Britain’s leading Black and multi-ethnic community-focused publication
ISSUE 97
supporting unity, faith and family values
An evening with ‘THE
CHAMP’
The world after
BREXIT Essentials for entrepreneurs
The reality of being an
AUTHOR interview with
Micah Stampley THE POWER OF PASTORS IN GOSPEL MUSIC
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08
Dear Readers Welcome to the summer issue of Keep The Faith. So far this year, summer has had copious amounts of rain, which is wonderful for the gardens, in comparison to June 2015, when the UK was basking in temperatures in excess of 30 degrees. Like the weather, there has been a dramatic change in the political arena, with the people’s vote to leave the EU; Prime Minister David Cameron resigning; high numbers of Labour front and back benchers resigning, and the Labour leadership ‘coup’. Let us pray for our leaders at this time of great uncertainty. In this issue, Rev Wale Hudson-Roberts pays tribute to Muhammad Ali, the world’s most significant and celebrated sports figure, while Dr R David Muir reflects about his memorable evening spent with the Champ. Patrick Vernon OBE pays tribute to Black culture legend, Sam King MBE, joint founder of the UK’s first Black newspaper and Notting Hill Carnival, and Mayor of Southwark. Juliet Fletcher writes about the Power of Pastors in Gospel Music; Sherry Ann Dixon highlights some great men who are making a difference, and Rev David Shosanya discusses whether Black communities have forsaken the role of elders. Winsome Duncan, the ‘Budgeting Queen Bee’, is in the spotlight; Dionne Gravesande asks ‘Why are the poor still poor?’, and Marcia Dixon gives us Food 4 Thought with her thought-provoking column. We mustn’t forget all our regular columnists, who provide inspiring, informative articles, and those Juicy Ladies in Manchester keeping us up to date with all the latest in gospel music. Have a great summer. I hope we are blessed with some sunshine and, as Esther Kuku writes, ‘Fear not’ - one of the most repeated phrases in the Bible!
Enjoy.
Shirley McGreal Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
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CONTENTS ISSUE 97 NEWS
04 Remembering Barry Morrison 06 Sir Cliff and the very troubling state of British Justice by Rev Canon J. John
18
GOSPEL NEWS
08 The power of pastors in gospel music by Juliet Fletcher 10 Keeping it ‘juicy’ with Vinejuice
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
14 Interview with Winsome Duncan by Tamala Ceasar 16 Men in our community who are making a difference by Sherry Ann Dixon
INTERVIEW
18 With Micah Stampley by Milton Allen
20
FEATURE
20 Remembering Sam King MBE by Patrick Vernon OBE 22 A magical evening with the Champ by Dr R David Muir 24 My tribute by Marcia Clarke PhD
COMMENT
26 Where have all the elders gone? by Rev David Shosanya 27 The servant leader by Rev Wale Hudson-Roberts 28 The Word of our God will stand forever by Rev Stephen Brooks 29 Contend for the faith by Temi Odejide 30 The world after Brexit by Rev Canon J. John 32 Food 4 Thought by Marcia Dixon 33 Harvest - feed the poor? by Dionne Gravesande 34 Fear - the enemy of a life fulfilled in Christ by Esther Kuku
40 Publisher/Editor-in-Chief: Shirley McGreal FCMI Sub-Editor: Jackie Raymond Design: Becky Wybrow Advertising: Anna Davis Josie McFarlane Admin & Accounts: Nicola Hammond All enquiries: admin@keepthefaith.co.uk
The Publisher would like to thank Dr R David Muir, Rev Canon J John, Rev David Shosanya, Rev Stephen Brooks, Rev Wale Hudson-Roberts, Pastor Temi Odejide, Marcia Clarke PhD, Dionne Gravesande, Juliet Fletcher, Lavinia Goddard, Adaeze Chiwoko, Sherry Ann Dixon, Milton Allen, Patrick Vernon OBE, Vanessa Grossett, Marlene Cato, Marcia Dixon, Esther Kuku, Gladys Famoriyo, Jennifer Izekor, Keno Ogbo, Shirin Aguiar, Dorothy Oginni, Tamala Ceasar, Louise McEvoy, Rebekah Legg and Winsome Duncan. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Publisher.
LIFESTYLE
36 Too distracted not to pray by Gladys Famoriyo 37 Finding power with His love within by Jennifer Izekor 40 Essentials for entrepreneurs by Keno Ogbo 41 Using technology to streamline communications Louise McEvoy 42 I Will Tell International Film Festival by Shirin Aguiar 43 The reality of being an author by Vanessa Grossett
MISSION
36 Free the child by Shirin Aguiar 37 Revelations in Rwanda by Rebekah Legg www.keepthefaith.co.uk
04 NEWS
APOSTOLIC CHURCH PREPARES TO CELEBRATE 100TH ANNIVERSARY
T
he Apostolic Church, a Christian denomination founded by a minister who was converted during the world famous Welsh Revival in 1904-1905, is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary with AblazeUK 2016, a conference taking place at Cheltenham Racecourse from July 3 to August 3. Delegates from over 40 countries are expected to attend. The Apostolic Church is one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the world, with a presence in nearly 100 nations, and a membership of over 10 million. At least four million members of the church are based in Nigeria. Guest speakers at AblazeUK 2016 will include: Rev John Glass, former General Superintendent of the Elim Pentecostal Church; Bruce Monk, National Leader, ACTS Church, New Zealand, and American Evangelist Todd White. During AblazeUK 2016, Rev Emmanuel Mbakwe, the first Black man to be appointed leader of the Apostolic Church UK, will step down from his role and a new leader, Australian Rev Tim Jack, former head of the Apostolic Church in Australia, will be inducted into the new role.
REMEMBERING
BARRY MORRISON 1960-2016
Photo Credit: Michael A Jacobs
Passionate, talented, dedicated and creative are some of the adjectives awarded to the people’s guitarist, Barry Morrison. There are more words to describe his character that matched his talent; they are patient, caring, generous and genuine. Barry was known to support many choirs and groups, even if it meant him travelling long journeys and going the second, third and fourth mile to help. He was music director in Church of God in Christ (COGIC), Luton (HQ), where he worshipped. Some of the choirs he played for included: 90s UK Chosen, which was led by Simon Wallace; COGIC Mass Choir; Wood Green Mass Choir (New
Testament) and, more recently, UpMass Choir. He also played for international and UK artists, including The Clarke Sisters, Dorinda Clark Cole, Lurine Cato, Mark Beswick, Michael Bethany, Roger Samuels, Lorraine Clarke McGhie, Psalm, Voices of Zion, The McGhie Family and many more! Whilst being apart of the UK Chosen choir, Barry featured in a TV advert for Mercedes Benz that aired in 1999. He also played alongside some of UK Gospel’s greatest musicians, eg. Nicky Brown, Jerry Brown, Freddie Thompson and Sean Roberts. He is survived by his wife, Marcia, and his three sons, who all continue to excel musically: Jason, a pianist, composer, arranger and producer; Andrew, a music producer, manager of an actor called Jazzie Zonzolo and a praise & worship leader; and Matthew, a gifted drummer who was taught by Jerry Brown and Jerome Pierre. Barry used his God-given talent to play across the world - the USA, Canada, Germany, Poland, Ireland, Italy, Spain and across the United Kingdom. He still took time out to share his skill to teach others, and he would always say to his students to “be yourselves and to develop your own craft, so that in time you can have your own style”. He wanted to motivate the student to be the best that they can be. An avid tennis player, an engineer, a great father and everybody’s brother, Barry Morrison may not have been in the forefront of the press and media, because he was quietly efficient and a wonderful example, but we all know there is a gap and that he is missed! #RIP Marlene Cato
Archbishops lead prayers for UK and EU Rev Mbakwe, under whose leadership AblazeUK 2016 is being organised, stated: “The centenary world conference is set to be the most significant gathering of our generation. My desire and prayer is that God will use this special global convocation to inspire, mobilise and launch the entire Movement into a new phase of expansion into mission, and raise up a new generation of men and women who would take the Gospel to unreached communities, towns and cities in our nation – here, in the United Kingdom – and to the continent of Europe, as well as to other people groups and nations of the world.” For registration details, visit www.ablazeuk2016.org. Find us on Facebook: KEEP THE FAITH Magazine
The Rt Rev John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York, joined forces with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Rev Justin Welby, to call on the Christian community to pray for David Cameron, who resigned following the majority decision to leave the European Union in the wake of the recent referendum. In a joint statement, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York stated: “As those who hope and trust in the living God, let us pray for all our leaders, especially for Prime Minister David Cameron in his remaining months in office. We also pray for leaders across Europe and around the world, as they face this dramatic change. Let us pray especially that we may go forward to build a good United Kingdom that, though relating to the rest of Europe in a new way, will play its part amongst the nations in the pursuit of the common good throughout the world.” They also called on the UK Government to carry out the will of the people, and decide on the way forward. “The vote to withdraw from the European
Union means that now we must all reimagine both what it means to be the United Kingdom in an interdependent world, and what values and virtues should shape and guide our relationships with others.” The statement was released following the announcement of the referendum results. It highlights that steps need to be taken to unite the nation following a divisive campaign. “As citizens of the United Kingdom, whatever our views during the referendum campaign, we must now unite in a common task to build a generous and forwardlooking country, contributing to human flourishing around the world. We must remain hospitable and compassionate, builders of bridges and not barriers. Many of those living among us and alongside us as neighbours, friends and work colleagues come from overseas, and some will feel a deep sense of insecurity. We must respond by offering reassurance, by cherishing our wonderfully diverse society, and by affirming the unique contribution of each and every one.”
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06 NEWS
REV CANON J. JOHN
is Director of the Philo Trust www.canonjjohn.com
The point of any justice system is to catch the guilty and spare the innocent. This has done the very opposite.
SIR CLIFF AND THE VERY TROUBLING STATE OF BRITISH JUSTICE I was delighted to hear the news from the Crown Prosecution Service that Sir Cliff Richard ‘will face no further action over allegations of historical sex abuse’. I am pleased that these enquiries have finally been closed, because I have had a number of meetings with Sir Cliff over the years and have always found him to be a good, gracious and honourable man. Yet the announcement must not go without comment. As Sir Cliff’s statement points out, there are a number of disquieting aspects to the way in which the enquiry has been handled. First of all, whether by carelessness or design, the enquiry was carried out in a way that ensured the maximum possible publicity. For instance, how and why was the BBC tipped off (surely illegally) that there would be a raid on his home? At a time when a number of music and media celebrities of the last few decades are being outed as paedophiles or predatory sex offenders, the highly publicised investigation seems almost to have been calculated to make some mud stick. Second, the sheer duration of the enquiry – almost two years – has produced the maximum possible psychological pressure. In English law, there is the long-established and honourable principle of someone being ‘innocent until proven guilty’.
Here, however, we have a man who has, in effect, been sentenced to public sneers and insinuations, not simply before being found guilty but before he was even charged or tried. Finally, all that Sir Cliff has been offered is the flat statement that the police ‘have closed their enquiries’. This is a long way from a declaration of innocence: in many minds the shadow of suspicion will linger. Looking at the whole sorry and vastly expensive affair, I find myself wondering with some unease if there are now people in the Crown Prosecution Service who are specifically seeking high-profile targets with a view to dragging them down. And, in a similar frame of mind, I find myself further asking whether, in an age in which it is fashionable to be
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openly opposed to religion - and specifically to Christianity - Sir Cliff was targeted precisely because of his openly stated faith. One definition of the term witch-hunt is ‘a campaign directed against a person or group holding views considered unorthodox or a threat to society’. There is a very thin line between seeking to prosecute and seeking to persecute. Some of us will suspect that in this case that line may have been crossed. It is not enough that this wretched investigation be allowed to slip into history. Someone needs to be asked some very hard questions about how this was so badly mismanaged. The point of any justice system is to catch the guilty and spare the innocent. This has done the very opposite. I esteem Sir Cliff Richard for his character, integrity and grace which exudes from him, and l pray he may continue to be an inspiration to many in the years ahead.
J.John
www.canonjjohn.com
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08 GOSPEL NEWS
The Power of Pastors in Gospel Music JULIET FLETCHER
is a former BBC Producer and funding Executive of the GMIA
I
t’s a point I have raised quite a few times in articles within this column for Keep The Faith magazine: the influence and impact of church leaders upon the gospel music scene - certainly over the past fifteen to twenty years. To start with, I’m not quite sure which way round it all happened: was it that people changed and the pastors realised they had to change OR was it that the pastors changed (with a new, fresh, insightful outlook) and then the people began to change? There are trendsetting church leaders, for sure. Some are obvious - like Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo. Most times I hear commentators pinpointing a moment of change, 9 out of 10 times the first example will be Kingsway International Christian Centre. Pastor Matthew’s practical approach - using media to say “We Are Here - Look At Us” - was transformational, particularly to African and Caribbean churches. The way we began to be viewed (and viewed ourselves), almost at every level in cultural and socio-political life, is an expression of the bigger picture I see in the ‘Power of Pastors in Gospel Music’. Find us on Twitter: @KeepTheFaithmag
Pastor Peter Nembhard
Noel Robinson
GOSPEL NEWS 09
Local Pastor Power The real defining influence that makes itself known week in week out is what pastors are doing in their local church or fellowship meetings. Observe how they engage with the creative people. Some pastors are themselves creative, and help in releasing individuals ‘to be’ in and beyond the church doors. A real example of this came to my attention from relatively new artist, Sarah Téibo. Sarah is a praise & worship leader at Glory House in Plaistow, East London, where Pastor Nathan Curtis is the Associate Pastor. Her story: “I was leading worship one Sunday, and afterwards Pastor Nathan came up to me and said he’d been listening to my sound for some time, and expressed that my sound was not for the church per se, but that I should be singing in jazz clubs. It truly helped me, and from that moment, with pastoral endorsement, I gained the confidence to release my music ministry into what it’s becoming now.” Further support followed when her church invited her to be a special guest minister where, in her own right, she gave a musical presentation. Then the church gave her a very generous honorarium - just as if she were an external guest coming in. This made it clear that her weekly ministry - freely given (without pay) - was distinctly different to her gift ministry and talent as a musical artist. Sarah added: “Lots of times music ministers are held back because the pastor sees the talent as being retained in the church. I do think it helped that Pastor Nathan is musical (he is a songwriter/composer). He gave me practical help and tips while I recorded my first album - and was a good sounding board.” Pro-active Pastor Power Pastors who are musical are a real bonus. However, I’m also seeing pro-active pastors, who are not musical in that sense, but are supporting artists through financial investment, enabling artists to produce albums and stage events around music and creative efforts. In recent times I have noticed Senior Pastor Peter Nembhard of The ARC - a church fellowship based in Forest Gate, London. After a number of conversations, where he asked me penetrating questions about gospel music, and seeing him at various concerts and other music events, I learnt that an event recognising the years of contribution to gospel music by popular and respected DJ, Dave P (founder of UGN Radio), had been staged with his approval following a suggestion by a member of his church. I thought, this is someone who seems to have a passion for our scene and the people in it. So I sought a comment from him. But, saints of God (sorry I have to use my church-ified voice), I was not prepared for the answers he gave to my question, What do you think about the ‘Power of Pastors in Gospel Music’? Without hesitation, Pastor Peter said: “In order for the Church to reach this generation, we have to learn to accommodate the people in arts and music. And if we fail them, we fail this generation. We won’t reach
this generation without the arts.” Well, of course that answer blew me away into a happy land of imagination: what if, across the nation at regional and local levels, whole posses of pastors consciously joined to strategically engage us who are creative in a supernova way? You see, we know pastors are involved in reaching people through TV ministries, by online and satellite, teaching and providing entertainment for Christians. That needs to continue, because it’s necessary for the coming together and maturity of the body of Christ to see the natural and spiritual picture of ourselves through these initiatives. But what if we turned our eyes upon the field around our villages, towns and cities? Can we impact better at ground level? Pastor Peter let me know that he put the finance where his faith is: “I believe in investing financially, particularly in those who are obviously talented, but who don’t have much of a chance.” He was very modest in identifying names, but saw it as a way of encouraging others. “We have done so for lots of different artists, who were finding it difficult to get their albums and other things off the ground: hip-hop rap artists, like Tunde, Leke, Presha J.” He’s witnessed it making a difference not only with artists but also with the people they seek to reach through their music. Better Pastor Power in Gospel Music Here are my concluding thoughts: 1. There are more pastors than we think, who are assisting consistently behind the scenes. And, even though we don’t always know who, when, how and what, they are making a difference to artists. Muyiwa, Guvna B and Noel Robinson are just a few of those I’ve heard talk first hand about the support they received from pastors at the start of their ministry/career.
2. On the other hand, there are not enough pastors who are contributing effectively. We need an increase of pastors working hand-in-hand with those of us who run full-time businesses or practise our artistic discipline/skills. 3. Since pastors have a financial base from which to sow into creative initiatives, we could do better by opening up discussion to increase greater understanding between pastors and creatives. 4. But also, it would be good to talk about creating a UK funding base for certain types of creative investments in gospel music specifically. This has worked very well in the area of film entertainment for the US filmmakers, the Kendrick Brothers. Their box office hit, The War Room, was both spiritually and financially supported by churches and by ministers in leadership. Look how many of us enjoyed that film, which is having an impact right across the world in the lives of people who probably did not engage in prayer before, BUT saw how talking to God about real-time issues can be affected by a REAL relationship with Him. 5. If you are a pastor or church leader reading this, and are impacted by any aspect of this commentary, please get in touch. Let us support you as a ‘Pastor with Power in Gospel Music’.
NOTE: On Friday 5th August 2016, Sarah Téibo is being backed by her church, Glory House, headlining her concert with her own special guest: US artist Lisa McClendon. Entry is free with registration.
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10 GOSPEL NEWS
Keeping it ‘Juicy’ with Vinejuice!
F
ounded by Adaeze Chiwoko and Lavinia Goddard, aka the ‘Juicy Ladies’, Vinejuice is a media company based in Manchester, the home of the JUICIEST urban/contemporary Christian entertainment news, events and music. Connect with Vinejuice via our website, vinejuice. co.uk, social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube), the weekly ‘Juicy Ladies Show’, broadcast live via Facebook Live and Periscope, and Vinejuice Radio for 24/7 of the best urban/contemporary Christian music online.
Don Moen gets his Igbo on in studio with Frank Edwards From what we’ve dubbed ‘Most Unlikely Collab 2016’ comes a Facebook video that has received over 22,000 reactions and counting. The video is of the worship music legend that is Don Moen, in a studio with leading Nigerian gospel artist, Frank Edwards, singing in Igbo (a Nigerian language) - and the guy does it well ooo! Following the announcement from Frank Edwards a few months back that he is working on a project called ‘Grace’ with Don Moen, the man who has brought us worship songs over the years that are still sung across the world today, this video comes as an excitement-stirring insight into what to expect when it finally drops. Filmed live at Blackbird Studio, Nashville, Tennessee, the duo gave waiting fans a little taste of what’s to come, as they finalise the project. And, literally, people are like, “Woooow!” Watch the full video at www.vinejuice.co.uk/news. Frank Edwards
Marion moves from the dance hall to presidential residence Former hard-core dancehall artiste turned music minister, Lady Saw, is already making strides in the gospel world. According to a story in Jamaican newspaper, The Star, the artist who now performs under her real name, Marion Hall, was invited to make an appearance at the US presidential residence, The White House, this summer. Known for being the first female dancehall singer to ever win a Grammy, her move to gospel music ministry has opened new doors for her, as she also made an appearance at Gospel Music Explosion, hosted in the US in honour of Father’s Day. On top of that, Minister Marion Hall is dropping a new 14-track gospel album this summer, called ‘When God Speaks’. Talk about a complete turnaround, eh?
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GOSPEL NEWS 11
William McDowell to bring sound of revival to the UK There’s a sound of revival heading to the UK, and it is Pastor William McDowell bringing it! On 25th February 2017, the number one chart-topping gospel artist and worshipper will be headlining his Sounds of Revival Concert at the Bethel Convention Centre in Birmingham. This will be William McDowell’s first headlining concert in the UK, which will be extremely exciting for his devoted fans. Rainbow Entertainment & Promotions are the people behind what we can predict will be an ‘off the hook’ event. Tickets are already available, with the early bird price set at £30. For more info and booking links, visit www.vinejuice.co.uk/events.
DJ G takes gospel to the Grand Prix Oxford-based Gary Smith, aka DJ G, has gone where no Christian DJ has gone before (we reckon). This gospel house DJ was flown over to play at the Monaco Grand Prix 2016; now, in our book, that’s a pretty big deal! DJ G started deejaying as a hobby about 10 years ago, and discovered a love for soulful/ gospel house after hearing a track by gospel group, Jasper Street Company which, he says, opened his eyes to “a world of great music which made people feel good and had a message.” Since then, DJ G has grown from strength to strength, deejaying at various locations, including the Bristol and Oxford carnival to a crowd of 135,000. Now he can proudly add the Monaco Grand Prix to his impressive deck-spinning CV. When we asked him how he felt about his Monaco gig, he said: “I started deejaying as a hobby, and slowly it grew into what I do now, with teaching DJ skills to special needs children and playing overseas. Going to Monaco to play at the Grand Prix is a big deal, as it took me four years to get here through God’s grace and His blessings.” He went on to say: “To be light in the dark is what Jesus calls for us to be. He came for the sick, not the well, so light needs to be in the dark to light it up. That is where I want to be. Shining for Christ in Monaco.” Back on British soil, we’re wondering what’s next for this gospel DJ, who is bashing down boundaries with a great big joyful smile on his face. Loving God, loving the music. Connect with DJ G at www.inspirationalsoulfulhouse.com.
New artist ‘Akin’ drops hot debut single We’re always so excited when we can show off and say that we have new hotness hailing from our home city, Manchester. A new artist to the gospel scene, with a ‘smooth like butter’ RnB flavour, is Akin. His debut single, ‘Questions’, dropped on 5th June and has got everyone talking. After a number of years of doing backing vocals for various artists, including his friend and musical mentor, David B, Akin is stepping out of the background and owning the fore! About the release of his new single, Akin said: “I’m extremely excited to share my music with the masses. I’ve been working on my sound and artistry for many years and, though there is still a lot of discovery to do in my journey as an artist, I’m ready to show the people what I’ve spent so many years working on. I had to take my time with this single and, because of that, I’m very pleased with how the music has evolved into a sound that I’m really proud of.” Akin is most definitely an artist to keep your eye on. Listen to ‘Questions’ at www.vinejuice.co.uk/music.
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12 GOSPEL NEWS
Manchester’s Ni-Cola has new ‘Breakthrough’
Redeemed gangster rapper, Cerose, drops ‘biblically offensive’ album The UK Gospel hip-hop scene is being turned upside down with the arrival of new artist, Cerose, who states that his music is “…biblically offensive, but it’s what people need to hear”. On a mission to share the message of Jesus and point people to righteousness, Cerose has a particular interest in using rap music to prophesy of Jesus’ return; wake up the sleeping church; point lost souls to the Christ, and to expose wickedness, false prophets and false teachings. This is evidenced in his debut single, ‘Milenium Reign’, where he proves he is not afraid to communicate his message with frank and direct lyrics, such as: “It’s peak for a church leader, fam; mislead the people with false teaching and false healing to deceive the believers, and all they trying to do is meet their Redeemer, fam.” And, “Praise my God I don’t care to be PC; I speak the truth cos I know that He sees me.” Prior to salvation, Cerose was an ex-convicted
drug dealer who served two prison sentences. He is also no stranger to the world of music. The rapper has a long history honing his craft in Jamaican dancehall as a youth, and later making a name for himself as a UK underground ‘gangsta rapper’, racking up hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube and working alongside artists such as Gigs, Blade Brown and Ghetts. Now, fuelled with a “passion like a burning fire for God” and a record deal with London rap label, FEROmedia, Cerose is set to drop his debut gospel album, entitled ‘Maranatha’, that is almost guaranteed to challenge some religious perceptions and ruffle some feathers. ‘Maranatha’, released into the national charts in June 2016, is available at all usual digital outlets. Watch Cerose’s ‘Milenium Reign’ video, the lead single off the ‘Maranatha’ album, at www.vinejuice.co.uk/music.
We have spent over a year doing Ni-Cola’s ‘Breakthrough’ dance, waiting for the infectious track’s video to drop, and finally it’s here. Whoop! The little lady with the big voice, Ni-Cola, from the north west of England, namely Manchester, released ‘Breakthrough’ in March 2015, featuring hip-hop hotness – J Vessel. The video has taken over a year to follow, but we’re glad it dropped in Spring 2016. Now we can attempt to learn the dance properly! It was shot in Old Trafford, Manchester, and features some of the young people Ni-Cola has been working with over the years through her charitable organisation, Manchester Spirit. Sweet… Watch the ‘Breakthrough’ video at www.vinejuice.co.uk/music.
DJ Tomiwa drops free music mixtapes to start your praise party off early As a special gift to Christian music lovers, one of Praise Party UK’s resident DJs, DJ Tomiwa, released four special music mixtapes for FREE download online, so you can get your personal ‘praise party’ started early. The four mixes cover afro gospel, Christian hip-hop, praise jams, and gospel house. Each one is energetic and high tempo, showcasing the very best and most popular artists from across the globe. The mixtapes are available for download online and feature artists, such as: Frank Edwards, Tim Godfrey, Lecrae, Derek Minor, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, and many more. The mixes promote Praise Party UK, a Christian-led club night which takes place on the first Friday of each month in London. Each event features live UK and international acts, plus DJs mixing the best in gospel club classics, Christian hip-hop, RnB, grime, afrobeats, bashment and house. Listen to the Praise Party mixtapes, and get the download links at www.vinejuice.co.uk/music. Find us on Twitter: @KeepTheFaithmag
GOSPEL NEWS 13
KB uses hip-hop to address mental illness and suicide Reach Records’ award-winning CHH artist, KB, released a stunning new music video for ‘Drowning’, the fourth single from his 2015 album, ‘Tomorrow We Live’. ‘Drowning’ represents the overwhelming and helpless feeling that people suffer from when struggling with things such as mental illness, drug addiction and suicidal tendencies. The song is meant to encourage those feeling underwater; KB explains: “It is about turning to God to lift you up out of those dark situations.” ‘Tomorrow We Live’ is the second album from KB. At the time of its release, the album debuted on the US Billboard Charts at No 4 on Rap Albums, No 1 on Christian Albums, No 2 on Independent Albums, No 7 on Overall Albums, and No 18 on the coveted Billboard 200. Following on from the album’s success, KB is also launching a #TomorrowWeLive social media campaign, aimed at supporting friends and family members who suffer from mental illness, suicidal thoughts and addiction, asking: “What would you say to a friend, if you knew they were on the verge of drowning?” KB is calling out to fans to inspire a loved one and write a note on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, using the hashtag #TomorrowWeLive. Watch the ‘Drowning’ video at www.vinejuice.co.uk/music.
The future looks bright for J Vessel after signing to Light J Vessel, 19-year-old London rapper and youngest ever Gospel MOBO nominee, is having a bright 2016 after signing to Light Music record label and releasing his debut album, ‘Reflections’. Light is a Manchester-based record label co-founded by popular LZ7 rapper, Lindz West. Aside from LZ7, the label currently represents electro pop/rock band, Good Weather Forecast; rapper, Remidee, and pop/soul singer-songwriter Lily-Jo, and now adds J Vessel to the roster. In a video announcing the signing, Lindz said: “I’m really happy to announce we’ve signed J Vessel… J is such a great artist, such a great rapper, and he’s got a real heart for Jesus.” The young rapper was signed to the label in May 2016. When we asked him about it, he said: “Signing to Light presented a wonderful opportunity to reach more people with the hope I’ve found in God, and to learn from people who have been doing it way longer than I have! LZ7 and the team have been doing big things in Manchester and the world. I’m looking
forward to many trips up and down the M6 between L-Town and Manny!” Since teaming up with Light, J Vessel has performed on the ‘Big Church Day Out’ - stage to 1000s of Christian music lovers, performed with other label-mates around the country, and released his debut album, ‘Reflections’ - a 14-track album featuring some of the biggest names in UK Gospel, including Guvna B, Dwayne Tryumf, A-Star and more. Visit www.jvessel.com to learn more about J Vessel and to download his album.
New Christian web drama, ‘Concealed’, lifts lid on real relationships ‘Concealed’ is a new, captivating, Christian web drama series exploring life issues surrounding faith, love and relationships from an honest and unique worldview. The seven-part series premiered on YouTube this spring, and was met with rave reviews from online audiences. The story centres around nine young professionals trying to do life in London, each of them facing their own struggles and battling their own demons. From Moses, who is trying to hold his life together after breaking up with the warm-hearted Alika, to Kara who is torn between her fiancé Kojo and her ‘true love’ Jackson, to Giselle and Tayo who seem to be building a relationship based on false ‘love’. The cast of ‘Concealed’ is made up of a group of fast-rising actors, including Emmanuel Imani who stars alongside Kevin Costner and Tommy Lee Jones in Hollywood film, Criminal; Mary MJ King on the back of her leading role in the Martin Luther King theatre production, America: Dreams & Nightmares; Pierre Adenegha-Howell who made his West End debut in 2013 in Oliva Tweest, and Nayo Jobson who has starred in BBC’s Silent Witness and Pentland Theatre’s Bag Ladies. Speaking about the inspiration for ‘Concealed’, show creator and writer, Sandra Koree, said: “The show sheds light on the issues that many young adults just like me are facing today. I wrote this because there are tons of web and TV series out there, but none that connect to me as a young Christian woman. ‘Concealed’ explores the endless moral dilemmas faced by so many of us: Love or lust? Faith or logic? My flesh or my spirit? Heart or mind? My way or God’s way?” Visit www.vinejuice.co.uk/news to watch ‘Concealed’ and to learn more about the show. www.keepthefaith.co.uk
14 IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Winsome Duncan interview with:
Never give up, stay focused and have contracts in place.
TAMALA CEASAR
is a journalist, blogger and author of children’s book, ‘Spaghetti and Cheese, Please!’ Follow Tamala on Twitter @TamalaCeasar
In your book, ‘100 Ways To Save Money - An Employment Guide’, you provide successful, key money-saving tips. What are the common obstacles that individuals face today (in regards to business and employment), and what can they do to overcome them? The key obstacle is not budgeting on a regular basis. The lack of financial education destroys so many opportunities in business. You write down what you spend and your income received, you can download templates online or write it down on paper. Once you understand how to budget on what little you have, God will trust you with more.
You’re known as the Budgeting Queen Bee. What’s the story behind the name? I like to help people who are unemployed or on low incomes to save money. I remember when I was unemployed, how tough it was being on a shoestring budget. The name came out of hardship and experience making the pennies stretch further. What inspired you to start your business, MPLOYME? In Easter 2013, my temping contract ended abruptly and I was unemployed for the third time in my adult life. I fell into depression for three months; I was living off £49.00 per week because of my previously self-employed status. I always worked for myself part-time and decided to take the plunge and go into full-time self-employment. I know that I did not want anyone dictating to me ever again as to when I can go on holiday, or if I can stay or go. MPLOYME was born on 16th September 2013. What programmes do you run/services do you provide? Our umbrella workshops are called Proactive Employment Workshops. To date, we have put on the following projects: • The Enterprise Fair • 8 Steps to Employment • Employment-Ready workshops • Business Start-Up packages • Mentoring Services • First Steps to Employment How does the work that you do impact your community? 70% of our clients have secured jobs since attending our workshops and receiving one-to-one support over a three-month period. Describe what you do in one word. Empower What inspires you do to this type of work? What drives you? I have empathy for those who are currently unemployed and have lost their confidence. Also, I am passionate about business start-up as well. What drives me is my faith in God, and my belief as a Christian living in poverty to securing over £30,000 worth of funding in the second year of MPLOYME. Only God could have shown me such favour. Find us on Facebook: KEEP THE FAITH Magazine
How does your faith impact what you do? I believe as a Christian you illuminate God’s light. This is what people see when they come into contact with me. I know I am doing God’s work because He had always led. Who are your influencers? God first and foremost. I am a woman of faith and substance. Then Oprah and Les Brown have taught me that I must require more of myself, and live out the visions inside of me. What have been your biggest achievements to date? I have won awards! Back2Black Inspirational Award 2015; Gold Challenger Award, Ixion Enterprise 2014; Les Brown Protégé 2014; Best Emerging Talent, Southwark Arts Forum 2013; Desmond Tutu Peer Mentor, and Southwark Culture Award 2007. And two years into MPLOYME, we reached out and worked with 785 clients!
What has been your best client success story to date? Ann-Marie Joseph arrived at 8 Steps To Employment, lacking in confidence and very withdrawn. We discovered that Ann-Marie had a talent for cooking and wanted to start up her own food business so we encouraged her, and brainstormed some names during the business start-up session of the workshops. We came up with the name DELISH Catering. Through our resources Ann-Marie gained enough knowledge to begin her micro business plan. MPLOYME booked Ann-Marie’s first paid job! She did a fantastic job and everyone thought the food was superb. Since then MPLOYME have booked her for more events and she won our ‘Enterprise Fair’ and she landed her biggest contract with Blackfriars Settlement which hosted an event of 80 people. Had it not been for us funding support, Ann-Marie, a local Southwark resident, would have slipped through the unemployment net without the tools she needed to start up her business. Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time? We would like an office, and to employ more staff.
What have been your most proud and memorable moments? Winning Star People Award for £15,000 from UnLtd to help deliver our workshops over a 12-month period, and maintaining my business during the set-up period. What advice/tips would you give to those who are unemployed and wish to start their own business? Just do it. Be positive. Learn the inside track of business and stick with it in good and bad times. Are there any lessons you’ve learned on your journey as a business owner and entrepreneur? What are they?
For more information about Winsome and MPLOYME, visit: www.mployme.org
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Could you adopt a child like me? Many of our children who need adoption are over four years old, are part of a sibling group or come from a minority ethnic background. We would like to hear from you if you think you could offer a home to our children. Please contact us if you would like to attend our next information event to find out more. Attendance must be booked in advance. Register your interest, either by freephoning 0800 781 2332, or by emailing adoption@rbkc.gov.uk.
Thursday 8 September 2016 Adoption information morning 10am to noon Hammersmith Town Hall King Street London W6 9JU
Any questions?
Freephone 0800 781 2332 Email adoption@rbkc.gov.uk Visit /adoptionandfostering For more events visit www.lbhf.gov.uk www.rbkc.gov.uk www.westminster.gov.uk
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16 IN THE SPOTLIGHT
MEN IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE SHERRY ANN DIXON Founder and Director, Women on the Crossroads. For information visit www.sherrydixon.co.uk @sherrydixon
sherryanndixon
sherry.dixon
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n this month’s article, I have chosen three men who have made a difference in a positive way. Their areas of expertise are from health, religion, cultural and historic influences. Some may ask why Keep The Faith are focusing on promoting individuals of worth in every issue. The answer is quite simple. We have a vast amount of talented, award-winning people in our community, who are making a difference, who are advocates for change and progression, yet many of us are unaware of who they are and what they do. By highlighting these people, we make them visible to many and not just to people in their network. We want to showcase the talented and the creative. It’s time to celebrate those who have excelled and, by doing so, we hope to encourage those who are striving for personal achievement themselves, so they can see that we do have people who have achieved. We must create the possibility of enhancing our personal power, create inspirers and gain confidence in knowing that we have great men within our community, who have achieved and who will nurture the emerging generation, and who will leave their footprints in this world. Believe that you too can achieve!
Find us on Twitter: @KeepTheFaithmag
Dr Chidi - Life Colours Life Colours is a simple, quick and cheap way to prevent or treat some of the most prevalent lifestyle diseases, such as hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes and many more. It is done by addressing the root cause of the disease and applying appropriate lifestyle changes in diet, exercise and stress management to eliminate the cause of the disease. Many people have been set free from these chronic diseases just by changing their lives around. Dr Chidi believes that our health is a wonderful gift, one that we have the ability to choose every day. This is why he is passionate about getting to the root causes of our chronic diseases, by using the wealth of knowledge in lifestyle medicine to transform illness into wellness. His greatest joy is to help heal the bodies and minds of individuals, families, organisations and communities, and to see the physical, emotional, financial and spiritual freedom that results. He has had tremendous success in reversing type 2 diabetes and hypertension in a four-week programme. Dr Chidi MD is one of Europe’s premier lifestyle doctors. Trained in surgery, general practice and lifestyle medicine, he is able to reverse, improve or prevent all chronic illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, arthritis and diabetes. He is a founding board member of the European Society of Lifestyle Medicine, and a member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. He has over 20 years of experience as a national and
international health speaker, where he aims to motivate, educate, entertain and inspire people to health and wellness. (Check out his TEDx Talk on Reversing Disease.) He writes columns for two national magazines, and contributes regularly to ELLE magazine, Top Santé, The Daily Express, The Daily Mail, as well as TV and radio shows, such as ITV’s ‘Good Morning, Britain’, Sky News’ ‘Sunrise’ and BBC health shows, such as ‘Food: Truth or Scare’. He is the director and founder of a lifestyle medicine clinic on Harley Street, and is author of the book ‘Life Colours’, a book on how to reverse, improve or prevent all chronic diseases (book and DVDs due out summer 2016). Quote from Dr Chidi: “God has blessed us richly with life and health, and it’s a privilege for me to be able to help people regain or maintain the wonderful gift of a healthy life. As a doctor, I’m constantly made aware of the challenges that we can all face in mind, body and spirit, and I remember how Jesus spent much of His ministry healing people physically as well as spiritually. It’s my prayer to continue to provide real healing to those suffering with chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, depression, obesity and many more, and also to point them to the Great GP (the Great Physician).” Follow Dr Chidi on Twitter @DrChidiMD
IN THE SPOTLIGHT 17
Dr Richard De Lisser
Mervyn Weir Mervyn Weir is a creative communicator, who works primarily across the disciplines of performance and visual arts and marketing communications, producing plays, musical theatre and films. His design work takes in exhibitions, corporate identity and publishing. His Caribbean heritage is a source of inspiration that is reflected in much of his creative output. As a writer and director, Mervyn has carved out a niche in developing work around cultural and historical themes, using a fusion of forms to reveal fresh insights that challenge and entertain audiences. His MSc in Multimedia Systems is used to good effect in creating engaging theatrical events. He has also earned a reputation for nurturing new talent, as well as attracting new audiences to the theatre. Mervyn is an award-winning writer, who has written and directed powerful musicals and dramas, including Quest, which celebrated 50 years of the Windrush Generation in Britain, starring Rudolph Walker (EastEnders, Thin Blue Line, Love Thy Neighbour) and Kingdom Choir (numerous TV and radio appearances). Rudolph Walker also featured alongside Treva Ettienne (London’s Burning, The Bill, Casualty) in Sounds Like Christmas with The London Adventist Chorale (winners of the Sainsbury Choir of the Year). Pure Voice was also a Weir production that toured the UK and featured Blessed Voices (winners of Channel 4 Gospel Singers of the Year). To commemorate the bi-centenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade, Mervyn wrote and directed an informative and provocative drama entitled Nobody Knows, which opened at the Drum and played to packed houses at the Shaw Theatre. Let My People Go was a
specially commissioned event that used drama to introduce a debate that asked, ‘The Church - Liberators or Enslavers of Africans?’ - held at the Museum of London. In 2000, he was also commissioned to write and direct a gospel millennium celebration production, To Boldly Go, before an audience of 5,000 at the Albert Hall. Exhibitions Mervyn has either designed or contributed to include: Black Heritage and the Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard and touring in 2002); Faces of Freedom (Museum of Fulham Palace, 2007); The Equiano Project (Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery, 2007); Making Freedom (Royal Geographic Society, 2013) and No Colour Bar (Guildhall Art Gallery, 2015). Mervyn completed his first film, Fired Up, which had its BAFTA premiere at the end of 2011. The film was commissioned on the strength of a stage play produced earlier in the year. The film tells the story of William Tyndale’s struggle with Henry VIII to get the Bible translated into English. Beyond Gold was Mervyn’s groundbreaking 2012 fusion of Olympic and Gospel stories, using drama, dance, music and multimedia. Mervyn is a pioneering creative arts practitioner and inspirational keynote speaker. Quote from Mervyn Weir: “We can’t add anything to the cross, and there’s no new Gospel for the 21st century. Therefore, I believe God’s desire for people like me, who work in the creative sector, is to find new and relevant ways to share the original Gospel story in ways that will resonate with and impact contemporary society.”
Dr De Lisser is a family man, an experienced pastor currently serving at the Edmonton Church, an evangelist, author, editor, journalist, columnist, broadcaster, radio and TV producer and presenter, Stewardship & Trust Services Director, a former school chaplain, communication director and trustee and now president of the South England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Dr Richard de Lisser is a fourth generation Seventh-day Adventist, and was baptised in 1978. Having worked as an administrative assistant to the Secretary of State for Education, Lord Baker of Dorking, he responded to the call to enter the ministry and undertook his ministerial training at West Indies College (now Northern Caribbean University) and graduated, in 1991, as senior class president with a BA in Religion. In 1993, he graduated from Newbold College with an MA in Religion from Andrews University. He commenced ministerial service in July 1993, and was ordained to the ministry in 1998. In 1999, he completed his doctoral degree and graduated from North Park Theological Seminary Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Richard has pastored seven churches and has served as a district coordinator, Chairman of the London Area Advisory Council (LAAC), personal ministries, Sabbath School, communication, media, and Stewardship and Trust Services Director. In September 2015, at the 62nd Session of the South England Conference, Richard was elected as President of the South England Conference. He is married to Joanne Graham-de Lisser, a health professional, and God has gifted them a 9-year-old son, Akala Joshua Alexander de Lisser. Richard is a member of the Institute of Directors and is a published author. His first book is entitled The Credit Crunch Christian: 27 Ways to Look Up When Things are Looking Down. See more at: http://adventist.org.uk/sec/ departments/president/about-samdavis#sthash.uDPZXmoO.dpuf. www.keepthefaith.co.uk
18 INTERVIEW
Micah Stam KE E P T HE FAI T H SP E C I A L
‘To The King… Vertical Worship’ BY MILTON ALLEN, GLOBAL MUSIC LINK
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INTERVIEW 19
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n a warm summer’s night in Manchester, something remarkable happened… That night, at Micah Stampley’s debut UK performance of ‘To The King...Vertical Worship’, was a treasured moment of Praise and Worship. As one attendee said, “This was a life-changing experience.” The Holy Spirt moved through the sanctuary of !Audacious Church like a gentle wind, touching each individual there. The spirit of the audience reached a peak when Micah performed his single, ‘Be Lifted’, a praise anthem for the nations that brings us back to our roots with an energetic and enthusiastic praise song, set to the rhythms of West Africa. Stampley sang parts of the song in the Ghanaian Asante language, Twi, and in Spanish. The audience in !Audacious Church would not stop singing the lyric of song, ‘Jesus, we lift Your Name on high, Your Name on high, Be lifted high…’. It was organic. It was wonderful. ‘To The King… Vertical Worship’ is the eighth recording from the six-time Stellar Award nominee and two-time Dove Awardnominated worship leader on Stampley’s own label, Interface Entertainment, distributed by eOne Entertainment. It marks another scintillating chapter in Micah Stampley’s incomparable music mission. Micah subtitled the project ‘Vertical Worship’ because the 12 praise and worship milestones within are primarily written not ‘about’ God but TO Him - divinely inspired, with wraparound global appeal. Stampley recently told the Journal of Gospel Music what he
means by ‘vertical worship’. “To be categorised as a gospel artist,” he said, “we have to ‘sing’ the Gospel. I wanted this album to feel like you were at church in praise and worship,” Micah explains. “Record companies say ‘Put your hits at the top, so people can easily find them’. Worship leaders put things together the way worship service should flow.” Recorded live at Oasis Family Life Church in Dallas, Georgia, the album, co-written with his anointed songwriter wife, Heidi Stampley, is intentional in its Christ-centered message and musical direction. The recording takes listeners to new heights in their personal places of worship, and is one of Stampley’s most passionate recordings. The songs are dedicated to capturing the heart of God through a purely Christ-focused vertical worship experience. From up-tempo praise anthems to intimate ballads and hymns, Micah invites listeners to a praise and worship encounter they will want to experience over and over again. “God is not obligated to do anything for us just because we have a need. But He is obligated to fulfil His Word. So, whenever I have a need, I can put Him in remembrance of His Word. When you do that and you write from that perspective, the music becomes vertical,” added Stampley. With the success of his first seven albums, Stampley has travelled around the world, singing and teaching workshops about music ministry. He recently returned from Johannesburg, South Africa, where he appeared with Tim Godfrey and South African gospel giant, Silly Mahlangu. Micah’s international roots run deep. The success of all this music resulted in much world touring, including intensive popularity in Africa from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Nigeria. Coincidentally, among the most fascinating blessings of Micah’s life was being adopted by His Royal Majesty Drolor Bosso Adamtey I, King of the Se (formerly Shai) kingdom of Ghana, West Africa, in a 2008 ceremony attended by dignitaries, power players and media from around the globe. The adoption made Micah a prince. The two men met when Micah was asked to be music minister over a luncheon in Riverside, California. The King was profoundly moved, speaking prophetic words over Micah
and Heidi before all present. The King, who had two daughters, had been praying for a son. God stepped in, blessing the King and Micah with the desires of their hearts. Two years later, the King sent for Micah and Heidi, spending a weekend laying out his royal design. “My gift made room for me,” Micah says humbly. “God said, ‘I brought you back to the place you were born, to birth a new relationship.’ Now I am an ambassador crowned Prince Martey Kwabla Adamtey. There’s a lot of history…African slavery began in Ghana. The first slave castle ever built is there on the Gold Coast. Over time, the Se people have been scattered abroad. We want them to come home. There are plans afoot to make our beautiful state a tropical mountain paradise. My father is even willing to give them land, so my responsibility is great. It’s not just wearing a crown and living a life of luxury.”
‘Micah invites listeners to a praise and worship encounter they will want to experience over and over again’ Coupled with his responsibilities as a father to four biological sons: Brandon, Micah II, Adam and David, biological daughter Mary, and adopted son, Desmond Martin - all of whom sing, three of them on this record - Micah stays busy, acting in TV (“House of Payne”) and film (“Anchorman 2”), indulging his passion for gourmet cooking, and coaching his kids’ basketball and track teams. “I was a track and field athlete,” Micah concludes. “I thought the Olympics was my destiny, but God had another plan. Our gifts will always put us in positions, but if you don’t have the character to go with it, it won’t last. You’ve got to have the fruit of the Spirit.” The fruit of the Spirit is bountifully revealed within Micah Stampley’s ‘To The King… Vertical Worship’. www.keepthefaith.co.uk
20 FEATURE
SAM I KING MBE Windrush Pioneer and Christian Advocate (1926-2016)
t is very difficult to quantify the enormous legacy of the Windrush Generation, let alone the Black presence over the centuries (especially in Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool and London). The contribution covers the spectrum of public life - politics, faith, public services (especially the NHS), business, music, food, fashion/lifestyle, sports and the arts - in shaping the nature of multicultural Britain. The genealogy of the Windrush legacy can be traced back to the original Windrush Pioneers in the 1940s and 1950s. Thus, with the passing on Friday 17th June of Sam Beaver King MBE, it feels like the end of a particular chapter for the Caribbean community. Sam was born at Priestman’s River in Portland, Jamaica. Sam grew up in a strong Christian household with his parents and 10 siblings. His father owned a banana farm where Sam worked as a child. His grandmother used to take him to the local Baptist church, but his father, who was the churchwarden at St Mark’s (a local Church of England church), eventually convinced Sam this was the church he had to attend. Following the outbreak of war in Europe in 1939, a then 18-year-old Sam responded to a Royal Air Force advertisement in The Gleaner newspaper for volunteers in 1944. Before leaving Jamaica, an elder in his village, called Soca, said to him: “God lives higher, but God sees low.” This had a powerful impact on Sam, regarding how he should conduct himself, and ensure he would not to be caught in anything deemed immoral or illegal in England. Sam was based in various RAF bases as a ground engineer in England. His faith was also a driving force; whereas servicemen would use their free time drinking
and dancing, Sam would either find a local church or end up doing kitchen duty. It was this determination and tenacity of holding on to his faith which played an important role later in life, when he became a councillor in Southwark in 1984 and also the first Black Mayor. After the War, he was demobbed and returned back to Jamaica. A few years later, Sam decided to come back to England on the historic SS Empire Windrush ship, which docked at Tilbury on 22nd June 1948. Sam saw the aspirations of migrants on the Empire Windrush - and its subsequent impact on British society - as the equivalent of the ‘Mayflower’ ship in America and the creation of the ‘American Dream’. Sadly, this dream did not materialise here in Britain with the ‘colour bar’, and the five-year plan of returning home became an illusion for many. Faith, however, became an increasing source of inspiration for surviving a cold and unwelcoming
The Windrush Group Find us on Twitter: @KeepTheFaithmag
FEATURE 21 Sam King MBE, Dionne McDonald (granddaughter) and Michael King (son)
Britain. During the 1940s and ‘50s, African and Caribbean Christians had to use their homes to have fellowship and prayer meetings, as they encountered discrimination in mainstream church denominations. Sam and his first wife, Mae, moved to Herne Hill in south London in 1958. They got a frosty reception at the local Baptist church. They never went back, even though they allowed their children, Michael and Althea, to attend Sunday school, as this was the nearest church to their home. Years later, when Sam became Mayor of Southwark, he was invited as a guest to the very same church, and he insisted that he was addressed as ‘Your Worship’. Sam also wore his full regalia as Mayor; this was ‘poetic justice’, with the church giving Sam due respect and recognition. After the death of Mae, he remarried and moved to Bexley with his new wife, Myrtle, where he attended the local Baptist church for over 25 years, until he moved to Brixton to live with his granddaughter, Dionne. He regularly attended the Church of the First Born in Brixton until the time of his death. The experience of discrimination in many ways led to the rise and development of the Black Majority Church movement in the UK, which after 50 years is now being recognised as an important part of society and a key legacy of the Windrush Pioneers. For instance, in 2013 in Wolverhampton, a Blue Plaque was awarded to the late Rev Dr Oliver Lyseight, founder of the New Testament Church of God, which was the first Black Majority Church to be established in 1953 in Britain. Sam had many achievements, being involved in the early days working closely with Claudia Jones to help establish the Notting Hill Carnival and the West Indian Gazette. In his later years, he was co-founder (with Arthur Torrington CBE) of the Windrush Foundation and The Equiano Society, with the objective of keeping alive the memories of the young men and women who were among the first wave of post-war settlers in England. In 1998, as part of the 50th anniversary of the Windrush, he received his MBE. Also, in 1998, Sam published his autobiography, ‘Climbing up the Rough Side of the Mountain’. However, one of the key achievements, which many people may not be aware of, was his role in promoting the Gospel during the 1980s as an elected representative. Sam used his role as Mayor of Southwark to promote gospel music.
During the 1980s, there were a number of pirate radio stations playing gospel music. Sam believed that this should be part of the mainstream, and thus he played an active role in supporting a number of applications for a community gospel radio station. This was eventually rejected by the Home Secretary, Leon Brittan, but this did not deter Sam and others and, in many ways, laid the foundation years later for Premier Christian Radio to be awarded a licence. Sam, along with Diane-Louise Jordan, helped to organise the first ever gospel-inspired BBC ‘Songs of Praise’ at Southwark Cathedral in April 1985, when the British public experienced gospel music and Pentecostal fellowship on a BBC flagship national show. The programme was a further launchpad for Bazil Meade and the London Community Gospel Choir in getting national exposure. Such was the success of the event that the BBC started to programme more gospel music into their various shows. Another important contribution that Sam made, in his role as a local councillor, was to present a number of motions to the British Council of Churches to allow Black Majority Churches to rent or buy church venues where buildings were derelict or underutilised. The motion was an important catalyst in the growth of Black-led church buildings and places of worship. His role in the promotion of Christianity is reflected in the Blue Plaque that was awarded for his former home in Herne Hill in 2010 with the inscription of ‘Christian Advocate’. Sam’s favourite Scripture in the Bible was Psalm 91, and the music that he would regularly like to sing throughout his Christian life was ‘Here is love, vast as the ocean’. Michael King talks passionately of his father’s achievements in public life and of his work at the Post Office, where he worked for 34 years. Michael states: “Our father’s faith was an important part of his life. He would always quote various proverbs and quotes throughout our childhood and also as adults, which gave the whole generations of Kings a solid foundation. He would say: ‘Do good, and good will follow you’ or ‘Call on my God every day, but you have to walk with Him.’” Dionne McDonald, granddaughter of
Sam, said: “Throughout his life, his faith was important in determining his values and lifestyle. He always had time to listen and give advice. I can remember the times when we would engage with young Black men in Brixton, always focusing on the positive attitude and empowerment in helping them to make the right choices about their lives. My grandfather was unselfish and always saw himself as a servant to the people.” Sam King, often called ‘Mr Windrush’, optimised the values and traditions of this generation in overcoming racism and creating the foundations for Black Britons: hard work, respect, tolerance, self-help, strength, spirituality and serving the community. We often debate about the lack of intergenerational dialogue, demise of traditional values and decline in Black self-resilience. Michael believes that his father’s contribution should be recognised with a bust in Windrush Square in Brixton, and also that the campaign for 22nd June to be made a public holiday called Windrush Day, to celebrate the contribution of the Windrush Generation and the wider contribution of all migrants since WW2, should be supported by the government. Sadly, in a period when the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union, there is a growing climate of fear and hatred, similar to those experienced by the Windrush Pioneers and which led to the various race riots in Nottingham, Notting Hill and the bus boycott in Bristol. It feels that with the passing of Sam King we need a national oral history programme to capture all the experiences of the BAME elders, who migrated here between 1948 and the 1960s, so that we learn about their lives as part of a permanent archive for future prosperity - otherwise we will regret this as a nation and a community.
Patrick Vernon OBE Founder of 100 Great Black Britons and Every Generation Media
Arthur Torrington CBE and Sam King MBE www.keepthefaith.co.uk
22 FEATURE
A MAGICAL EVENING W Talking about God, the Bible and religious experience DR R DAVID MUIR
Co-Chair of National Church Leaders Forum (NCLF), Lecturer in Ministerial Theology, University of Roehampton.
I
t was a surreal moment. The telephone call that came through that Sunday afternoon in September 1993 was from a familiar voice. In fact, it was from my friend and former boss at the Commonwealth Institute (CI): Godfrey Brandt. He was appointed as the first Black Deputy Director-General appointed at the CI in the spring of 1998. I joined him in the autumn of that year, as the youngest senior executive responsible for regional development and Commonwealth education. As DDG, my boss moved in the sort of circles that included heads of Commonwealth governments, diplomats, cultural attachés and senior UK government officials at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. On many occasions I would accompany him and get to meet some very impressive people. But this Sunday afternoon, the telephone call from Godfrey was one of those spectacular moments you don’t forget. The sort of moment you dream about telling your children and grandchildren. Without much fanfare, my friend popped the question: “How would you like to spend an evening with Muhammad Ali?” My first reaction was: “Yeah, pull the other one.” After a silent pause, Godfrey asked the question again. This time, I said something like: “That’s fantastic, I’d love to attend.” Thinking that it was an evening event somewhere in central London, I asked about the time and venue. To my surprise and utter amazement, Godfrey gave me the address of the Park Lane Hotel and the time we were expected to be there. He then added (almost as an afterthought) that we would be meeting in Muhammad Ali’s apartment, and that there were only going to be ‘a few people’ there. When I shouted to my wife, Pauline, that we were going to spend a private evening with Muhammad Ali, she too was beside herself with excitement. Having struggled to decide what to wear for this special occasion, we made our way by public transport to meet the Champ at his hotel on Park Lane. Godfrey and his wife, also named Pauline, had had already arrived at the hotel, and the four of us were greeted by Howard Bingham (Ali’s photographer and long-time friend) and led to the great man’s apartment. To say that I was nervous, excited and felt the proverbial butterflies in my stomach would be an understatement. But, as
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we waited for Champ to arrive, I could only guess what the other five people were thinking, and how amazing it was that we were going to have a private audience – a private evening all to ourselves - with the legendary Muhammad Ali. It was now about three hours since we had received the phone call; and here we were, awaiting the appearance of the man who called himself ‘The Greatest’, and the world echoed his claim. Walking slowly, with dignity, purpose and poise, Muhammad Ali entered the large room with a suitcase. The surreal was about to begin again. After greeting us, the Champ took a seat in the middle of the room. He opened the suitcase in a stylised way, slowly and deliberately, and started to distribute Bibles to us. He was still the consummate showman. How strange. I had finally met my hero and of all the things he wanted us to do that evening, he chose for us to have a Bible study and talk about God. Actually, it wasn’t just about theological table-talk. Muhammad Ali had a clear agenda and lots of handwritten notes to make his points; he wanted to show us all the contradictory and difficult
passages in the Gospels and the Bible. He went through his notes, and methodically asked us all to turn to select passages in the Bible, after which he would comment on them. We did this for about one hour. Unfortunately for the Champ, I was able to answer most of his objections to Christianity and to many of the so-called contradictions in the Bible. I guess it wasn’t a fair contest: I was a former Religious Studies teacher and doing a doctorate at King’s College, London, in Theology.
FEATURE 23
ITH THE CHAMP BY DR R DAVID MUIR
I was used to this type of contest and discourse about the Christian faith and ‘biblical hermeneutics’ (biblical interpretation). As the evening wore on, and our host felt he was losing this theological battle, he conceded and jokingly raised his fists, offering to continue the contest in the medium in which he was the King. That’s how I remembered my evening with the Champ. But what were the impressions of my wife and friends of that most memorable of evenings? Here is Pauline’s (my wife, not Godfrey’s) recollections: “I recall it as one of the most memorable evenings in my life. It was a bit like a dream - sat in a hotel room with the Champ himself, doing magic tricks and holding court. The most bizarre moment was when he presented a suitcase of Bibles, which he had obviously travelled with, handed them out to the six of us, and started debating textural contradictions. When it became obvious that he was losing the argument, he resorted to his obvious skillset, and started play-fighting with my husband. I protested strongly to him not to hit David, as he was to become a father again! He was witty, charming, smart, a natural entertainer with a keen interest and insight into theological matters. It’s an evening that I’ll never forget, and I feel very privileged that I was able to spend an evening with the Champ.”
Looking back on that evening, Godfrey said: “We were thrilled out of our lives when we spent an evening with Ali. His magic tricks were mostly transparent; his enthusiasm for the Bible study he conducted was great, but the greatest thing of all was his gentle and genteel humility. This was, at best, surprising for someone who had made his name saying how amazing he was. One is forced to remember Ali in one interview saying to the reporter, with his tongue firmly in his cheek: ‘It’s hard to be humble when you’re as great as I am’.” Pauline Brandt sums it up for all of us in the following words: “We took a collective deep breath as he entered the room. We were in the presence of greatness! A greatness mixed with gentleness, charm and curiosity. We were challenged to talk religion - but also had fun. I’m still trying to figure out how he ‘levitated’. I feel blessed to have met this ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ man who touched the hearts of people everywhere.”
Well, that was my evening - our evening - with Muhammad Ali, the Champ, the Greatest. My parents loved and admired him. And, as a teenager, he was my hero, along with my elder brother, Roy, who left the UK to start a new life in the US, and Chris Cameron, the gifted musician, who one year in the assembly at Ernest Bevin School (South London) made all Black boys sense what it was like to be ‘young, gifted and Black’, as he played Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water on the grand piano. Because of Muhammad, I even dabbled in boxing at the Boys’ Brigade at Tooting Congregational Church, until I got floored by a boy called John Mariner and decided to become a teacher instead! Born in 1942, the grandson of a former slave, Muhammad Ali lived in a troubled age of injustice and discrimination against Black people in America. He rose to fame at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, and was the icon of Black pride internationally. Of course, he was the greatest boxer of all time, but he was also a freedom fighter. Yes, he had an ambivalent
and ambiguous relationship with both Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam, but he stood his ground in the face of enormous opposition, especially when he refused the US Army draft. “Why should they ask me,” argued Ali, “to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home, and drop bombs and bullets on brown people, while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs?” For many, his rhetoric - and logic - carried a degree of political inexorability and moral ponderosity that defined African-American experience. And how do we assess a life such as his? For me, it’s always about where people stand in times of crisis and trouble. And Dr Martin Luther King articulates it best when he said: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Muhammad Ali was more than a fighter; he was an ambassador and icon of hope and courage. He was a hero to me and millions of others around the world. I’m grateful that I got to spend an evening with him talking about God, the Bible and the power of religious experience. The Champ once said: “At home I am a nice guy, but I don’t want the world to know. Humble people, I’ve found, don’t get very far.” We talked way into the late hours that night with Muhammad Ali. Maybe that Sunday night in September, as Godfrey later recalled, Muhammad Ali felt ‘at home’ with us. Rest in peace, our Champ. ‘And may light perpetual shine upon you.’ www.keepthefaith.co.uk
24 FEATURE
MY TRIBUTE
BY MARCIA CLARKE PhD
This article is a tribute to the hundreds of unnamed women of Caribbean descent who, under harsh societal conditions, planted and nurtured Pentecostal churches in the UK.
W
ith only the seeds and seedlings of Pentecostalism acquired in the Caribbean, a few men and women started a movement.1 The movement’s pioneers included the New Testament Church of God, Church of God of Prophecy, New Testament Assembly and Apostolic Faith, to name a few. While we tend to bask in the accomplishments of the Black American church, we overlook our own accomplishments. In comparison we deem them at best second rate and at worse of no real consequence. The Empire Windrush docked in 1948 with only one female – a stowaway. We can only wonder what life was like for her in those early days. From 1947 onwards, the number of women in the country increased and, by 1961, there were more women in the church than men. Far away from her Caribbean church, family and friends, and hostilely received by many British, the women formed informal social groups in homes. Their homes functioned as hair salons, or as a hub for the ‘pardner’ system, which was often the only way to get a lump sum for a down payment on a house, or air tickets for dependent relatives. These groups were also spiritual buttresses; as a source of social sustenance and support, they provided a home away from home. From such groups, self-organised fellowships developed that would later become Black Majority Churches - an umbrella term under which the above-mentioned churches fall. Other women remained committed to the historic Christian denominations of which they had been members in the Caribbean. As a third-generation Pentecostal female of Jamaican descent, I recognise a need to explore, articulate and document - from the perspective of an insider - the centrality of Pentecostalism to thousands of Black women in the UK*. From a child to early adulthood, my ‘spirituality’ was developed under the care and supervision of the mothers of New Testament Church of God (NTCG). The mothers were born in the Caribbean, and had migrated to England primarily to pursue better opportunities than they had ‘back home’. The mothers encouraged the young and not-so-young to pray, to read the Bible and to attend church services. They nominated individuals for positions on the Family Training Hour committee, youth board and evangelism board. They suggested individuals as speakers, singers or secretaries for a convention or local church service. They were the convention kitchen overseers. In the kitchen, the mothers would sweat, work, laugh, tell stories and occasionally gently Find us on Twitter: @KeepTheFaithmag
chide young women for not cutting the cabbage in the right way; young women quickly learned who was in control! However, these relationships were not about power but helped convey through these activities the fundamentals of faith, culture, tradition, language and folklore, whilst delineating and reinforcing moral values and standards. During the formative years of the fellowships, although males were the official leaders, it was women - mostly due to their number and commitment - who built and maintained the infrastructure of the Pentecostal church. As well as giving financially, they were responsible for the teaching and organisation of Sunday School which was not just for children - of nurseries, and of day centres for the elderly and supplementary schools. 2They did the paperwork, administration, organisation and catering for meetings and conventions. Women were often exhorters and evangelists and in those roles would lead worship. Women encouraged and prompted deeper worship and praise amongst the believers.3 In the early years of the NTCG, the women’s ministries were very evangelistic and as such enabled the church to grow. The women visited the sick and supported those in need, including missionaries in Africa and ministers in newly formed churches whose congregations were not in a position to support them financially.4 Despite their own personal, economic and discriminatory struggles, they shared their difficulties after the fact. Through public and private testimonies, these women shared their lived experience of God’s provision of money, food and employment for them and for their families. In my study I listened to women as they shared their stories of victory over depression, overcoming
the grief of divorce, and dealing with racism and discrimination herein Pentecostal spirituality seemed almost tangible. It was, to their mind, that which made them qualitatively better people. The experiences mentioned above and, more specifically, these women greatly impacted my view of the Pentecostal church and my formation as an adherent. However, despite the important contributions made by women to individual lives, religious movements in general and Pentecostalism in particular, they tend to be overlooked and under-researched by academia and sidelined by popular culture. Valentina Alexander exhorts that central to the Black woman’s character is her experience, and for nearly fifty percent of Black women in Britain, Pentecostal experience informs and shapes her character. These are among the strongest of Africa’s daughters who, with creativity and ingenuity, kept their heart, mind and soul together along with that of their families - often alone but, through faith, endured to change the religious landscape of the UK. It is to these women I pay tribute. Born in Nottingham, England, to Jamaican parents, Marcia Clarke PhD, is co-pastor of Restoration Christian Fellowship and an Assistant Director at Regent University. . The term Pentecostal designates a variety of Christian groups, as well as a variety of Christian expressions and manifestations, particularly glossolalia and healing, but the churches referenced in this study are traditionally categorised as ‘classical’ Pentecostals, a term which is associated with ‘denominations that have codified beliefs through statements of faith and specific doctrines’. These churches trace their doctrinal origins back to Wesleyan and Holiness traditions.
1
2 . See note 255, in which the term Black Majority Church as explained ‘Pentecostal’ is used here to identify the church more specifically.
. Valentina Alexander, ‘A Mouse in a Jungle’, 49.
3
. Oliver Lyseight, Forward March (An Autobiography), 56.
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26 COMMENT
WHERE HAVE ALL THE ELDERS GONE? REV DAVID SHOSANYA
is a Regional Minister & Director with the London Baptist Association
T
here appears to be an increasing number of discourses floating around that are seeking to sideline the realities of Black oppression. The discourses are often spread by a combination of well-meaning do-gooders, misguided individuals and outright manipulators/distorters of truth. Their goal: to convince us that things are not as bad as they used to be, and that we have come a long way. I say that it is NOT for any individual outside of our lived experience to tell us how far ‘we’ have come, when they have not travelled the road we have, nor continue to live with the wounds that we live with. Their misguided attempts to convince us of a post-racial age, and to substitute and centre other forms of oppression above and against racial justice is cruel. Sadly, this is true of the Church, the body of Christ, as it is of any other institution. Genuine narratives of critical consciousness are only possible when individuals - either designated or those that assume the role of elders within a community - are intentional in ensuring that the stories of their communities are told and that their histories are not rewritten. In the context of an African village, the role of the elders is critical, and includes the responsibility to be custodians of the culture/heritage of the tribe; to retain an existential link between the ancestors and their descendants; to offer leadership within and beyond the village.
‘a community without elders becomes a caricature of itself’ Sadly, in the UK, Black communities seem to have forsaken the role of eldership, and we are paying a hefty price. Due to the longstanding historical and ideological mis-representation of Black communities, the material impact of losing our elders is much more far-reaching than on other communities that have lost sight of eldership. This loss manifests itself in what I have referred to in other places as ‘historical amnesia’ (losing our sense of history/self) and an ‘internalised pathology’ (hatred of one’s self/community). The recent decision by 52% of the UK population to leave the EU offers an insight as to what transpires when elders no longer have a place Find us on Facebook: KEEP THE FAITH Magazine
in communities. Professor Anthony Reddie offered an erudite analysis of some of the factors he considered contributed to the collective mindset that led the UK to vote as it did. In a Facebook post, he suggested that ‘’whatever the myriad reasons that people had for voting Brexit, there is no doubt in my mind that a good deal of that was to do with British (really English) notions of exceptionalism (we are not like or indeed are better than the rest), and a melancholy for the loss of Empire and the grandeur of imperialism. Ironic that those who want to wrest control back from unelected officials governing them without any mandate to do so, often hearken back to a time when Britain did that to 23% of the world. I wholeheartedly agree with Professor Reddie. This kind of narrative is symptomatic of a nation that has lost a sense of identity, is eager to regain it, and is clutching at straws - in other words, a nation that has forsaken its elders. The fact is that, when elders disappear or abdicate themselves from the responsibilities placed upon them, the community loses a sense of identity and descends into deeply pathological notions of itself and others. In other words, a community without elders becomes a caricature of itself and, as a consequence, both its internal and external dynamics become strained and misguided. This, I suggest, is fast becoming the story of Black British communities, and will continue to be, if we do not actively identify, embrace and honour our elders. So what does eldership look like? Allow me to describe it this way: it looks like Jesse Williams, winner of the BET (Black Entertainment Television) 2016 Humanitarian Award. Eldership is embodied in individuals like him, who refuse to be blinded by personal privilege and self-interest, and are committed to speaking the truth, even when and where it is not wanted, in the name of Black justice and in the Black prophetic tradition. We must do likewise. Simple, isn’t it?
Professor Anthony Reddie
Jesse Williams
COMMENT 27
The Servant Leader REV WALE HUDSON-ROBERTS
is the Racial Justice Co-ordinator for the Baptist Union of Great Britain
H
e was certainly the greatest boxer in the world; few boxers could match his agility, rapidity and technical ability. In boxing terms, he was the ‘beginning’ and the ‘end’. Then and now, Ali’s skills, glorious to watch, are unprecedented. Let’s begin with Ali’s story at the Olympic Games, for it was there he was awarded a gold medal for his success. A catalogue of achievements - such as the heavyweight champion of the world; gaining the Fighter of the Year Award; elected into the Boxing Hall of Fame, and receiving the Essence Living Legend Award - all followed. Yet, despite these and plenty more milestones, Ali’s ubiquitous legacy can also be seen in his achievements out of the ring. The Jim Crow laws were designed to keep African Americans in their so-called place, legally investing power and privilege in the hands of Whites, and indignity and enslavement in the lives of African Americans. The laws ensured that such dehumanisation was rendered systemic and normative in American life. The Jim Crow laws were successful. It made its victims fearful of the consequences of breaking the law. Should African Americans ever raise their heads above the parapet, and challenge the law keepers and others, reprisals would be severe and plentiful. Despite these incendiary racial circumstances, it was the likes of Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali who mustered the courage to say, in their own words, “God damn America.” Ali, I am sure, must have had less leverage than the other two giants. King and X were leaders of movements. Swathes of people, both in America and beyond, signed up to their narrative. With people power comes some influence; principalities and powers are forced to listen to the message. Ali, to my knowledge, had no such movement behind him. OK, he had a burgeoning fan club, many willing to give their right hand for his autograph. But belonging to a movement, such as the Nation of Islam, is not the same as being the leader of a movement. Did this mean that Ali had to be more courageous than the other two characters, in terms of standing up for the rights and indignities of others because of the absence of his own movement? Maybe, maybe not. However, what this does highlight is Ali’s remarkable courage in the face of a
hostile racist world, and his capacity to speak truth to power, often on his own. His refusal to be drafted into the US Army on the grounds of being a conscientious objector is an example of this. Ali was no fool. The suspension of his boxing license, ban from the United States and the impending sentence for draft evasion, would not have surprised him. Yet, knowing that his decision would have massive ramifications - like throw his career into near oblivion - he did as he felt led. Difficult decisions made by X or King would have had the support of their movements. However, even though in one sense a representative of the Nation of Islam, Ali fought alone, and so carried the burden of the decisions alone. His change of name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali was another example of a protest he made in the glare of the public and, to a large degree, alone. We really need to understand and appreciate the times he lived in, to get our minds around the seriousness of what Ali did. His change of name was not merely a personal
thing. It was, indeed, a public repudiation of White oppression. In short, Ali was saying to White America: African Americans like all people are born with dignity, and should have the rights and power to take control of their destinies - including their names. And, to Black African Americans, the name change symbolised self-sufficiency, the ability to make choices that liberate us from oppression. For Ali, the absence of a movement to provide greater potency and clarity to his messages around justice possibly meant that, in order to be heard, he had to be more radical as an individual. There was nothing more radical than to change one’s name from a slave one to an Islamic one. To do so in the eye of the American racist press was toxic. Quite frankly, this man was ‘the greatest’. Even the self-imposed ‘I am the greatest’ label was an act of defiance. Ali, again alone, was being subversive by his constant usage of it. The phrase ‘I am the greatest’ communicates a number of messages. Firstly, we should be reluctant to allow others to define our identity; we must define our identity ourselves. Second, there is an ocean of gifted Black people. It is our responsibility to identify them and encourage them to find their greatness. Third, names can either encourage or discourage one’s sense of identity. The name ‘Muhammad’ carried with it meaning, identity and a vision for the future beyond the now. Thus we must choose names with theological substance for our children. In so many ways, Muhammad Ali was the greatest. He used his boxing prowess as a platform to empower masses of disempowered African Americans. Few could do, would do and have done. Muhammad Ali, the servant leader, deserves continued universal respect. www.keepthefaith.co.uk
28 COMMENT
The Word of our God will stand forever REV STEPHEN BROOKS
National Development Manager for Excell 3 www.excell3.com
I
t has been my great pleasure to contribute to Keep The Faith for a number of years, as the Bible says: ‘For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope’ (Romans 15:4 ESV). I have been asked several times for advice on how to write effectively, and would like to share some tips with you in this issue. My intention is to take you on a writing process journey, from originating ideas through writing drafts and finally to editing your document. First things first: 1. Know why you are writing. Ask some basic questions about your writing task before you start; think about your reasons for writing, and what you are going to produce. Think about these questions: • Why am I writing this? • What do I want to achieve? • Who am I writing for? • What do I want people to think, feel, know or do after they have read it? • What would be the best form for it to be written in? An article, a book, etc. Answering these questions will help you to be clearer and quicker in your writing process. 2. Getting started doesn’t have to be from a blank page. Start by unlocking your creativity and ideas by: • thinking, talking and reading about your topic before you even attempt a first draft • keeping a journal for jotting down thoughts • free-writing, especially to get you started. Free-writing has many uses, because you write only for yourself, it helps you to build confidence, unlock creativity, get rid of your internal censor, capture your first thoughts, get a flow going and remove writing blocks. 3. Research your topic. When you are writing about a topic you know well, you will probably be able to write fairly quickly and easily. But, whether you know your topic well or not, it is always important to ask whether you need to do some research to strengthen the quality of your work. Research can be quick and easy to do, stimulating and fun. 4. Consider the people who will read what you have written; they are probably the most
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important part of your pre-writing thinking. These reader-orientated strategies can help you to shift people’s opinion in favour of your argument: • Respect the other person’s point of view. • Put yourself in their shoes, and try to see things through their eyes. This will help you to understand them. • Consider the attitudes and perspectives your reader already holds. • Offer correct factual information. • Be honest. 5. It is time to write an outline when you have become clear about what you want to write about, and have organised your thoughts. 6. Making an argument. A fair amount of our writing involves writing to change something – attitudes, behaviour or beliefs. 7. Editing is something a writer should do for him or herself, before handing over to someone else. This way, you have more control over your writing. 8. Conclusions. Many of us were trained at school to use a conclusion to repeat what we have said earlier in the piece of writing. Sometimes this works, but sometimes it is boring for the reader. Feel free to use your concluding section, amongst others, to: • challenge • look at the way forward • make recommendations Final tips on writing Each time you sit down to write it is different, so be prayerful and mindful of your most conducive environment.
1. Don’t get stuck in a style – use different styles of writing for different projects. 2. You get good at writing by practising. 3. Writing every day or often, like in your journal, gives you practice. 4. Create an environment around you to help you think freely. 5. Spoil yourself when you write - choose a favourite pen or pencil. Sit in your favourite place. 6. Relax into writing. 7. Write first, ‘internal censor’ later. Creative, rough and wild ideas first, grammar later. 8. Talk is the exercise ground for writing. It is a way we learn about communication, what makes people interested, and what makes them bored. 9. Try to read a lot: newspapers, magazines, Bible, non-fiction and research papers. Pick up on writing styles you like. This helps you to develop your own style. 10. When you have to write, you have to write. Don’t start moving your desk around and doing all your filing, when it is your time to write. You can write with chaos around you by creating your own peaceful oasis in your mind. Words have special significance in the Christian tradition. The Bible is ’the Word’, and God wrote His laws on stone. The words of Christian writers are full of power and spiritual life, and it is important that reverence is given to the Bible as the ultimate point of reference. I hope that this will help you to write more effectively in your personal lives and impact those who read your writings. Remember, the most important time to pray is before, during and after you write.
COMMENT 29
CONTEND THE FAITH FOR
TEMI ODEJIDE
is an astute teacher of God’s Word and resident Pastor of House on the Rock London
‘Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary and was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to and exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered verbally to the holy people of God]’ (Jude 1:3 Amplified). This is an SOS message. Jude writes urgently to the Church to contend for the faith! Why would he write such a desperate message? It was because the faith was under attack. Though this urgent message was penned long ago, it is still as relevant today, if not more so. Our faith is under attack. The greatest challenge of this assault is that too many of us are unaware of the onslaught. Jesus rounding off His story exhorting to steadfast prayer asked profoundly: ‘When the Son of Man returns, will He still find faith on the earth?’ (Luke 8:8). This question suggested that in the last days there would be a great loss of faith. I dare say that one of the most critical challenges of Christianity today is the loss of faith. When the Son of Man returns, will He indeed still find faith in the earth? There is a concerted effort to relegate our faith to the dump heap of the irrelevant and the archaic. Our faith is being depicted as obsolete, impotent and even dangerous to society. But that devil is a liar. The very reason our faith is under such attack is because it is so relevant and desperately needed. Our faith is our life. We must earnestly contend for the faith. To contend effectively for the faith we must understand our faith. There are two sides to the faith, like two sides of the same coin; we cannot divorce ourselves from one while keeping the other. We mostly understand the personal side of faith, but there is also a corporate side to faith. The faith is a system of belief that we subscribe to and, at the same time, a personal walk. So faith is both found in the collective as well as the individual. Faith is a movement
but also a life we lead. Faith is both institutional and relational. Some would want to discard the corporate and embrace only the personal; evict the collective and grant residence only to the individual; deny the system while claiming a personal walk; stop the movement while attempting to only live the life, and refuse the institution while keeping the relationship. No can do. There are many things that can only be accessed through the corporate, tapped into via the collective, worked by the system, achieved in the movement and realised only in the institution. Others would have only the corporate and shun the personal; revel in the collective while ignoring the individual; master the system while having no personal walk; flow with the movement while not living the life, and stand with the institution while never entering relationship. This also is a mistake. Intimate battles and final judgment are not a corporate matter but a personal account – for the just shall live by His faith. We need both: the corporate and the personal. When we talk about contending for the faith, it is to contend for both. We cannot contend for one without the other. So, if we would contend for the faith, we must contend for both. We must contend for both the institutions of faith and faith relationships; the faith movement and the faith life; the system of faith and the walk of faith; our collective faith and your individual faith; our corporate faith and your personal faith. Oh that we would grasp a deep understanding of this truth. Today, it is popular to be anti-institution. It is hip to be non conventional. So many want to only embrace a personal faith while rejecting a corporate belief system. We fail to realise that the true objective of the assault on corporate faith is actually on personal faith.
(How many have lost and are losing their personal faith on the battlefield of the assault on corporate faith?) Satan desired to have Peter (Luke 22:31-32). What he was really after was Peter’s faith, hence Jesus prayed that no matter what, he would not lose his faith. Satan’s true objective is your faith. He wants your faith. Why is satan after your faith? He knows that your faith is your life (‘the just shall live by faith’); your faith is your sight (‘we walk by faith and not by sight’); your faith is your victory (1 John 5:4); your faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1). As long as you still have your faith, you can recreate any and everything that devil stole. So, we must earnestly contend for the faith that has been passed on to us. We must fight the good fight of faith and protect both the personal and the corporate. Will you contend for the whole faith today?
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30 COMMENT
REV CANON J. JOHN
is Director of the Philo Trust www.canonjjohn.com
THE WORLD AFTER 1 BREXIT
Like most people, I was somewhat surprised to find that the referendum vote actually went in favour of leaving the European Union. The vote has brought us into chaotic and unpredictable times. Let me make three points. We have now started on a long and difficult path that will continue for years. As Christians, we have a commitment to those who are needy and oppressed, and we need to be very careful that no EU legislation is thrown away without ensuring that it is replaced with something that is just as good, if not better. Too much of the ‘Leave or Remain’ debate has focused on whether we, as individuals, would be richer or poorer. In the days ahead, we must make sure that this is not the only guideline.
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We need to be very careful that the ‘Brexit mindset’ doesn’t lead to some sort of narrow, inward-looking ‘Little England’ mentality, where what happens beyond our shores becomes totally irrelevant. Walls can be built in the mind as much as in reality. This is not just simply a matter of economic sense but a moral duty. As a nation, we have contributed much to the world, not least in the spread of the Christian faith. In difficult and dangerous times, our nation still has a global role to play. We need to look outward to the world.
@Canonjjohn
@Canonjjohn
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Above all, as Christians we need to pray. We have been taught that politicians control events. Nothing has demonstrated the foolishness of this idea more than this referendum. Like it or not, we have found ourselves flowing down a fast-moving stream whose course is uncharted. Whether perilous rapids or calm waters lie ahead is completely unknown to any of us. The duty of praying for our rulers and our nation is something that every Christian should take seriously - and never more so than now. ‘I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for all who are in authority, so we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Saviour, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth’ (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
J.John
www.canonjjohn.com
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32 COMMENT
FOOD 4 THOUGHT www.marciadixonpr.co.uk
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MARCIA DIXON
A leading PR specialist and journalist
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MORE THAN JUST GREAT WORSHIP CENTRES Churches tend to polarise opinion – people either love them or hate them. Very few people are indifferent about them. I’m one of those who love the Church. I love what it stands for, love the fact that it’s the vehicle God has chosen to share the Gospel and that the message it preaches has transformed numerous people’s lives. Furthermore, where people of colour are concerned, the message of the Church reminds us that we are made in the image of God and, in doing that, helps us develop a positive self-image, that helps protects us from the psychological effects of racism that come with living in the western world. However, despite my love for the Church, and Black churches in particular (mainly because I am a member of one), I fully understand why some people might have animosity towards them. The Church is one of the foremost institutions within the Black community, and one of the very few organisations that bring people of colour together on a regular basis, with a common aim to worship God and work together to be a light in our communities. And they offer a safe space where members can get help during their times of need. Not only that, churches pool together the finances of its members through regular donations, which are used to buy buildings and finance the spreading of the Gospel. I believe the presence and work of the Church greatly enriches communities across Britain,
and without it many of us would be bereft; however, I understand the disappointment those, who aren’t part of the church, feel with regards to their view that churches should be doing much more for the vulnerable, the disadvantaged and poor in the Black community. The Church should not be perceived as a social club for the elite few who become Christians. It should be seen by those who aren’t part of it as a vehicle that actively works to tackle some of the social ills that affect the Black community, especially as it is an organisation rich in human and financial resources. It must be said that there are numerous individual Christians and some churches actively tackling many of the social problems impacting our community, such as: youth crime, gangs, violence, poverty, mental health and unemployment. However, it’s apparent that greater traction would be gained in dealing with these issues, if churches united together to set up and resource organisations to deal specifically with these social problems. There’s no doubt that, when churches are on point, and their members fired up for God, they are amongst the greatest instigators of social change and charitable provision in this world. The community is looking to the Church to move beyond staging great worship centres, and to provide great social care for the wider community. It is more than equipped for the task - and a role that it is capable of fulfilling.
RIP, Muhammad Ali It’s amazing the impact an individual can have on this world, when they focus on achieving their aspirations and are their authentic self. This was the case of former boxing world champion Muhammad Ali, who died on June 3 after losing his battle with Parkinson’s disease. His death brought to the fore how much he impacted the world throughout his life - whether as a sportsman, supporter of civil rights or as a humanitarian - and this was despite his endearing bragadociousness. I believe there are many lessons we can learn from his life. I’ve listed 13. They are: 1. Live fearlessly 2. Be confident Find us on Twitter: @KeepTheFaithmag
3. Be the greatest at what I do (ie. do my best) 4. Be proud of my race and culture 5. Stand for something 6. Put principles above fame and fortune 7. Be authentic 8. Love people 9. Serve others 10. Inspire others 11. Have fun 12. Get back up when life knocks you down, and 13. Have faith in the Creator Rest in peace, Muhammad Ali.
BREXIT: FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS
When I woke up on Friday 24th June, I did so in the belief that Britain had voted to remain in the European Union. The actual result told me otherwise. The majority had voted to leave and, as a result, had awakened a political earthquake, causing David Cameron to announce that he would be stepping down as Prime Minister before the next Tory conference. There’s no doubt that Britain has entered turbulent times, with no one sure of what the future holds. As believers, it’s beholden upon us to take to heart Paul’s directive in 1 Timothy 2:2-3, which states: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour.” Our leaders are definitely going to need God’s guidance, and/or wisdom in the forthcoming days and weeks, as they lead us through uncharted political territory to carry out the will of the majority, as well as keep the nation united. It’s also important for Christians to remember that, in times of political turbulence like this, God has got everything under control. There has also been a lot of talk that the EU Referendum and Britain’s decision to leave is prophetic, and in line with biblical prophecies outlined in the books of Daniel and Revelation. Whether you believe this or not, if you’re a Christian it’s important to keep your eyes on Jesus; continue living out your purpose; play your part in fulfilling Christ’s mission, and always be mindful that Jesus is coming back soon.
COMMENT 33
Harvest – Feed the poor? DIONNE GRAVESANDE
is Head of Church Advocacy at Christian Aid
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s we approach the Harvest season, it is right to reflect on how fortunate many of us are to have food readily available to us. But the numbers of people who don’t have enough to eat is growing, both here on these shores and overseas. So this year, as I prepare for my harvest offering, I find myself asking a different set of questions; these go from beyond ‘Charity to the poor’ to ‘Why are the poor still poor?’ There is nothing wrong with charity - we all need it from time to time - but seeking transformational change to systemic situations often requires long-term change. This is because that pathway is about tackling structural wrongs and wickedness, so it means taking time to understand that the default system at work is working against the best interests of people. It’s naming injustice when it’s happening, and it’s about discerning the Spirit of God, so that when we speak out, we speak to restore justice with conviction and authority. Today, world leaders preside over a reality that • almost half the world - over 3 billion people - live on less than $2.50 a day. • 2.3 billion people (1 in 3 of the world’s population) don’t have access to water and adequate sanitation • nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names • 1 billion children (1 in 2 children in the world) live in poverty. Digging a bit deeper, we learn poverty is a realism for the majority of the world’s people
and nations. Somehow that is not what I believe our Creator planned, so then why are these statistics the norm? Is it enough to blame poor people for their own predicament? Have they, as some media messages spout, been lazy, made poor decisions and been solely responsible for their plight? And what about their own governments? Have they pursued policies that actually harm their own development? I could go on and on, but such causes of poverty and inequality are complex, and there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. I would, however, encourage more conversation in Christian communities, because this is an intersection where the Church, as a massive service provider of care, connects with the wider world. Several development economists tell us that many of the governments of poor nations and their people are often powerless in so-called ‘global partnerships’. As a result, in the global context, a few get wealthy while the majority struggle. For example, let me take the case of climate change: Christian Aid - and many other INGOs - has long argued that climate change is a catalyst of poverty, and poverty is the result of the inequality of power. The science is real; greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are naturally present in the atmosphere, and stop heat escaping. However, human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, mean that more of these gases are emitted, causing the global temperature to rise. The impact of this will be: smaller harvests and more hunger; national and regional insecurity, bringing risk of conflict, and increased extreme weather events, which we are already witnessing. The first response to the injustice of a world in which the images of climate change catastrophes, such as droughts, famines, tsunamis and migration, should be strong ones. What human being would not weep to see
children die needlessly for want of clean water? Or whole communities of homes washed away? Don’t let the statistics harden your hearts, because behind those figures are real faces, real hearts and real souls. This Harvest, let’s make some real connections, ones where our collective love can be turned into collective action. We should not be afraid of showing our emotions, but know that true love finds its expression not just in sentimental feelings, but also in resolute action as a response to what the heart feels. As Christians, we are called to put our faith into action, by loving our neighbours and caring for the earth - our common home. We can put love into action by playing our part to tackle climate change. We can make a shift* towards clean, renewable energy and, by doing so, we can help restore the earth and bring balance to God’s creation. Clean energy sources offer a reliable and secure energy supply and secure long-term jobs, fuelling prosperity for our neighbours near and far. This can be our offering toward climate justice. Surely if our collective effects can send astronauts into space to study the galaxy for six months at a time, then we can work together to protect this earth. As the best and most talented scientists work together on a sophisticated space programme that exceeds all expectations, then I want to have faith that mankind working together can help keep a promise to the earth, so that we and our children can enjoy what God has provided. So, if you want to be part of a Christian community who put their money where hopes and prayers are, then consider becoming part of a 21st century exodus out of fossil fuels, and invest in bringing about a cleaner, safer world, by checking this website: *The Big Church Switch www.bigchurchswitch.org.uk - an initiative supported by Christian Aid and Tearfund.
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34 COMMENT
FEAR:
THE ENEMY OF A LIFE FULFILLED IN CHRIST ESTHER KUKU
is presenter of Premier Gospel’s Family Hour, which airs every Saturday from 11am-12pm
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f you look into tomorrow and are engulfed by an overwhelming sense of fear, it’s important to remember that the future happens one day at a time. I love this statement. Someone said this me many years ago, yet it couldn’t be more relevant to my life today. Ever been so sure that you’re right in the centre of God’s will for your life, yet you feel like the guy in the famous Footprints in the Sand poem, saying: ‘Lord, in all these difficult moments, where were You?’ Then you stop and realise He’s been carrying you all this time. In the midst of uncertainty, and questioning whether you have the capacity for the next season in your life, you just need to look back and marvel at His goodness and where He has brought you from, and at the fact that He has daily provided, daily protected and continues to bless you. The Psalmist said, in Psalm 118 v 23: ‘…that which the Lord has done is marvellous in our eyes.’ Yet fear still sets in, and you start to question whether you can actually handle all that the future holds.
Can you believe it? God has opened His hand and said to you, “Here you are, my good and faithful servant. I am entrusting this blessing to you.” And, rather than enter His rest, we lie in bed at night, trying to figure out how it’s all going to work. ‘Fear not’ is one of the most repeated phrases in the Bible. God gives so much space in His Word to commanding us not to fear. Why? Because fear is the hindrance to us being all that God wants us to be. He cares so much about us achieving our destiny that He wants us to be free. So, throughout His Word is the message: ‘Fear not’ and ‘Don’t be afraid’, to navigate us back to a place of rest, progression and moving forward in Him. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). ‘The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?’ (Psalm 27:1) Fear keeps us paralysed; it prevents progression. It deters us from loving deeply, giving freely and dreaming crazily, because when we’re afraid, we don’t want to take risks. ‘What if that person or situation hurts me again?’ ‘But if I start that business and leave my job, I may fail.’
‘ I am not qualified enough to entertain dreams of huge success in the entertainment world.’ ‘But no one in my family has ever been a politician or a doctor.’ So we play it safe and colour within the lines. Familiarity, routine and the quite frankly mundane offer a veneer of safety and security that we would rather hold onto than trade for the blessing that the unknown and untried could offer us. I was so excited when I had my first child. People, some very close to me, were suggesting that I shouldn’t have another child, as it would be too much for me along with my two stepchildren. But I wanted my daughter to have someone that she could play with all the time.
‘...God’s faithfulness has revealed that stepping out in faith leads to peace in Him, to a fresh opportunity to experience His breathtaking comfort and provision.’ I got pregnant again easily, God wanted this too. Here I was, in the arena of the unknown, and untested with the words of doubt that had been sown into my mind boasting loudly against me. My heart, gripped with fear and flooded with the insecurity that I had bitten off more than I could chew... A houseful of four children every other weekend. How would I ever enjoy quiet tranquil moments with God again? And realising that without these moments I couldn’t possibly succeed. However, God’s faithfulness has revealed that stepping out in faith leads to peace in Him, to a fresh opportunity to experience His breathtaking comfort and provision. And to amazing new friendships with godly women who have been there and bought the T-shirt, and who can be on the end of the phone whenever I am feeling unsure. If we would only dare to kick fear to the curb and trust God with our dreams, how much more could we accomplish? God has called us to be His ambassadors in this nation. Without the scars, without experience and without living fully loaded lives for Him, we have nothing tangible to offer a world that needs Jesus desperately. Let’s kick fear to curb, and grab hold of the supernatural and extraordinary, so that we can show off a God who is able to do superabundantly more than all that we can dare ask or think (infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes or dreams), according to His power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20 Amp). God bless you.
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36 LIFESTYLE
Too distracted not to pray Winning the battle against modern distractions BY GLADYS FAMORIYO
www.gladysf.com
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s your smartphone, tablet or other techie gadget getting more airtime/attention than God? Is social media driving a wedge between you and your heavenly Father? Are those pesky notifications becoming an irritation to the Holy Spirit? I hate to admit this but I am guilty as charged, though I am actively working on this (I have taken a hiatus from social media). If you are like me, you did not start out that way: you loved the Lord and wanted to spend all your time with Him. Yet, here we are, trapped by advances of technology and a fast-paced life that is becoming very dependent on it. Whilst technology, mobile devices and the Internet were designed to be a blessing, in some cases, they have become the very things that draw us away from God. The outcome is technologically advanced yet spiritually backward, lukewarm, non-praying, weak and, quite frankly, backslidden saints (sorry, but let’s be real here). The sad truth is we don’t even realise it. Why? Because this has been a subtle yet negative change over time. Technology: blessing or curse? Perhaps you still cannot relate to what I have said so far or don’t see what the problem is. If so, why not read the following and see if you can relate to any of these scenarios:
• You find yourself glancing at your phone during prayer/worship/quiet times/service, checking out what’s new in your inbox, WhatsApp, Facebook, etc. Whilst you may not have intentionally done this, I have, at times, innocently picked up the phone to use my notes app to record what I felt the Holy Spirit was saying, to play a song, or even to check out a different version of a Scripture using a Bible app… But darn you, notifications! You catch my attention and I succumb. Alas, I get sucked in. Later on, I catch myself and repent, asking the Holy Spirit to remind me of what He was trying to tell me. Oh dear. • In the middle of worship or prayer, your phone rings. You apologise to God, ask to be excused, and quickly handle the call, as it could be urgent. It could be a response to your latest job interview, or an agency calling you for work – something you have been praying about. And so you answer the ‘No Caller ID’ or unrecognisable number, only to find it is the ‘PPI lot’ calling or some company telling you about the car accident you never had – the one you need to claim for. Arrrggghhh! Find us on Twitter: @KeepTheFaithmag
• You promised to spend time with God today. But, before you do, you click on your favourite social media app ‘just to see what is happening’. The next thing you know, 2-3 hours have gone by, and all you have accomplished is watching funny videos or photos of ‘friends’. Determined to spend time with God, you repent and then start. Later, you wake up after nodding off, missing the opportunity to converse with God or read your Bible. You feel guilty but tomorrow, being another day, you plan to do a better job. Except that you fall into a similar trap. And so the cycle continues. • You lose your smartphone or mobile device, and your world comes to an end or feels like it has just turned upside down. But you lose your Bible and you say, “Hey-ho”, shrug it off and, at some point, get a new one. Prayer: Oh Lord, help us from this madness that strives to put a wedge between us and You. Drifting away… slowly There comes a time when we have to accept the fact that the more we become preoccupied or distracted this way, not just with technology, gadgets and the Internet but with our busy lives, the more we will find ourselves drifting away from God. And so we need to be proactive about this. For some of us, we need drastic action like I had to do, lest we spend our lives distant and disengaged from God. When that happens, our relationship with Him becomes questionable. I don’t know about you but, whilst in ‘distracted’ mode, I struggle to hear His voice and I feel weaker as a Christian. In this state, we become susceptible to all sorts. We are also prone to making foolish decisions and poor choices because He is no longer directing our steps. Remaining connected (or should I say logged in) with God There are so many ways to remain connected with God. And it is not always about getting on your knees, putting your hands together and bowing your head. Nor is it always about spending hours praying (though great to do). Rather, it is about engaging your heart and mind and turning heavenward - regardless of how busy/distracting your day may be - and maintaining this 24/7.
“How can I do this?” You ask, especially with so much demanding our attention. My answer: It is a ‘heart & mind thing’. It’s about keeping Him in the forefront of your mind every moment of the day, just as you would do when you are in love. It really is that simple.
“Lose your phone and your world turns upside down. Lose your Bible, you shrug and go get a new one.” In closing I believe God wants full time custody of His children - NOT weekend visits. Though this may seem to apply to our Sunday pilgrimage to church, it also applies to every waking moment of our lives. So, take a step towards God by making one simple change today. It does not have to be huge, but one simple change can make a huge difference to your relationship with Him. By Gladys Famoriyo - Speaker and Author of ‘Bounce Back!’, ‘Quit Hiding, Start Living!’, ‘Healing A Discouraged Heart’ and ‘Overcoming Emotional Baggage’.
LIFESTYLE 37
Finding power with His love within JENNIFER IZEKOR
Founder of Women By The Well Ministry, Associate Minister of Loughton Baptist Church
“So, why do you love Jesus?” Recently, at a residential Christian retreat with some amazing women, we were all asked this question and given a few minutes to compose our answers before we responded. You may think these minutes should not be needed; any Christian should be able to answer this question automatically. Jesus died on the cross for us, that alone is reason enough and more. There are a thousand scriptural truths, hundreds of well-rehearsed ‘church sayings’ that provide any number of answers. We sing them, we say them, they infuse our prayers and our worship, so why would we need any time to respond? Consider, dear friend, how would you respond? Would a look of joy begin to creep across your face, as you recall the secret places in which you have discovered the beauty of His touch and presence in your life, the answered prayers, the times spent recognising and acknowledging His presence, or would you also find yourself drawing on well-rehearsed religious lines? Would you smile and blush, like a new bride or groom asked the same question about their beloved, or would you stop for a minute, slightly caught unawares? For many Christians, the Song of Solomon is a slightly uncomfortable and risqué part of the Bible - the intimacy of the words almost too racy to describe the love between a believer and his/her Lord - yet I am discovering that this is an intimate relationship, a deeply personal one. It is one of amazing, immeasurable love and joy, one in which we are infused with a power and a sense of belonging that is beyond anything else we have ever known or will know. It is a connection to the very essence of our being,
our very soul. It is love indescribable, because Jesus is Love Indefinable. As I spent time with the Holy Spirit, writing the words of my book, Seven Days With His Love Within, I was ‘re-introduced’ to the depths of that love, and awakened to the power that comes with it. ‘Re-introduced’, because my soul always knew it, I was made in this love, fashioned by it and my soul knew it very well (Psalm 139) but, in the travails of the world, it had become a distant memory, its loss almost too painful to deal with, an absence I could not explain or understand. The pain of a troubled childhood, the struggles, disappointments, failures, knocks and hurts had masked the truths that had been etched across my soul before I was born. With each tear, lie and doubt that had separated us, each minute and mile, the power that He had planted within me, His very birth gift to me had flickered and waned, and I had become lost. I had searched yearned, longed for the one thing that would re-energise my soul and connect me to the very Source of my being, and then He found me…I found Him and He came and became, once again, the Love that dwells within.
‘I often imagine our souls are like houses with many rooms, cluttered with boxes that contain the memories we pick up along the way: the good stuff, the bad stuff and the stuff that is just ‘stuff’!’ So now I am discovering the power of His love; I am discovering the importance of being still and knowing the peace that comes from understanding that His peace comes not in the absence of strife and troubles but, rather, in the assurance that whatever happens, I am His and safe in His arms. I am discovering the freedom that comes from knowing that I am seated with Him in heavenly places and that, seated beside Him, watching the world through the beauty of His presence, people, places and things take on a different meaning, a new significance and understanding. I am learning how much power there is in love over hate, joy over sadness, forgiveness over resentment, peace-making over trouble stirring, humility over pride. I am
learning the power of the servant King and that He lives within me. As we depart our childhood, we carry lots of ‘stuff’ with us. I often imagine our souls are like houses with many rooms, cluttered with boxes that contain the memories we pick up along the way: the good stuff, the bad stuff and the stuff that is just ‘stuff’! There are rooms we spend too much time in, those we never go into at all due to fear, dread or because we have found it easier to forget what lies behind those doors. In my book, I call one of my rooms the ‘Martha Room’ - a room in which I spend too much time fretting and worrying about the future, the past and the present. Yet, as my relationship with Jesus has grown, so has the power and the desire to spring clean those rooms flourished and, like a bride discovering an unexpected gift in her new sumptuous home, I am beginning to discover new rooms in the house of my own heart, rooms in which He has designed the decor, chosen the colours, built the furniture. These are rooms in which I reflect the joy, faith, peace and glory that come from knowing Him. It’s my turn to answer the question, and I turn to my fellow sisters in Him and smile…Why do I love Him? I love Him because He is my all; He brought light into a world that was dark; His love has meant I have am learning to touch rainbows, discovering new places in my heart, learning the power of a spiritual spring clean. I have been forgiven and have learnt how to forgive; I have been restored, redeemed and renewed. I love Him because in Him I am filled with power that comes from knowing His love…He is and will always be the Love Within Me.
Jennifer Izekor’s book, ‘Seven Days with His Love Within’, is published now and available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and The Book Depository, £5.99 published by Zaccmedia
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Join in with thousands of others praying for their local communities: 23–25 September 2016
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t the heart of the National Prayer Weekend is a desire to see Christians across the world praying for their local areas by gathering prayer requests and introducing people to the God who loves them. Mick Brooks, Chief Executive of CWR, explains: ‘From head teachers at our local schools to our next-door neighbours, we want everyone to discover the love of Jesus through the blessing of prayer. Churches, groups and individuals are being invited to engage with their communities in prayer, asking for prayer requests from individuals, organisations and institutions in order to transform their lives through personalised prayer on the National Prayer Weekend.’ The National Prayer Weekend is a reminder that change can start with us. Imagine how many lives could be transformed, schools encouraged and local businesses supported if we asked the people around us whether we can pray for them? More than 1,300 churches, individuals and small groups joined in with the National Prayer Weekend last year. Here is the feedback received from just a few of the events: ‘One lady responded telling us that she felt that she didn’t qualify to be prayed for as she didn’t come to church. Yet she asked us to pray for her own health situation and anxieties. She later contacted us to say that she didn’t feel the need to walk with her support crutch anymore as she had felt such a peace flood her, over the prayer weekend, and a filling of strength and energy!’
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‘We had a really amazing time during our National Prayer Weekend event last year. We had prepared for it by contacting our local MPs, councillors, schools and shops as well as many friends, neighbours and family members, inviting people to suggest anything they might like prayer for. We had some amazing and unexpected requests from those we had contacted, as well as prayer requests from Australia, South Africa, Romania, Spain, Cornwall, the House of Commons, several local councillors and a number of people who would never admit to having a church connection.’ ‘Our church opens onto the pavement, and people stood there inviting people in. We experienced the wonder of seeing how God worked, the people who came forward to help, and the responses on the day. We praise God for what is continuing to happen.’ ‘We felt that this was just the start of something.’ CWR are praying expectantly for even more churches and people to join in this year. We’re looking forward to the hearing the responses from those praying all across the UK and the world. Why not get involved? Here’s how …
Join in
Visit www.national-prayer-weekend.com to get your location pinned on the map and make the most of the free prayer resources to help plan your prayer weekend.
Get thinking about prayer
CWR have been working with Carla Harding and Pete Greig from 24-7 Prayer, to create Living on a Prayer. This booklet, written especially for the National Prayer Weekend 2016, offers a direct look at how effective prayer can be in our daily lives and invites people to think about prayer in a relatable and contemporary way. Available in packs of ten, this is an ideal resource to give out to friends and neighbours too!
Spread the word
Follow National Prayer Weekend on Facebook and @NPWtogether on Twitter, and share your prayer stories, pictures and ideas. You can also email us at hello@nationalprayerweekend.com We believe that local people praying for their community can in turn affect the whole nation. One life, one street, one community at a time.
23–25 September 2016
Join the nation in prayer Local people praying for their neighbourhood can transform the nation. One life, one street, one community at a time.
Justin Welby, The Archbishop of Canterbury, encourages the National Prayer Weekend: ‘When we have a Church that prays and is reconciled and reconciling, and that tells people confidently about Jesus, then the dawn will break, hope will rise, our countries will be transformed and the empty threats of economies and terrorists will be utterly and finally overthrown.’
Find out more and join in at:
How to get involved
1 Sign up
Register to take part and pin your town on the prayer map.
2 Equip
Access the free online resources available and order the booklet Living on a Prayer – perfect for handing out to people in your community.
3 Share
Encourage others to get involved and share stories with people all over the world.
www.national-prayer-weekend.com /NPWtogether
/@NPWtogether
COMPANY REGISTRATION NO. 1990308. REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 294387. CWR, WAVERLEY ABBEY HOUSE, WAVERLEY LANE, FARNHAM, SURREY GU9 8EP
NEW
40 LIFESTYLE
ESSENTIALS FOR ENTREPRENEURS
The making of an entrepreneur
KENO OGBO
is a Digital Consultant, Writer and Entrepreneur www.iamkeno.co.uk
DISCOVERY CORNER A resource to help budding entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses.
T
he well known parable of a man, who goes travelling while entrusting his wealth to his servants, is helpful to understanding the making of an entrepreneurship. In the story, a man going on a journey distributes his property to servants. The wealth is not distributed equally, and we have no insight as to why one man received a greater portion than another man. Regardless of the amount, however, the instructions were the same: Take what you have and make more. Entrepreneurship is not about stewarding of the wealth or talents you have, but using these to create more. There are three key things this story teaches us about the making of an entrepreneur.
Nozbe (www.nozbe.com) You probably have a to-do list, but how well do you manage this? I used a variety of methods, writing lists, using notebooks, various online tools, but discovering Nozbe has brought a level of effectiveness to managing my to-do list. Nozbe has a free package, but you can also try out the pro packages with a 30-day free trial.
Entrepreneurs are made not born The age-old debate about nature v nurture has not been concluded. But, when it comes to the vast majority of people, I believe entrepreneurship is a skill to be learnt and a journey path to be taken. The man distributed his property to servants, not sons. These servants had worked with the man, observing and learning while serving. Today’s entrepreneurs mostly want to be in charge and be the boss, but it is important to work for somebody else for a while. Budding entrepreneurs should identify the industry they are passionate about, and work within that industry. It may be boring, routine work but, like the servants, be faithful and loyal and committed in serving someone else first.
Entrepreneurs never start with nothing The servants were given talents. We were not given any insight as to the inequality in the distribution of these talents. It may have depended on the servant’s position, or the man’s assessment of the servant… the story is silent on the reason. So we learn as entrepreneurs not to focus on what others have, but to recognise that, whatever we have, the quantity is not important. To call yourself
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a budding entrepreneur is to recognise that you have been given ‘a talent’ - something you can use as an answer to somebody else’s challenge. If you are empty-handed, then I am sorry to break the news, you are not an entrepreneur. Just because you go to conferences and listen to podcasts and tell other people what to do, does not make you an entrepreneur! Your entrepreneurial journey starts with the recognition, acceptance and confidence of the ‘talent’ you have. This could be an idea, contacts, money, an opportunity, a skill or expertise, courage, an ability. Whatever it is, your entrepreneurial journey starts with something tangible in your hand. Entrepreneurs are creators The word ‘entrepreneur’ is overused in today’s world, and not everyone who professes to be an entrepreneur is one. The online dictionary defines entrepreneurship as “a person who sets up a business or organisation, taking on financial risk in the hope of profit”. It is helpful, but I am not 100% sold on this definition. Digital products can be set up using bootstrapping methods - sometimes with minimal financial risk. So risk is not the defining word here. Social entrepreneurs are not in it for the profit, so it cannot be the defining word. I believe that the defining word in entrepreneurship is the word ‘create’. The confirmation of being an entrepreneur is when you make something out of what you have been given. Talking about it, teaching about it, dreaming about it, etc. does not make you an entrepreneur. Faith without works is dead. In the same way, entrepreneurship without the proof is sheer nonsense. If you want to be an entrepreneur, here is the journey: start out by working in somebody else’s business, recognise what you have, and then create a tangible result through work. Chances are you have the potential to be an entrepreneur if you decide to take these first steps.
SOCIAL CORNER Keeping abreast of social media strategies, events and resources for business growth.
Know thyself – I get asked a lot about how to use social media for business. My first tip is to be clear about your message. Social media is not real. Most people use it to portray how they want to be perceived – being selective about the stories they share and post. Facebook Live and Snapchat inject an element of authenticity, hence it is useful to clarify your business offering and/or focus. Carefully craft your description and profile, and ensure these are consistent on all platforms. Then stick to your message whilst injecting your personality.
Did you find this useful? Be part of a growing community of entrepreneurs by connecting with Keno: @spiralwebs @keno_ogbo
LIFESTYLE 41
USING TECHNOLOGY TO STREAMLINE COMMUNICATIONS By Louise McEvoy
C
ommunicating efficiently and effectively with your church family is difficult. Some people want intensive contact, others want the weekly essentials only, others want to dip in and out. The range of information and messages you disseminate is huge: from inspirational material and responses to the national issues of the day, to daily prayers, reminder-based notes and admin-heavy rota schedules and requests. Some people simply “don’t do email” or refuse to look at the website. And, in some cases, you need replies to your messages, in others not. With such a variety of communication requirements it is easy to get swamped just trying to serve people with what they need. You maintain multiple separate mailing lists to try to cater for people’s preferences. You have a daily roster of reminders to send out. Your inbox is a stream of individual replies to routine questions which need to be read, logged and possibly replied to. You spend a lot of time chasing non-responders for answers. You use a combination of email, website, WhatsApp groups, Facebook, Twitter, texts, paper bulletins, telephone and face-to-face contact. Why is it so difficult? Technology was supposed to automate communications and make things easier! The answer is that, as the volume of communications has mushroomed and people’s lives have become busier, attention spans have diminished and they have passed up responsibility for organising their lives. Pre-internet, if you were running a local football team, you would print a card with the season’s fixtures and the onus was on the players to get in touch each week to tell you whether or not they were available for the next game. Now you send out increasingly frenzied messages throughout the week, pleading for them to respond before the eleventh hour (and when they do, you cross fingers they will regard it as a commitment, not an option…). Mobile apps are the newest technology attempting to address these problems. Using apps you can:
• Send instant messages direct to people’s phones and tablets • Make your messages stand out, by using push notifications to alert the user • Target your messages to groups of people for whom they are relevant, without creating mailing lists yourself • Pre-set reminders • Send forms and rota requests; replies are automatically collated in spreadsheets for you • House all required reference information and schedules about your church on the app • Promote the church to help grow your congregation
Push notifications messaging is a key difference with other technologies. Not only will the recipient’s phone buzz and a notification message appear by itself on the screen to alert them when a new item from church arrives, but the user personally opts into communication groups in which he or she is interested. These groups are set by the church, and it takes the user just a couple of seconds to opt in to their preferences on the Settings screen of the app. When you then send out messages, forms, rotas, news articles, updates, reminders or anything else on the app, you simply tag each one with relevant groups (eg. ‘Sunday morning service’, ‘Thursday prayer group’, ‘Homeless advice volunteers’, etc) and they will be push notified to those people who have self-selected into those categories.
Hey presto! Less work for you (no mailing list curation) and a better result for your followers (who receive relevant messages only). The ability to pre-set reminders is a big time saver. Using an app, you can sit down for half an hour with the next fortnight’s or month’s diary to hand, and pre-set the app to deliver reminders or news items, by push notification or not, for all events coming up. No more necessity to remember to disseminate timely reminders day by day. Organising your rotas by app is much easier, too. Volunteers can find the rota request much more easily than when it is buried in their inbox, and when they reply, their answers along with everyone else’s are uploaded to a spreadsheet in the app. So, instead of getting tens of individual email replies per week, which need to be tracked and recorded, you have one place with all answers being updated in real time as they come through. Aside from the messaging and admin functions outlined above, an app can house all general information about your church: upcoming service timings, passages, readings, recordings of sermons, location, bios of the ministry team and elders, contact details, news, appeals, links to the website and online payments system, prayer requests, diocese newsletters, etc. As all is available quickly and easily on their phones, the congregation will quickly learn to use it as the first port of call when they need to look up something about church or browse to see what’s new. There is also a powerful promotional aspect to the app, as users can share items from it with their social networks or by email or text. Attached to the article they share is a download link to your app, enabling the word to spread about your church without any extra work on your part. Combine that with a smart, branded look to the app and the progressive nature of being at the forefront of communications technology, and you have a new way to grow the congregation. In summary, a modern app solves many of today’s communication problems by virtue of being the most direct, quickest and focused way to reach your church family. www.keepthefaith.co.uk
42 LIFESTYLE
I Will Tell International Film Festival 30 AUGUST - 9 SEPTEMBER 2016
Enjoy a range of films, in which people from around the world tell their own stories at the I Will Tell International Film Festival in London from 30 August to 9 September 2016. Founder director of the I Will Tell International Film Festival, Jenny Lee, said the inspiration for the title, I Will Tell, translates from the word ‘Ndinadsawapanga,’ (pronounced nah-jah-pang-ga) from the Senna language spoken in the northern provinces of Mozambique, where she was inspired by a young woman she met in 2007. Anel, the young woman, told Jenny of her dreams of travelling, learning to speak English, and helping those in need. But, sadly, women in her community were denied education, which was considered an unaffordable luxury. So instead, Anel resolved to tell those she could about the importance of education. Almost 10 years later, Anel’s dream lives on, in part, through the Festival. Jenny told Keep the Faith: “It sparked off that desire to do the film festival, which is about people telling their own stories. It’s that restoration of dignity that comes when you tell your own story. “There’s this old African proverb that the story the lion tells is very different from the story that the hunter tells. It’s that idea of people being empowered to tell their own stories.” The Festival connects people from different countries and different environments, because “in the end, we are all stories”. Genres include dramas, documentaries, animations and ‘shorts’ from over 30 countries. The themes of the Festival are universal and include relationships, war, poverty, violence, disenfranchisement and racism, but also the power of faith, hope, forgiveness, discipline, endurance, peace, reconciliation and love. “It’s going to be an amazing celebration of amazing films,” Jenny says, “empowering stories, and lives just being inspired and changed. Sometimes the films deal with hard issues, but we always look for that light of empowerment, that light of truth, that light of enlightenment that runs all the way through, that light of redemption that weaves its way through all the stories, so even when they’re hard stories, you come out feeling really inspired and really excited, so please join us, it’s going to be a really good year.” The I Will Tell International Film Festival, now in its 10th year, runs for 11 nights from 30 August to 9 September at the Royal Society of Arts and at Jenny’s church in Leytonstone. www.iwilltell.com
Email: info@iwilltell.com
BY SHIRIN AGUIAR Find us on Facebook: KEEP THE FAITH Magazine
LIFESTYLE 43
VANESSA GROSSETT
www.theauthorscare.co.uk
The reality of being an author S
o you want to be an author? I am not talking about writing a book here and there, I mean a professional author, like Karen Kingsbury, Danielle Steele, Tricia Goyer or Stephen King. You want to write plenty of books, books that sell millions of copies, are in the New York Times Bestsellers list, and receive great reviews in the Daily Mail or Independent Online. How hard can this be? Many people believe the myth that being an author is an easy job: you just sit down and write. In reality, it can be one of the most complex and loneliest jobs there are. The author of the book you may be reading at the moment, spent hours in front of a computer, drafting and re-drafting the manuscript. Authors have to do intense research, and make sure the writing flows, as well as coming up with plots. Sometimes they can have what is known as ‘writers’ block’; they haven’t got a clue what to write next. If they are agented, then agents, like myself, will step in and help them with some ideas, and give them encouragement. If they are not agented, then they will normally have to take a break from writing the story, until inspiration comes to them. This is why a manuscript can take around six months or more to write. Still interested? Good, but it doesn’t end there. Once a manuscript is completed, then comes the task of finding the agent or publisher, which again doesn’t come easy. Many, many authors face rejection - sometimes one after the other - until they get that ‘Yes’. After a publisher is found, next comes more editing. Yes, more editing! An author will have just spent hours on the computer redrafting their manuscript until it is polished, and they have to edit again. This is when you can find them,
as the phrase goes, ‘pulling their hair out’, or becoming discouraged, thinking ‘Will this book ever reach the shelves?’ Plus, they have to stick to tight deadlines, as the publishers are on a schedule to have the book released, so it is late nights or early mornings for the writer - and plenty of coffee. So, the hard graft is done. A writer has found the publisher; the manuscript is now in a book format; the cover design is done, and the book is ready to be released. Surely this must be it for the writer? Wrong! Next comes the biggest task of them all, and that is marketing. Some people don’t think of writing as a business, especially Christian authors; they tend to see it more as a ministry. However, if you want to write professionally and really progress in the industry, you have to see it as a business, as well as glorifying God through your talent.
An agent and a publisher can only do so much. People are more interested in the author and the product, which is the book. This means you will have to market yourself - not just on a one-off basis; it has to be a continual process, until you are in the position where you don’t need to market yourself as much, since you have a large readership. As with all things, building up credibility takes time; you have to take it step by step. Some authors don’t sell a book until after three months, so if you were thinking of getting rich quick, this certainly won’t do that. However, if you want sales to be quicker than three months, it is important to market yourself and build up your credibility before the book has come out. I always tell my authors to do this, and it has worked in their favour. As well as marketing yourself, you will also need to write your other books. Most authors have a schedule plan of when to market and when to write. For example, they will do three days of marketing and four days of writing, which means, yes, they do work on the weekends. Their social life becomes non-existent, and if they have families and are active in their church, they really have to balance. There you have it: the life of an author, and this is just the surface. Though it is a lot of hard graft, if you’re passionate about a career, and believe this is your God-given talent, then you will stick with it all the way through. You will even enjoy it, as it is something that you love to do. Think ahead, to when that book is in a bookstore or online, and don’t get discouraged by bad reviews. Not everyone is going to like what you write. You can’t please everybody. Just continue to enjoy the journey, and ask God to help you along the way. www.keepthefaith.co.uk
44 MISSION
Free the Child Keep The Faith discovers courage and faith that has kept a woman serving children in communities in the UK and Africa
SHIRIN AGUIAR
is a Journalist and Researcher
E
lizabeth Williams runs Free the Child, a charity that supports parents and children in London, as well as children and babies of mentally ill mothers, through an orphanage in Iwo, Nigeria. The charity’s UK work takes place in Haringey, where young people facing trauma and other challenges are referred - sometimes via social workers - and receive on-going help. It helps young ex-offenders, those with serious parental problems or a drug problem, but also those who may just suffer from shyness or a lack of self-esteem. As a child herself, Elizabeth suffered the trauma of a physically abusive stepfather for many years. After graduating from Middlesex University, she felt God calling her to start the charity after researching the lives of other women in the UK with the same experience. Since 2007, Free the Child has supported 150 young people by providing regular gatherings, counselling where necessary, and activities, drama and trips. “To God be the glory, many of them are now graduates, with their own businesses, doing well for themselves and settled down over the years,” says Elizabeth.
The most pathetic thing about it is you see the mothers wandering the streets with babies on their back in the scorching sun or in the rain. In 2008, following the ten-year conflict, Free the Child extended its outreach to orphans in Sierra Leone, until the prohibitively expensive costs of operating in the country - which saw the charity spend £6000 in just two months forced it to stop. In 2011, it began helping mothers and babies in the town of Iwo in Osun State, central Nigeria, which has many homeless women with mental health problems. “The most pathetic thing about it is you see the mothers wandering the streets with babies on their back in the scorching sun or in the rain. You can see the babies just Find us on Twitter: @KeepTheFaithmag
crying. You can see they’re hungry, they’re starving, and the mothers are not in the right frame of mind. Sometimes you can see that, out of anger, they have thrown down the baby and it begins to scream.” Free the Child used the town’s radio station to offer anyone knowing women in such a position to contact them. Families got in touch, and the charity was started in the town. Staff go on the streets with police and social workers, and approach mothers in such a condition, offering support. “In over 99 per cent of cases, the women will say, ‘Oh, please help me to take care of my baby,’ ” says Elizabeth. The charity works closely with their families. “We let the family know where we are, and we take care of the baby there. Looking at the baby a few weeks or few months later, you wouldn’t even believe they came from mothers who are mentally ill. A lot of the children we have taken care of have grown up to be very intelligent, very beautiful, handsome children.” The charity receives support from local individuals and organisations, and has the support of local officials. It supports both Christian and Muslim children, with 80 per cent of the women being Muslim. While not a Christian charity, children are raised in a Christian environment, and “families do not object to this at all,” says Elizabeth. “Early in the morning, the staff working there wake up the children, take care of them; they share the Bible with them, pray for them and, when you interview the children, you would
be surprised and shocked. The children are very smart, very intelligent. We brought them up with the fear of the Lord, with respect, and we encouraged them to look forward to a great future ahead.” To help fund the Iwo orphanage, Elizabeth opened a charity shop in Colindale, north London, with all proceeds going to Iwo. She visits the orphanage once or twice a year. “They are doing a wonderful job.” A traumatised 14-year-old girl was introduced to the orphanage after being gang-raped. She had her baby two months ago and is still being cared for. Abandoned babies are also taken in. “People will come and say, ‘Look, a baby has been dumped in the gutter.’ We rush there, we pick the baby up, we call the police, and social workers are involved. The baby is taken care of and registered. “Two babies - twins - were dumped. Can you believe it? Staff collected the babies and took them to the orphanage, but one died on the way.” Elizabeth, who has two children and one grandchild, obtained a good job at Streatham Council after graduating but, after five months, she could not shake off the conviction that she should start the charity, and resigned her job. She said: “I’ve worked hard for the charity. It’s only God who sees. It’s cost me everything but I am glad, I feel fulfilled and I give glory to God for the opportunities. Many of the children, particularly in this country, said in their testimonies, ‘Had it not been for Free the Child, I would have been starved, I would have been killed, I would have spent my whole life on the street. Thank God Free the Child found me.’ I’m
MISSION 45
talking about the UK. You need to see those young people now. They are adults, beautiful and handsome. “Even in Nigeria, many of the children who had not been picked up would have died. I give glory to God for placing that burden in my heart. It has enabled me to reach out to these young people and to impact their lives. I feel so happy and fulfilled.” During difficult times, Elizabeth, who has been a deaconess in her church in Dagenham for 27 years, has been encouraged by Psalms 41:8-9.
Blessed is he who has regard for the weak, for the poor “It’s not that I woke up one day and decided I would start a charity. The Lord actually spoke to me about starting this charity, and it has stayed with me. I found myself not wanting to do anything else, apart from supporting these young people.” Elizabeth appealed for donations: “If a thousand people donated £1 a month, that would go a long way. There are so many children being brought to the orphanage in Nigeria. Many of them we can’t help, because there’s no point taking them and not being able to help them. Please help us.”
Karoline Shodipo, senior reablement worker at Haringey Council, said: “It’s a very good charity. It has helped a lot of children, more than 30 at one time, through motivational talks, including with the police and local hospital staff, concerts and other events. It’s a very good thing to see the children from what they used to be.”
Anyone who would like to donate goods can take them to the Free the Child charity shop, 2 Colin Parade, Colindale, London NW9 6SG. All goods except bulky items are accepted. Donations can be made through Paypal via freethechild.org.uk, or via NatWest bank account 90601653, sort code 60 24 23. Email: freethechild@hotmail.com.
www.keepthefaith.co.uk
46 MISSION
Revelations in Rwanda
I
travelled to Rwanda last month with some silly expectations. Silly, because I should have known better. I should have known, from all my travelling, that surprises are everywhere, and nowhere fits a stereotype. But for all that ‘should have knowledge’, I went expecting Rwanda to look like the Africa I’ve already seen, with the aftertaste of genocide. I was bracing myself for what I thought I would find. Nothing prepared me for the sheer beauty of the ‘land of a thousand hills’ and the gentle warmth of some of the kindest, most hospitable people I have ever met.
Truth be told, on our first day we visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial Museum, and that was a harrowing experience. Sitting with survivors, listening to the stories of survivors; seeing the walls of photos of men, women, children and babies who lost their lives; standing by the graves of 250,000 people are things I will never forget. It’s almost impossible to get your head around what happened here. Over a million people killed in 100 days. Up to half a million women raped, two thirds of them left with HIV. 70,000 children orphaned. It hurts to know that mankind is possible of such evil. It’s hard to imagine how anyone puts the pieces of their lives back together. Yet, Rwanda’s story is one of reconciliation and restoration. It is astonishing to walk the streets
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and feel so safe in a country that has achieved so much in just 20 years. I asked one pastor what had made it possible. He answered, “Two things: it takes a lot of hard work, but none of this would be possible without the grace of God.” And that seems to be the answer. The grace of God and a lot of hard work have brought transformation to this nation; you see it on the macro level, and you see it on the micro level in the lives of the individuals who have found their way back from disaster. Emmanuel was just six years old in April 1994 when the killing began. The youngest of eight children, he ran with his family to the local church when the killers came, thinking they would be safe there, that the killers would respect the house of God. But the killers were long past that point, and came armed with machetes, clubs and guns. Emmanuel lost his mum and dad that day, as well as some of his brothers and sisters. Their home was burnt to ground and looted by people who used to be their neighbours. Frightened but alive, Emmanuel was taken in by a surviving uncle, who did everything he could to take care of his decimated family. He struggled to feed them adequately and they became sick. Life began to get a little better when Emmanuel was registered in a new Compassion project nearby, and food and medical care became available. But the real change came with the letters. Emmanuel speaks of the incredible sadness he carried as a young boy; he tells of the days that he would run into the bush and sit and sob as he thought of his parents. But the letters, from his sponsor, David, began to heal this little boy’s heart. Emmanuel remembers reading the words, “Son, I know you are struggling, but I am here for you, I am praying for you.” Emmanuel knew that he was no longer alone, that someone had seen his sadness, heard his cry and cared. And, through the love and support of David as well as the staff at his project, he came to
BY
REBEKAH LEGG
know the One who hears every cry and sees every tear. Emmanuel talks of how meeting Jesus helped him find hope and a future. Emmanuel worked hard, and graduated from University with a Master’s in Business Administration. Today he works for Compassion Rwanda overseeing a group of projects, taking care of children just like him, who need to know they have been seen, their voice has been heard and that someone cares. I asked Emmanuel if the neighbours who had looted his home and burnt it had ever apologised. He shook his head and said, “No, but I have learned that I cannot build my future on the bitterness of the past. If I am to live the life that God has intended for me, I cannot keep hold of hatred.” Such challenging words, full of godly wisdom. I won’t forget Emmanuel; he is an incredible young man, and his story reflects the words of that pastor – restoration is only possible with a lot of hard work and only by the grace of God.
A N N A M A R I A L O R E T O , A G E 7, P H I L I P P I N E S , P H 5 7 4
KNOWN, LOVED AND PROTECTED Compassion connects children living in the vulnerability of poverty with a sponsor. Each sponsor enables a child to be loved and nurtured in their local church project. Here they are empowered to reach their full potential and taught about God’s love for them. When you know and love a child, you do anything to protect them.
CHANGE A CHILD’S LIFE TODAY
www.compassionuk.org
COMPASSION UK CHRISTIAN CHILD DEVELOPMENT
43 High Street, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8BB Registered charity in England and Wales (1077216) and Scotland (SC045059) Registered in England No: 03719092
I will y m d l bui
church
SOUTH EAST 12 – 13 October 2016
Kent Event Centre, Maidstone THE ONLY PLACE TO FIND A HUGE RANGE OF CHURCH RESOURCES UNDER ONE ROOF! • 100+ exhibitors featuring everything to equip and inspire your church from pulpits to puppets, stained glass to sound systems, ways to worship and what to wear
• Seminars and Worship • Massive shop featuring books, CDs, DVDs and other resources • Arts Theatre
For all the latest information an d to buy tickets go to CREonline.co .uk or call 01793 418218
CREonline CREonline.co.uk/tv @CRE_churchshow
Christian Resources Exhibitions is part of Bible Society (Charity Reg. No 232759)