This pack of ten themed prayer cards will help you embed Scriptural truth into your daily prayer life.
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Dear Reader,
I hope you’ve been enjoying this hot summer. Although it has made me sweat a lot! I love it. There’s something special about warm sunshine and blue skies that makes everyone feel better. It’s my prayer that this current edition of Keep The Faith has a similar effect.
I’m excited by our cover story of Bishop John Francis – founder of Ruach City Church, one of the UK’s most prominent Pentecostal ministries. Bishop Francis shares the highs and lows of serving the Lord on the frontline. Have a read. You’ll be inspired.
Akosua DF speaks with leading female pastor and media personality, Rev Dr Betty King, and there’s an interview with Ryan Ofei, from world-famous worship ensemble, Maverick City Singers.
I hope you enjoy our other articles, which include a feature on the Fisk Jubilee Singers by Roy Francis. It’s the 150th anniversary of their historic tour of the UK, where they introduced gospel music to Britain. There’s also a profile on Esther’s Academy, a ministry that prepares women for the world stage, and Esther Kuku writes why it’s important for all of us to set healthy boundaries.
Esther Bonsu-Liburd shares why the Church needs to engage in the conversation on gender, sexuality and identity; Rev Dr Garrick Wilson explains why the Church needs to better prepare Millennials and Gen Z for leadership roles; and Marilyn Johnson explains why the Church needs to provide emotional healing.
We can’t forget about our regular columnists. Try some of Susanne Kirlew’s vegan Thai recipes; take on board Olivia Williams’ tips on how to drink more water; and learn from Karen Allen what can happen when elders and youngers share their stories.
And please remember you can order a box of magazines to distribute to your church or community and help spread the good news of what God is doing in the Church, people’s lives and in the wider community.
Peace.
Dixon
MBE EditorTo discuss how Keep The Faith could work with you, request a media pack or book an advert, please call 0203 868 0664 or email advertising@keepthefaith.co.uk
By Marcia Dixon MBE22 The Pastor leading prayer for revival across the nations
By Akosua DF24 Spreading gospel values through social media
By Vernette John-Joiles
25 The identity awakening: young people, gender & sexuality
By Esther Bonsu-Liburd28 Bishop John Francis: The Church leader who’s making history
30 Food for Thought
By Marcia Dixon MBE31 My favourite (Christian) things
By Lily Reddie32 Boundaries are good for you
By Esther Kuku34 Vive la différence
By Gary Clayton35 Signs that show you’ve received the Holy Spirit
Dixon MBE
By Dr Stuart Pattico
36 Why the Church should be a place for emotional healing
By Marilyn Johnson38 Bridging the gap By Karen
39 Matters of the Heart
By Yvonne Brooks Allen40 Trauma - causes, consequences and cure
By Dr T Ayodele Ajayi
42 Can we start again?
By Rev Dr Garrick Wilson43 Turning the other cheek may save your soul, but what about your mental well-being?
By Karen Carberry44 Reasons why you should be drinking more water By Olivia Williams
45 Embracing and caring for textured hair
By Verona White
46 Cook with Kirly-Sue
private medical care, so he can get an accurate diagnosis and treatment to cure his condition, and travel and living costs whilst in the UK. So far, he has received £8,193 in donations; the target is £14,000.
James has not had a proper meal since October 4, 2021, after choking on some food and being unable to breathe for a few seconds. He recalled: “I thought I had just swallowed too fast. So, I continued eating and it happened again. That’s when I knew something wasn’t right.”
During the noughties, James Freeman aka El Niño ran one of the most well-known and popular UK gospel websites, unitedbyone.co.uk, and managed some gospel artists, most notably Four Kornerz. When he shut down the site he moved to Ecuador, where he now resides with his wife, Lezil.
However, due to a serious health condition, James needs to return to Britain to receive treatment for an unknown medical condition that has left him unable to eat solid food, losing weight, and in a constant state of anxiety. He has also had to give up work.
To finance his trip, and with encouragement from friends, James launched a GoFundMe campaign. Money raised will be used to fund
James went to see a doctor the next day. Although doctors didn’t see anything unusual, apart from an inflamed upper throat, they gave him some anti-inflammatory medication. When he tried to eat the same thing happened.
He has had an operation for a condition called ‘Eagle Syndrome’ after being told it would enable him to eat solid food again. That hasn’t happened, hence his decision to come to Britain.
It’s his faith in God and the support of friends around the world that has kept James going. He believes doctors in Britain have the answer so he can be healed.
You can click https://www.gofundme. com/f/raising-funds-for-medical-travelsupport to donate.
People turned out in force at the Hackney Empire, London, to attend the launch of The Power of the Outsider, the new book by Samuel Kasumu, former special adviser to ex-Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
Interviewed by Tim Campbell MBE the first-ever winner of BBC TV’s The Apprentice, and the current special aide to Lord Allan Sugar Samuel reflected on his time in Number 10 Downing Street, where he says he was an outsider because of his background.
Kasumu stated: “The world is changing and is opening opportunities that have previously been the preserve of the elite. This has meant there are more people of different backgrounds entering different areas for the first time, often with limited guidance about how to navigate them. As one of those people, I want to share how this has been a journey of discovery for me, and I hope it will be for readers too.
“I want my book to demonstrate that outsiders have a unique value if they can seize the opportunity to flourish. It’s a guide for those who want to further explore what that means, and how they can use it to lead to success.
“But my book isn’t just for those who experience being an outsider; it’s also for
leaders and those who are keen to better understand colleagues, friends and associates, who may find themselves in such circumstances.”
Kasumu, a local councillor and Christian, has won numerous awards, including Barclays Business Enterprise Award; the CBI ‘Young Star of Enterprise Award’ and Entrepreneur Champion of the Year. He is gearing up to go on a book tour.
The book is available on Amazon and all good bookshops.
A YouGov study, commissioned by elderly care charity Pilgrims’ Friend Society, this year has revealed that 54% of UK adults aged between 40 and 60 are afraid of later life. Almost half of those surveyed are also worried about burdening their families as they grow older, with 40% worrying about becoming lonely.
Pilgrims’ Friend Society provides residential care homes and independent living housing schemes, where older people can live fulfilled lives in their later years. The survey findings support the charity’s recently launched ‘Getting Real about Getting Older’ (GRGO) campaign.
The campaign includes a series of four short films with older people offering their advice on everything from facing physical limitations to moving home. From their experience, it is never too early to think about all aspects of later life.
Preparation is key, according to the survey: 92% of 40–60 year olds think financial preparation is important; 85% think physical preparation is important; and 78% think that emotional, mental and spiritual preparation are important.
Experts say that mid-life is the time to start preparing for later life so, alongside the films, the charity has put together a resource, the Mid-life MOT, to help people in mid-life take control of their future. The MOT encourages readers to ask some essential questions, such as “Who am I and what changes would I like to make?” to get them thinking about what they want later life to look like.
Both the resource and the films are available on the ‘Getting Real About Getting Older’ webpage: www.pilgrimsfriend.org.uk/getreal
Services and celebrations commemorating the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush, which brought one of the first waves of Caribbean migrants to the UK, were held across the UK on Windrush Day.
One service, hosted by ecumenical organisation Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, was held at Southwark Cathedral, London.
Prior to the service, schoolchildren, representatives from various para-church organisations, and church leaders joined a public ‘Walk of Witness’ from Waterloo Station
to the Cathedral, to join with worshippers at the special service, which featured prayers, reflections, poetry and live music performances.
Contributors to the service included the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Rev Christopher Chessun; the Most Rev Howard Gregory, Archbishop of the Province of the West Indies; Rev Arlington Trotman; Ivan Weekes; Shermara Fletcher; Bishop of Croydon, the Rt Rev Rosemarie Mallett; and many more. Special guests included the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan; David Lammy MP; and Leroy Logan MBE.
The pictures below give insight into this special day.
afterwards attended a civic service organised by the Brixton Project. A wide range of dignitaries attended the service, including the Mayor of Lambeth, Councillor Sarbaz Barznji; Detective Chief Superintendent Sebastian Adjei-Addoh; and Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy.
During the street party, people enjoyed food, interviews and a display featuring items representing the Windrush era.
However, it’s Sister Moveta’s performance that is causing a social media storm. She sang church choruses that were popular with the Windrush Generation. The TikTok audience loved Sister Moveta’s performance and comments on her post include:
from across Lambeth to celebrate the Windrush Generation. With singing, dancing, eating, laughter and much more, we celebrated that great generation. We, their descendants, are in a better place because of their suffering and sacrifice. Their fight for a just and equitable society is still ongoing, and we will continue the fight until victory is won.”
Almost 100,000 people have viewed a video of reggae gospel artist, Sister Moveta, performing at a Windrush street party celebration organised by Brixton Community Church and led by Bishop Eric Brown.
The NTCG church, well-known in the area, hosted the street party on June 24 and
“Love this. Wish I was there.”
“This sounds so good.”
“Me love dis. My eyes full a tears. God is good.”
Bishop Eric Brown is proud the church was able to host a party in honour of the Windrush Generation. He said: “Our street party brought together a good mix of citizens
Marcia Dixon MBE writes about the delegation from the Church Reparation Action Forum, who visited churches in the UK to discuss racial injustice, restitution and reparations
One of the greatest travesties in history is the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Between the 16th-19th century, it’s estimated that 12 million captured Africans were transported from West Africa to the Americas (North America, South America and the Caribbean) and sold as slaves to work on plantations.
Films like 12 Years a Slave, Django Unchained and classic TV series Roots depict some of the shame, cruelty and violence enslaved Africans experienced, and documentaries like After The Flood have highlighted the role of the Church in supporting the slave trade.
The wealth generated by the slave trade is said to have aided the economic development of Britain, Europe and America, as well as increased the personal funds of those directly involved. Profits from this trade in human flesh were invested into British industry, whilst banks and insurance companies that offered financial services to slave traders made cities like London very wealthy. There are some, like Nigerian historian Joseph Inikori, who believe the slave trade helped finance the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century.
Slavery’s impact has been enormous and is a contributory factor to the racism, inequality, poverty and negative life outcomes that Black people in the Caribbean, the Americas, African and the Diaspora currently experience.
In recent decades there has been a call for Western nations, businesses and church denominations that benefited from slavery to make restitution to the descendants of slaves via reparations.
The Church Reparation Action Forum (CRAF), founded in 2019 by Christians in Jamaica, is one organisation making this call. CRAF representatives were in the UK recently to discuss the issues in a tour organised by Street Pastor’s founder Rev Les Isaac, theologian Professor Robert Beckford, Dr Jacky McLeod, and Bishop Tedroy Powell, leader of the Church of God of Prophecy.
Pastor Bruce Fletcher, CEO of Operation Save Jamaica and co-founder of the CRAF, said: “Our conversations about reparations in Jamaica were highlighted with the brutal murder of George Floyd in the US in 2020.
It helped focus discussion on the racial injustice Black people throughout the world experienced and assisted with the demand for reparations.”
He continued: “A number of reports have highlighted the financial contribution enslaved Africans made to the world economy during the Atlantic Slave Trade for which they received nothing. It’s now time for businesses and church denominations that benefited from the slave trade to make reparation to their descendants. It’s CRAF’s hope that, whilst in Britain, we will move the case for reparations forward, and that the Church will understand the part they have to play.”
Rev Dr Gordon Cowans, co-founder of CRAF, shared: “It’s important to note that reparation is not just about making financial restitution. It entails Christians also seeking to redress the emotional and psychological harm enslavement caused within Black communities.”
Speaking on Premier Radio, he also shared CRAF’s reasons for being in the UK: “The Transatlantic Slave Trade was a sin against humanity. What it has done is to destroy the relationship God intended between and among all human beings. Therefore, we are approaching the reparation question from a faith perspective. Our question is whether it is possible to repair the damage that has been done to the relationships between us. Once that is accomplished, whether it is possible for us to then consider financial reparation. To that end, we are meeting with the churches here to see whether we can find common ground.
Whilst here in the UK, the delegation met with representatives from various organisations, including the Quakers, Churches Together in England, the Evangelical Alliance, the Church of England, the New Testament Church of God, and the National Church Leaders Forum.
The delegation also took part in the Walk of Witness that preceded the 75th anniversary service at Southwark Cathedral in celebration of the Windrush Generation, which they also attended. They were guests of honour at a breakfast in Croydon, where they met church and civic leaders, and took part in a discussion about reparations in Birmingham.
Some churches have already started on the path of making reparations. Earlier this year, the Church of England announced it would create a fund of £100m to “address past wrongs” of slave links. And last year, during their annual meeting in Britain, the Quakers agreed to make reparations for harm caused by the Transatlantic Slave Trade. After meeting with the CRAF delegation, Siobhan Haier, deputy recording clerk for Quakers, stated: “It was humbling and hugely rewarding to meet with the delegation from Jamaica, members of whom have been thinking, working and researching in this area for years. We hope to keep building our relationship with this group, and with others across the world who share this vision.”
CRAF conversations with British churches about reparations seem promising. Only time will tell what fruit will arise from those conversations.
Following the launch of the Black Church Political Mobilisation - A Manifesto for Action, Rev Ronald Nathan writes how the Christian community can make the Manifesto for Action a reality
In the 75th year after the landing of the Empire Windrush on British shores, the second edition of the Black Church Political Mobilisation: A Manifesto for Action has been published by the National Church Leaders Forum (NCLF). This is a further sign of the growing maturity of the African and Caribbean churches in the United Kingdom. Much has been said since the May 20 launch about the possible prophetic challenge that the Manifesto brings to the political establishment in the United Kingdom of Great Britain. What is sometimes missed, with both the first edition published in 2015 and the current edition, is the theological and programmatic challenges that the Manifesto addresses within the Black Church.
It is quite interesting that in many of our congregations, we are familiar with the biblical text where we read and champion the lives of Moses, Daniel, Joshua, Esther and Deborah, to name a few, yet totally ignore the fact that these anointed personalities were politicians. In other words, what we do is to make the Old and New Testaments of the Bible conform to the thought and idea that true spirituality is devoid of political engagement. To hold such an ideological position may be a contemporary religious emphasis, but it is neither biblical nor is it Christian. That emphasis was birthed in the bosom of colonialism, and was utilised in European colonies to make the growing Black Christian population passive. It was part of colonial mission theological education designed to keep slaves in their place and to undermine any possible revolt or uprising by the colonised.
So, the publication of the Black Church Political Manifesto 2023 is an instrument to bring a rebalancing of the biblical concepts of ‘faith’ and ‘works’. “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature” must include the political world and the politicians. The Gospel, as defined by Jesus in Luke 4:18-20, clearly speaks to a release of Pentecostal power “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me” in the fields of poverty reduction, health and prison reform and
the removal of oppressive forces. The liberating agency, the Church, with its message of salvation from sin, has to locate the good news in the spiritual, physical, social, psychological and political realities that dehumanise and diminish the image and likeness of God in persons of colour.
in the United Kingdom. Its inherited task is to garner the substantial human, social, intellectual, economic and political resources into a focused, workable programme for the local church. This would result in significant impact on the community beyond the church walls. The work of the NCLF going forward is to further assist the bishop, pastor, elder, deacon, youth leader, choir leader, Sunday and Sabbath school teacher in this theological and ecclesiological process.
Alongside the church and trustee boards must come the social justice committee that will flag up the inequalities in treatment at the education and penal institutions. Items for prayer must be identified for the prayer warriors, but they cannot stop there. Collections and fundraising events will also be organised for the financing of legal and advocacy work.
The NCLF have already established eleven forums on their website, www.nclf. org.uk, covering the eleven policy areas of the manifesto. African and Caribbean Christian communities will be able to engage in these online discussion groups. Further to this, the NCLF will roll out a national programme to help the African and Caribbean churches to network and enter into collective action around the Manifesto’s policy areas.
Jesus’ teaching, the Gospel, is littered with symbolic and intentional challenge to the status quo of the first century that corrupted the body, mind and spirit of the human community. The Black Church Political Manifesto is therefore a clear indication of a theological shift taking place in the minds of the leaders of African and Caribbean churches in the United Kingdom. This shift in theology anticipates a shift in mission, ie., mobilisation of the faithful in the pews. The Manifesto illustrates by its eleven policy areas that there is work to be done and that this call to action is part of our civic duty and Christian discipleship.
The NCLF, by its very existence, represents a call for unity between the diverse expressions of Black Christian faith
In the foreword of the Manifesto for Action, several church leaders point out that, ‘considering this post-Brexit era, the Black Lives Movement, and the creation of a United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, more is required of the NCLF and of this Manifesto.’
‘THE NCLF, BY ITS VERY EXISTENCE, REPRESENTS A CALL FOR UNITY BETWEEN THE DIVERSE EXPRESSIONS OF BLACK CHRISTIAN FAITH IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.’
Ade D’Almeida, pastor at KICC, one of Britain’s leading Black Pentecostal churches, recently published her memoir, Dying to Shine – Understanding the Process of Sacrifice, which chronicles her journey of overcoming adversity and finding hope.
Can you minister to this need?
As many as one in eight households in the UK are struggling with debts they cannot repay.
Debt causes: shame, fear, depression. It can lead to losing a home, broken relationships, addictions and even to suicide.
Ade had given up her career in HR for retail store Debenhams to work full-time at KICC, which in 1998 made history when it officially opened its 4000-seater church the largest to open in Britain for over 100 years.
She shared, “That seems so long ago now. However, 34 years on, I am still at the church, serving as Director of Administration as well as a pastor. I remember the early pioneering years of KICC’s ministry. I chronicle that time in Dying to Shine to give people a behind-the-scenes insight on what it means to serve with purpose the vision of a church.”
A second-generation British Nigerian Christian woman, Ade was fostered to a White family during her childhood and writes about being sexually abused by her foster mother’s son; the difficulty she experienced reconnecting with her birth mother when her time as a foster child ended; and how they built an enduring bond until her passing in 2022.
She also shared her initial unwillingness to attend church but how her conversion at 28 transformed her life. “I never expected my life to take the path it has, but I’m grateful for the many experiences I’ve had the good, the bad and ugly. They’ve made me what I am today.”
Ade mentions the leading men and women of faith she has met through her ministry work; her struggle to find a husband (she got married at 43 and had a child at 44); and her mission to impart her wisdom through mentorship and coaching programmes.
She hopes the inspirational message of Dying to Shine will help readers find their purpose and identity by shedding limiting beliefs and embracing life’s journey with vigour.
Dying to Shine is available from www.amazon.co.uk
Can you help?
Over 25 years, Community Money Advice (CMA) has helped hundreds of churches and community groups establish local debt and money advice services; freeing people from debt, giving them back hope for the future. We can help you to do the same in your community.
Roy Francis explains how 150 years ago the Fisk Jubilee Singers introduced gospel music to Britain when they toured the country to raise money for their school in the US
June 22nd was the 75th anniversary of the Empire Windrush’s arrival at Tilbury Docks in the East End of London. Many people believed it marked the arrival of Black people to Britain. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Black people have been resident in Britain as far back as Roman times, and have, in the past, lived here in the UK in large numbers; one source even suggests there were 20,000 Black people living in London during the reign of Elizabeth I.
Many came here as enslaved Africans, brought into the country by plantation owners, and worked as household servants, cooks, maids, pages, footmen and porters. Some were even trumpeters at the royal courts. After the American War of Independence in the 18th century, Black people arrived in Britain en masse again, but this time as formerly
enslaved soldiers and sailors who had fought in the war and, in return, were allowed to travel to England and freedom. Abandoned to their own fate, they were left to eke out a living on the miserable streets of London and around English ports.
One hundred and fifty years ago, in 1873, another group of Black people predated the arrival of Windrush. They were a group of singers who were touring England to raise funds for their newly established ‘Fisk Free Colored School’, formed by the American Missionary Association.
The school had run into financial difficulties as soon as it started and was in danger of
closing. In an attempt to save the school by raising £20,000, George Leonard White, its treasurer and musical director, formed a singing group of four men and five women and took them on a tour of America. White named the group after the school but crucially included in the name ‘Jubilee’ a time in the Old Testament when enslaved people were set free, and anyone who owed a debt could make a fresh start.
At first, the tour didn’t go too well, as White audiences reacted adversely to the group. They didn’t like the anthems, sentimental songs and ballads they sang. They also didn’t like that the Fisk Jubilee Singers sang in a European style, dressed up like White people, and thought they were getting ‘above themselves’. It was only when they decided to include the ‘spirituals’ or ‘enslaved work songs’ that things began to change.
Audiences in America knew very little of slavery, although it was a feature of life in the Southern states. They were shocked at what they heard. Publicly endorsed by Mark Twain, the famous American writer who was born in the South and whose father kept enslaved, and Henry Ward Beecher, the most famous preacher of the age and brother of Uncle Tom’s Cabin author, Harriet Beecher Stowe,
American audiences began to warm to the Fisk Jubilee Singers and started to give generously to their cause.
In Britain in 1873, it was the first time the public had heard the ‘spirituals’, the songs that had begun to open American eyes to the story of slavery of how millions of enslaved Africans were forcibly taken from their homeland, transported to America and the West Indies, and brutally broken into the plantation system. Hearing ‘Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen’ told UK audiences of the cruelty of the enslaved experiences and how it was only by singing as they worked, planting crops, cutting sugar cane, and later, when they worked on the railroads could they find the strength for another day.
Many of the spirituals came from the Bible, especially the Old Testament, which told of a time ‘when God’s people in bondage were set free’. This idea of freedom spurred them on and gave them hope that they too, one day would be free. Cynically, enslavers quickly realised what singing did and encouraged it, for the more the enslaved sang, the better they worked and the more productive they became.
One of the most requested and popular songs on the Fisk Jubilee tour was ‘Steal Away’ Like many spirituals, it operates on two levels and contains coded messages of resistance and escape plans. On one level, the song informs that the escape plan in the making could proceed. On the other level, it meant that if an enslaved could not be free in this life, they would prefer to ‘steal away to Jesus’; in other words, they would rather die. Other well-known spirituals include ‘Go Down Moses’, which explains that an escape plan is imminent, and ‘The Gospel Train (is coming)’, which tells the way was clear to escape. In America, enslaved Christians were thought to be the first to use songs this way.
Today in Britain, ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ is the best-known spiritual, although when English rugby fans sing it so enthusiastically at their matches, I wonder if they know its origin or the coded message it contains. The song is thought to have been written around 1865 by a formerly enslaved Wallis Willis, telling escapees of the ‘Underground Railway’ a network of safe houses where they would find people who would help them escape to the northern states of America or Canada where they would be free.
Receiving rapturous applause and praises wherever they went, thousands of people flocked to churches, civic halls and outdoor events to hear the Fisk Jubilee Singers. They were also feted by the British aristocracy, who invited them to perform at their private parties. Performing for the Earl of Shaftesbury, the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, the British Prime Minister William Gladstone, and Queen Victoria
no less, the Singers brought their message to the heart of the British Establishment. Queen Victoria was so impressed by their performance of ‘Steal Away’ when they went to Windsor Castle that she commissioned a painting of them that hangs in Jubilee Hall at the Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Thrilling audiences wherever they went and receiving enthusiastic reviews in the press, though complimentary, were not universal. The Birmingham Daily Mail, for example, viewed the Singers’ songs as “exceedingly primitive” and “childishly simple”, merely revealing the prevailing attitudes and stereotypes about Black people at the time. However, despite this, the tour was successful, and the group attracted vast audiences wherever they went.
On July 30th, Charles Spurgeon, one of the great Victorian Baptist preachers, invited the Singers to perform at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Elephant and Castle, which was the largest protestant church in London. More than 6,000 people turned up to hear them, with hundreds more turned away. The Singers collected £220 towards their school, and Spurgeon is quoted in the South London Press as saying: “Our friends seem to sing from their hearts. They seem to preach in their singing, and this gives a force to the music such as no other thing could. They have touched my heart… This is a real mystery and a deep theology in this singing that we can hardly understand.”
From London, the group went on to tour the North of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, delighting audiences wherever they went. In Scotland, their visits coincided with a tour by American evangelists, Sankey and Moody, who invited them to sing at their evangelistic services. For the next four years, the Singers toured Britain, Europe, and went as far afield as Australia. By the time the original group ceased touring, exhausted by being on the road for so long, they had raised more than $150,000 for their school, more than
$3million in today’s money. However, one of the singers, Thomas Rutling, decided to remain in Britain, settling in Harrogate, where he taught singing and languages for many years and gave many successful solo recitals.
Today in Britain, Ken Burton and his two choirs, The London Adventist Chorale and the Croydon Adventist Choir continue the tradition of the spirituals. They are by far the most accomplished Black gospel choir in Britain, with numerous awards and accolades.
They are the recipient of the coveted BBC2 Sainsbury Choir of the Year and the 1995 Choir of the Year Award. Like the Fisk Jubilee Singers, they introduce the spirituals to their audiences in their performances, bringing home to many people gospel, the music that has developed from the spirituals. For Ken, this music is “characterised by hymn-like melodies and harmonies, and a range of expressions derived from African music-making and spirituality”. For him, the sounds include the subtle hush and gentle hum, the sad moan, surging phrases, and loud tones. This is what 19th century America, Britain and Europe had heard for the first time, and been mesmerised ever since. Imagine what would have happened if the Fisk Jubilee Singers hadn’t decided to ditch singing like Europeans and choose their own songs, performed in their own way. It would have been a great loss, for the spirituals are the forerunner of some of the most fantastic music the world has ever known gospel, blues, jazz, country and rock. What a tragedy it would have been.
Grammy-nominee and Maverick City singer, Ryan Ofei, speaks with fellow gospel artist, Coco Dupree, about his new EP Limitless Worship, faith, inspiration and whether a collaboration with Stormzy and Justin Bieber could be on the cards…
COCO DUPREE (CD): We’ve just listened to some of your new music, and I feel privileged; it felt like the atmosphere shifted. If I were there by myself, I’d have definitely been on my knees on the floor! RYAN OFEI (RO): Thank you! That’s what we want. Music that evokes emotion, truth and spirit.
CD: For those hearing about you for the first time, who is Ryan Ofei?
RO: Ryan Ofei is a son, a brother, a friend, a pastor, a musician and an artist. I love God, I love His people, and I love cultivating ways in which we can get to know Him more.
CD: Before music, you were heavily into sports. How did that transition from sports into music take place?
RO: Sports was a creative avenue for me, music was another avenue. My favourite was sports, and I played American football for years. I had scholarship offers and, at the time, I definitely felt this was the path I’d be taking. But during my last year of high school, I got seriously injured. I saw how that made my mom feel, and how it made me feel. I asked myself: “Am I going to be able to carry this on for a long time?” It didn't feel like it would be the case, so I made the hard decision to drop sports, and I started trying to figure out what God really wanted me to do. That was my journey to university, where I found music again.
CD: You’ve been sharing the stage with many high-profile artists, including Kirk Franklin and Maverick City. What has this experience been like?
RO: Every time I’m like: “God, is this really happening?” Halfway through the performance with Kirk, I thought to myself: “Wow, the guy I would listen to in my car is now on stage with me.” It’s surreal.
CD: Do you get nervous before performing?
RO: Honestly, I have such confidence in God and also in the security of being with my band, that I have a feeling of ‘Whatever happens, happens - let’s go’. We have a track record of doing it, so it’s not as crazy as it would be if I were completely alone.
CD: How would you describe your new EP, Limitless Worship, which was released earlier this year?
RO: An opportunity to enter into the presence of God and pray, read the Word and worship, whether you’re in your car, workplace or getting ready in the morning. I want it to be something that facilitates an atmosphere for
people to be free, really give God their best, and receive whatever He has for them.
CD: If you could collaborate with anyone, who would you choose?
RO: Jacob Collier is really, really cool; I’ve been listening to him a lot recently. I’m throwing in a second one — Stormzy! My third one would be Justin Bieber. Any of those! They’re incredible at what they do. I'm really inspired by them.
CD: Out of all your songs, which is your favourite and why?
RO: From a writing perspective, I wrote a song for my wife, Priscilla, called ‘WYMM’, (an acronym for ‘Will You Marry Me?’). I just sat down, and it flowed out. I think when something feels that natural, it’s a reminder that this is what I was always supposed to do. As for something I’m enjoying singing right now, I have a song called ‘Still Holy’ with Maverick City Music. It just feels right. I wake up and start singing it; it’s such an incredible song.
Ryan Ofei’s new EP, Limitless Worship, is out now on all platforms.
1. UK-based gospel singer-songwriter, Alia Lara, has released her new single, ‘Love Like This’. The song is based on the Bible Scripture, 1 John 4:9-10, and Alia expresses her experience of God’s “ever-loving and never-leaving” love, with a fresh yet nostalgic r&b vibe and intricate lyrics to complement it.
2. Revere has released ‘Holy Hallelujah’, a song from their forthcoming album which features lead vocals by Becca Folkes and US-based worship leader, Carrington Gaines. This song was born out of the shared life experience of a team of songwriters from Brazil and America. Folkes and Gaines bring a level of raw honesty and passion to this song that points to the glory of God. To watch the video visit https://youtu.be/91xNObOwpLc
3. Family group, Vessels United, is back with a new release, ‘Nothing’. With an afrobeat twist, this song is bound to get you moving
and adding it to your playlist. Vessel United says: "We encourage listeners to be bold and daring. There’s satisfaction knowing you are making a difference and a contribution towards the growth of God’s Kingdom."
4. The award-winning DJ Shunz has released 'Blessings and Favour’, featuring Greatman Takit (background vocals by Oyije). Co-produced, mixed and mastered by KD Summerz, ‘Blessings and Favour’ is an upbeat afrogospel amapiano track, created for every hearer to enjoy and feel uplifted. DJ Shunz said: “The Bible says that we are blessed and highly favoured. So this track was created to affirm that fact.”
5. Elikem Kofi's highly anticipated afrogospel album, ‘Long Life and Drama’, has finally arrived. With captivating tracks like ‘What I Want’, ‘Joro Mi’ and the irresistible ‘Be Okay’, this album is a timeless sensation filled with ethereal
rhythms and soul-stirring melodies. Prepare to be spellbound by the divine artistry of Elikem Kofi, as he weaves an enchanting tapestry of hope, resilience and sheer musical genius. All songs are available on digital platforms.
After a decade, and armed with an array of perspective-shifting experiences and a deeper understanding of where God is directing her, Coco Dupree storms back onto the scene with the sumptuously nostalgic ‘He Done It’ featuring Triple O. Coco Dupree has toured the world and sung to packed-out stadiums. She’s spent years working her way to the top of her craft as a backing vocalist, performing with the likes of Pixie Lott, Ne-Yo, Wretch 32 and more.
Dupree speaks about the visceral, life-altering dreams she began having during the first UK lockdown, which clarified some of the questions she’d been asking about her journey and destination. “During my decade away from being a solo artist, I was just living life out in the world. Nothing was working, I didn’t feel happy and content. But then, in 2020, I began having these vivid dreams, showing me achieving things and following the path God had laid out for me.”
Dupree’s latest single, ‘He Done It’, is a unique modern blend of gospel, r&b, and hip-hop. After ten years of perfecting her skills behind the scenes, from this point on, ‘Coco Dupree’ will no doubt be a name you’ll be hearing a lot more often.
The new single, ‘He Done It’, was released on 23rd June on all digital platforms.
Irecently ventured out across the perennial hustle and bustle of London to find a cherished moment of God-given peace. Joined by my dear niece and gospel singer, Ms Coco Dupree, we were on a mission, and headed to the prestigious Gaumont State Theatre in Kilburn.
The occasion was the Donald Lawrence Music+Arts Global Spectacular. Billed as a tribute to the late great American Gospel musician, Edwin Hawkins, the night promised to deliver an unforgettable worship experience, delivered through a grand and diverse display of vocal talent.
From the moment we entered the auditorium, the first thing we noticed was that the atmosphere was charged with unmistakably positive energy and the awesome presence of God. Members of the audience were full of enthusiasm and danced their way joyfully through each of the uplifting and soul-stirring anthems.
Song after song, we were blessed by the outstanding ability of the lead singers and the range and versatility of the backing singers. From within the ranks of the audience came a multi-racial and multi-national choir comprising over 350 voices, all eager to elevate the sound of praise to breathtaking new heights.
The humility, sincerity and genuine charm of the lead man and host, Donald Lawrence, was a pleasure to behold and experience. We thoroughly enjoyed the worship experience, and we look forward to the next one in two years’ time.
My sentiments were shared by Volney Morgan, of MOBO Award-winning group, Volney Morgan & New Ye, who was the host. He said: “It’s safe to say the choirs are back! Music+Arts hands down was one of the events of the year, bringing so many people from Europe and around the world to come and sing gospel music. I can’t wait for Music+Arts Global 2025.”
Equally complimentary about the 2023 event was Ayo ‘Ayce’ Oyerinde of GloFest International, who served as the UK-based production manager for Donald Lawrence’s London-based worship extravaganza: “Music+Arts was a great success. Knowing the heart of what Edwin started and what Donald is continuing, I believe the
essence of Music+Arts — love, togetherness and the breaking down of cultural barriers — was front and centre this weekend. I believe everybody left with a smile.”
O’Neil Dennis, founder of AStepFWD.com, who worked on event promotion along with Bill Carpenter said: “From the core team to the volunteers, to the choir and attendees, Donald unleashed an army of hearts, and it was absolutely inspiring to be part of the movement. The coming together of different nations gives us a taste of the power of gospel music to bring us into community, fellowship and harmony with each other.”
Denis WadeNo relationship stays the course accidentally – they need time and investment. Strengthen your connection with our bespoke board game and brand-new online teaching. It’s time to play together, laugh together and grow together.
Juliet Fletcher explains the inspiration for this new initiative and writes about Liverpool’s first-ever Gospel Music Festival taking place on September 9, 2023
This September, for the first time ever, the UK is hosting its own Gospel Music Heritage Month! Britain, finally, has a dedicated initiative to bring true focus on the cultural, arts and community impact that British Gospel has on the UK. This year, for 30 days throughout September, every artiste of every kind, promoters, event producers, writers, those behind the scenes as well as the front runners… everyone is needed to build this new impetus: Gospel Music Heritage Month in the UK & Ireland. We want to be celebrating and commemorating, looking at history and enjoying where we are.
No! No! No! This is NOT South vs North or North vs South; this is seeking the fulfilment of the Scripture: ‘A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid… Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven!’
(Matthew 5:14,16)
My interpretation in this instance is: We (all of us in this sector) are the city a place of many dwellings; diverse types of people; all types of shops, stores and businesses. Metaphorically speaking, we represent the many types and styles of the genre. Gospel Music Heritage Month is our opportunity to ensure we are all seen and heard across the landscape of British life and throughout the British isles.
This article is aimed at providing answers to AFFAQs (a few frequently asked questions) that are inevitable.
If we consider how many places and people have never heard first-hand the sounds of gospel music, then we must realise there is a lot to cover geographically and culturally. This includes sharing an understanding of the cultural and historical stories which help to bring an appreciation of difference, as well as meaning and exploration of common elements in our humanity.
Additionally, we need to realise the power of focused intentionality. This will enable us to create and build on a consistent united effort. We need to present the music in such a way that demonstrates how inclusive and diverse it
is: it fits into many formats; it works across generations; and it speaks to and through the invisible qualities that appeal to our humanity. What does the Scripture say? ‘But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, goodness, faithfulness, kindness, longsuffering, gentleness and self-control; against such there is no law’ (galatians 5:22-23).
Truly, there is no law on earth that can be against such qualities, can there? When I think of all that gospel music is and the virtues of where these songs and performances are rooted, its motivation/motives, when purely expressed, are dynamic, transformative and thus truly inspirational. The artists who portray and perpetuate are the ones who will make a month most memorable.
Come on board, Africa! Come on board, Europe! Come on board, Asia! Come on board, Caribbean! Come on board, Americas! Come on board, Australasia! September Gospel Music Month taking place annually all around the world. Can you imagine it?
Well, can you recall what it was like when Black History Month first started? Even now it has its naysayers. Regardless, no one can say we haven’t increased our knowledge and experiences of the diaspora and its history since then. As with Gospel Music Month in the US, Black History Month UK had its beginning with one man Akyaaba Addai Sebo, a special projects officer at the old Greater London Council (GLC) in 1987. He reports that the idea was born after a visit to the United States, where he learned that another Black man, in 1915, historian and author Dr Carter G Woodson, had founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now called the ASALH) and fought for many years to establish the initiative. Black History Month (BHM) has been celebrated every year since 1976, and now there are more than 6,000 monthly events for BHM. What can you say? Will you despise the day of small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10)? I should think not! It only takes one spark to get the fire burning!
Well, I proposed it to the directors of GMIA (Gospel Music Industry Alliance), which represents the official voice and the living legacy of the genre on these shores. And they said “YES!” The vision I saw was, if we aligned with the month-long September event held in the US since 2008, we could build something that is transatlantic. It could become a counter-narrative to what happened with the slave trade, the global impact of which is still active today! Does that sound crazy? Too big? Too broad? Too presumptuous? Isn’t that, like, impossible? According to our faith ministries, if it’s something that can be done without God, then it isn’t God’s plan but man’s.
Liverpool Lighthouse is the home of Europe’s first dedicated arts centre for gospel music and is funded by Arts Council England as a gospel music-related NPO (National Portfolio Organisation).
Liverpool Lighthouse began highlighting its position in this northwest city when it was central to the success of Liverpool’s quest as City of Culture 2008. This preceded partnering with GreenTree Productions to stage the hugely successful Gospel Summit, the sector’s music business industry specialist event in 2004. The Summit included the first Schools Gospel Summit, which saw over 500 schoolchildren participate in workshops at schools throughout the region, and culminated in a concert featuring Jahaziel, 29th Chapter and other
pioneering hip-hop, rap and r’n’b artists popular at that time.
Liverpool is recognised as a UNESCO City of Music, obviously because of the Beatles who are renowned for drawing on Black music for their initial inspirations. Lesser known is the Caribbean quartet, The Real Thing, one of the most successful Black pop groups of the 70s, who burst onto the scene from Liverpool with pop-soul smashes, including You To Me Are Everything (1976), Can’t Get By Without You (1976) and Can You Feel The Force? (1979). Historically, one of the original members of the Fisk Jubilee Singers (FJS), Thomas Rutling (born 1865), decided to live in Harrogate until his death in April 1915. FJS is known to be the first US gospel singers to travel to Britain in 1873.
Liverpool is also known as one of the first cities with a port where Africans and the Chinese found a level of communal strength. Now Liverpool Lighthouse will hold the event, dubbed as ‘the first mainstream Gospel Festival’ at Stanley Park on the 110-acre green space! What an opportunity this presents, knowing that this major event is guaranteed to be headlined by gospel artists every year. And it is also how the organisers intend to impact the surrounding community with many activities and educational programmes. Headlining performers are The Kingdom Choir, who famously sang at Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding with a worldwide audience of over a billion. Since then, they have continuously sung to millions more and they are certainly positioned within current mainstream culture. CalledOut Music is a relatively recent rising light of the British GenZ
worshippers: young contemporary African-style gospel anthems. Signed to an independent, homegrown label, he has achieved millions of views and thousands of loyal subscribers to his social media channels and has added to his sold-out events since his spotlighted brilliance. Both artists will bring something special to the open-air gala.
The Festival is illuminating the region and there are great expectations following its inauguration.
These expectations should also be high for the first designated GMHM (Gospel Music Heritage Month), because through it we will be able to tell and retell our story in our own
way EXCLUSIVELY, with an unlimited approach: the pros and cons, highs and lows, past and future. GMIA will be appealing and galvanising your support. If you have an event planned for September – even for Black History Month (which segues beautifully after it, in October) send your details or contact info@gmia.org.uk
Three key events starting off GMHM are:
The 6th Annual GX Awards 2023
Saturday 2nd September, from 4.30pm to 11.00pm
Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham, B3 3DQ
Liverpool Gospel Music Festival
Saturday 9th September, from 1.00pm to 9.00pm Stanley Park, Liverpool, L4
The Music Media Platform (TMMP) Awards
Saturday 9th September, from 3.00pm to 9:00pm The Ridgeway Centre, Featherstone Road, Wolverton, MK12 5TH
Visit: https://form.jotform.com/ syncwell/GMHM-2023events to register your event.
Visit https://gmia.org.uk website for further details.
Cadogan Hall, Chelsea, was filled with gospel music lovers, who were present at the annual Premier Gospel Awards (PGA), which celebrated 50 years of gospel music in the UK. The audience enjoyed a glamorous event, organised by Premier Gospel in partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board, that featured incredible live performances and awards across nine categories. There were a number of memorable performances during the night, which included The Hip-Hop Cypher, with some of the best
rappers from the last 30 years, and The Global Mic Toss, featuring Grammy Award winners Israel Houghton and Travis Greene; Nigerian musical artist, Phenom Dunsin Oyekan; and multi award-winning choir, ZimPraise, amongst others.
Other guest performances included the youngest ever winner of The Voice UK, Annatoria; Tim Bowman Jr; three times MOBO Award winner Guvna B; and Chevelle Franklin from Jamaica.
The winners from each category reflect the outstanding talent and dedication that has shaped UK gospel music. They included:
Best Male Vocalist: Limoblaze
Best Female Vocalist: Annatoria
Best Song: Limoblaze – ‘Jireh’
Best Album: Triple O – Everything Left Unsaid
Best Video: Guvna B – ‘Bridgeland Road’
Choir of the Year: The Spirituals
Best Group: Manor Collective
Best Newcomer: Tofunmi Adorna
Best International Act: Mercy Chinwo
In addition to recognising winners across nine award categories, special honourees Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of the MOBO Awards; Stormzy; YolanDa Brown OBE, broadcaster, artist and Chair of the BPI; and Arsenal and England star, Bukayo Saka received the Outstanding Contribution
to Gospel Award for their dedication and impact on gospel music.
“I just want to say a massive thank you to the Premier Gospel Awards for awarding me with this. I'm really grateful. Of course, I wouldn't be where I am today without my faith, so it’s a real big honour for me to receive this...”
Bukayo Saka
“I was so moved to receive the award. I want to see more and more gospel artists out there spreading such a positive message.”
Kanya King CBE
“It is such an honour. I remember the early years when others were not paying attention, but Premier Gospel would interview me.”
YolanDa Brown OBE
The Premier Gospel Awards was a resounding success. It brought together the gospel music community for a night full of celebration and appreciation for its rich history and cultural impact. Attendees left the event, inspired by the powerful performances and heartfelt speeches that highlighted the importance of gospel music in today's world.
Muyiwa Olarewaju OBE, Premier Gospel Station Director, was pleased with this year’s PGA. He said: “This was a defining moment for the music, message and culture. The future of gospel in the UK is bright.”
GUVNA B GILLIAN JOSEPH PREMIER GOSPEL HIP HOP CYPHER KANYA KING CBE AND MUYIWA OLAREWAJU OBE
Women’s ministries play a vital role within the Church by teaching Christian principles and providing practical guidance to women on all areas of life.
One ministry that is succeeding in this area is Esther’s Academy (EA), whose slogan is ‘Preparing Women for the World Stage’.
EA was started as an evening session in 2005 by Pastor Yvonne Brooks, a leader at New Jerusalem Community Church, Birmingham, and Keep The Faith columnist. It was then turned into a seven-week programme and relaunched in 2008.
and receive their Certificates of Completion.
Pastor Yvonne, who is also leader of a ministry called ‘Women of Purpose’, shared her reasons for starting EA: “I specialise in women’s ministry. As women came to me, I would pray and ask God what He wanted me to do.
“He answered me clearly, stating that He wanted a school of refinement for His ladies. Eventually our mission evolved into ‘Preparing Women for the World Stage’.”
The EA course takes women through a seven-week journey, where they learn insights on their relationship with God; how they view themselves; and their approach to money, work, business, styling, personal care, and much more.
Karen Allen, Jeanette Young, Samantha Gardner, Marcia Levine and Leah Salmon all experts in their field of endeavour.
This unique ministry recently held their annual graduation ceremony. Over 130 people were present to see the female graduates of the programme celebrate their achievements
Pastor Yvonne shared: “Women are taught about God’s identity, love and faithfulness, and their identity and place in Him. They also learn about their calling and purpose, and the need for wholeness, vision and goal setting. They also learn the importance of poise, grace, etiquette, dressing to impress, and personal care, which includes looking after their hair and skin, the importance of exercise and more. EA gives ladies the opportunity of a transformed life filled with purpose and direction.”
Course teachers include Karl George MBE,
From talking to Pastor Yvonne, it’s evident that the EA course is making impact. Over 2,000 women have gone through the programme, which is taught in the UK, Zimbabwe, South Africa, the US and Jamaica. There are also plans to take it to other countries.
Pastor Yvonne is looking to develop EA further. “We hope to relaunch our one-day conferences ‘Esther’s Extras’ to focus on specific topics. And next year we plan to run our ‘Next Steps’ conference. I also want to encourage the ladies to take part in missions trips to other parts of the world, and get involved in specific identified projects. As always, EA graduates have the opportunity to travel with me when I attend graduations in other countries.”
PASTOR YVONNE BROOKS ESTHER’S ACADEMY GRADUATESThe Ministry Experience Scheme (MES) is a unique initiative that gives young adults, from all backgrounds, the space and time to test God’s calling on their lives. If you are aged 18–30 and looking for a year-long opportunity to explore what God is calling you to, then MES could be for you.
You will have the opportunity to explore your calling and learn more about yourself, whilst gaining experience of Christian ministry and developing your leadership skills.
It is free to do, with accommodation and living expenses provided. Local schemes are based in many locations across the Church of England.
Past participant Mary said of her time on MES, “When I moved from Moscow to South Devon, I was warmly welcomed and got a lot of support in adjusting. Over my year I have been able to preach, do school assemblies, pastoral visits and lead some services. My vicar entrusted me with the huge responsibility. I have learned about the breadth of the Anglican church and its richness in tradition and worship. This opportunity to explore my vocation is something I will treasure for years.”
Where is God sending you? Find out more at cofe.io/mes
you are aged why not spend a year God through the Experience Scheme. more about yourself, your leadership skills. expenses provided.
Every person’s year looks different but is formed around practical ministry experience, such as kids and youth work; chaplaincy; community work; preaching; digital media or event organisation. The year also includes some theological study which can be tailored to you – it doesn’t matter if you have no prior experience or already have a theology degree.
Every person’s year looks different but is formed around practical ministry experience, such as kids and youth work; chaplaincy; community work; preaching; digital media; pastoral visiting or event organisation. The year also includes some theological study which can be tailored to you – it doesn’t matter if you have no prior experience or already have a theology degree.
For many MES has been a step towards ordination or other church ministry; others say they have a clearer sense of God’s purpose as disciples in wider society and the workplace.
For many, like Mary, MES has been a step towards ordination or other church ministry; others say they have a clearer sense of God’s purpose as disciples in wider society and the workplace.
Church of England.
MES is free to do with accommodation and expenses provided. Enquiries can be made now for schemes starting in September 2023. Schemes are based across the UK and Europe. Please visit our website to find out more (cofe.io/mes).
The Ministry Experience Scheme (MES) is a unique initiative that gives young adults, from all backgrounds, the space and time to test God’s calling on their lives.
If you are aged 18–30 and looking for a yearlong opportunity to explore what God is calling you to, then MES could be for you.
If you are aged 18-30 why not spend a year serving God through the Ministry Experience Scheme.
will have the opportunity to explore your calling and learn more about yourself, whilst gaining experience of Christian ministry and developing your leadership skills.
your calling and learn more about yourself, ministry and developing your leadership skills.
Ministry Experience Scheme (MES) is unique initiative that gives young adults, from all backgrounds, the space and time test God’s calling on their lives. If you aged 18–30 and looking for a yearopportunity to explore what God is calling you to, then MES could be for you.
It is free to do, with accommodation and living expenses provided. Local schemes are based in many locations across the Church of England.
accommodation and living expenses provided. locations across the Church of England. at cofe.io/mes
Philip’s MES year involved working with the Intercultural Worshipping Communities section Diocese, running a Global Carol Service, an Easter biriyani party and starting a young adult’s group. He says learnt what it means to be a leader in a Christian context; I have grown spiritually and become more pastoral. I’ve become particularly passionate about evangelism and doing this in a way which meets people in whatever situation they are at. I would strongly encourage anyone who is interested in a of Christian service to enrol onto MES. it’s an opportunity you cannot miss!”
Where is God sending you? Find out more at cofe.io/mes aged spend a year through the Scheme. about yourself, leadership skills.
MES is free to do with accommodation and expenses provided. Starting in September 2023 schemes are based across the UK and Europe.
Every person’s year looks different but is formed around practical ministry experience, such as kids and youth work; chaplaincy; community work; preaching; digital media; pastoral visiting or event organisation. The year also includes some theological study which can be tailored to you – it doesn’t matter if you have no prior experience or already have a theology degree.
Please visit our website to find out more cofe.io/mes
For many MES has been a step towards ordination or other church ministry; others say they have a clearer sense of God’s purpose as disciples in wider society and the workplace.
MES is free to do with accommodation and expenses provided. Enquiries can be made now for schemes starting in
With over three decades of ministry under her belt, Rev Dr Betty King is one of the UK’s most revered female ministers. She is pastor of Truthvine Church, Wembley, and a leader who is prayerful, prophetic and philanthropic. Rev King hosts The Cry, a programme that is broadcast on GOD TV where she interviews Christians who are making an impact. In January 2023 Rev Betty launched ‘The Cry’ — an event where delegates from across the globe gathered at Wembley Arena. Akosua DF spoke to Rev King about her life, faith, ministry and desire to see revival break out throughout the nations.
Akosua DF (ADF): If you were asked, “Who is Rev Dr Betty King?” what would your response be?
Rev Dr Betty King (RDBK): I’m a mother; my greatest joy are my children. I’m a grandmother and a great-grandmother. These are the first people I would present to the Lord. I’m passionate about the things I believe in, and I am very loyal and focused.
ADF: You’ve been in ministry for quite a few decades. Can you talk a little about your journey with God and what inspired you to plant a church five years ago?
RDBK: It was shocking. I was a broken person and, after two suicide attempts, God intervened and saved me. I fell in love with the Person of the Holy Spirit and began standing in the gap and interceding for others. Fortunately, my pastor recognised my gift and empowered me to intercede for the church, which I did faithfully. I then “graduated” to cleaning, which was a joy. I remember when he gave me the church keys, I treated it like home. One day he asked me to speak at a church conference and then at an evening service. I just saw it as serving in the church, but I started to receive prophetic words about my ministry. I believed the words and started going through the process that pertained to the promise, so I began choosing my alignments wisely Esther had a Mordecai and David had a Samuel. I started a Tuesday prayer meeting focused on praying for the nations and the body of Christ, and noticed that people would attend and not want to leave. God aligned me with great ministries, we started growing and the church, Truthvine Church, was birthed.
ADF: You said you were leading intercession and “graduated” to being a cleaner. Most people would see that as a demotion rather than a graduation. Can you expound?
RDBK: Oh, my goodness that’s the biggest revelation! Read 1 Samuel. The guy was in the church just taking care of business. I thought
that cleaning the church was a training ground for me. I was given the keys to the church and personally saw that as an act of trust.
ADF: You are passionate about praying for the nation and have dedicated your Tuesday prayer meetings to that. Could you share on the importance of us being gatekeepers for our nations?
RDBK: It’s very important. Psalm 65:4 says, “Blessed is the man the Lord chooses and causes to approach you, that he may dwell in your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, of your holy temple.” A lot of people go to prayer meetings to pray for their needs but, as a gatekeeper, you must know what you are watching for. The local church will meet personal prayer needs but when we gather to intercede, the focus should be the nations.
ADF: It’s obvious there is a spiritual wakening in this nation. What do you think God is up to?
RDBK: I believe that the spirit of conviction is falling on Great Britain. He is purging the church. People are talking about revival, but I believe that we are in revival. People are repenting and crying for change. I believe that Europe is poised for a move of God, and we are going to see people leave the streets and go into the church. This is why we need to contend for places of prayer. Sadly, the enemy is also making sure there are no real authentic mangers where the supernatural can be birthed. God is after birthing places — not organisations and structures that He no longer lives in.
ADF: In line with your heart for revival, God led you to birth ‘The Cry’ – based on Isaiah 58:1. What is the vision behind ‘The Cry’?
RDBK: When you read the Bible, you see the word ‘cry’ — the children of Israel cried out; the woman cried out; “Son of David, save me!” That’s a cry. A cry is desperation from within the soul when you really want things to change. The Holy Spirit pulled me aside one day and said: “Cry out and spare not. Cry out for a generation to know their identity in Christ.”
ADF: In 2024 you are going to the Royal Albert Hall for ‘The Cry’. What can we expect from next year’s event?
RDBK: It’s going to be a very simple yet prophetic Harp & Bowl gathering, with a few worship leaders and people leading us in prayer to cry out on behalf of the land.
ADF: Many may not know that you are a fashion designer. You design all your outfits and have a clothing line called
Label Fifty-Three. Can you tell us about it?
RDBK: It started when I couldn’t find the right clothes to wear. One day, I heard the Holy Spirit say: “Why don’t you design your own?” I started drawing designs and the rest is history. The designs have been out for about seven years and are stocked in the major stores. They buy the designs and rebrand them for sale.
ADF: Wow, seven years! That means you move discreetly and make major moves in silence. Let’s move on to your media work. I recently stumbled upon ‘Truthvine Stories’ on YouTube and actually thought it was a TV mini-series. I’d love you to touch on the importance of media in propagating the Gospel in this dispensation and share about how you entered the world of media.
RDBK: It’s very important in this time because the media often dictate how we think and act. I wasn’t trained in media, however in 2002 the Holy Spirit asked me to do a show called ‘Talk God’. At the time I was at Ealing Christian Centre and approached the pastor to ask for a studio. He allowed me to use his front room. I trashed his whole house and converted it into a studio [laughs]! I invited a lady from GOD TV to produce the show, but nothing came of it for about two years. I invested my life savings into the show, yet no one wanted it. Two years later I sent the videos to Revelation TV and got a call from the owners. God had asked them to give me a free show on their network: ‘Talk God with Betty King’. Years later God granted me favour with GOD TV, then BBC1 for ‘The Big Questions’
ADF: I think ambidextrous would be a great word to describe you [laughs]! I’m curious to know what’s next for Rev Dr Betty King.
RDBK: To continue to be an intercessor. It’s from the place of intercession and intimacy that God gives His dreams. I want to keep praying and I know that God will put His desires in my heart.
‘I started a Tuesday prayer meeting focused on praying for the nations and the body of Christ, and noticed that people would attend and not want to leave.’
As Christian believers, I think we can say that we know how powerful social media can be for sharing about the life of our churches and their latest activities. With that in mind, we also have to acknowledge there is so much content to absorb on social media these days. During the pandemic in 2020, there was a significant increase in the use of the internet for day-to-day activities. This resulted in a rise in social media usage, with more images and videos being posted on a daily basis. Today, churches creating content to post on social media will need to exert more effort in order to spark interest and gain new followers. In this article, we’ll examine a few points about creating social content and digital tools to make the process more productive.
If you’re focusing on key platforms like Facebook (FB), Instagram (IG), Twitter (TW) and YouTube (YT), an important factor to bear in mind is learning which platform works best for your church.
FB and IG are generally well-known platforms that can be used to share most forms of content. On FB, there is the option to join groups; this provides an opportunity to share content about your church. For example, if your church location is north London, you can search for groups in that location and start to engage with people about your upcoming activities.
One significant difference between FB and IG is the use of the hashtag (#). The hashtag is used extensively on IG and is one of the primary ways to build awareness of profiles and to attract users who are not yet followers. For example, if you were posting about prayer points, you may accompany your post with the hashtags, #prayer or #prayerpoints. In doing so, users who follow any posts that use those hashtags will get a
notification on their device to have a look at your post. With this in mind, it may be a good idea to compile a hashtag list you can refer to for use with future content.
The same principle about the hashtag applies on TW, which works well for sharing most types of images, short-form videos or links to content on other platforms. If your church has a presence on TW, be mindful of the 280-character limit which restricts the length of your post caption or description.
YT utilises the power of video and now also allows for ‘shorts’, which is handy for sharing video snippets. Writing engaging titles and descriptions helps the searchability of your video.
Whichever social media platform you choose, be sure to monitor the analytics (not just the likes) to learn what content has been working well.
One great example of a church utilising social media effectively is Arc Thurrock Community Church on IG (https://www. instagram.com/arcthurrockuk/). They have worked well to share the vibrancy of the church with:
• IG reels of short-form video, featuring their church family in various settings
• IG carousels to express biblical concepts and other church information
• bright and eye-catching images to highlight church events
• IG content directing users to their other platforms, such as YT or the website
Here are a few tools to increase your productivity for managing the social content for your church. You can search for them on Google, and they are all available to sign up for free.
• Canva is an online design tool, with lots of social media templates for all the popular social platforms.
• Walling is a digital tool that can be used like a mood board to visually collate initial ideas, and for planning the social content types.
• Buffer is a social media scheduling tool. It connects to social platforms so that social content can be scheduled for posting at whatever dates and times you set.
There are lots of ways to create interesting content to convey the life or message of your church. Some ideas to consider could be:
• YT shorts or IG reels to share snippets of sermons
• IG carousels for teaching biblical themes or encouraging prayer points
• FB images about church events with ‘calls to action’ (CTAs) to visit other platforms
If you haven’t used these tools before, I think you’ll find they work very well as a time-saving workflow for social media management.
VernetteJohn-Joiles
shares insights on how churches can enjoy the benefits of social media to spread a gospel messageVernette John-Joiles is a digital consultant, informal educator, and founder of www.digginginto.digital She is committed to sharing information on how the Church can use social media and digital tools effectively
From the tender age of five until the age of eight, I was introduced and groomed into the perverse world of pornography by a teenager who lived in my local area. Not only that, but I also endured unfathomable sexual violence incidences that corrupted and crushed the innocence of my self-esteem, body image, gender and sexuality.
I kept the secret of my abuse confidential, as instructed by the perpetrator, and the lingering scent and decay of the vile poison of sexual violence would never be detected by my parents, siblings, aunties, uncles, cousins, friends, Sunday school teachers, schoolteachers, church family or family friends. I was hidden and hurting in plain sight Nonetheless, Jesus saw beyond the surface of my existence, and captivated my heart at the age of 16, thus turning my mourning into dancing, and ultimately healing and restoring every fabric of my human identity. As a result of an unjust journey, my husband and I have committed our lives to engaging the topic of human identity, sexuality, gender and injustice, in order to help bring the truth of the Kingdom of God to the heart of society.
Over the past 21 years of my walk with Jesus, I have encountered thousands upon thousands of young people, hidden within plain sight within our churches, Christian youth groups, Christian youth clubs or attending our Christian events, who are facing the daily challenges regarding their self-esteem, body image, gender identity, sexuality and relationships, compounded with the influence of pornography.
Although there are a handful of Christian organisations engaging with the topic of gender identity and sexuality, there simply aren’t enough voices and resources within the field. Our desire is to empower and awaken the sleeping giant (the Church), to boldly and compassionately win and disciple a generation of young people who are seeking truth.
Society has and is changing. Sex, gender and sexuality have evolved within the western modern-day context, which stems from the 17th-18th century European Enlightenment period to the 60s-70s Sexual Revolution (also known as the Sexual Liberation Movement), to the modern-day reformation. Young people are now able to choose their gender, sexual orientation and can even identify as animals, such as ‘Cats’ (also known as ‘otherkin’).
These changes can be noted in the figures from the 2021 census, which highlight that more than half of LGBT+ people are aged between 16-34.
We believe the Church should be the leading voice and thought leader in human identity, sexuality and gender. As our Father God is the ultimate Creator of all things, and mankind is fashioned in the Imago Dei (Image of God) as in Genesis 1:27, this fundamental truth should be cascaded within the fabric of our society.
Through our research and consultations across the UK, we have identified that many churches shy away from engaging with the topic of gender and sexuality, due to the immobilising influence of fear. Therefore, young people feel compelled to seek information from alternative sources, such as social media, their peers, lessons within their schools and mainstream media outlets. Sadly, some young people feel that “the Church is closed, and TikTok is open”.
Following a training session with a group of church leaders, where we delivered a gender identity workshop, we were approached by a pastor who expressed their deep sense of gratitude and admiration for the session. The pastor then shared that their daughter’s boyfriend had requested to be addressed as ‘they/them’, which had puzzled the pastor, but he hadn’t questioned the boyfriend’s reasoning. Our session highlighted that the pronoun
‘they/them’ is used by individuals identifying as gender neutral or queer. Consequently, the pastor felt empowered to have a conversation with their daughter, thus strengthening their relationship, despite disagreeing on their points of view.
The Bible states that “My people are destroyed due to a lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6), so it is pertinent for churches to be equipped, trained and educated on the theoretical, physiological, societal, theological and practical frameworks of gender and sexuality, to aid in engaging young people. We must also create space for the voices, experiences and disclosures of young people, so they feel safe to share their thoughts and beliefs within a judgement-free zone.
With 21 years of youth work experience, I have concluded that young people will bare their souls, when addressed with compassion and aided with support. The 21st century Church must adapt its discipleship models and address the topic of gender and sexuality, or we will continue to haemorrhage a generation who no longer understand the relevance of church.
Esther Bonsu-Liburd explains why it’s important for the Church to join in the conversation around gender, sexuality and identityEsther Bonsu-Liburd is co-founder/ CEO of ‘The RVLTN Group’ (ReVoLuTioN), alongside her husband, Pastor Mark Liburd. It is committed to inspiring people to explore pertinent societal issues to aid positively transforming society. Esther is also a dynamic speaker. Visit www.thervltngroup.com
2023 is a very important year for Bishop John Francis, one of Britain’s most well-known Black Church leaders. This founder of Ruach City Church, a group of churches with branches in London, Birmingham and the USA, celebrates his 40th anniversary in ministry; 30th anniversary of founding Ruach City Church; and his 25th year serving as Bishop. An in-demand preacher, with a popular TV ministry, Bishop Francis spoke with Keep The Faith about his life, his achievements and exciting ministry plans, which include a conference in Dubai in September.
KEEP THE FAITH (KTF): 2023 is a year of anniversaries for you: 40 years in ministry, 25 years serving as an ordained bishop, and 30 years since starting Ruach City Church (RCC). How do you feel when you look back and reflect on what God has done through you and your church?
BISHOP JOHN FRANCIS (BJF): I’m here at 40 years in ministry, 25 years in the bishopric, and 30 years leading and serving Ruach City Church, following God’s assignment for my life. I can’t say that time has passed quickly, or that it was plain sailing, but I’m glad that, as a pioneer, I have been able to fight for change in the church culture. I am deeply thankful and grateful to God for everything He has done through me, through our church, and through so many individuals over the years who have helped the vision of RCC to continue. The Lord has done great things and I feel honoured to have been entrusted with just a small part of His Kingdom here on earth.
KTF: RCC is one of the most well-known Black Pentecostal churches here in the UK. What have been Ruach’s three greatest achievements over the years?
BJF: I can think of so many great achievements. One was purchasing our first building in Brixton back in 1996. We have purchased other buildings since then: our building in Birmingham; the Gaumont State Theatre in Kilburn; our church in Walthamstow; 24 acres of land in Norbury; and our most recent purchase coming out of the pandemic: the Streatham Hill Theatre. Also, the tent meetings we held across London and the UK. In 2004, we held our ‘Order My Steps’ Conference in Atlanta, USA. It was a phenomenal success. The school we built in Haiti during missions trips… When I look back, there have been so many great achievements, it’s hard to pick just three!
KTF: One of RCC’s highlights is when your church hosted Tony Blair in 2006. He was the first British Prime Minister to attend a Black-majority church event. How do you feel that historic occasion impacted the church?
BJF: We hosted the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, at our ‘Power of One’ Conference, which was a pioneering initiative to encourage voters to register on the electoral roll. The tabloids cited us as the first charismatic church in the UK to host a serving British Prime Minister. I felt so proud of our church! Especially as it was not only our church that was positively impacted but other churches too. I saw members of our church become more purposefully engaged in the voting process. The community was also impacted. Following the Prime Minister’s visit, the community relations we had already established over the years were further solidified.
KTF: What emotions went through your mind when you held the special 30th anniversary services recently, where former members and leaders plus new ones were in attendance?
BJF: So many emotions... I felt happy, excited, and thankful to reach this 30-year anniversary milestone, especially coming out of the pandemic. It felt really good to see so many past Ruach partners and friends. There were lots of smiles, tears and hugs, as we shared many memories and looked at old pictures of ourselves back in the day! What was really encouraging was to see how many former Ruach partners are now pastors and leaders of their own churches. It was also a time of healing for many. Walking back through our doors felt like coming home. There were so many particularly moving and touching moments throughout the celebrations.
KTF: You recently announced that RCC will be setting up a housing association and building 264 houses in Norbury for people with low incomes. Can you share a bit more about this exciting initiative?
BJF: The original plan was to build a school and sports complex, but unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, our initial plans were no longer feasible and then we were presented with this great opportunity: a joint venture with Portobello Trust, which means they finance the cost of all building works. It’s exciting to have this opportunity to contribute to our local community in such a tangible way, securing the financial future of Ruach City Church and future generations. We are looking forward to seeing the completion of affordable housing on our land in Norbury and the setting up of the Housing Association. I don’t think we have embarked on a project as big as this one to date, so we feel really blessed.
KTF: You are the son of pioneering church leader, Bishop T G and Mother Elfreda Francis. What was it like growing up in the home of a pioneering church leader, and what role did faith play in your childhood?
BJF: I grew up surrounded by all things ‘old school church’! Old mothers, who loved and reprimanded you like you were their own; and old deacons, who put out the chairs and drove the church van. Church services and prayer meetings, which were sometimes extremely long and boring and, at other times were powerful, anointed and exciting. So, my church and my faith played a major role in my childhood. My mother was a powerful prayer warrior, and my father was an anointed preacher, full of wisdom and biblical revelation. I learned a lot from them. I know that I’m the man I am today because of the legacy they passed on to me.
KTF: How old were you when you became a Christian, and when did you receive the call into ministry? Do you remember your first-ever sermon?
BJF: I became a Christian when I was very young and was baptised when I was seven years old. I can’t say I recall being called. I do remember being told my first steps were taken with a Bible in my hands! So, I think I would say that I’ve been receiving prophetic words since birth, as I was born after my mother was healed from cancer. I suppose I stepped into my calling which God confirmed through various preachers who visited my father’s church over the years. I can remember giving my first exhortation in my teens. My subject was from Psalm 37, ‘Delight thyself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart’.
KTF: Many people are unaware that you have played a pivotal role in the UK gospel scene through leading the Inspirational Choir, recording albums for CBS (now Sony Music), co-presenting legendary gospel show, People Get Ready, and even being a founding member of LCGC. What do you remember about the UK gospel scene in the 80s and 90s, and what are your views on the current scene?
BJF: The gospel scene back then was exciting, with many talented singers and musicians, but the Church in general wasn’t always very accommodating, which forced our singers and musicians out to secular music companies who were always coming to our churches looking for talent. Sadly, we lost many. I’m not so involved in the gospel music scene nowadays and, to be honest, I don’t think we really experience gospel music as I knew it back then, with numerous choirs and groups. What I see is what I would call a different expression of gospel music, which focuses
more on praise & worship songs — which I love — but every now and then I do miss the gospel music of the 80s and 90s. Timeless!
KTF: Aside from your work here in the UK, you have a TV ministry, and you’re regularly invited to preach across the UK and abroad. What do you enjoy most about your work as a preacher and speaker?
BJF: When I preach at home, I know I’m loved, and people appreciate the power of God working through my life. They know and trust me, and they’ve seen me minister consistently over the years. When I travel to other churches and ministries in the UK and abroad, I love to see the almost immediate transformation of people in the services, as they receive the Word I’m preaching or teaching and experience the power of God moving in their lives. I also love experiencing different cultures when I travel, which often exposes me to new and innovative ways of ‘doing church’. The other thing I love about travelling to minister is the opportunity to share with other leaders, which is always encouraging.
KTF: You’ve been in ministry for 40 years. Your wife Penny has been by your side for most of that. How have you both dealt with the highs, lows and challenges that come with being church leaders?
BJF: Penny has been a tower of strength in our 34 years of marriage. A lot has happened in ministry over the years that she wasn’t prepared for, but you would never know! In the difficult and challenging times, we stand together and always remember RCC is God’s church, and that He will bring us through and give us His wisdom for that season. The highs feel good, when they happen, so we make a point of thanking God in good times. Remembering the good times helps us get through the bad times, along with a lot of prayer and a very supportive leadership team.
KTF: It’s become evident, that Millennials and Gen Z within the Black community are losing interest in Christianity. What do you think the wider Church can do to see spiritual revival in our youth?
BJF: This is a subject that’s on my heart. As leaders in the wider Church and the Black community, we have to be intentional when thinking about what it means to be a young Christian in our times and involves having conversations and listening properly to our youth and young adults. It’s important to not get offended by what they may say, but to work towards where we can find common ground and also explore how we make church more appealing and interesting to our young people. This doesn’t mean we have to compromise, but we do need to find out how to make our
churches more relevant, so that all generations will be interested in Christianity. Let’s be intentional.
KTF: In recent years, there’s been a rise in entrepreneurship within the Black Christian community. Why do you think this is, and what is your church doing to encourage it?
BJF: I didn’t see many Christian businesspeople in my youth — not as many as we see today — but there are more entrepreneurs in the Church. Perhaps because more opportunities are available to upcoming young professionals, resulting in more Black business owners and CEOs, which encourages the younger generation to know they can achieve more and aim high. Some pastors of Black churches are teaching and preaching about excelling not just in ministry callings but also in areas of business and commerce. At
Ruach, we have a Business Club which was set up several years ago, so that our business owners could connect and network with like-minded and aspiring individuals. We also held our first ‘Steps2Me’ Conference which specifically catered to aspiring leaders.
KTF: Should we expect any new initiatives from Ruach City Church this year (hint, hint), like planting a church in Dubai?
BJF: We have been exploring where the next Ruach location will be. We’re looking forward to hosting our first conference in Dubai in September this year, so who knows? Perhaps the next location will be Ruach Dubai or Ruach Nigeria or Ruach Canada or Ruach Atlanta, USA… You’ll have to wait and see!
KTF: Finally, what message of hope would you like to leave with Keep The Faith readers?
BJF: We are living in uncertain times and, if we pay attention to trends, we can feel discouraged and struggle to keep going, but I’ve learnt over the years that no matter what we see happening in the communities where our churches are located, God’s Word still stands true and is the key to staying strong in our faith. So, to all Keep The Faith readers, be true to who you are and who God has called you to be. We have enough copycats! I believe what the world needs is Christians who are authentic and who stay consistently true to their faith.
Visit www.ruachcitychurch.org
Jesus demonstrated what a lifestyle of drawing near to God in prayer looks like. He didn’t just pray in public places with his disciples or in the temple, but ‘often withdrew to lonely places and prayed’ (Luke 5.16, NIV). Retreating from the busyness of his ministry to spend time alone with the Father was a normal thing for him. Prayer was a constant in his earthly life.
This brand new pack of prayer cards from Bible Society has been created with the same prayerful pursuit of God in mind. Each pack comes with ten themed cards that feature scriptures and declarations to help you draw near to God and pray into any situation you might be facing.
Amanda Bedzrah, author and Bible teacher, wrote the prayers and declarations on these cards to help you embed the Scriptures into your daily prayer life. ‘To be given the opportunity to use my passion for prayer and the Bible to serve the body of Christ is a true blessing! I believe in the
power of prayer and speaking God’s word, and these cards provide an opportunity to do both in an accessible way.’
God’s word comes from Romans 10.17, which tells us, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”’
‘These cards also help us pray over specific areas of our lives because they’re themed. They remind us to be intentional in asking God for things like hope, forgiveness, and provision.’ Amanda also loves that the cards help us to build our self-esteem and confidence. ‘The words of affirmation on the cards come from the Scriptures and remind us of who we are in Christ.’
Amanda is excited about the potential these prayer cards have to be used to serve others. ‘They are a great gift to bless our friends and families to support them in their daily devotion alongside regular prayer and Bible study.’
Let’s learn to pursue God and pray the way Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount, ‘your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven’ (Matthew 6.10, NIV), with a confident assurance that he will do all that he has promised.
Start praying the Scriptures today.
Amanda shared with us some of the key benefits of the cards, including how they help us to pray the Scriptures. ‘Speaking God’s word when we pray assures us that we are not praying amiss,’ Amanda shares. ‘They also help us to build our faith by reminding us to pray out loud and speak out God’s word. This link between increased faith and
Receive three prayer card packs for the price of two using the code keepthefaithprayer at biblesociety.org.uk/keepthefaithprayer
Individuals and even whole communities can be transformed as they encounter the love and healing touch of Jesus within the Scriptures. We want to share with you this incredible story of how the power of prayer brought the Bible to someone for whom poverty had previously put it out of reach. This is just one example of something we’ve experienced to be true time and time again: ‘The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’ (James 5.16, NIV).
Poverty meant that 13-year-old Victoire could never buy a Bible of her
own. She lives in the West African country of Togo with her mum. Her father left when she was a baby. Each day is a desperate struggle to make ends meet. Like every vulnerable community across Africa, Victoire and her mum have been hit hard by the global economic crisis.
But Victoire knew one thing would make a difference in her life: the Bible. And she prayed for one. ‘My friends at church who had Bibles seemed to be happier than those of us who didn’t have one,’ Victoire says. Now Victoire has a Bible.
‘I am overjoyed! It’s such a precious gift that will help me grow in my knowledge of the word of God,’ said Victoire, beaming with joy. Thanks to your support, a total of 3,000 Bibles will be distributed in Togo through Bible Society’s ‘I have my first Bible, how marvellous’ project.
Partner with us in praying for the nations by subscribing to Word in Action, our magazine dedicated to keeping you up to date on prayer needs around the world, at biblesociety.org.uk/wia_ keepthefaith
‘The words of affirmation on the cards come from the Scriptures and remind us of who we are in Christ.’
Last month, Britain celebrated Windrush Day on June 22 and commemorated the contribution of the Windrush Generation.
This year’s event marked the 75th anniversary of the arrival in Tilbury Docks of HMS Empire Windrush – the ship that brought the first contingent of Caribbean migrants who responded to the call to work in Britain’s labour-starved industry.
Amidst all the media coverage about the Windrush Generation, very little mention was made of the major role faith and the Church had played in their lives, and in the lives of their children and even their grandchildren. Neither did it mention how the Black Church provided people with a refuge from racism, and a place where they could find community and their intrinsic value could be celebrated and affirmed.
The Windrush Generation were people of faith. No ifs, no buts or maybes, the Church was intrinsic to their existence, and due to the high regard in which they held matters of faith, being of good character and being upright, even those who preferred to go to a blues party rather than attend a church service chose to get married in a church, had their children christened, and sent them to Sunday School.
I attended the Sunday school at my United Reformed Church one minute from my home and loved dressing up in my Sunday best to attend.
Assembly (founded 1961); the Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic (founded 1956); Assemblies of the First-Born (founded 1961); Bibleway Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ (founded 1957) and many more.
I believe it’s so necessary for the role of the Church in the lives of the Windrush Generation to be mentioned because it played such a crucial role in their lives, as well as those of the second generation like me.
Many of our lives have been transformed by the preaching of the Gospel, and the teaching by our church leaders shaped our thinking, our approach to life, behaviour, attitudes, educational and professional achievements, and so much more.
Those of us who got saved in our youth look back and shake our heads at some of those strict church rules about how we should dress and behave, and the large amount of time we spent attending church services and events. They were good times, but conversely there are some who had the misfortune to experience the pain and shame of being disciplined by the church, especially if they got pregnant outside of marriage.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I think the messages that are preached in our churches are so focused on being upbeat, positive, full of faith that people don’t feel free to share their life regrets, disappointments or doubts.
I was sharing this with an Anglican vicar, and they said I felt like this because there’s very little teaching in our churches about the ‘gospel of lament’. What’s that, you might ask and rightly so, because I hadn’t heard of it either!
Rob Brockman, writing on www.thegospelcoalition.org, explains it perfectly. He writes, “Lament is a form of praise and prayer with the intent of drawing close to God in times of great suffering and pain.”
Approximately 65 of the Psalms are psalms of lament. And there’s a whole book in the Bible that is dedicated to lament: the book of Lamentations, written by Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet. It’s this book that inspired the well-known hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness
It’s worth noting that lament is not a pointless exercise. It allows a believer to share their pain, disappointment and regrets to God, knowing that He hears our cry and understands our prayer, whilst also recognising His promises are true and His purposes will prevail.
The establishment of the Black Pentecostal Church in Britain by those who migrated here is testament to the faith, belief and commitment to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The oldest Black Pentecostal denomination in the UK is COGIC, which started in the late 40’s. Other denominations founded by the Windrush Generation include the New Testament Church of God (founded 1953); the New Testament
One thing I do know is that if many more of the Windrush Generation were alive today to see how their lives and values were being celebrated, they would be giving God the highest praise, and thanking Him for elevating them. And I’m sure one of the Scriptures they would quote is James 4:10 ‘Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.’
I believe it’s time for our church leaders to speak more openly about lament in sermons and study the subject in Bible classes, so that (i) people feel freer to talk about the negative aspects of their lives, and (ii) to help Christians recognise that pain and disappointment are a normal part of life, and that if they give that pain and disappointment to God, He will provide the comfort they need.
‘I believe it’s so necessary for the role of the Church in the lives of the Windrush Generation to be mentioned because it played such a crucial role in their lives...’
Iam a curator and work in a local south London Heritage Centre, where I get to appreciate heritage in many forms. The artefacts in our collections date back centuries to Roman times, and also comprise of items from recent decades.
I have always been interested in the relational links people have with certain objects and the associated stories they tell. I call this ‘My Favourite Things’, which I define as an object which is personal to the owner and small enough to be carried; therefore, no houses or Ferraris! It is probably best thought of as the object you feel you cannot do without if you had to leave your home at a moment’s notice.
When it comes to working with people at the Heritage Centre as part of a ‘My Favourite Things’ workshop, some of the participants cited a childhood teddy bear, a Chanel handbag, and a Mont Blanc fountain pen usually something that was given to them by a loved one. However, in many cases, one object that often resonates is the family photo album. As the daughter of a hobbyist photographer that item certainly resonates with me when I think of the numbers of shelves dedicated to photo albums which graced my childhood home.
As Christians, we should not be obsessively materialistic and place too much importance on the ‘things of the world’. However, I contend that there are still some objects we would all consider as being ‘my favourite thing’. For example, there may be a special Bible given to you on your baptism, which has accompanied you on your walk with God. Or, perhaps it is the hymnal which has been your constant companion as you took your place in the choir pews. Equally, it may be the cross that never leaves your neck, which you may have been given by a relative or friend when you first became a Christian.
I am aware of some Christians who liked nothing better than playing their favourite Jim Reeves gospel album every Sunday evening,
Christians, they were packing up their lives in a suitcase or ‘grip’, as they were called.
For some, the idea was to return ‘home’ after five years. (Why was it always five years?) Many were planning to stay with someone who was just a ‘name’ in their address book. For others, it was to start a career in nursing, on London Transport, or in one of the many fields in which the hopefuls assisted in rejuvenating post-war Britain. Even more poignant was the number of returning passengers who had already risked life and limb in serving King and country in World War Two.
as the family relaxed together after a hearty meal of cook-up rice and curry chicken. Whatever the object, what is the story and the meaning you associate with it?
At the moment, I am creating an exhibition which seeks to commemorate the Caribbean Windrush pioneers those young hopefuls, many of whom were Christians who boarded the Empire Windrush (and subsequent ships, planes, etc) to arrive in a new homeland to explore exciting opportunities, filled with the desire to succeed. For many of these
I often wonder to myself whether these Christians had favourite objects that accompanied them on their travels? Did they hold onto those items, ensuring they had a link with their homeland, or hoping those items would help them remain positive or keep the faith? What is more, did they pass those objects on to the next generations as proverbial batons, so that the blessings would continue?
I would encourage Christians to go into their attics, sheds and cellars to find those ‘favourite things’ that tell the Windrush story. Far too many precious items are being lost to house clearances or antique shops. Through objects, we make connections with the present, but even more importantly with the past, especially as a way of engaging with relatives who are elderly or no longer with us.
Lily Reddie is a curator and an Arts and Culture enthusiast. She has a real interest in photography, particularly taking photos and curating old ones. She worships at St James’, West Streatham, south London. You can connect with her on Instagram @curatorsdelight
Lily Reddie looks at the positive relationships people can develop with objects and the impact they can have as they journey through life
‘THROUGH OBJECTS, WE MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH THE PRESENT, BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY WITH THE PAST...’MY FATHER LEON MY MOTHER MAISIE A BIBLE A CAMERA
It’s never selfish to take care of yourself. Boundaries are good for our well-being; we all have limits and it’s important for us to embrace self-awareness and recognise that. Boundaries give us room to think, heal and plan, and they enable us to have healthy relationships with others.
The Bible talks about boundaries quite often. In fact, God chose clear examples of setting boundaries right at the start, in Genesis 1:2-4 ‘The earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.’
That separation of light from darkness was a boundary. Then later in Genesis 2:15-17
‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”’
God told Adam he was free, and he had been given liberty to eat from most of the Garden, but this one tree was a no. Another boundary — and this was for Adam’s protection. We see early in Scripture clear indication of the importance of boundaries to prevent us from harm; to help us understand the parameters of our freedom; and also to place value on ourselves or a certain aspect of our lives: marriage, children or our professional lives.
There are also examples of Jesus taking time away from others and not sharing everything with the people around Him. In John 2:24, the Bible says, “But Jesus would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for He knew what was in each person.”
Psychology Today puts it like this: ‘The whole point of having boundaries is so that we can contain ourselves within the parameters of where I stop, and others begin.’ It’s not about keeping others out, as much as it is about defining who you are, what you think, and demonstrating the value you have for yourself and not negotiating who you are to please others.
We’ve all been there… You have a 101 things to do in terms of your personal responsibilities. Then, someone asks you to run an errand for them, you know if you say yes, it’s going to put you in a difficult position in terms of all the other commitments you’ve made for that day. Your head says, “No, I can’t help this person,” however your mouth says, “Yes, of course!” You then pay the consequences with your own mental health, plus being late for the commitments you had, simply because you didn’t set a boundary. For example, after 2:30pm, I can’t do meetings because I must collect the children from school.
Christian spaces, we have defined love as having no boundaries. If someone slaps you on one cheek, you give them the other. I think not. Verses like this don’t mean we shouldn’t stand up for ourselves!
Careful, broader reading of Scripture reveals that we are not obliged to engage with everyone we meet. If people are gossiping, being foolish, vulgar, using foul and inappropriate behaviour around you, that would be a boundary moment. The Bible actually tells us this can prevent us from becoming a fool ourselves.
Jesus was known for setting boundaries; He would take time away from people to pray. If He allowed what other people thought about Him to guide His decision-making, He would never have had time to be alone with God.
Between 9am and 2:30pm is more than enough time to change the world but, during this golden hour, the kids come first! That’s not mean; that’s a sensible and healthy boundary, and we all need to value ourselves enough to learn how to say No. Boundaries will help us to mitigate stress, and stress is a serious issue.
It’s vital we don’t adopt the idea that boundaries are inherently negative. In some
Boundary-setting will unleash emotions and ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ are not feelings, so it can be uncomfortable. Our natural instinct is towards relationships and wanting to belong. We worry that other people may not like us if we set boundaries. But if we’re to follow the Bible’s example, they are the most loving thing we can do.
‘... we all need to value ourselves enough to learn how to say No. Boundaries will help us to mitigate stress, and stress is a serious issue.’
Newham Carer Recruitment Team are recruiting individuals and families from all cultural backgrounds to provide loving and caring homes that children deserve.
Fostering is a role that fits in with family life. You can be at home full time and foster a baby or if you are in employment you may prefer to foster a child at primary school or a teenager.
The role of a foster carer is so important, not only for the day to day care they provide but for helping the child to feel safe, settled and secure during their time in care.
Newham Fostering are recruiting foster carers for children between 0-18 years. In particular, it would be great to hear from those interested in caring for teenagers and sibling groups and who live in or near Newham.
and caring and has always loved children. Delrose previously worked as a teacher and then in a bank where she mentored bright but troubled adolescents. She decided to explore fostering after friends and neighbours pointed out she would be a perfect carer.
Delrose and John have always fostered teenagers, Delrose remembers her own teenage years and experiencing things she could not share with her parents which caused her to feel misunderstood and to act out so she can relate to teenagers and see past the barriers they might try to put in place.
Delrose describes how when a new child comes into your home you have to remember you are a stranger to them and it takes time and empathy to build trust. Past experiences may cause children to act up, so resilience, persistence and consistency are key.
college and they have helped me write a CV and apply for jobs and helped me put myself forward and given me feedback. People who want to foster need to understand that some children will try to be misunderstood, you need to listen and support them no matter what as some children will suffer in silence”
• A weekly allowance of up to £511.68 depending on the age of the child
• Additional allowances for birthdays, festivals and holidays
• A setting up grant of £750 for you to purchase furniture and equipment for the child (once approved)
FOSTERING CASE STUDY:
Asked if she had a message for people thinking about fostering Delrose pointed out how hugely rewarding it is when you do the best from you heart and see it returned with love and respect, describing her joy at receiving a handmade card from her foster child Destiny.
Destiny was in foster care with Delrose and John from the age of 9 to 18 years old.
Here are some comments from Destiny, when she lived with Delrose and John:
Delrose and John have been fostering for Newham since 2012. Delrose was attracted to fostering as a mother who is loving
Destiny said “when I first came to live with Delrose and John they made me feel very comfortable but also gave me boundaries, at first I poked at this a bit but they sat me down and told me what I could and couldn’t do and I listened to them. They have always helped me when I need it, over the last year I have been trying to find a job as well as attending
• Exemption from paying Council Tax if you live in or outside of Newham
• Your own social worker (the child will have a different social worker to you)
• 24 hour support
• Support from a monthly foster care support group
• Membership of Newham Foster Carers’ Association
• Free membership to Fostering Network, an independent support organisation for foster carers
• Ongoing training throughout your fostering career
• Invitation to the foster carers annual awards event
• An additional payment of £1000 when as a Newham foster carer you recommend someone who goes on to be approved by Newham and accepts their first placement
It’s ironic, I think, that one of the things we all have in common is the fact that we’re all different.
Of the billions of humans currently walking the earth, each leaves a completely different footprint, has a totally different fingerprint, and makes an entirely different imprint on the world. No one person is like another, which – in some cases – is probably just as well!
It takes all sorts to make – or break – a world. So, if we’re to get on well with those around us, it’s important we’re aware of just how different we can be.
Some are pessimists. Some optimists. People who see things in terms of their glass being half full, or half empty. (Or, if you’re like me, the cracked glass is half empty, and what’s in it probably wasn’t worth drinking anyway!)
“It’ll never happen to me!” say some. “Just my luck!” say others.
Some see things starkly in terms of either wrong or right, with no room for grey areas, nuance, ambiguity or debate. Others see things from every possible angle, and are only too happy to make allowances, withhold judgment, and give people the benefit of the doubt.
Churches can also be like that... …and then there are the introverts and extroverts.
Extroverts get their energy from being with people. Meetings, events and social activities charge their batteries, feed their furnace and fire them up.
If you’re an introvert, however, too much human interaction will probably fry your brain! The way introverts recharge their batteries is by taking time to think, decompress, and work things out on their own. Too much personal contact can wind them up, wear them out or drag them down.
This explains why attending house groups or church may be harder for some than it is
for others. For introverts recovering from a hectic schedule, experiencing stress or coping with bad news, seeing lots of people requires more effort and may even be uncomfortable.
Extroverts, forced to view church services online because of age, injury or ill health, will miss out on fellowship far more.
So, if we’re to love our neighbour as ourselves, we should grant introverts the space they need when they need it and ensure that extroverts receive the human contact they require.
Some people are sympathetic, empathetic, highly intuitive and emotionally intelligent. They are people who readily sense the mood, concerns, needs and feelings of others – and respond correctly. Others are not.
On one occasion, my wife suddenly told friends: “Oh, I had no idea it was so late! We better get going!”
Later, in the car, I asked: “Why did you do that? We were having a wonderful time!”
“But they were yawning!” she chuckled. “Your friend could hardly keep his eyes open, and his wife nearly nodded off! They couldn’t wait for us to leave so they could get some sleep...”
But I never noticed!
So let’s respond appropriately to the needs of those around us – valuing others above ourselves and not looking to our own interests or needs but to the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4).
And, while some are ‘thinkers’ who generally set emotion aside and concentrate on the facts, others are ‘feelers’ — people with a tendency to think with the heart more than the head, and who react more emotionally to things.
I remember an old boss (fortunately not from my current employer, MAF) who coloured everything I wrote with voluminous amounts of red ink and never said anything about the bits she liked.
Rather than realising how demoralising this was, she thought she was doing me a service by helpfully highlighting my ‘errors’.
As my Hungarian friend, Akos, once commented: “You showed her your soul, and she just crushed it!”
At the end of the film Toy Story 3, there’s a scene where the now grown-up Andy gives his toys to little Bonnie, who then plays with them as the young Andy once did.
Now, although it’s arguably an emotionally charged scene, I was genuinely shocked to hear a gut-wrenching sob coming from the cinema audience – particularly when I realised it was coming from me...
Am I a ‘thinker’ or a ‘feeler’, I wonder? Our model, of course, should be Jesus – the One of whom Isaiah 42:3 says: ‘A bruised reed He will not break, and a smouldering wick He will not snuff out.’
If Jesus is our Brother, then, however different we are, there should of course be a family resemblance.
Appreciating the differences, working through them, and making allowances should hopefully draw us all closer together.
It is not only those who speak in tongues that have the Holy Spirit. ‘Tongues’ is just one gift of many. Paul asked rhetorically: “Do all speak with tongues?” (1 Corinthians 12:30). This question anticipates the answer “No”. So, how and when does someone receive the Spirit? Let’s explore...
John the Baptist declared that Jesus would baptise people with the Spirit (Matthew 3:11). Jesus encouraged His disciples to ask God for the Spirit so they could receive Him on the day of Pentecost (Luke 11:13). On the day of His resurrection, Jesus gave the 10 apostles that were present a foretaste of the Spirit by breathing on them (John 20:22). After returning to heaven, Jesus poured out the Spirit on the disciples on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). Peter told the crowds that gathered: “Repent, and be baptised.... and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38 NRSV).
Peter’s words indicate that the Spirit is automatically given when someone repents and is baptised in water. Peter didn’t indicate that the believer needs to do anything else to receive Him. Therefore, in Acts, the author normally doesn’t detail the converts’ reception of the Spirit. It is assumed that those who repent and are baptised receive the Spirit. The author only details the converts’ reception of the Spirit on the few occasions when the Spirit wasn’t given automatically at baptism. He mentions these occasions because they were not normative.
The first of these occasions occurred in Samaria. The Spirit was withheld from the Samaritan believers until the apostles laid hands on them (Acts 8:14-17). It seems that this was to demonstrate the unique authority the apostles had in that early foundational period of the Church’s history. Paul taught that the apostles were the historic foundation upon which the Church was built (Ephesians 2:20), and as such they were authenticated by special miraculous signs (2 Corinthians 12:12). The Samaritans were the first converts outside of Jerusalem. It seems that God withheld the Spirit from them until the apostles laid hands on them to demonstrate the status of the apostles as the foundation upon which the Church is built.
The second of these occasions occurred when the Gospel reached the Gentiles (Acts
10:44-48). The Jews considered the Gentiles to be ceremonially unclean. So, when God gave them the Spirit even before they were baptised, it demonstrated beyond doubt that He had accepted the Gentiles as His people (Acts 10:44-48).
The third of these occasions occurred in Ephesus, where God withheld the gift of the Spirit until Paul laid hands on them (Acts 19:1-6). Interestingly, when Paul came across these Ephesian disciples and learned they hadn’t received the Spirit, he immediately asked: “Into what, then, were you baptised?” (Acts 19:3 NRSV). Paul knew that the Spirit is given through being baptised into Christ. Therefore, as these Ephesian disciples didn’t have the Spirit, they must not have received Christian baptism. It turned out they had only received the baptism administered by John the Baptist, which was to get people ready for Christ. Paul then re-baptised them in Christ’s Name, laid hands on them, and they received the Spirit. It seems to me that the bestowal of the Spirit upon the Ephesian disciples through Paul’s hands demonstrated he had equal apostleship with the other apostles.
In his epistles, Paul also linked water baptism and being baptised in the Spirit. Paul
referred to water baptism as being “baptised into Christ” (Galatians 3:27). Paul also taught that when we are baptised into Christ, we are also baptised in the Spirit: ‘For in the one Spirit we were all baptised into one body’ (1 Corinthians 12:13 NRSV). In other words, when we are baptised into Christ through water baptism, we are also baptised in the Spirit.
In Galatians 3:26-27, Paul used the terms ‘faith’ and ‘baptised into Christ’ interchangeably. For Paul, being baptised is part of what it means to put one’s faith in Jesus. Because baptism is part of what it means to believe in Jesus, the Spirit is also said to be received ‘through faith’ in Jesus (Galatians 3:14). All who have been baptised into Christ have the Spirit, whether they speak in tongues or not (Romans 8:9).
Author and pastor, Dr Stuart Pattico, explains why a believer receives the Holy Spirit the moment they decide to follow Christ and not when they speak in tongues
The promotion of positive mental health and well-being has become an established part of modern society. With stigmas removed, people of all ages have been taught the benefits and necessities of expressing their feelings and taking care of themselves.
This same trend of taking care of oneself holistically is being experienced in greater measure within the church community. Outsiders now see the Church as a place for emotional healing and personal transformation.
Where once personal issues may have been dealt with privately, the Church is now integrating into her makeup open conversations about how to overcome hurts and traumas. Churches and ministry groups are hosting various healing-and-deliverance events that feature discussions and tackle real and present issues. Alongside this, there is also a cultural shift toward church members being more open and accountable when they need help and spiritual support, so that they can receive the required healing.
Despite what may seem like a current trend, the Church has always had a ministry to the broken. Its founder, Jesus, has always been concerned with an individual’s inward condition, and His encounters with people, both in the past and in the present, always bring about inner renewal and transformation.
Because of this, believers should be more vocal about our own experiences of inner transformation and share that inner healing does occur in our walk when we come into relationship with God. This would help others see that they do not need to solely rely on psychological methods for emotional healing. Our faith can also be a very powerful resource for attaining healing and wholeness.
I’m passionate about this type of ministry to individuals, because I have experienced life-changing results through healing in my faith community. Before this, I lived with deep internal wounds stemming from an early emotionally abusive relationship and a family breakdown. Once I came to the knowledge that I needed to seek help to overcome the emotional impact of these events, I turned to my faith community for help.
seeks to be a space where women can encourage and champion each other toward wholeness. We provide online content, such as YouVersion Bible-reading plans, blogs and live conversations, while also running in-person events where women are encouraged to dig deep and explore where they may need healing.
The ministry is touching lives. Jenny, a woman who has experienced healing via At The Well, shared: “At The Well ministry has been such a blessing during a very challenging time in my walk. Not only did Marilyn pick up my spiritual position and help me identify that I needed healing, she and her team walked me through the steps of healing and provided support and encouragement along the way.
There, I could safely unpack my hurts and receive counsel, prayer support and spiritual encouragement to begin a process of healing, which included addressing each issue that arose from my past with those who were supporting me, and then giving these issues back to God so that He could work on them. My journey of inner healing wasn’t easy, but I made this decision for myself over and over again. Through the process, I experienced many breakthroughs and eventually attained personal freedom from the effects of my past. This freedom allowed me to start a new chapter in my life, one where I walked in wholeness instead of brokenness.
My experience and testimony of healing formed the basis of At The Well, the ministry I founded to provide a place and space for women to be taught about God’s healing ministry. At The Well also
“I have participated in online prayer and in-person healing events and tuned in to interviews with inspirational women who have all encouraged me to heal. I am forever grateful to At The Well and recommend the ministry to all Christian women, as well as much needed self-care.”
I have found that when people like Jenny experience emotional healing, they become drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus and experience wide-reaching, positive benefits.
As this arm of the Church becomes further strengthened, more people will be drawn to Jesus first — rather than anything else — to experience healing. The Church will be seen as the hospital it needs to be for the wounded and broken, and more people will experience the change that only God can bring.
Marilyn Johnson is a speaker, author, and serves alongside her husband in eldership. She is passionate about seeing women walk and live in freedom, authority and victory in Christ. Visit www.marilynjauthor.com or www.at-thewell.com
‘This freedom allowed me to start a new chapter in my life, one where I walked in wholeness instead of brokenness.’
Coram, a London based Voluntary Adoption Agency, is particularly interested in hearing from black African and Caribbean families who would like to consider adoption
Many black children and those from a mixed black African and Caribbean heritage wait longer to find a new family.
We know how important it is for children to find a stable, loving home at the earliest opportunity for their emotional development and wellbeing.
Children thrive when they are adopted into families who can share and understand their cultural heritage and identity.
If you are interested in finding out more and live in London or the surrounding areas (within the M25), please join our online adoption information events by registering on the Adoption Events page of our website.
Or email Jennifer Kwakye - Outreach Ambassador: outreachambassador@coram.org.uk
More information can be found on our website.
coramadoption.org.uk
Karen Allen writes that when old and young people share their stories and work with each other, great things can happen
Recently it was my privilege to be part of a project commemorating the lives of the Windrush generation. The purpose of the project, called ‘Bridging the Gap’ and pioneered by Rudolph Walker MBE, was to capture their stories and celebrate their life journey since arriving in the UK from the Caribbean. During the project, which included a Caribbean-style tea party, the young people asked the questions, and the older generation provided the answers. It was awe-inspiring.
As the elders gave their testimonies and spoke of their trials and the turbulence of their journey, the young people were genuinely engaged, listening with intent and intrigue. The difference in age and experience between the generations did not in any way contaminate the connection; it was truly beautiful to behold.
Throughout the experience I was reminded of the story in the Bible about a relationship between two women who were very different. They were from different countries with different cultures; they were of different ages and had different aspirations; they had different experiences and different expectations... There was a gulf between these two women.
On the surface it would appear as though there was little or nothing that these two women could ever offer or possibly benefit from each other — their lives in many ways were worlds apart. They were not on the same page, but God had a plan that would connect them on purpose. Naomi was the elder in the story and Ruth was the younger.
You may not be familiar with the story in the book of Ruth, if not I urge you to read it, it’s a game-changer. The way in which Ruth selflessly sacrificed her life to serve Naomi is loaded with symbolisms and success strategies. This young woman received a revelation that age, wisdom and experience were gifts that money couldn’t buy; these were treasures worth dying for. Such a profound revelation. In today’s culture, there is almost a complete contrast. Many young people are not taught to respect or reverence the age, wisdom or experience of their elders not anymore. The older generation are often disregarded and disrespected; they are more often ignored and overlooked. This is a tragedy, because the “elders” which I have officially earned the title of becoming are priceless gifts, modern-day hidden treasures. Ruth recognised this and, ultimately, she received a magnanimous reward.
As I approach 50 five decades, which is half a century! there is a sense of urgency that it is incumbent upon me to share my gifts and treasures with the world. I will lie full and die empty. I must. To the generation of young women following my path whether they know it or not, it is my duty to lead, to teach and to inspire with excellence, in a way that encourages and empowers them to do the same. There are so many lessons life has taught me and so many principles that have paved my path. I want to leave it all with this generation of ‘Ruths’. Three of the most important lessons, one of which is more recent, include the value of vision and vulnerability.
1. Value: You are worthy and you are enough. Society will deceive you into thinking otherwise but you truly are. Do not allow culture to define you; your value was decided before you were created. Life may crush you, bruise you or break you, but life can never devalue you.
2. Vision: What you see is what you get. This is a spiritual and very biblical principle. God told Abraham that as far as he could see, the land would be his. What he received was dependent upon what he could see. Your vision is as valuable as you are. Without a vision people perish.
3. Vulnerability: There is such value in being vulnerable. This is a gift I would give a young woman as early as possible. I would urge her, plead with her, and almost beg her to be vulnerable. It is a superpower that many people, especially women, especially Black women, are unaware of.
At my age, with my wisdom and according to my experience, I have concluded that if the older generation and the younger generation would begin by simply exchanging stories for strategies, they would be stronger together and would reap the bountiful blessings and benefits connected with bridging the gap.
I am a young woman, active in my church youth group, and am sometimes asked to speak. It’s an honour to serve God in this way. I also get invited to speak at other church youth groups which is humbling. However, I have two questions for you. Firstly, how do I deal with my friendship group, who have changed since God has started using me more. They don’t seem as accessible; don’t invite me out as often; and sometimes make snide remarks like “There’s more to life than ministry” or “Haven’t you noticed most female ministers are single?” or “Don’t think you’re better than us just because you’re preaching.” And secondly, jealousy. Ever since God started elevating me, I have noted that (some) people have changed their attitude towards me; are not as friendly; and are accusing me of becoming too “full of myself”. I don’t understand it, as I’m the same woman I’ve always been. Please advise.
Shenika, LutonPastor Yvonne: Thank you for your questions. It made me think about how we as church see ministry and prepare individuals for it. If there is a call on your life and your leaders are using you in ministry, there should be some form of mentoring to develop you — even if it is informal. You should receive clear directions to transition. We can tend to put those we see as anointed on pedestals and engage in ‘people worship’. Maybe the friends who have started treating you differently assume you may want homage and are making it clear that is not going to happen. They may resent your growth and spiritual progress and may actually be jealous. Please know that a good friend sticks closer than a brother; maybe God is weeding people out of your life.
Let me share with you what I have discovered about ministry. As ministers, we become servants of God’s people, not people becoming our servants. The onus is on us to build relationships with people. We have to therefore constantly examine our attitude and character and ensure that we are portraying
Christ. Self-examination, meditation and prayer are in order. Is there any truth in the opinion that you are full of yourself? If it’s not true, then move on. You can earn the respect of others through your conduct. “I know the thoughts I think towards you,” saith the Lord “to give you an expected end.” Finally, I encourage you to live for an audience of one.
I am 45, a lone parent of two children, never married or lived with a man, and have been a Christian for several years. However, for the past few months I have found attending church demoralising. Almost every week there’s an announcement of someone either getting engaged, married or a christening. Hearing this good news makes me ask God: “When will it be my turn to marry?” I have become so demoralised I have stopped attending church on a few occasions and started questioning my faith. Why is it God answers my other prayers but not my prayer for marriage? I would really welcome your guidance as I’m at my wits end and thinking the only way to move forward is not go to church and, instead, watch an online service at a different church. Mary, Bedford
Pastor Yvonne: I have written multiple answers to your question. I can genuinely see your predicament and know that your feelings are real. Did church take control of your life and the responsibility for the outcomes that you cite in your question? The Church is there to support and build you up as you build your personal relationship with Christ. I encourage you to recommit your life and ask Him to lead and order your steps. Your main task is to listen to God and take action. Continue to develop yourself spiritually and naturally. Get involved in the activities in your church and local community as a way of giving back. What are your interests and what do you do in your downtime? Don’t stay away from church; find someone you can talk to about what you are feeling. None of this means you will find a spouse, but you will be living your best life.
If you would like help with a problem, email editor@keepthefaith.co.uk Your details will not be published.
Pastor Yvonne Brooks is a co-pastor at New Jerusalem Community Church, Birmingham, and founder of Woman of Purpose, a ministry that encourages women to fulfil their purpose. She is also a speaker and author. For more details visit www.yvonneelizabethbrooks.co.uk
Ministry leader and pastor, Yvonne Brooks, provides wise, compassionate and insightful advice to readers experiencing problematic
“The Church is there to support and build you up as you build your personal relationship with Christ.”
Trauma is a term that has forced its way into our post COVID-19 era vocabulary. Understandably so, given the hardship the global community has experienced this decade. Trauma is a Greek word which originally means to wound or pierce. This term has quickly become ubiquitous, and we run the risk of minimising the heavy import and losing the meaning of the word. In psychological terms, trauma is a past emotional wound that affects how we live in the present and how we perceive the future. It is the psychological reaction to traumatic event(s) when the experience has not been well processed.
Every one of us at some point in our lives will either experience or know someone who has experienced trauma. These traumatic events on a personal note could be bereavement, personal assault, sexual abuse or violence, bullying, domestic violence, car crash, and other personal serious injuries among others. On a collective note, they include terrorist attacks, natural disasters, hostage situations, wars or threats of war. The experience can be singular, multiple, repeated or chronic. What is also intriguing is the subjective perception of what is traumatic. What you perceive as trauma could be different from what I experience as trauma.
The hallmark is that traumatic events destabilise one’s sense of safety; overwhelm the coping mechanism; and generate a psychological response. Unlike ordinary hardships, traumatic events tend to be sudden and unpredictable, and feel beyond a person’s control.
Another form of trauma to bear in mind is one that children experience. The term Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is commonly used. This refers to a range of negative situations verbal, physical, emotional or sexual a child may face or witness while growing up. These include emotional or physical neglect; parental separation or divorce; or living in a household in which domestic violence occurs. ACEs can also include living in a household with an alcohol or substanceabuser; or with family members who suffer mental disorders; or in a household with an incarcerated family member.
ACEs can disrupt the normal course of development, and the emotional injury can last long into adulthood. Research shows that exposure to more than four ACEs increases the risk of a range of mental and chronic physical health problems later in life. These problems are emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, PTSD, poor school performance and suicide. Physical health problems associated with ACEs are a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancers and immunosuppression, and up to a 20-year reduction in life expectancy.
Another form of trauma is secondary or vicarious trauma. Vicarious trauma (VT) is defined as unfavourable changes both affective and cognitive resulting from exposure to second-hand traumatic material (Jimenez et al., 2021b). This arises from exposure to other people’s suffering, with those in frontline caring professions, notably physicians, healthcare workers, first responders, law enforcement agents and ministers of religion particularly at risk. Symptoms can be similar to those of primary trauma.
Traumatic events activate the amygdala, which is an almondshaped group of nerve cells in the central part of the brain responsible for detecting threats. These cells play a central role in the processing and memory of emotions, especially fear.
On activation, the amygdala sends out an alarm to multiple body systems to prepare for defence. This ultimately leads to the release of stress hormones cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline that prepare the body for a fight-flight-or-freeze response. Fear, anxiety, anger, aggression and shock are all normal responses to trauma. Such emotions, however, should dissipate as the crisis abates and the experience fades from memory. In some people, the distressing feelings can linger, interfering with day-to-day life. This is when trauma becomes pathological, resulting in a range of mental health conditions, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety.
Overall, there is a need for a balanced view of trauma. Survivors need to be supported by society to get help and recover. In the converse, victims can develop unhealthy views of the world as an unsafe place. This could fester a culture of victimhood that does more harm than good by ignoring people’s capacity for growth through challenges.
A resource I recently encountered that can help believers in Christ to examine trauma through the lens of the Christian faith is a book by Kobe Campbell, Why Am I Like This? How to Break Cycles, Heal from Trauma, and Restore Your Faith. Campbell herself described her book as a ‘Trauma 101’ book for Christians.
In the second part of this article, I will be looking at the evidence-based, effective interventions for trauma and self-help techniques to help manage anxiety.
Dr T Ayodele Ajayi MBchB FRCPsych is a consultant psychiatrist, founder and convener of the Tripart Care Emotional Wellbeing Hub and has a YouTube channel called TriPart Care.
During my first month leading NTCG Covenant Church, I was introduced to another pastor. He said “Oh”, looked me up and down seemingly trying to reconcile my age with my pastoral role — and then said to the person who introduced us: “Does he know what he’s doing?”
The enquiry was one of competency, and although it was made in my direct sight, it was not addressed to me. Accordingly, I did not feel duty-bound to respond. It was a member of my church who had facilitated the introduction, and I recall the wit and wisdom in their response as they smiled and asked, “Can we start again?”
Millennials were the hot topic of leadership conversations at the turn of the decade. I have sat in numerous forums and listened as established church leaders grappled and reflected on reconciling the generations. The phrase ‘next-generation leaders’ became popular; it gave flexibility and scope for established leaders to build models that promote Millennials with the added benefit of learning from our demographic in terms of how to reach other Millennials, digitise ministry and disrupt conventional approaches.
I observed instances of significant humility and trust on the part of established leaders, as they moderate their leading role to give their millennial cohort practical experience in church leadership. Alas, this model was not prevalent enough to have widespread impact in the promotion of millennial leaders.
I am also cognisant that the frequency of Millennials showing an interest in church leadership is limited, showcasing the need to build models of renumeration; remove language barriers between the generations; and implement improved strategies to identify and
develop leaders at an earlier age. Millennials were raised in a period of technological advancement, globalisation and economic disruptions. We are enthusiastic about reformation and activism; our approach helps to shape the economy by forcing businesses to consider how they buy and sell. Similarly, we are keen to steer reforms in the Church. Where the doors are closed to these views, many in my generation have left and are considering leaving the Church. Notably, leaving the Church is not always synonymous with leaving the faith.
I wholeheartedly advocate for the extinction of the term ‘next-generation leaders’ in the Church as it relates to Millennials. It does not recognise the plain truth: Millennials are the now generation; the maturing of Generation Z as next-generation leaders should have been in full effect already.
Millennials are enjoying leadership roles in their secular work, managing multimillionpound budgets, leading large teams, and making decisions that could impact the lives of millions. The Church openly applauds these achievements; however, some thought is required on the amalgamation of these leadership skills and competencies within ministerial formation and practice.
I am frequently asked if I have quit my role in medical sciences and academia yet. Interestingly, a Millennial has never approached me with this question; it is very much fact finding associated with established leaders. I see the complementarity and convergence in all my pursuits; there is no chasm. I am confident there is room for a ministry paradigm that develops leaders to be prophetic in their secular professions. For example, in my secular role I embrace the conviction to disrupt a workplace culture that restricts the representation
of Black people in medical and scientific careers. In doing so, I advocate for funding streams, mentoring initiatives, and fairer recruitment policies to be implemented to bridge the gap. This is in line with the Gospel that I preach from the pulpit weekly and my practice of Pentecostalism.
Millennial leaders are reimagining church and require the covering and the confidence of their seniors to make great strides. “Does he know what he’s doing?” also comes in different forms. I have been on the receiving end of “Did you take any qualifications to be a Pastor?” and “How old are you? I am sure I must be three times your age.” These opening lines revealed an initial suspicion underscored by a lack of confidence. They also showed a disparity between the language of senior leaders who promote the need for more millennial leaders on one hand and question their legitimacy as leaders on the other.
Following the wisdom of my church member, I say to leaders of all generations: “Can we start again?”
Counselling specialist, Karen Carberry, shares the importance of mental well-being and why Black people should get counsellors who understand their culture and history
Talking about one’s mental health and mental well-being has historically been a taboo in the Church. As a family and systemic psychotherapist, I work with children, adult individuals, couples and families. I have often witnessed the dilemmas of Christians and non-Christians, who struggle with internal feelings of ‘righteous anger’ when encountering an offence to their character or feelings, rather than following the guiding scriptural principles on how to manage emotional upsets.
Family breakdown can cause generational wounds and therefore the Scripture, ‘Honour thy father and thy mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you’ (Exodus 20:12), can be troubling to those with adverse early childhood experiences, who are then looking for help to either move on, process the difficulties, or find healing through therapy.
With the recent demise of Tina Turner, many are switching on to watch the acclaimed film ‘What’s love got to do with it?’, and asking themselves, what happens when the person you ‘turn the other cheek to’ is your husband or wife (Matthew 5:38-40) and how can I get support to manage my emotions, our couple relationship, and/or the effects on the children? Find a specialist to work with who is experienced
in this field and understands the stigma that is often held within the Black community regarding therapy.
I often work with clients who experience workplace bullying, harassment, racism and micro-aggressions – those small incremental slights that chip away at one’s confidence and may be racially motivated. What happens when you honour your line manager at work, and he or she is consistently abusive, demeaning and degrading you in front of your colleagues or in secret? The Scripture, from 1 Peter 2:18: ‘Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable’ may seem unjust and, left untreated, the unattended complexity of thoughts and feelings which arise may materialise as anxiety or low mood.
In wanting to access treatment, one may worry that the way in which they are exhibiting their emotions — for example, sullen, tearfulness, crying, and poor sleep — may be called into question if the therapist doesn’t understand that there are different ways people from the global majority express their disquiet and concerns.
Our new book, Therapy in Colour: Intersectional, Anti-Racist and Intercultural Approaches by Therapists of Colour published 15th June by Jessica Kingsley Publishing, is important in that it connects the reader with how Black African, Caribbean and Asian lives are not only impacted through the journey of life, but that each person also responds in nuanced ways dependent upon their belief system, upbringing, cultural and colonial history. The chapters are written by experienced therapists who open up in-depth narratives on how the lives of people of colour — and their responses to life — may contribute to mental
health, and are helped through tailor-made theoretical interventions, with proven culturally responsive treatment that works.
How do I make sure I receive the right therapist for my needs?
It is important that your counsellor, psychologist or psychotherapist is qualified and experienced in the area in which you would like treatment and support. Check that they are accredited and registered with an accountable organisation, like the BPS, UKCP, BACP, AFT, who ensure their members are supervised; engage in continuous professional development; and have insurance in place for their private practice.
If you are paying privately, then you will need to ensure you are financially responsible for making payments for each session. If you are accessing a non-fee-paying therapeutic service through the NHS or another organisation, you are within your rights to ask to see someone from your cultural background, or who is experienced in working with clients/families from your ethnicity.
You may find that your employers provide free access to short-term therapy through an Employment Assistance Provider (EAP). Access may be through HR, Occupational Health, or directly through a secure telephone number. Again, you can request to be referred to someone experienced and from your cultural or religious background to help you feel comfortable within your sessions.
You can get more information from the following organisations:
British Psychological Society (BPS) www.bps.org.uk
United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) www.psychotherapy.org.uk
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) www.bacp.org.uk
Black, African and Asian Therapeutic Network (BAATN) www.baatn.org.uk
Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT) www.aft.org.uk
Turning the other cheek may save your soul, but what about your
Are you thirsty?
Most Christians are running around all day and forgetting to drink enough water. This kind of dehydration is easily mistaken for hunger, which causes the urge to eat instead of satisfying your thirst. Dehydration causes your body to secrete aldosterone, a hormone that causes water retention which can cause your body to store fat and reduce body temperature.
A miracle cure!
Water is the most foundational aspect of health, as our body is made up of about 70% of it. It’s no wonder God “founded and established the earth on the waters” (Psalm 24:1), as without it there would be no life!
Water beautifully describes our identification as believers with the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus used water to symbolise the Holy Spirit and it’s often referred to as a miracle cure, because it is!
What are the benefits?
Water keeps your body hydrated; without it, your body won’t function at its best and maintain proper hydration. When you drink water, it assists the cooling system from hot flushes, aids digestion, assists weight management, removes toxins, keeps joints subtle, and gives you firmer, fresher skin.
Is it OK to drink tap water?
I don’t recommend tap water because of the many impurities it can contain. Purified water flushes out the poison and toxins from the body that cause weight gain and disease. Drinking water can reduce your appetite and will make you feel full.
What are the signs of dehydration?
Your urine colour may be an indication of dehydration. Some body signals of dehydration include headaches, fatigue, mood changes, weakness, confusion, and other symptoms. On your next trip to the bathroom, check how dark your urine is; gradually increase the amount of water you drink daily and aim to lighten it by the end of each day. There are various recommendations on how much water to drink every day — try to aim for at least 6-8 glasses.
Time to hydrate yourself
Here are some tips that can help you drink more water today.
1. Ask yourself, “Am I hungry?” If the answer is no, drink a glass of water and wait 30 minutes before asking yourself the question again.
2. Make a rule that each time you exercise you’ll finish the bottle. It’s important to replace the fluid lost through sweating.
3. Don’t like the taste of water or never been taught the importance of drinking it? Try adding a slice or two of lime, lemon or fresh fruits.
4. Sometimes even finding a straw or water motivational bottle can make all the difference!
5. Drink water first thing in the morning, before having your first cup of coffee. Drink at least 500ml of warm water with a dash of cinnamon (it increases fullness). Be careful, as caffeine and sugar 'steal' water from your body, which can cause more harm than good.
6. If you’re still struggling to consume enough water, then experiment with eating water-rich foods, such as watermelon, cucumber or celery.
Now, take a minute to think about why water carried so much power in the Bible and the power it has to help you lose weight and transform your health.
Next, think about trading one unhealthy habit in for a healthy habit. For example, drink water instead of consuming fizzy drinks or concentrated fruit juices. If you take the time to give your body what it needs, it will improve your health more than you think!
Challenge yourself to drink clean natural water instead of reaching for a soft drink this week. And don't forget to ask God to help you find ways to keep you hydrated so you can avoid being thirsty.
If you’ve loved what you’ve learnt and want more, why not head over to www.scriptfit.com to download the full guide? Also, if you have any health and fitness-related questions, email me at olivia@scriptfit.com
Olivia Williams is founder of ScriptFit, a qualified health and fitness coach, personal trainer, and public speaker.Afro-textured hair is unique and beautiful, with a rich history and cultural significance. However, due to a lack of understanding and representation, many people with Afro-textured hair face challenges when it comes to caring for and embracing their natural hair. This article aims to provide a guide to understanding, styling and maintaining Afro-textured hair and empower individuals to celebrate their natural beauty.
Afro-textured hair refers to the hair type characterised by tight curls, coils or kinks. It is prevalent among people of African descent but can also be found in individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Understanding the unique structure and characteristics of Afro-textured hair is crucial for proper care and maintenance.
Moisture is key: Afro-textured hair tends to be naturally dry due to its structure. Regular moisturising is essential to keep the hair hydrated and prevent breakage. Use moisturising shampoos, conditioners and deep-conditioning treatments.
Handle gently: Treat Afro-textured hair with care to avoid damage. Detangle gently, using fingers or a wide-toothed comb, starting from the ends and working your way up. Avoid excessive pulling or tugging. Wear protective styles: Protective styles, like braids, twists, buns or updos help minimise manipulation and protect the hair from environmental stressors. Ensure that these styles are not too tight, as it can lead to hair breakage or traction alopecia.
Trim hair regularly: Trimming split ends is crucial for maintaining healthy Afrotextured hair. Regularly schedule salon visits or learn to trim your hair at home using sharp hair shears.
Deep condition hair: Deep conditioning treatments restore moisture, strengthen the hair, and enhance its elasticity. Use products specifically formulated for Afro-textured hair, and consider incorporating natural ingredients, like shea butter, olive oil or argon oil.
Wash and go: Embrace the natural texture of Afro hair with a wash-and-go style. After washing and conditioning, apply a leave-in conditioner, followed by a styling gel or cream to define curls or coils. Twist outs and braid outs: Create defined curls or waves by twisting or braiding damp hair and allowing it to air dry. Once dry, unravel the twists or braids for a beautiful textured style.
elastic band. Untwist the knots once the hair is dry for a voluminous look.
Protective styles: Experiment with various protective styles, such as box braids, cornrows or crochet braids. These styles not only protect your hair but also allow for creative expression and versatility.
Building confidence: Society’s beauty standards have often marginalised Afro-textured hair. It is crucial to embrace your natural hair and develop selfconfidence by celebrating its beauty.
Education and representation: Educate yourself about Afro-textured hair by seeking resources, reading books, and following hair influencers who specialise in caring for and styling Afro-textured hair. Encourage media representation that showcases diverse hair types.
Patience and persistence: Afro-textured hair requires time, patience, and trial and error to understand what works best for your unique hair type. Don’t be discouraged by setbacks or challenges along the way.
Embracing and caring for Afro-textured hair is an empowering journey that starts with understanding, accepting and celebrating its beauty, and by following proper hair care.
Bantu knots: Bantu knots are a versatile and stylish option. Divide damp hair into sections, twist each section, and coil it around itself, securing with a hairpin or
Iwas in Thailand recently, filming my new vegan cooking show for TV. It’s a 12-part series that will be broadcast on multiple channels later this year. I really enjoyed going back to Thailand, as I lived there for a year many years ago before I returned home to England to attend university. It has beautiful, picturesque beaches, highly decorative temples, breathtaking scenery, a rich vibrant culture, and stunning archaeological sites.
One of the best things about Thailand is the food and, if you’re looking for vegan food in Thailand, you’ve got nothing to worry about, as they have lots of great options. Food in Thailand is fresh, plentiful and intriguing. They win my vote for some of the best cooking in the world, as they use lots of tasty seasonings and are great at flavour combinations.
As a vegan visiting Thailand, finding vegan options was easy. Fruit stands are at every corner, fresh fruit and vegetable markets are abundant, and the demand for organic products is increasing. It is always possible to get vegan options in Thailand, since their traditional cuisine is mostly composed of vegetables.
Thai cooking uses seasonings, spices, varied flavours, and multiple textures to make the food taste delicious. In addition, Thailand is abundant in a wide variety of fruit; it's also very easy (in my opinion) to be a vegan in Thailand, especially if you want to be a raw vegan.
Thai cuisine is usually lightly cooked and full of flavour, with an emphasis on fresh herbs and spices. The food can get quite fiery, though, so be careful if you cannot handle too much chilli! This world-renowned food is aromatic, full of variety and always beautifully presented, and appeals to all kinds of tastes with its great balance of the four important flavours: salty, sweet, sour and spicy.
‘Cook with Kirly-Sue’ is a celebration of the foods I like to eat. Simple enough, right? But this is only a start, because I hope you’ll share your favourites with me and all the other Keep The Faith readers! I will always share tasty, easy-to-make recipes and cooking tips with you.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via my social media handles, @KirlySuesKitchen or for more information visit kirlysueskitchen.co.uk
There is a brilliantly complex taste in Thai food and it's easy to make at home. The 10 essential ingredients for Thai cooking are: Thai fish sauce (but you can get a vegan version of this), curry paste, white vinegar, coconut milk, rice, chillies, black pepper and limes.
Towering skyscrapers, sacred temples and vibrant nightlife all describe Bangkok, which is Thailand’s capital city. This amazing city has a lot to offer vegan travellers, with its countless options — from local Thai dishes to Indian and your classic American hamburgers — made vegan. There are fine dining restaurants where you can indulge in the most beautiful upmarket setting, and tiny familyrun places, food courts and street food. You can’t go wrong with vegan food in this city.
• 1 small courgette (zucchini), spiralised or grated
• 2 carrots, spiralised or grated
• 1 red bell pepper, seeds removed and very thinly sliced
• 1 cup (80g) finely shredded white cabbage
• 1 cup (80g) bean sprouts, trimmed
• 1 cup (150g) edamame
• 1 cup Thai basil leaves
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1/4 cup (70g) peanut butter
• 2 tbs lime juice
• 21/2 tbs pure maple syrup
• 1/2 tbs sesame oil
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• For the dressing, place all the ingredients in a blender with 2 tablespoons of water and blend until combined, adding a little more water to thin the mixture, if necessary, then set aside.
• Peel each zucchini into thin strips. If you have a spiralizer or a large grater, you can also use those for a similar effect.
• Place the courgette, carrot, red bell pepper, cabbage, bean sprouts and edamame in a large bowl.
• Add the dressing and toss to combine. Divide among serving plates, top with the basil.
• Taste, and adjust seasonings to taste.
• Top with crushed nuts and serve.
THURSDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2023 6:30PM, WESTMINSTER CHAPEL
BUCKINGHAM GATE, LONDON, SW1E 6BS
LCM.ORG.UK/THANKSGIVING23
WITH GUEST SPEAKER TREVOR ARCHER, DIRECTOR OF FIEC LONDON
