Army. Marlowe House, 109 Station Road Sidcup, Kent DA15 7AD Tel: 020 8309 3519 Fax: 020 8309 3500 email: info@churcharmy.org.uk www.churcharmy.org.uk Registered Charity No: 226226 Senior Editor: David Coleman 020 8309 3516 Editor: Kofo Baptist 020 8309 3515 Design & Print: CPO 01903 264556 Photography: Media Image Ltd 020 8378 1196 ISSN 1751-3960 If you have a story for Shareit!, or suggestions on how we can improve this magazine, then please contact David Coleman. The paper used is from sustainable forests and can be recycled. Printed by Bishops who have 14001 accreditation.
Evangelist Support Scheme This symbol identifies those Evangelists who, through the Evangelist Support Scheme, seek support for their ministry through prayer and giving. It may be that you are drawn to an Evangelist in this issue and would like to find out how you can partner with them in their ministry. To receive further information about the scheme, please contact Victoria Carr at v.carr@churcharmy.org.uk or call 020 8309 3519
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Make Jesus famous
From the Chief Executive
Dear friends, hen you think of Christians known for their commitment to sharing the gospel to the least, the last and the lost , you think quickly of Jackie Pullinger. Her years of hard work and sacrifice in Hong Kong have been a channel of God’s blessing and love to thousands of people who are way outside the reach of the Church. Who better could there be to speak into the hearts of Church Army Evangelists and to challenge us to go deeper into the love and will of God? At our recent Church Army conference, we had the privilege of basking in the love of God and being inspired to risk more by Jackie. You can pick up from pages 20-21 a flavour of what she said to us, which I hope will challenge and inspire you to make Jesus famous as much as it did us. Another recent highlight for me has been chairing the selection process for new trainee Evangelists. For generations, Church Army has recruited pioneers, people with a heart to work on the margins of our society. The new trainees we selected also carry God’s heart for the lost and his mantle to reach out to them. Our innovative new Mission-based Training model is raising the bar for ministry training in the UK. Our trainees serve in one of our Centres of Mission, located across the UK and Ireland, serving with an experienced Evangelist, and working towards a Foundation Degree in Evangelism. We have been so excited that Dr Elaine Storkey has joined us as our new Director of Training. You can read about our training on pages 10 to 13. In this issue, you can get a flavour of the variety of ministries that Church Army Evangelists are involved in from serving the homeless to working with prisoners and those excluded by society.
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As we look at the major challenges our world is facing, it could be very easy to be overwhelmed. It would be just as easy to see the good work that we are doing and to get complacent. Church Army has no plans to do either. The mission task is as big as ever but we have faith in an even bigger God. Thank you for being united with us, for your prayers and support. It is making a real difference, so please continue to hold us up prayerfully and financially. Could you recommend someone to train as an Evangelist or join our youth gap year programme?
These are exciting times, and Church Army remains committed in our mission to share Christ’s love with those who have little or no meaningful connection with the Church. Thanks for being a part of this work. With my love and prayers,
Mark Russell Chief Executive www.churcharmy.org.uk/ceo
PS: Phil Clark, who heads up Church Army’s Global Gap Year programme, Xplore, has been appointed as National Director designate for Church Army New Zealand (CANZ). He takes up his new post in September and will have responsibility for the strategic and operational direction of CANZ as it approaches its 75th anniversary in 2010. I am thrilled that Phil has been appointed as the new National Director for CANZ. Phil will make a massive contribution and his experience will impact the whole church there. He bristles with gifts, energy, charisma and passion for Jesus and the lost. Phil, Monika and their family are taking a huge step of faith, and stepping out with courage and vision, and in doing so they have my full support and prayers. Phil has an impressive track record of ministry here in the UK, and the success of Xplore is due to his energy and vision. My excitement for Phil is of course tinged with the sadness of losing a close friend and colleague from the team here. But we release Phil in love, with our prayers, and will stand with him as he begins this new post in the autumn. We also pray for Lizzie Wallace as she takes over leadership of Xplore.
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Contents
Shareit! 29 Summer 2009
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8
30
20
News
Faith
Words
6 News The latest news from Church Army
14 To the margins and beyond More on this year’s new Evangelists
19 Homelessness – breaking the cycle How to work with homeless people
18 Little worshippers A fun kind of church for under fives
20 Pray for people to meet Jesus and expect miracles – Jackie Pullinger shares an important message
8 Valley of Hope gets X Factor treatment Helping ex-offenders reach for the stars 17 70 years and still going strong Celebrating a faithful ministry
24 Amazing Grace How Paul Fitzpatrick went from a life of crime to follow Christ 30 God’s in the house Being church outside church walls
31 Finding God’s love in the city – Peter Graystone shares something of the heart of God for cities
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Action 10 Mission possible, Mission pioneering, Mission excitingi– introducing Elaine Storkey and Church Army’s mission-based training model 12 Sharing hope, changing lives – Damien Hine and Matt Rowley share their experience of mission-based training 22 Pastoring the streets Evangelism on the streets of Aldershot 27 Café church A new way of doing church in Hunmanby
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28 The shop that gives hugs Making a difference in Burngreave, Sheffield
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Archbishop swaps his pulpit for the pub The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, swapped his pulpit for the pub when he visited Solace. The Archbishop was at the Edwards Bar in Cardiff for a meeting with Solace which is run by Church Army Evangelist Wendy Sanderson and Baptist minister James Karran. Dr Williams
spoke to an audience of young people and answered questions on the theme, ‘Can God mend broken Britain?’. “He was truly inspirational and spoke to people on their level,” says Wendy. “Many people commented on the laid back atmosphere and the ease and honesty that
the Archbishop spoke with, as he dealt with the issue in a way that was relevant and used language that everyone understood.” Solace meets every Saturday at Edwards Bar on St Mary’s Street in Cardiff city centre at 8.30pm. To find out more about Solace, visit www.solace-cardiff.org.uk
PhotoS: Anwar Suliman
A Bollygood time Church Army Evangelist Kinder Kalsi and the team at St Bartholomew’s Church in Sheffield recently organised an Asian-style fundraiser in partnership with Zest, a local community organisation, to raise funds for the Lord Mayor’s charities for 2008/9. The Lord Mayor of Sheffield,
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Councillor Jane Bird, was the special guest at the party, which took place at St Bartholomew’s Church and raised £500 for the Sheffield Children’s Hospital and Cavendish Cancer Care. As well as serving only Asian food, guests had to don Asian apparel and get
down to some Bollywood dance routines. Kinder said: “Our Christian faith is about words and action and the church’s action in this case is working with local organisations to put on an event for a good cause.”
Life is tweet!
Young artists bring the Face of Jesus to life Around 60 people came to the opening night of the Faces of Jesus exhibition at All Saints Church, Westbury, Wiltshire, They enjoyed a wide variety of artwork that had been produced by students from Matravers Secondary School – a specialist art college. For four months, Church Army Evangelist Steven Baggs had been working with twelve students and staff to interpret the idea of the human face of Jesus Christ. Steven explains: “The exhibition itself focuses on
the facial expressions of Jesus, and tells the gospel story by looking in detail at the many emotions and moods that Jesus expressed throughout his life. During after-school art sessions, the young artists were given the creative challenge of depicting the ‘very human face of Jesus’, thus also thinking about who and what Jesus is for them as individuals.” Go to www.rejesus.co.uk where you can look at images showing different faces of Jesus dating back to the early centuries of the Church.
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Church Army has found a home on one of the world’s fastest-growing social networking and microblogging service, Twitter. Twitter enables its users to send and read brief updates of text known as ‘tweets’. Church Army’s Online Services and Internal Communications Manager, Neil Thomson, says: “Since joining Twitter, we have found it a great way to inform our supporters and Twitter followers about news as it happens, ask for prayer, and let people know about new film content on our website.” More info: www.twitter.com/ churcharmy
BBC Radio talks to Church Army’s hospital chaplain Following the National Secular Society’s call for the NHS hospital chaplaincy service to be scrapped, BBC Radio 4’s Today programme recently aired an interview with Church Army’s Phaedra PamphilonGreen, who is a chaplain at Homerton Hospital in London. Phaedra shared with the BBC how she and other chaplains are there
to comfort and support patients and their families, allowing nursing staff to continue with their many medical duties. Both the Ward Sister and Mortuary Officer praised Phaedra’s huge contribution to the hospital, describing the chaplaincy as “a service to the bereaved that’s second to none”.
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Church Army’s
Valley of Hope gets
treatment
when it r treatment to c a F X e red are got th ) to be featu ct in Aberd O je N ro p (W e ra p e o fH tional Op The Valley o us Welsh Na o m a -f d rl o by w itiative. was chosen ngwriting in so s g n o S t e in their Stre
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treet Songs, a year long programme that creates opportunities for stories and voices of the valleys to be heard, offered Valley of Hope service users the chance to turn their stories and life experiences into opera songs. Run by Church Army Evangelist Ralph Upton, and based in the Rhondda
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valley, Valley of Hope supports ex-offenders and those previously homeless or struggling with drug or alcohol additions, helping them get their lives back on track. It is these real-life experiences of homelessness, addiction and family breakdown that have provided the raw material for Street Songs. Working closely with Valley of Hope and its clients, artists from the WNO provided a series of workshops in song-writing, music-making and visual arts. This enabled WNO to translate the participants’ life stories into a number of mediums, each representing a different dimension of the opera experience be it performance or design. The writer and composer worked with each participant, often in their own homes, to help craft their stories into songs. Between the participants
they have created six original songs, or arias, and five unique pieces of artwork, which have been turned into posters and postcards. Kate Woolveridge, Owen Webb and Stacey Blythe of WNO performed these brand-new songs in December, on the Cardiff to Aberdare train line, to unassuming Christmas shoppers. Once the initial shock wore off, passengers gave the three a sustained round of applause! This event was captured by awardwinning film-maker Davina Payne, who has used it as a basis for a documentary of the project entitled Opera Express. This honest and uplifting film was recently placed on the WNO website, and shows how people who are at rock bottom can still turn their lives around, as long as they are given hope and a helping hand. “This is a great opportunity for our clients who have had little opportunity in life to be involved with one of the world’s leading companies. It speaks volumes for how highly this project is regarded”, says Ralph Upton. In Ralph’s words, this project gives its participants: “A chance to do something they’d never done before … something that they could see some results from, because they’ve never achieved anything in their lives until now.” Since October 2002, the project has helped transform the lives of different individuals on the margins of society such as John, who fell into depression when his wife and children suddenly left him. In poor health and suffering from panic attacks, John rarely gets outside but says the Valley of Hope have been a great support to him. “I didn’t know if I could go on. By meeting them they picked me up and showed me that there’s a bit more to life than how I felt at the time. Since then things have progressed for
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the better since Valley of Hope have been involved in my life.” ‘Opera Express’ features Sian, Geoff and Tania from the Valley of Hope, as well as project manager Ralph Upton. You can watch it by visiting www.wno.org.uk/4935 Go to www.churcharmy.org.uk/RalphUpton where you can watch a film about Ralph Upton and the Valley of Hope project.
? ders n I help How ca mber the ex-offen lley t the Va se reme
Plea isusers a y that stance m b u s d n yers. Pra a ra p in t projec of the life of Hope mething . o s te s ta mselves they will is for the th t n a w and of Jesus
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Mission possible
Dr Elaine Storkey, our new Director of Training introduces Church Army’s mission-based training model
C Mission pioneering Mission exciting 10 Shareit!
hurch Army is entering an exciting new phase for the training of our Evangelists. The training we have developed and pioneered means that our Evangelists will no longer be based in a residential college for their training, but in the field where they are working to bring the good news of the gospel to those who need to hear it. We have set up a number of centres of mission right across the UK and Ireland and our first pilot year has been completed. These centres are led by experienced Evangelists serving as training enablers as they mentor and train their less experienced colleagues. The programme has now been validated by York St John University and is winning praise right across the church for being innovative and pioneering – there is nothing quite like it here in the UK and Ireland. Elaine joined Church Army earlier this year as she believes that missionbased training is absolutely key to the future of the church. There is no substitute for training people in the day-to-day context of a real live mission scenario. That’s what Church Army is pioneering, and she is delighted to offer her experience and leadership to help make it even better. Mission-based training is about helping people to see how the gospel applies in the situation that they’re in, and the issues they’re now facing and the relationships that
Some people may be surprised that Elaine took this job at this stage in her career, but she felt that Church Army has a new vibrancy and confidence about its role in shaping the future of the Church, and being part of this was too good an opportunity to miss. “Having a group of people like Church Army Evangelists who are authorised, equipped, mandated and released to speak the gospel into this culture is an enormous privilege, and this has always been a fabulous organisation; nurturing and reaching out to the un-churched, to the people that others have frankly not cared much about. A heart for the least, the last and the lost is part of our tradition, and I think anything is possible for Church Army at this time with our new vibrancy and outlook. It’s a most exciting opportunity, a mission-shaped opportunity. We have the heart to do
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“ Church Army has a new vibrancy and confidence about its role in shaping the future of the Church” they have developed, not just through books, assessment and assignments integrating all the theory and theology with the practice. Linking up with George Lings and his team at the Sheffield Centre is a key part of the role for me. We will explore together a new understanding of the culture of 21st century mission, recognising what has to change without putting at risk the key fundamentals of sharing the truth of the gospel. Together we will ensure that we encourage the rest of Church Army to think, reflect and learn, which is at the very heart of mission-based training.
it, the vision to do it and the permission to do it. Let’s get on with it.” You can find out more about our mission-based training programme and view a short film which features our current trainees and mission enablers on our website at www.churcharmy.org.uk/mbt Dr Elaine Storkey is Church Army’s Director of Training. She is President of Tearfund, a regular contributor to BBC radio 4’s Thought for the Day and a former Director of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity.
“ There is no substitute for training people in the day-to-day context of a real live mission scenario” Shareit! 11
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Sharing Hope, Changing lives New trainees Damien Hine and Matt Rowley share something of their experiences. Damien is based at Warwick Gates and Matt in Craigavon Northern Ireland’s forgotten City. Along with Craig Dowling (Kidbrooke) and Mark Bingham (Ellesmere Port), they are our first mission-based trainees Joining Church Army Matt – I joined Church Army because I want to see people turn to Jesus Christ and be set free from past hurts, sickness and addiction. I believe God has called me to help train, release and encourage other Christians to share God’s love to a hurting world.
Making an impact Damien – I have been working in Warwick School and we have set up a new group called Wired for 12-15 year olds as a new space where Christian community can develop and these young people will get the chance to connect with God is a real way. Matt Rowley
Mission
-based training
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Being there Matt – It’s been a real challenge but very rewarding as I have been able to help and encourage church members in their faith as well as acting as part of the chaplaincy services in our local hospital. It’s a great privilege to be where Jesus is, alongside the sick and needy and making myself available as a vessel for God to work with these folks in their time of need.
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Life-changing conversations Damien – A few weeks ago I was serving at a street café giving out drinks to the homeless and clubbers when a girl walked in and opened up to me about her life. We ended up talking at length about how God loved her and I introduced her to prayer and the new hope that is found in Christ. At the end of the night her tears were gone and a new expression of hope shone on her face. So often I am amazed beyond words at what God does.
Moving to a new country Matt – Craigavon is a deprived area in a new country and I was nervous at moving my wife and children out there. I wondered how we would be accepted and if ministering to people in a completely different cultural context would be too much for me. God is good and I have been absolutely
amazed about how well we have settled in the local people have been great.
Damien Hine
Variety in mission Damien – In the team where I serve, we have been engaging with the community in a variety of ways such as giving away food in the poorer parts of the estate, outreach into schools, alpha in the work place and messy church.
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To the Margins and beyond >> I was sitting around a breakfast table with four of those who will be commissioned this summer; they were on a college Mission Team and I had timed my visit to coincide with a cooked breakfast – it’s called ‘strategic planning’!
Paul Oakley
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e were remarking on how far-flung were the places they were to go for their first posts: Brett to Scotland, Jon to Wales, Nikki to Plymouth, and wondering whether, to complete the pattern, Kate would find herself in East Anglia. Pete and Lynne were at home, having just welcomed into the world their new baby: they would be moving ‘only’ as far as Skelmersdale, but since this involved crossing the Pennines from Yorkshire, it might as well be a different continent! Later that day, it occurred to me: the
sending of these new evangelists to the margins of the country (and beyond!) was a picture of the calling and mission of Church Army as a society. We are called to share the Good News beyond the margins of the Church, beyond the margins of traditional church outreach, and beyond the margins of what is considered ‘safe’ society. This is not because we want to be ‘different’, or because we’re in some way disillusioned with church. It’s because so many people in our society are beyond the limits of where inherited
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New evangelists Brett Price >> With his wife Linda, who was commissioned last summer, Brett will be moving to Hawick in the Scottish Borders, in the Diocese of Edinburgh. Before training with Church Army, Brett worked for many years in prisons and drug rehabilitation centres, and had the privilege last year of visiting the work among addicts in Hong Kong started by Jackie Pullinger. Brett and Linda have a vision to carry the Good News to people on the margins of society, and will be working as “Fresh Expressions Evangelists” among people ‘bereft of the only thing that would make a permanent and lasting difference to their lives.’
Jon Price >> Jon is Welsh, passionate about rugby and even more passionate about sharing the Good News in ways which can be understood. Jon’s first post will models of church can reach. Traditional mission has tended to involve saying “Come to us”, but now we need to Go to where people are. This is the motivation of these six new evangelists: they are committed “to boldly go….” They need and appreciate our prayers and our practical support as they follow the example of the Apostle Paul, who wrote, “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known.” (Romans 15:20) Paul Oakley, Senior Tutor, Wilson Carlile College of Evangelism
Brett Price
Prayer Points 1. For the practical issues raised by moving so far from family and friends. 2. For God’s guidance in combining professional experience with reliance on the Holy Spirit. be at Churchstoke in Hereford Diocese, where he will seek to develop Fresh Expressions of Christian Community in a rural context. As well as ministry among farmers, schools and markets, Jon hopes to liaise with the Church in Wales in the exploration of Fresh Expressions there. Jon and Sally were married in October 2007, and Sally plans to begin a PGCE in Aberystwyth in September.
Jon Price
Prayer Points 1. For wisdom to know which of many opportunities to pursue in exploring ‘Fresh Expressions’ in rural settings. 2. For ways to harness and channel the enthusiasm and excitement of the people who have already caught the vision for engaging in mission and evangelism.
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<< Nikki Thornhill
Nikki Thornhill
Prayer Points 1. For Nikki and her daughter, Vicky, moving a long way from family and friends; Vicky will begin college in Plymouth.
<<
Kate Hatton
Peter and Lynne Bone
As this goes to press, Kate’s first post is not yet known for certain, although God seems to be leading her toward the Home Counties. Kate sees the potential in people and has a passion to see them find a relationship with a loving God and personal saviour, whatever route and shape that may take. She is gifted in story-telling and drama and longs for God to use her creative gifts in evangelism with children and adults. Kate Hatton
<<
2. For God’s leading as Nikki explores this new role, seeking in personal and public ministry to introduce people to the Jesus who knows and loves them.
To develop Fresh Expressions of Christian Community in the Royal Navy is a first! Nikki is a real pioneer because she will be the first lay person appointed to this kind of evangelistic work in a naval chaplaincy, and one of only two female chaplains in the entire Navy. She will have opportunities for ministry to the large number of personnel who will pass through ‘HMS Raleigh’, the Naval Training Centre in Plymouth where Nikki will be based. She faces this new challenge with some trepidation, but with a trust that ‘the one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.’ (1Thessalonians 5:24) Peter and Lynne, with Charlie (12), Mary (10) and Anne (born March 27th 2009) will be moving to Skelmersdale in the Diocese of Liverpool. Initially, Peter and Lynne, who work well as a team, will be job-sharing so that they can care for Anne in her first year of life. They are looking forward to working with Duncan, the vicar, and Ann, his wife in the ‘Oaks Project’, continuing to plant and nurture cell churches in an area where a pioneering approach is needed. Peter and Lynne have valued their time in training and are aiming to take into their first posts the insights and practical experiences gained.
Peter Bone
Lynne Bone
Prayer Points Prayer Points 1. For God to open up the absolute best appointment for Kate. 2. For a new job for Kate’s husband, Tim, who currently works in Manchester.
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1. For Charlie and Mary, settling into another new home and new schools. 2. For accommodation to be sorted out; so that the family can live in a place where they will be safe, happy and part of the community.
70 years and still going strong
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Church Army Evangelist Teresa Capel of Westminster, London recently celebrated her 70th year anniversary as a Church Army sister. The 92-year-old was commissioned as an Evangelist by Church Army founder Wilson Carlile himself when she was 22.
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hief Executive Mark Russell visited Teresa at the Westminster Alms Houses in Victoria to celebrate with her over tea and cake. He said it is “amazing to think that Teresa is around the age now that Wilson Carlile was when he commissioned her, and yet she is so sharp and clear about the truth and value of the gospel.” Teresa was encouraged to join Church Army by a friend when she was just 18, but had to serve in a voluntary capacity in the Candidates’ League until the age of 21, when she could finally join the Society. As well as being the senior Sister in charge of Church Army’s Queen Mary’s women’s hostel in Victoria, with over 130 beds, she also served as the Assistant Chaplain in Strangeways Prison, and spoke to Mark with conviction and passion about reaching out in love to those who have been outside the reach of church. She told Mark: “People see what we have got is unusual and is something people want and long for – the all-embracing love of God. None of us can match up to Jesus, but it is important that our Evangelists walk closely with God every day of their lives – this way others will sense
the presence and fragrance of God. We must do this; people expect it of us. People will judge us by what we do more than what we say, and we should not let our Lord down.”
“ she is so sharp and clear about the truth and value of the gospel” Teresa was also honoured with an award, the medal of St Melitus, for her services to the London Diocese, and she received the “love, great affection and gratitude” from Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London.
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worshippers
Suzette Maguire
Church Army Evangelist Suzette Maguire, a Family and Children’s Worker, in Sheffield writes about the church for under fives and how this is making church exciting for little children
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hurch for children under 5 is an important fresh expression of Christian community. It creates a space where little children can be themselves in a faith-based environment that recognizes their need for play. I remember the first time I met Liz and her daughter Olivia. I don’t think Liz would have otherwise attended church had it not been for the Sure Start worker, Helen, who invited her to the baby massage session. Coming back to a church building was a big step for Liz. You see, Liz had attended church as a young girl but had been disconnected from the Christian faith. But now as a mother, she had started to think more about faith and what role that would play in her life. She was also keen to get her daughter Olivia baptised. As Liz and her husband Matt began Olivia’s baptism preparation, I told them about ‘Bright Sparks’, a midweek church service for under 5’s and their carers and, after Olivia’s baptism
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which I conducted, Liz and Olivia became regular attendees. Liz is now asking about confirmation for herself. Bright Sparks is all about making church fun for little ones in a space where they can be themselves. There are lots of activities to keep the little ones busy; Olivia especially likes the music. Liz says: “Matt and I didn’t get married in church because we didn’t believe and we didn’t want to be hypocritical. I had never heard of Church Army when I first met Suzette, but I am proud to be a part of this parish and Olivia loves going along to Bright Sparks. As she gets older I won’t try to railroad Olivia into believing, but she will have the experience of Bright Sparks at least to back her up when she begins to ask faith questions herself.” To support the work of Evangelists like Suzette, call Church Army on 020 8309 3519 or e-mail info@churcharmy.org.uk
g cy the cle
How do individuals or churches start to approach working with the homeless? Church Army’s Heather Dadds considers key aspects of good practice
breaki n
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H
omelessness does not just happen. A variety of events in a person’s life – domestic violence, redundancy, relationship breakdowns, or addictions – are often the cause. Finding temporary accommodation, such as a hostel, from where a person may eventually be settled into more permanent accommodation, may be all that is needed. But, for many, this is not enough. Although lack of accommodation is the immediate problem, there are often deeper and more difficult issues. There may be feelings of anger, failure, lack of confidence, lack of self-worth, and also depression. Working with the homeless is a long-term commitment that has to be based on relationship; and any successful relationship has to be based on equality. Building these relationships is not always easy, and there is a need to recognise the other person’s boundaries. Breaking the cycle of homelessness always involves a secure relationship. Not only does this give a sense of belonging, equality, and dignity, but it also enables a person to “fail” and seek help again without feeling inadequate. There is also a need to adopt a holistic approach to the care that is given. Seeing the problem in purely practical terms is not enough; care
of the spirit is often more important than that of the body. If there is no time to give people encouragement, help them to address emotional issues, or to ensure that they have the confidence to see their lives differently, then it is difficult to furnish them with help or accommodation and expect them to succeed. Applying a “one size fits all” mentality to homeless people will never work, especially in communities that are increasingly multi-cultural. The key to breaking the cycle of homelessness is: “Love your neighbour as yourself”. The question is: do we see the person sleeping in the shop doorway, or church porch, as our neighbour?
This article was first published in the Church Times earlier this year.
Heather Dadds is a community chaplain and evangelist at Church Army’s Marylebone Project working with the Bridge Project. Go to www.churcharmy.org.uk/ HeatherDadds where you can watch a film about Heather’s work.
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expect miracles
Pray for people to meet Jesus and
Jackie Pullinger has had a remarkab among drug addicts in Hong Kong fo her sheer persistent hard work for the her the authority and the respect to inspire Church Army Evangelists and messages that she brought us at the r
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Wisdom and revelation
Acts of kindness
Pray for “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better” (Ephesians:1:17). Meeting Jesus comes through revelation, not logic. We want to have a revelation from Jesus that those we minister among will have a revelation of Jesus – otherwise we’re going to try to explain Jesus, which can’t be done. We rarely explain him before he has explained himself. I’m always expecting them to see him – you must, because he likes to reveal himself. We pray that there will be a revelation of his extraordinary lavish love poured out for us. In the gospels, some people saw him, and some people missed him – entirely. It is only he who can open the eyes of the blind.
We preach the basic gospel by doing acts of kindness. We do the ordinary, and we never know when there will be a miracle – but you must expect it. It is when we go with our feet with actions with a broken heart that Jesus brings life, and then, unfairly, the power of the Holy Spirit leads people to recognise him somehow. It isn’t my words – I could have said “tomato ketchup” and they would have believed. Of course, at some time we’re going to use words, but not to start with them.
Faith and hope “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith, Abraham, when called to go to a place that he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. He was looking forward to the other city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:1,2,8,10). If you are to get through to people
ble ministry making Jesus famous or over 40 years. Her heart and e least, the last and the lost give o challenge, encourage and the Church. Here are some key recent Church Army conference.
“ Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
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where you are, you need to see him – the joy set before you, the other country, the other city. If you see it, they may; if you don’t, they won’t.
Coping with disappointments If you work among the poor and delinquent, you will see them come to faith fast and fall away fast. We know it doesn’t finish with “Alleluia! They believe in Jesus.” Being born is not that difficult – it’s the growing up that takes some learning.
Expect miracles We must be sowers and reapers. Your lives are built around acts of kindness, about meeting people and making friends, which opens the door for the possibility of a miracle. Expect miracles. Don’t get hung up on the sowing or on the reaping, but you must be part of both. There’s always reaping somewhere. Dear Lord, there are people who want you, but I don’t know who they are. Will you please lead me to the people you’ve got ready.
He brings the harvest Everyone now expects to have everything instantly. Be results-hopeful but not results-orientated. If you keep going, you will see the harvest. If you will be faithful, he brings the kingdom, the harvest. Pray for people with enlarged hearts to join in your ministry. Expect people who have just met Jesus for the first time to start to minister to others immediately.
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Pastoring the streets
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Jonathan
Wiggam
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onathan Wiggam is used to making an impression. At over six foot tall, this Church Army Evangelist based in Aldershot, a garrison town often referred to as “the home of the British Army”, is used to standing out in a crowd. Perhaps this is why his role as youth and community evangelist at Holy Trinity suits him perfectly. As a Church Army Evangelist, his position sees him out and about on the streets meeting and ministering to unchurched people in and around Aldershot. Jonathan and his team have a passion to see the local community be radically transformed with God’s love. They have become well known, as the town centre pastoral team, for their radical evangelism which includes reaching out to the late night pub and club culture. If there’s anything they are passionate about, it is to take the gospel message of Jesus to the clubbers and party goers who may have never heard of him before, so that they too can come to know the transforming love of God that changes lives.
Jonathan explains how it all started: “Originally, it was myself, the vicar here and a couple of others who decided one crazy Friday night that we would just go out and see what was going on and see where God is in this kind of situation.” They initially didn’t expect much but were pleasantly surprised by the experience. George Newton, the vicar at Holy Trinity says: “We thought we’d try it once and that it’d be a waste of time, but we came back and we thought, ‘Oh, God’s out here’. The police then saw that whenever we were out the crime rates dropped, so they invited us to come out on a more regular basis which is fantastic.” A large proportion of the people they come across on any given night are somehow connected to the army; about 70% are soldiers; men who are either about to be deployed or have just returned from a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan. Some of these men walk around carrying a lot of hurt and guilt. Some have deep-rooted hurt connected to their stint in the army. Some have killed somebody and carry around the guilt of this. Some men have nightmares about what they have seen and witnessed at war and the weight of this is sometimes too heavy to bear. Some have lost friends and families for the sake of war and some just need to know how to carry on with life after war. “Many of the 20-30 year olds we meet on a Friday night appear to be out for a good time, but this is not true for all,” says Jonathan. “Some are there to drown their sorrows, to escape the realities of difficult family and home life circumstances. The squaddies we talk to are in the process of burying their ‘war experience’, or full of ‘apprehension’ if due to go on tour. We pray openly in the streets with people, many of whom seek us out. Some come back time and time again. Why? Because they sense hope and feel personally valued by God.” In addition to the street ministry, Jonathan and his team also run the
J-Men’s ministry which gives the men of Aldershot the chance to encounter Christianity in a relevant environment through unique, top quality events, enabling men to enjoy fun, friendship, healthy competition and great hospitality. Paul, who regularly attends J-Men session, talks about the impact the sessions have had on his life. He says: “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.”
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“ God is pushing his people beyond the walls of the church” Jonathan believes that God is building for himself people who are passionate about making him known and will get out of their comfort zone to do so. He says: “God is pushing his people beyond the walls of the church to get out and engage, whether it’s night time or day time but with the community that is out in the streets.” This summer, Jonathan will be reaching out to young people through the Greenbelt festival taking place at the Cheltenham Racecourse. Go to www.churcharmy.org.uk/ JonathanWiggam where you can watch a film about Jonathan Wiggam and the town centre pastoral team.
? the n I help How ca for Jonathan and ey m as th se pray
Plea oral tea h. ntre past e churc town ce utside th o l e sp ue to o n g ti n e o th c take orts will t their eff ope. Pray tha inspire h d n a s e liv rm o transf
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Amazing
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grace
faith
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Kofo Baptist speaks to Church Army’s Head of Fundraising about how he went from a life of crime to a life in Christ
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aul Fitzpatrick never really wanted to end up with a criminal conviction. It just sort of happened. One day he was a happy young boy growing up with his mum, dad and two siblings and the next he had been thrust into the middle of a difficult family situation. When Paul was about 5 years old, his mum developed severe mental illness and quickly became a shadow of her old self. She spent a huge amount of time in a mental institution and his dad, not knowing how to deal with his wife’s condition, turned to the bottle. Alcohol eventually took over and Paul and his siblings were often left alone with family friends calling in to see if they were ok. One of the family friends, Tim*, sexually abused Paul when he was 9 years old. “I couldn’t tell anyone what he did to me,” remembers Paul. “Mum was in hospital and dad was in the pub and not knowing who to turn to, I bottled it all up inside.” Bottling it all up did more harm than good. Paul became withdrawn and unruly, and by the time he was 11, he had become an expert at stealing, burglary and violence. It wasn’t long before he progressed to more serious crimes.
“In 1983, we were evicted from the flat my parents had, and moved into a pre-war council estate at Kennington Oval,” he says. “I made new ‘friends’ in the criminal world. I settled into becoming even more proficient and even more violent in my activities. Drink featured a lot in my life and in late 1984, on one of my many drinking binges, I bumped into Tim who had abused me. I was filled with anger and rage that he got away with what he did to me. I was even more upset when I overheard him tell his friend what he had done to me. I couldn’t believe it; it was like he was relishing in what he had put me through. I decided that his time had come and I was going to put an end to his perverseness, permanently.” Later that night Paul followed Tim home with a knife and violently stabbed him, with intent to kill. Tim survived but Paul ended up in prison on attempted murder charges. He was sentenced to three and a half years in youth custody. Prison was an eye-opener for the 18-year-old Paul. In prison, he had a tough front but the toughness did nothing to mask the emptiness he felt inside. He knew something wasn’t right but he couldn’t put a finger on
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The teenage Paul
it. Until the day someone mysteriously signed him up for an evening bible group where Christians from churches would come in and sit with the lads drinking coffee and refreshments. At these evenings there would be about 15 prisoners, the Christian visitors, a Church Army Evangelist named Trevor and the Chaplain Tom. Little by little these meetings began to influence Paul and one day, listening to Trans World Radio, Paul gave his life to God. He explains: “I realised that if I didn’t change I was going to spend the rest of my days in a cell. I was looking into my own fire, and all I could see was the misery and hurt I had caused. I asked God if he could sort me out, then I would give him a go and follow him. I didn’t really know how to pray,
? for n I help ex-offenders and How ca h r rc fo u , h rs C ne . It costs for priso
m Pray elist with the n Evang ho work ensure a to those w 0 s. 0 a ,0 0 re und £4 eedy a Army aro e most n to ced in th la ouraged p c n e e b l e can le will fe p o e p . t y inistr Pray tha Army m Church support
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* Names have been changed.
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so I simply asked Jesus to forgive me.” It was hard for Paul, getting used to being a follower of Christ especially in a hostile environment with other prisoners, but he learnt how to take things one step at a time. He became an evangelist to other prisoners, telling them about the Jesus who could change their lives. “My cell was nicknamed the sin-bin. They always seemed to put the hard cases in with me, most found peace in asking Jesus Christ to be their Saviour. I became the Chaplain’s orderly and together Tom, the Christian visitors and I gave it a good shot at sharing faith with all who listened.” About two and a half years later, Paul was released from prison and slowly started to rebuild his life. He signed up to train with Church Army and in 1998, after three years of training, he was admitted into the Office of the Evangelist with the Church of England. “11 years later, I am as active an evangelist as I was in those early days in prison,” he says. “ I am passionate about seeing others experience for themselves that Christ can truly change. I am a realist and know that each of us has to manage our emotions and desires. My ministry today is working as the Head of Fundraising for Church Army. I am charged with the responsibility of ensuring some £3m is raised each year to sustain ministries. “Many have said to me that believing in Jesus is a load of rubbish. All I can say is that my own life is a witness that irrefutably challenges that. After all, God has got a sense of humour – he took me from robbery to fundraising. How about that?”
Café
How one Evangelist and her team have developed a new way of doing church in Hunmanby
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Church
hen you walk into the church hall at All Saints church in Hunmanby on a Sunday morning, you’ll see mothers sitting at tables sipping coffee and chatting, children getting creative with arts and older people enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. This is café church. Shena Woolridge, a single mother of two, started it last year after noticing that 20 to 30-year-olds in the area, especially those with young children, were not attending church. Shena’s answer to this was to start an informal church service where young children could run around and make a lot of noise, and where adults of little or no faith could meet and explore the Christian faith in a new way. Café church is located in a typical English country village near the community centre and library. It is a warm and comfortable setting for informal church. There are no pulpits, altar rails or religious symbols. Café church opens its doors to everyone. This non-traditional approach to church is important for the villages of Hunmanby and Muston, a rural area about a mile from the sea. The families
based there reflect modern life – you’ll find single young mothers, grandparents who take on the role of raising their grandchildren and other styles of family groups. Café church allows Shena to take bits of the traditional approach to Shena Woolridge faith and present them in a new way, so people are PRAY FOR CAFE able to explore and have CHURCH an adventure with God. For the team Stacey, a young mum, loves it: to grow in “I have been coming to café church confidence since it started and every time I and gifting have been extremely moved and and for faith inspired and it has given me a and relationships to deepen new perspective on God and my this year love and relationship with him. As a result I feel stronger and wholly more positive, especially through difficult times. I have a real sense of being supported, nurtured and protected.” To see a short film of Shena go to our website at www.churcharmy. org.uk/ShenaWoolridge
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shop
The that gives
hugs
Yvonne Hayes knows what it is like to feel small. Born and raised in Sheffield, the 57-year-old mother and grandmother knows all too well the feelings of insecurity, rejection and failure.
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hen she was 16, Yvonne left school with very few qualifications and became a wife and mother at 18. “I really wanted to find my place in the world,” she said. “All my life I have lived in working class communities and many childhood and life experiences helped make me feel small and insignificant.” It is no wonder she can relate to the locals of Pitsmoor and Burngreave in Sheffield, where people have experienced too often the harsh realities of life. The South Yorkshire community where she is based has
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seen high levels of economic and social depravation; (in 2000, the diverse multicultural community attracted £50 million regeneration money from New Deal). Yvonne explains: “The money has now almost gone, and many local people question what benefit this money has brought. I have lived in Burngreave for just over six years, and during that time we have had six people murdered here – almost all drug or alcohol related in some way. But most people here are great and we feel safe and love living here.
Although there are local initiatives where people can meet and build cross-cultural relationships, there are still very few local volunteering opportunities.” That’s why she has co-started a charity shop called Rainbow’s End, through FaithStart, with Lynn Snow, a local resident and church member. FaithStart is a partnership between two local churches, Christ Church Pitsmoor and St Peter’s Ellesmere. One of the aims of Rainbow’s End is to be a God presence in the main shopping area of Burngreave. Money raised by the shop will be used to benefit the people of Burngreave and activities that support family life in some way. The shop, housed in a former betting shop, currently has about 36 retail volunteers who represent the diversity of Burngreave; some of them come from the Muslim faith, there are some Christians and some who have no faith at all. This kind of interaction is good, says Yvonne, because it gives her the chance to share her faith in a nonthreatening way with people across all traditions and backgrounds. “We use words if we must but often it’s a tissue, a cuppa and chocolate biscuit that helps make connections to people’s lives,” says Yvonne. “A customer described us as ‘the shop that gives hugs’. People feel that they can ‘talk to us’, we have a prayer request box and for me it’s a place where I can ‘loiter and work with intent’ for Jesus to become a reality in people’s lives.” Margaret, who has been with Rainbow’s End for three months, says: “It’s the only place I can come and can cry, laugh, feel sad, feel happy all within half a second and for me it’s never dull or boring.” It is still very early days for the shop but Yvonne has faith that God has great plans for it. She says: “What drives me is what drove me when I first joined Church Army. I want to show God’s love to people who feel so small. The shop used to be Ladbroke’s gambling shop, but we are now gambling for Jesus and betting on him for a good future for Burngreave.“
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? e n I help of Yvonn How ca ministry e th r e fo th y visit pra
who Please e e people th t a f the lov th s Haye ething o m o so ls a se ray l sen s lives. P shop wil rm o sf n a a cure that tr try to se of God as they m a p te e sho . for the se for th a le t n e perman
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Church Army Evangelist Nikki FosterKruczek describes her work with the Odyssey Mission Community in Derby
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“
ikki, I can see your aura,” said the spiritual healer, Cedric, who came with my friend to our ‘open dinner’ gathering. The statement caught me by surprise and I looked at him wondering what he was on about. What aura? Where? So, out of politeness, I asked him what it looked like and how he would use that in a healing sense. This was a good call because it led to a long conversation about healing. As we chatted, I told him more about Christian healing and gently challenged some of his own ideas about the Christian faith. This is what Odyssey is all about, creating opportunities to speak about God. The members of Odyssey spend their time building relationships through their daily life and then find appropriate ways to share their faith. At the moment there are eight members of the Odyssey Community. Matt and Rhoda both work with an amateur theatre company, bringing alive the Gospel message of love and grace. Louisa, who’s been with us for 18 months is alongside alcoholics and Babs works with addicts, helping them to transform their lives. A typical Odyssey gathering is like being in a family, sitting around the
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table, having a meal together. The hassles of life are shared with one another and there’s a tangible sense really, you can almost touch it, that God’s in the house. One woman recently said to me: “I didn’t think that God cared about me as a person. I’ve been so screwed up, but you said that I’m worth something and you spend time with me. You make me feel like I’m better just by being there. I’m thinking that maybe God does care about me – I just need some help learning to trust him.” Go to www.churcharmy.org.uk/ NikkiFK where you can watch a film about Nikki and Odyssey. To support people like Nikki, call us on 020 8309 3519 or e-mail info@churcharmy.org.uk
God in the cit
y
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hen the Bible was written, cities were squalid places. There were no streets; just spaces between houses, unpaved and full of rubbish. A swamp in winter and stinking in summer! Wild dogs howled. Children were especially at risk. But cities were needed for security. People worked their fields outside the city, but retreated inside the walls if danger threatened. Was God there in the grime of the city? Of course he was! The Bible has a resolutely positive image of what a city could be. A city is a place where love is found and people find courage to do good. The final image in the Bible is of a city in which God lives with his people. It is the very opposite of ancient city life – there are broad paved streets, no crime, no wild dogs, light everywhere and fulfilled living. This gives us a glimpse of what heaven will be. But it also shows Christians what God intends for the millions who live in the nation’s cities today. Today, I have been praying for needs hidden behind the glamour of
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the cities of Britain and Ireland. I have been praying for young people whose excitement in life has turned bitter too soon. My heart has also gone out to those who seek a home but can only find a place to sleep. I have prayed for those who are taken advantage of by their fellow humans. And also for the hardworking, respectable people rushing through their lives at great speed, never asking themselves why they have chosen to live this way. It won’t surprise you to hear that Church Army has Evangelists working in most of our cities. They long for people to discover God’s love for them in the heart of the city. From the nightclubs of Cardiff to the granite streets of Aberdeen, from the painted walls of Belfast to the offices of Manchester, there are evangelists sharing the message of all who hope in the Lord: ‘Be strong and take heart!’ May God have mercy on our glorious but needy cities!
Peter Graystone shares something of the heart of God for cities
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