New Life Sept 08 issue 175 by New Life Publishing Co

NEW LIFE SEPTEMBER 2008

Issue 175

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GOOD NEWS STORIES

WE’RE

Bring ing h o

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pe bac k to B

B AC K

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ritain

THE PERFECT ALEX STILL

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HAS DRIVE BACK TO TO RAISE CHURCH CASH AT 92!

80s POP SENSATION YAZZ REVEALS HOW FAME CHANGED HER... FOR THE BETTER Page 6

FAITH ENDED MY SELF-HARM HELL PLUS: NEW LIFE READERS THANKED BY MOTHER OF UNCONSCIOUS MAN FOR THEIR PRAYERS – P2

Young woman writes book to help others facing nightmare

time and although now I know it’s not normal, when you’re in that state of mind it feels like the most logical thing to do. “You start to believe lies about yourself and it’s a horrible world to live in. I know for a fact that if I hadn’t gone to someone with my problem, I would be dead.” Jess Wilson, 21, has written a book Although she knew about God, Jess’s about how she managed to find release faith had dwindled until she visited a from self-harm, which gripped her life for Christian conference when she was 17. four years. She then k new she had to The French language stugive up her lifestyle and turn dent told New Life she was resto God. cued after finding faith in God She added: “God has helped in the middle of her crisis. me so much. I had left him out Now a committed Christian, of my life but knew I needed Jess, from Wales, hopes her exhis love and care. It’s as if he perience will help others going was the only person I could through similar problems. turn to. It wasn’t instant freeShe e x pl a i ned how she dom, but by his grace I have would use k n ives, scissors now been free for four years. or any other sharp objects to “I think I needed it to be draw blood, giving her tempoa long healing process so I rary pleasure. could help others.” Jess said: “I grew up in a Jess believes her new book Christian home, but my par- FOUND FAITH... Cutting Edge can help others ents divorced and it left me Jess Wilson find freedom. setting myself high standards “I had g reat he lp f rom that I could never meet. I felt like I was letsecular books, but I didn’t find a good ting my friends and family down, as well Christian book when I was going through as myself. my trials,” she explained. ‘I became very insecure and the only “The book talks about prayer, spiritual release I knew was to cut myself.” cleansing and also practical steps to help Jess conti nued to cut herself a nd those who self harm. It explains my testieventually became addicted to hurting mony and I know it can help others. herself daily. “I’m not bothered how many copies “I hardly went a day without cutting I sell, I just want the good feedback to myself,” she said. “It feels rational at the continue.”

A YOUNG woman who almost died after slitting her wrists has said she hopes she can help others deal with the nightmare of self-harm.

MAKE MINE A PRAYER...

A PUB has become the talk of the village – because it runs church services on a Sunday. Publicans Keith and Karen Gaskell (above) said regulars are as likely to pop in and ask for prayer as a pint at The Lapstone in Horton Heath, Hampshire. Karen said: “What better way to tell people about Jesus than at their point of need.”  FULL STORY – PAGE 3

2 – New Life Newspaper – Issue 175

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Aisle be back… to church! People throughout Britain who have quit church are being urged to “altar” their views by going back to worship. Churches from all denominations are taking part in Back to Church Sunday on September 28. They are planning on making extra efforts to help people feel welcome and give everyone the chance to see how worship is carried out. The Archdeacon of Walsall, Bob Jackson, said: “People invite their friends on Back to Church Sunday with no strings attached. We know many people will gladly respond to this. “What we’ve proved is that up to 15 per cent like it so much they want to come back for good. No wonder Back to Church Sunday has been such an encouragement! This year we want to work hard on improving our welcome even more.” One church taking part is Bestwood Emmanuel Church in Nottingham. Its minister, the Rev Peter Huxtable, said church members would be using balloons and other literature to welcome people back to church.

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More than 600 bishops and their spouses joined in a walk of witness against poverty in London last month. The walk took the bishops past the Houses of Parliament and 10 Downing Street. Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised the march as “the greatest public demonstration of faith” to ever take place in the UK. He added that it reaffirmed his desire to work with people of faith in eradicating poverty.

175

Poverty walk

AIR WE GO... The Rev Peter Huxtable with members of Bestwood Emmanuel Church get their ‘VIP’ balloons ready for Back to Church Sunday

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UK rallies behind anxious mum AN ANXIOUS mum has thanked New Life readers who are praying for her unconscious son. Ann Gilmour told how her Christian faith was helping her in July’s issue, and that she was praying for son Lee’s recovery after a freak bike accident. Popular 21-year-old Lee has been in hospital for more than six months after being left with a fractured skull when he landed on his head. We reported how Ann had asked for prayer in her home town of Redcar, Cleveland. But Christians throughout the UK were touched by Ann’s story, and have contacted New Life to tell us they are praying with her. A Methodist church in North Wales prayed for Lee after a member read the story. The reader said: “I know that prayer can heal and I felt really touched by the story. At one of our prayer meetings, I asked for everyone to pray for Lee. I will continue to do so.” In an e-mail to New Life, Ann said: “I am truly amazed that so many caring people are praying for my son. I know that I am a bit biased, but Lee is a wonderful young man. “I truly believe that God is listening to the great many people who pray for Lee; numerous people who do not usually pray are also praying for Lee. My ongoing request to family friends who still ask if there is anything they can do is always ‘Just pray for Lee’. “Lee has always been very caring and thoughtful and cheerful. His mates miss him,

Praying to end crimes

PRAYER VIGIL... Lee Gilmour and mum Ann his sense of humour and warm personality.” Ann said, as we went to press, that Lee was being moved to Redcar’s Stead Hospital after spending time at hospitals in Hartlepool and Newcastle after picking up a chest infection. She added: “Lee is no better, but he is no worse. He still shows awareness when we visit him. His nurses have also noticed that he is aware of them too; however, he has suffered recurrent chest infections. “Although we are aware of how poorly Lee is, he is a strong young man and we are ever hopeful and prayerful that he will recover. “Thank you to everyone who is praying for Lee. God must be very busy with so many people talking to him about Lee, even people who do not usually pray.” Lee was performing a bike stunt when he flipped over the handlebars and landed on his head in February.

More than 6,000 Christians met for an evening of prayer focusing on gang crime in Greater Manchester last month. Police chiefs, community leaders a nd pol iticia ns attended the event at Manchester Velodrome, organised by church group City Links. They were asked to pray for

police forces and the reduction of gang crime. Debra Green, director of C it y L i n k s, sa id: “Pe rsistent prayer, over many years, h as ope ned t he way for a huge number of effective initiatives delivering benefits to people and communities far and wide.”

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Issue 175 – New Life Newspaper – 3

NOT ONLY HERE FOR THE BEER...

Major push to help people facing debt A LEADING debt counselling service is helping churches spearhead efforts to offer much-needed assistance to people who are teetering on the brink as the UK’s economy stalls. Christians Against Poverty (CAP) believes the time is right for churches to offer free debt counselling services to the community as inflation and the cost of living spirals. Matt Barlow, CAP’s UK chief executive, said: “Proper planning and making the right decisions will mean that the church in the UK can respond efficiently and sympathetically to people’s needs as this crisis unfolds. Currently there is over £1.4 trillion of personal debt in the UK and this figure continues to rise. It is time for the church to demonstrate Jesus’s love practically.” CAP has also warned that many of those in financial difficulty are struggling to afford food and are missing meals. “With food price rises, people no longer have the necessary funds to afford a balanced diet and we are increasingly concerned that malnutrition will become commonplace for those in debt,” said CAP’s operations director Kathryn Foster.

JP requests prayer from speeding nun

PRAISE TIME AT THE BAR... a Sunday service taking place at The Lapstone pub. Picture by James Newell

SUNDAY ‘CHURCH’ SERVICES ARE HELD DOWN THE LOCAL! PUBLICANS Keith and Karen Gaskell are seeing people find faith in Christ – in their local! About 30 people gather at the Lapstone Pub in Hampshire each Sunday morning to worship God, receive communion, listen to a sermon and be prayed for. The couple have received opposition for taking on the running of a pub, but strongly believe it is the will of God for their lives. As well as serving customers, the couple can also be seen counselling people with problems, praying for the sick and sharing their faith in Christ. Keith said: “We don’t hit people round the head with a Bible, they just see our lives. I’m a big man who talks straight, and I now get people coming to me apologising for using bad language – that’s a great testimony. “We serve drinks, serve food, and just act like ourselves. People sit down and have a drink, even strangers, and start to tell us about their lives. “It’s then we’re able to share about what we believe in and we can tell people where they

can go for an answer. We’re not here to judge people who are not Christians. In order for people to know Jesus they first need a sense of belonging and feel part of a community. You then pray for them, that they will believe in God. “People say they can see what God is doing. The power of the Spirit of God is tangible and real, even in the pub.” Karen said if someone crossed the line with drunkardness or bad language, they are told to remain in control. She said they had prayed to God before taking on the Lapstone. Karen added: “We were married seven years ago and had prophecies about what God was going to do with our lives. The Lapstone was our local and we started getting to know the regulars in there. “As Christians we realised there was not a lot of outreach in the area, and although people were laughing and drinking, no one was telling these people they were going to hell. This is their church, and what better way to tell people about Jesus than to meet them at their point of need.”

Sovereign in good state thanks to couple A CHRISTIAN couple have seen their pub – renowned for drugs and crime – turned into a friendly local with no violence. Paul and Jo Freemantle have also seen a handful of people become Christians since taking on the Half Sovereign pub in a Coventry council estate. They changed the pub name to The Sover-

eign after believing God was asking them to put his name above every situation. Jo told New Life: “We run it as a normal pub but all the staff are Christians. “We build relationships with people and get alongside them and help them in whatever way we can. We also run a cell [Christian fellowship] group upstairs each week.”

Volunteers to patrol streets A GROUP of volunteers are to patrol the nighttime streets of Southport in a determined bid to cut crime and make the town feel safer. Street Pastors will also make sure people who are the worse for wear get home safely. Merseyside Police has offered full support to the group of Street Pastors – who are Christian volunteers – who will act as guardian

angels to residents when they leave pubs and clubs at weekends. A spokesman said: “The Street Pastors will provide counselling for youths and even offer flip-flops to women who can no longer stand in their high heels. Where necessary, they will help diffuse arguments before they escalate, but will not take the place of the police.”

A 61-year-old nun caught for speeding was asked by the magistrate to pray for him. Sister Ann Brady, of Northern Ireland, was clocked for doing 75mph in a 60mph zone. After being fined £60 by Londonderry magistrate Eamon King, she was then turned to for spiritual advice. “Ask her to pray for me,” he asked Sister Brady. Pleading mercy for the former missionary to Africa, defence solicitor Peter Jack said: “There used to be such a thing called discretion. It’s a pity after four decades of blemish-free driving she now has points.”

4 – New Life Newspaper – Issue 175

WORLD NEWS ROUND-UP

Nurses healing body and soul PHILIPPINES – Military nurses in the Philippines have been dispatched to army hospitals across the country to bring physical and spiritual healing to wounded soldiers. A recent three-day Haggai Leadership for Evangelism seminar focused on motivating and equipping the 38 nurses for evangelism in their respective hospitals. Seminar leader Eugene Guzon, National Director for Philippines Worldwide Church of God (WCG), reminded nurses that their main objective was to offer compassion as well as professional care to wounded soldiers. A spokesman from WCG said: “Following the leadership principles of Jesus, Guzon encouraged the nurses to have a real desire for soldiers to get better and to help them maintain healthy lifestyles.”

Prayer plea for war-hit Georgia GEORGIA – A call has been made to pray for peace and calm for warstricken Georgia by Avtandil Guruli, the Executive Director of the United Bible Society Representation in Georgia. At the height of bomb attacks in many parts of Georgia, Mr Guruli described how he and his family had been woken up by the sound of explosions, caused by the bombing of the power station that serves Tbilisi’s main airport. He said: “We ask for prayers that a willingness to find peace will take root in all people’s hearts. Please pray opposing sides are reconciled and that mutual forgiveness and acceptance is exercised.”

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Wok a way to talk about your faith... IT may sound prawn crackers, but a group of people are using Chinese restaurants as a way to evangelise. The Chinese Christian Herald Crusade Restaurant Gospel Ministry (CCHC) preaches about Christianity at Chinese restaurants throughout Europe. During a campaign in Hamburg in June, the CCHC missionaries spoke about their faith in about 500 Chinese restaurants in and around the city under the motto of “A Flavourful Life”. The week ended with the Restaurant Gospel Fellowship in Germany being set up.

NOT HAVING LIMBS DOESN’T STOP ME! A MAN who was born without limbs has told how he won’t allow his condition stop him from living life to the full.

Australian Nick Vujicic revealed that although there was a time when he contemplated suicide, he has kept his faith. The 25-year-old now travels the world as an evangelist and tells people how he found hope and joy, despite his difficult and painful circumstances. Nick, who now lives in the USA, said: “No matter who you are, no matter what you’re going through, God knows it. He is with you. He is going to pull you through.” As a young boy, Nick was teased by other children because of his absent limbs. He recalled contemplating committing suicide at one point in his life by flipping himself off a kitchen bench and hoping to break his neck. “I used to think that I needed my circumstance to change before I had any hope,” he said. “I wanted to know that there was someone else out there in my position, to know that there is hope, that there is more than just the little box that I see in my life.”

USA – Christians prayed together and fasted to end racism. Members of The Call held their meeting in the National Mall, Washington, last month. The Call founder Lou Engle said: “The National Mall is a place of historical significance to our nation, and the perfect location to call upon God to shed his blessings upon our land.”

ITALY – Italian monk Brother Cesare Bonizzi doubles up as a heavy metal singer. The 62-year-old says he would like to send his latest album to the Pope. He said: “I do it to convert people to life, to understand life, to grab hold of life, to savour it and enjoy it.”

He said: “I felt the calling of God and sold all my restaurants to begin evangelising others in the Chinese restaurant industry.” Ministries have since been established in Scotland, Ireland, Luxemburg, Norway and Sweden and in 2004 a Europe-wide alliance of Restaurant Gospel Ministries was set up. Most Chinese immigrants to Europe work in the restaurant industry. Although Chinese immigrants are beginning to branch out into other professions, Chinese restaurants are still regarded as the “financial pillar” of Europe’s Chinese immigrant community.

EVANGELIST SPREADS HOPE DURING MEETINGS

Fast meeting to end racism

He ain’t heavy, he’s a Brother!

Organisers said it marked another significant stride forward for the Restaurant Gospel Ministry in Europe. In Brussels, the CCHC will partner with the Belgium Chinese Christian Church with the shared aim of visiting 250 Chinese restaurants in Brussels. The team of around 35 missionaries will hold seminars on restaurant Gospel ministry and leadership training. The CCHC was started in England in 1992 by the Rev David Cheung, a Chinese Christian who used to own several Chinese restaurants.

GRIEF

Nick Vujicic speaks at a conference

He noted that in some Third World countries, his condition would be seen as a curse or shame on the family, and that he would have been killed at birth. But Nick’s parents raised him to look on the bright side of life. His father is pastor of a local church in Brisbane, Australia. After his birth, his parents did spend months in grief and confusion as to why their son was born without limbs and only a small foot with

by Matthew Murray

two toes on his left side. They wondered if they or the doctors had made a mistake, but no answer was to be found. Doctors are still baffled by Nick’s condition. Nick said he could recall praying for arms and legs before his teenage years. “It said in the Bible, ‘Ask and you shall receive’. I had faith, and I was actually very angry at God. I didn’t understand it,” he said. “And I thought maybe I wasn’t good enough. Maybe that’s the reason why he’s not answering my prayer. I mean, arms and legs are nothing for God, the Creator of the universe. “And so, I prayed for my circumstances to change, but it didn’t happen.” Nick’s mother advised him to focus on his good qualities – his charming personality and friendly gaze. He explained: “When people see me talking and speaking, they forget that I have no arms and no legs, and they just treat me like any other person. “I remember when I was six or seven years old, I looked at myself in the mirror one day. I wanted to pick out something of my physical features that I knew was good. And I looked at my eyes, and I said, ‘You know what? No one can change my eyes.’” At 17, Nick began giving inspirational speeches at school and church-sponsored events. He said his message is especially understood by teenagers, who often feel lonely, rejected, confused and broken. “That’s the level I come in on, and they [teenagers] can see it straight away. When I get on stage, they know that I’ve been broken,” Nick added.

Amputee steps out Aid alert Hamas leader’s son to pray for America on Burma becomes a Christian

Course to help young women

A WOMAN who had her leg amputated is walking 5,692 miles to pray for America. Carol Cruise, from Ohio, lost her leg in 1992 after a medical problem. She had her leg removed just below the knee. The Faith Walk, as Carol calls it, will end in 2010. She explained how the walk was not about raising money, but to pray for the USA. Carol, a devout Christian, said she prays for Christians to concentrate less on denominations and more on what she calls “becoming your own church”.

AUSTRALIA – Young women who have low self-esteem are being targeted by a church that wants to help them overcome personal problems that happen as a result of feeling low. Hillsong Church, based in Australia, has launched the Shine initiative in 20 schools in New South Wales.

She also wants her journey to be an example of what’s possible in this world with a positive mindset. “I’m determined to be a better person and not a bitter person,” Cruise said. “And I want to encourage other differently abled to people look at their ability, not their disability.” Carol covers ten miles a day and has worn out seven pairs of shoes and seven prosthetic legs.

DETERMINED

MONTHS after Cyclone Nargis hit Burma some survivors have still received little aid. Christian Aid, through its local partners, has been able to help 200,000 people with food, shelter, medicine and clean water. However, much more needs to be done, a spokesman for the charity said. Rebuilding homes and getting farmers back to work are the urgent priorities for Christian Aid partners working in cyclone-hit areas of Burma.

THE son of a top Hamas leader has become a Christian. In an interview with a newspaper in Israel, Masab Yousef revealed how he had turned his back on the Islam religion. Yousef – who prefers to be called Joseph now – is the son of West Bank Hamas leader Sheik Hassan Yousef. In the interview, Joseph said that he prayed his family would one day accept Christ as their saviour. Prior to the interview’s publication last month, Joseph’s family did not know of his faith conversion even though he is in regular contact with them. “This interview will open many people’s eyes, it will shake Islam from the roots, and I’m not exaggerating,” said Joseph, who now lives in the United States. “What other case do you know where a son of a Hamas leader, who was raised on the tenets of extremist Islam, comes out against it?” The 30-year-old said he was first exposed to Christianity eight years ago. He accepted an invitation to hear about it and then became “enthusiastic” about what he heard.

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Issue 175 – New Life Newspaper – 5

Alex Paterson gets ready for his long drive

ALEX HAS A LOT OF DRIVE AT 92!

MISSIONARY’S 1,740-MILE TREK IN 20-YEAR-OLD FORD SIERRA TO RAISE CASH FOR SIERRA LEONE A 92-year-old is gearing up to drive the length of the UK in his old Ford Sierra to raise cash for the homeless in Sierra Leone. Missionary Alex Paterson plans to drive from his Sheffield home to the starting point in John O’Groats, and will then motor the 830 miles to Land’s End before embarking on the return journey home. He is aiming to cover the total 1,740 miles in fewer than five days! Mr Paterson regularly visits Sierra Leone as part of a missionary group that helps feed the homeless and disabled in the African country. He explained: “When we first went there, we found homeless people in wheelchairs begging at the bus station in Freetown. “The homeless in Sierra Leone aren’t people who’ve just had enough of where they live and leave, they have lost their home and their families during the civil war and have nothing.” Tens of thousands of people died during the 11-year war that started in 1991 and, according to the CIA, two million people were forced from their homes. Mr Paterson said people were working in Si-

erra Leone for the charity he is raising money for – called House of Jesus for the Disabled – which helps and feeds the disabled and homeless. But he warned that the desperate situation was likely to get worse because funds were beginning to dry up. He said: “Unless we get cash, we will struggle with a project to buy a farm so that the homeless and disabled can grow their own food and become self-sufficient. “So I just knew I had to do something about it to try and raise some money, because we do need a lot of it.” Mr Paterson, who plans to resit his Institute of Advanced Motorists certificate, decided to use his 20-year-old Sierra to drive the length of Britain. He plans to set off from Sheffield on September 9 in his 228,000-mile Ford, which he has owned since new. “I’ll be driving on my own,” he explained. “I’ve had the car since February 1988 and I’ve never had a spot of bother with it in all that time.” If you would like to sponsor Mr Paterson contact him on 0114 288 0082.

£16k raised for Accolade for crime fight community fun A GROUP of young people raised £16,000 for a community fun weekend held in Prestwich last month. The team, headed by 22-year-old Amy Bladen, were aided by grants, donations and sponsored events. Amy said: “People were telling us that a two-day event was too much, but we had faith in God and knew it was possible. “We prayed and knew that if we stepped out in faith, the money would come in.”

TWO Christian organisations have been recognised by the Government for their hard work in reducing crime. Halifax Street Angels and the Halifax Town Centre Ambassadors voluntarily patrol the Yorkshire town day and night. Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber, Rosie Winterton, presented them with a plaque and certificate after they won the Tilley award, a Home Office award for crime reduction. She said: “The partnership between the Street Angels voluntary on-street night patrols and the daytime patrols of Halifax Town Centre Ambassadors together have contributed to a dramatic fall in the fear of crime.” Paul Blakey, of Halifax Street Angels, added: “People with a heart to make a difference, followed through by action, can achieve much and have outstanding results. This award celebrates those who are doing just that!”

Young are targeted in £4m plans YOUNG people are being encouraged to take part in the future of churches as part of a £4m project. The five-yea r scheme, wh ich starts this month, will allow every district of the Methodist Church to employ a part-time worker between the age of 16 and 23. The workers will work both locally and nationally as part of the Mission Possible project, which will allow young people to put the Gospel into action in local communities. M i ke Seaton, u nder-19s tea m leader for the Methodist Church, said: “Young people need to be empowered to live as Christians, to witness to their peers and to participate as equals in the Church. “Participation is all about involvement. It can be anything from providing opinions to setting agendas and decision-making. “This decision demonstrates that the Church is serious about bringing youth participation into the heart of the life of the Church.”

Churches Utd! M A NCHESTER Un ited’s chaplain was the guest speaker at a summer celebration organised by a group of churches. As well as a talk from the Reds’ John Boyers, there were fun events and acts of kindness at the Summer Celebration Week in Chester. Activities included a barbecue and fun games when 23 churches from in and around the historic city got together to put on the community event.

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Issue 175 – New Life Newspaper – 5

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WORKING TOGETHER TO BRING YOU THE GOOD NEWS THROUGHOUT 2008, a campaign by Christians will be spreading hope through community projects and social action schemes. From organising community events, to spreading the Gospel via a wide selection of media, Hope08 will involve Christians demonstrating the love of God in the UK. Churches will be joining together in a way that hasn’t been done before. Anglicans, Methodists, Pentecostals, Baptists and others will put aside their differences to work together for the greater good of the country. And the ‘hope’ is that people who are not yet believers will gain a deeper understanding of the love that was preached by Jesus – and experience that love for themselves.

DAILY INSPIRATION New Life works with internet-based ministry theway.co.uk, an on-line Christian resource centre. Among a range of other information and services they provide a daily inspirational email designed to help you get your day off to a great start every day.

TUNE IN We also work with Christian media organisation United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) to spread the Word. UCB broadcast to virtually all major UK cities on DAB digital radio and you can also listen via digital satellite and online. UCB radio is perfect for anyone who has an interest in news, features, music and interviews from a faith perspective.

EXPLORE CHRISTIANITY We’re also working with Alpha, the course that allows people to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions. The courses are free and are usually run in the evening, and include a meal or refreshments. To find a course near you, see www.alpha.org

FIND A CHURCH We’re also working with Find a Church, who run a brilliant website listing the details of more than 42,000 UK Christian churches. Simply tap in your postcode for help to find a great church in your area.

THE BIBLE MATTERS The Gideons are well known for their work distributing Bibles to schools, hospitals, hotels etc. If you want Jesus to make himself real in your life, and don’t have a Bible, The Gideons will be happy to provide you with a Testament completely free of charge.

The ABC of how you can become a Christian...

A B C

Admit that you have done wrong The Bible says, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).

Believe that Jesus died so that you can be forgiven, and ask God to forgive you ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16); ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us’ (1 John 1:9).

Commit yourself to living God’s way Jesus said, ‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12). Log on to www.lookingforgod.com for more help.

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Desperate measures... self-harming can be carried out in many ways (picture posed by model). Inset, Jess today, who wants to help others

Jess Wilson was outgoing and doing very well at school... bu four-year ordeal of self-harm. Now she wants to help others

Y self-harming began as a coping mechanism for the way I felt about myself. For me, the fear of failure has always been a big problem. I never felt like I was good enough. I set myself incredibly high targets, and continually felt like a failure when I couldn’t meet them. I felt that I was letting myself, my family, my friends and also God down in every part of my life. This really was not due to other people or their actions; my family have never pushed me in any way, my teachers never asked too much of me, my friends and I never competed against each other. It was my own mind that set my targets and standards. I suffered particularly from low self-esteem, unbeknownst to many of my friends and family. On the outside, I was confident, outgoing and extroverted, but on the inside I was screaming with hate for myself and everything that made me who I was. I was pretty average; I wasn’t too fat or too thin, I was relatively popular, I was musically talented (though I didn’t think so) and I was loved unconditionally by my family, but these things weren’t enough to keep me from loathing myself. At school, I was a “model student”. I was liked by both pupils and teachers alike, represented the school in countless competitions, and filled my dinner hours and free time with copious amounts of extra-curricular activities. I was more or less the perfect student; to everyone other than myself that is. I felt that I was useless at everything; even the subjects in which I excelled. French has been and always will be my passion, but I can vividly remember telling my teacher that I was going to fail my exam, and begging her to enter me for a lower level paper. Now, when I say ‘fail’ what I meant was

that I would only get an A and not an A*, and heaven forbid that I should get a B. I even told her that I would rather get an F than a B, as if I got a B everyone would say I’d done well, and no one would understand that as far as I was concerned, I’d failed. Luckily, she did not grant me my wish. Of course, she could see what I couldn’t; that I was being totally irrational. I wrote in my diary that day: ‘I’m just not being taken seriously – either she [my teacher] can’t see that I’m useless or she’s just ignoring the fact.’

forted countless times, given mugs of ca fruit tea, and encouraged relentlessly, for I will be eternally grateful. But sadly, when I received my incr high GCSE results I felt that, although the among the best in my year, they still w good enough, and therefore, I wasn’t enough either. Self-harm for me was a mixture of sel ishment and release. Naturally, a vicious quickly began: I set a standard, I didn’t it, I felt like a failure, I cut myself, I felt

SELF-HARM: THE FACTS  Self-harm is a term used to describe deliberately injuring oneself through a variety of means such as cutting, poisoning, burning

harming themselves. (Samaritans & Centre Suicide, University of Oxford, 2002).

 Rates of self-harm in the UK have increased over the past decade and are among the highest in Europe (National Institute for Clinical Excellence, 2002).

 Government research published in 2 suggests that as many as 215,000 11–15 y olds throughout the UK may have harm themselves (NCH & Centre for Social Just Coventry University, 2002).

 More than 24,000 teenagers are admitted to hospital in the UK each year after deliberately

 For 24-hour advice, contact The Samarit on 08457 90 90 90

Of course, I wasn’t being ignored and my opinions were being taken into consideration. My teacher knew what she was talking about. I simply refused to believe her. I would set myself unrealistic goals and then hate myself when I didn’t reach them: if I didn’t get 100 per cent in certain tests; if I wasn’t always top of my class; if I made a mistake with pronunciation, I was a failure. And as for exam periods … my teachers deserve awards for putting up with me.

s much as they may have felt I was simply being dramatic, I was truly petrified of ‘failing’. Exam time brought anxiety, waterfalls of tears and panic attacks. I was com-

failure for cutting myself, so I cut mysel anyone else, and to me now looking back that sounds completely irrational. At the though, it seemed logical. Sure, I was harming myself, but ho others deal with their feelings of failure? friends who drank; I had friends who’ eating disorders; those who smoked – the big deal with self-harm? Another irra idea of mine. I self-harmed for nearly two years be told anyone who could help me in ways th friends couldn’t. I never did it to seek atte in fact it was quite the opposite. To be ho didn’t want to tell anyone. I knew that I w

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Issue 175 – New Life Newspaper – 5

I APPEARED CONFIDENT... BUT INSIDE I SCREAMED WITH HATE FOR MYSELF GOT A STORY?

Council chiefs have a prayer in Suffolk! L E A DE RS of a cou nci l a re i n safe hands – because a group of Christian workers are regularly praying for them. The Su ffol k Cou nt y Cou ncil’s Christian Fellowship meets regularly to pray for colleagues and leaders, as well as encourag i ng each ot her by sha r i ng about faith. The fellowsh ip works w ith local churches and ministries to host a varied programme of lunchtime events at their head office in Ipswich. Leader Kev in Ling said: “A work based fellowship like ours provides an opportunity for people to hear about the difference knowing Jesus can make in our lives, our work and our future.

PRIVILEGED

“We are privileged to work for an organisation that promotes, supports and encourages a range of staff networks including a Christian Fellowship.

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“We have seen a growing interest in our fellowship over recent years and a number of our colleagues have become Christians.” Leader of the County Council, Jeremy Pembroke, said: “Suffolk County Council is committed to support i ng sta ff support networks. “Senior managers are committed to ensuring their success and staff participation in the networks is encouraged.”

Online to success... A SIX-month-old Christian social networking website already has more t ha n 1,500 members... and is linking Christians throughout the UK. The site, www.ukchristians. net, is fast becoming an alternative to secular sites such as Facebook and MySpace, as cyber Christians log on and become friends. So far, more than 1,500

ut she thought she was a failure and started a by revealing what helped end her nightmare

alming r which

Members of the fellowship on a prayer walk at Ipswich Town

coming addicted, but by now self-harming was my coping mechanism. The need to self-harm would take over my mind when I was feeling desperate. The physical pain somehow seemed to lessen my emotional pain. But after the initial release, within a couple of hours, the pain and self-hate would rise up within me again. Self-harm didn’t solve any of my problems; in fact it only made them worse. It actually became less of a coping mechanism and more of a problem in its own right. At one point, I was even self-harming to punish myself for previous self-harm. My close friends threatened to tell someone if I didn’t do so myself; I’m so thankful that they saw the severity of the situation and did something about it. Telling one of my teachers was the most difficult and yet most liberating thing I have ever done. Afterwards, I wrote: “I spent the whole of first lesson totally scared about what she’d say and how she’d react, and was having major panic moments and feeling really sick although I hadn’t eaten in nearly a day; but although I felt really stupid having to go through everything with her and explaining all the how’s and why’s, she was so lovely with me … and just made me feel better and understood. She was just so supportive.” I was soon on the road to recovery.

ecovery doesn’t just happen in an instant, though; it’s a long process, but always worth it. And yes, I slipped up, but I got back up again with the help of God and my friends. I went for eight months before I self-harmed again, and when I did I felt such a failure. That is, until I was reminded that eight months without self-harming is not a failure; it’s a long time and perhaps next time I could go for longer. It was then I decided to see a doctor. This was another very hard step to take but an incredible beneficial and freeing one. The same teacher then organised for me to see someone

in school – there was no end to her commitment. In the end, I got through my A-levels without any problems. Of course, there were tears as usual but no cutting, which was amazing. I had cut my way through eight sets of exams, but for the first time I got through them without even an urge to release my emotions and anxieties in that way. Although I left my secondary school feeling that whereas some people would be remembered as very good students, I would always be remembered as the one who did well considering her “problems”, I now know this to be untrue! It is now well over two years since my last urge, let alone my last cut. You may be wondering where God was while I was going through all of this. Had I said anything to God during this time, it would have been: “Where are you?” In all honesty, at times I didn’t feel him near at all. Looking back though, he was continually in my face! I was simply choosing not to see him. He was in the comforting words of friends, the reassuring words of my teachers, in the songs that I was listening to. So many people were praying for me and their prayers were answered. My cries of desperation were heard. Had I had a little more faith, or had I bothered to listen to him, then maybe my road would not have been so long and hard. But I don’t look at my scars and feel ashamed and I don’t hate myself for what I did. When I see my scars, they remind me of what God has brought me through and what he did for me. He can do that for you, too.  Extract taken from The Cutting Edge by Jess Wilson, published by Authentic (£7.99, 9781850787730)

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Issue 175 – New Life Newspaper – 9

All Revved up to reach community in VW van! A VICAR took an unusual approach to outreach by camping out in one of the villages he is responsible for in an attempt to get to know the people better. The Rev Simon Lockett has been in charge of five churches i n r u ra l Herefordsh i re since the end of 2006. He said: “The parishes are quite scattered in this most rural part of Herefordshire and I live in Madley, probably the most accessible of them all. But the problem for a modern-day vicar is not being able to live in all the communities that he serves.” So Rev Lockett decided to spend four days in the villages of Turnastone and Vowchurch living and working from a 1972 VW camper van. He spent a week last month in his camper and returned home to take Sunday services. “I packed my bike tovisit residents in the greenest way possible,” said Rev Lockett. “I used the camper van with its ‘Rolling Rev’ logo as an office with mobile phone and laptop, and villagers were invited to come and have a chat over a cup of tea.”

A camper like Rev Lockett’s

Will, there’s a big shock! A SPINSTER has stunned a congregation by leaving in her will nearly half-a-million pounds to her local church. Betty Selman died in May last year aged 86, and 80 per cent of her estate, more than £480,000, was bequeathed to St Paul’s Parish Church in Monk Bretton, near Barnsley. She has instructed that the money be spent maintaining the building and the installation of a sound loop system.

I was a tough gun-toting addict. But inside I was a broken little boy... A GUN-carrying drug addict for 18 years has told New Life that underneath the hard exterior, he was a broken little boy who wanted someone to love him.

James Hadfield, who’s now 42, started taking drugs when he was 19. He said: “The devil came knocking on my door and I answered. It started with cannabis but then progressed to stronger drugs and I took every one imaginable. “My week would consist of smoking cannabis 24-7 Monday to Sunday, then from Thursday to Sunday I’d take cocaine, LSD, ecstasy, heroin and amphetamines. I’d also drink 72 cans of lager in 24 hours.” Wrapped up i n d r ugs a nd crime, James’s life became a case of survival.

GANGS He added: “I used to rip off drug dealers and then not pay them back, which is why I carried a sawn-off shotgun under my coat. I even had to leave my house because I had gangs after me and they wanted to kill me.” This was the blessing in dis-

by Sharon Gaisie guise James needed to get his life on track. He explained: “My friend Mark Fellows opened his home up to me and gave me somewhere to rest my weary head. Then one Monday night in March, I was sat in my bedroom looking back over my life thinking what a waste! I was such a mess and suicide was looking very inviting at this time of my life. “I thought no one has ever loved me or cared and I’ve never been first place to anyone. That’s when the Lord showed up in the bedroom and I heard these words, ‘I have always loved you, I have always cared you have always been number one in my life.’ “There was a wave of his love that washed over me, and I felt his loving embrace take hold of me. Then these words melted my heart and brought tears to my eyes, ‘You’re mine, I will never leave you or let you go and I will keep you safe from harm.’ ” Despite this experience, James was reluctant to find a church, but he said that God had other plans. He said: “After this happened a friend’s car broke down so I went to fix it for him and I stayed

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COMMENT The cruel truth

with him for a few days. He became a Christian in prison and he said he was going to church that Sunday. “When we got there, I didn’t want to go inside so I sat in the car and decided to wait for him. “It was really cold in the car so I decided to go and sit in the church just to keep warm. “When I went in, that loving voice came back but I also had other voices saying I didn’t belong there. I chose to stay and that was the day I gave my life to Jesus.” James said at that moment he felt his addictions starting to subside, but he admitted that parts of his road to recovery have been part of a long process.

PASSION “When I went to the church I was nine-and-a-half stone and my organs were packing up from all the damage of the drugs and alcohol. “Six years later, I’m 14-and-ahalf stone and I can go for a run for half an hour and my health is better than it’s ever been. Life is wonderful! I have a network of people who love me and I’ve been able to work. “My passion in life is to preach about Jesus. He’s the best high you can ever get.”

SLICING through your arm or putting a burning cigarette on your body is not something you may ever think of doing. But for many, this – or self-harm as it’s known – is the only way they know how to deal with life’s troubles. The cruel truth is that for the majority of people who self-harm, attention-seeking and suicide are not the reason for their actions, according to research. They do it because it’s the only way they know how to cope. It is heartbreaking, but we all must pray that such people find a way out of the vicious cycle they find themselves in. People who self-harm aren’t always easy to recognise. Look at Jess Wilson. At the time, she appeared to those around her to be leading a “normal” life. But, like most who self-harm, she was hiding her secret well. Jess is a pretty young woman who, at the age of 21, has her life before her... one we are sure she will live to the full. Thankfully, she found help and accepted that God was with her during that ordeal and helping her through it. She now devotes her life to Christ, and realises the love he has for her. We should be thankful for Jess’s honesty and that she is willing to talk about her feelings. Her book could be a lifeline for many in the position she once found herself in.

Driven by his faith

HE may be 92, but Alex Paterson doesn’t let age stop him. If you were ever to talk to Alex without knowing his age, you would think he was 50 years younger. He just doesn’t fit the mould of someone that age. Alex isn’t slowing down, he’s planning on driving thousands of miles to raise money. Alex is driven by his faith. He believes that every day is worth living and that he must help others less fortunate. His enthusiasm about his missionary work is infectious. We wish him well on his journey and pray he raises all the cash he needs. Editor: Peter Wreford Accounts: Helen Wreford Circulation: Simon Schembri Advertising: Barry Wilson

Editorial office: New Life Publishing Co, PO Box 777, Nottingham NG11 6ZZ, UK Email: editor@newlifepublishing.co.uk Telephone: 0115 921 7285 Website: www.newlife.co.uk

We welcome your letters and comments regarding any of the issues raised within these pages. Write to the Editor at the above address. Back copies: previous issues are available while stocks last, at cover price plus £1.00 handling charge, inc. p&p, per order.

New Life newspaper is printed on 100% recycled paper

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10 – New Life Newspaper – Issue 175

WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? WANT TO EXPLORE CHRISTIANITY, BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE TO TURN? KEEP THIS PAGE TO HELP YOU FIND A NEW DIRECTION IN LIFE... Log on to

ALTRINCHAM The Upper Room Christian Fellowship, The Downs. Sunday services 10.45am and 6.30pm. Enquiries: 0161 282 6676. (CA09) ARMTHORPE Armthorpe New Life Church (Nr Doncaster), Community Centre, Church Lane. Family Service 11am, Children’s Sunday Club 11.30am, Outreach meeting 6-7pm. Warm welcome to all. Enquiries Tel: 01226 752 296. (AT90) ASHFORD Ashford Christian Fellowship Worship Centre, 23 Tufton Street. Sundays: 9.30-11am (inc. children’s facilities) & 11.30-1pm (no children’s facilities). Last Sunday each month: Healing & Miracles service: 6.30pm. Enquiries: 01233 334007. (CF57)

BEDFORD

DUNDEE Bethany Church, 4 Taylor’s Lane, Dundee. Sundays 3pm. Home groups Tuesdays 7.30pm. Thursdays Prayer and Bible Study 7.30pm. For info call 01382 611 848. (EQ93) ELY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP A loving, growing, praying family church. Sunday celebration 10.30am. Enquiries phone: 01353 662 228. Email: info@elychristianfellowship.org.uk. Web www.elychristianfellowship.org.uk. Also Christian Bookshop 01353 667 004. (DU35)

New Life Community Church Main Hall

Rainham School Girl’s (between Highﬁeld Road & Derwent Way), Rainham

(ER53)

Great Barford Word of Life Church

meet Sunday 10.30 at the Village Hall, Fishers Close. Enquiries: Pastor John Best

01234 871475

BIRMINGHAM Bromford Bridge Church Centre (AoG), Bromford Drive. Sundays 10.45am and 6pm. Minister Ivor Davies. Tel: 0121 748 7081 Mobile 07745 100 942. (AG30) BURY ST E D MU N D S , Suffolk. The Christian Resource Centre (a Pentecostal church). Oakes Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 6PX. www. crcministries.co.uk 01284 761000. Service times: Sunday 10.30am and 6.30pm. All the family will be made (EQ05) very welcome. CANTERBURY Trinity Community Church. Meetings Sundays 10.45am at St Stephen’s Junior School, Hales Place, Canterbury. Tel: 01227 459 785. (CA06)

GILLINGHAM

MAIDSTONE Welcome to Mangravet Church which meets at Grove Road (near Police HQ), Sundays 10.30am. Enquiries: 01622 664 940. (DP53)

SHEFFIELD Central Elim, Lee Croft, Campo Lane. Sunday services 11.00am. Visitors welcome. Enquiries Tel: 0114 272 2911. (EA95)

MAIDSTONE Grove Green Chr istian Fellowshi p w w w. grovegreenchristianfellowship.org meetings Invicta Grammar School, Huntsman Lane, Sundays at 10am. All are welcome. (AY48)

STOKE ON TRENT Apostolic Praise Centre,Carron St. Fenton. Invite you to join them on Sundays. 10.30am. Thursday 7.30pm. For further details contact Graeme 079 79 370 566

God turns up Sunday 11am.

His presence has been awesome. Come and be changed, uplifted, challenged and inspired. We are a multi-racial, family loving Church. See you Sunday. Croydon Community Church, Endeavour Hall, 273 Norbury Crescent, Norbury SW16. Pastor David Chapman:

0208 689 5187

(CH20)

DARTFORD - EMMANUEL CHURCH EAST HILL Join us at 10:30am on Sundays. For further details: 01322 272649 or www.epcdartford.com (CL38)

2008

Issue

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HUDDERSFIELD Huddersﬁeld Elim Church (across from the Bus Sation) welcomes you. Sundays 10.30am at Greenhead College and 6.30pm at church in Merton Street, Springwood – Tel: 01484 428 046. Holme Valley Elim Church, Village Hall, Moor Lane, Honley, Huddersﬁeld Sundays 11.00am and 6.00pm. Tel: 01484 323 978. (EB18)

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WAKEFIELD The King’s Church. R e a l Pe o p l e , R e a l L i f e , R e a l Answers. For more information contact Jonathan on: 07914137512 or www.christ4u.co.uk (FF63)

Bri tain

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A satellite of Kensington Temple Pentecostal Church at Twickenham Road, Isleworth

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(CF42)

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For information on other meetings phone Allan Smith 01634 264410

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RETFORD Retford New Life Church Centre, 26-32 Bridgegate, Retford, Notts. Morning Meetings 9.30am & 11.30am. Children’s Church 9.30am & 11.30am. Sunday Evenings 6.30pm. Everyone welcome. Contact 01777 711377. (CA36)

NEWS

MP GIV ES BA CK ING TO CH UR CH INI TIATIV E

Mum an d baby ha d to battl e for lives

(AC01)

(CA66)

YOU THE GOOD NEWS

P’S ST ORTF

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PAGE 3

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LATEST CR FOR ATTA AZE BLAMED CK ON YO UTH

A TEEN serious AGER esca wieldinginjury when ped BIBLE yobs stabbknife- EXCLUSIVE by in ed

Matthew a The teenaghis pocket. Murray a Christ er regula rly attend minor Emma ian youth group s a few pain, which nuel Christ held Waltha stitche will result ian Centre at mstow s. in And pastor, London. in Ch Other memb ers of r ist the church Dez rience ia n Cent re Emma nuel believe Brown from the boy, d have s Brown simila r incide ex peto name,who he has God spared said. asked nts, Mr from furthe Earlier us not He told the congrethis year, New Life, r injury. been a memb a bit gation attacke of troubl ‘There had some gangs, was raped er of d by a acid throw gang, and for reveng and they e betwe en n over before having effort e for him were going attack to destro her body . for anothe in y DNA Despit ‘As the r Mr e eviden an ce. he stabbe attacker Brown the dangers, went for admits howev toring the young d the Bible er, he him, in enjoys Londo instead that lad. pasn. He ‘The of for no situati believ ons are group boy comes God to impos es to the every sible He addedimpact. to give week. youth his testim I asked , ‘Becau experi group him se of ence and ony but he fazed quite a was a at the youth past, my own by little remark that God such troubl I am not able story.’shy. It’s can reach e. I lives, just in and know PAIN own life.’ like he Mr Brown chang touch ed my , who himse The church a prison senten lar work lf served has started for stabbi ce as a 17-yea the police in schoo ng someo reguknows r-old ne to combals and with within knife all about the to death, crime. dange Spark2 their comm t proble ms rs of He said Life projec unity. them severa Their ager was the attack t l award has earned Senior as ‘juckin part of a on the teens. pastor g’, where craze known said counse their victim Doug attacke William lling the ‘heartb s inflict rs s reakin victim seriou but don’t meanstab g’. s was s injury. Instead to face‘The only answe of their , they pierce of such r I victim things have in the believe , hoping the skin is in the pel. I believe power that I still to cause of the power the to change Gospe l hasGosthe a heart.’

For further information or free sample copies of localised editions, telephone: 0115 921 7280 or email: info@newlifepublishing.co.uk

TW7 6AB (opp West Middlesex Hospital)

www.always.org.uk/mustard

Tel: 020 8570 4265

LEICESTER Narborough Road Christian Fellowship. Meet at Manor House, Neighbourhood Centre, Haddenham Road. Services: Sunday 10.30am. Tel: 0116 2891 395 or 0116 2897 804. All welcome. (AB25) LEICESTER Apostolic Church New Life Centre, Sanvey Lane, Aylestone, Leicester LE2 8NF. Main services: Sunday 10.30am worship, Bible ministry and Communion. Tuesday 8pm Bible study and prayer. Pastor Richard Forman telephone 0116 275 2582 everyone welcome. (CW05)

GATEWAY CHURCH LEYTON

Sharing Hope & Life

CHURCHES RIPON Worship and Rejoice with us at the New Life Assembly of God, Water Skellgate. 10.30am Sundays. Info or Prayer. Phone 01765 604379. (EY00) RUSHDEN Full Gospel Church. High Street South, Rushden. A family Church that loves God, each other and those in the community. Sundays 10.45am & 6pm. Enquiries telephone: 01933 418 002. (DC19) SAFFRON WALDEN, New Life Church. Shire Hill. Sundays 10.30am & 6.30pm. For details call Pastor R Ellalasingham on 01799 506045 email: mail@nlpc.co.uk (FR19)

(FN61)

City Church

(AS88)

Many churches successfully use localised editions to promote their BIBLE SA own church and special STABBIN VES TEEN events. Others work together G VICTIM with local congregations to produce and deliver E localised editions to their F I L NEW whole town or city. When you order a minimum EEN T S of 1000 copies, for an E V A BIBLE S G VICTIM additional £300 we STABBIN can produce a special localised edition by NEW L IFE changing a page (or more) to your own news BUS DRIV ITER WAS THE HONOUR HAED PPIEST DA Y BY QUEE or to your advert. We OFNMY LIF E BIBLE SA also change the banner advert across the top STABBIN VES TEEN G VICTIM of the front page so that readers immediately know that the newspaper is local to them. You simply supply the text and pictures and we can design it for you. March

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Meet every Sunday 10.30am A warm welcome awaits you

Welcomes you Sundays 10.30am at Barclay School Canterbury Rd, London E10 www.gatewaychurch.org.uk

LIVERPOOL invites you to our services: 10.30am & 6.00pm Sunday (plus many other activities)

“A great place to be”

Tel: 0151 2649995 www.liverpoolcitychurch.org

(EY24)

City Church, Jubilee Drive, Liverpool L7 3BA

EDENTHORPE, near Doncaster Edenthorpe Pentecostal church, Edenthorpe Community Centre, Cedric Road. Sundays 10.30am & 6.00pm. Children’s Good News club Wednesday 4.30pm to 5.45pm. 4U Children school year 6-9 Fridays 7.15pm. Warm welcome to all. Enquiries 01302 882738. (ER50)

NEW L IFE

COMIC LEG END TO TAL K ABO UT LIFE OF FUN AND TRAGED Y

3 SPECIA L EASTER EDI

READING Assemblies of God Christian Centre (Mount Zion). Sundays 11am and 6.30pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.30pm. Enquiries Tel: 01252 872 754.

(ES70)

CROYDON

(FR14)

CHURCHES Would you like your copies of New Life to contain your news?

LONG EATON Oasis Christian Centre, Derby Road. 10am & 6pm. Come and enjoy the dynamic worship and a warm welcome. God centred, Purpose driven, People empowering. Enquiries: Church Ofﬁce 0115 9460463 (EL62)

SALISBURY Assemblies of God Church. Meetings are now held at St Osmunds School, Carmelite Way on Sundays at 10.45am. Enquiries 01722 502046.www.theendlesslife.info (CR03) SHANKLIN Isle of Wight, Living Waters Fellowship, 29, Victoria Avenue. Sundays 2.30pm (Service). Wednesday Home Group 10.30am (Bible Study). Thursdays 10.30am (Prayer) 7.30pm Monthly also Saturdays 7.30pm Monthly (Intercessory Praise & Worship). Enquiries & Newsletter (01983) 863683, livingwaters.iw@btinternet.com or livingwaters.iw@gmail.com. (CA52)

TELEPHONE Assemblies of God: 0115 921 7272 Baptist Church: 01235 517700 Church of England (Anglican): 0207 898 1000 Elim: 01242 519904 Methodist Church: 0207 486 5502 United Reformed (URC): 020 7916 2020 WEBSITES www.findachurch.co.uk www.achurchnearyou.com www.aog.org.uk www.baptist.org.uk www.cofe.anglican.org www.elim.org.uk www.urc.org.uk

HELPFUL INFORMATION www.newlife.co.uk

COURSES www.alpha.org (0845 644 7544) www.authenticwalk.com www.biblehelp.co.uk www.growinginchrist.com

INFORMATION www.lookingforgod.com www.newchristian.org.uk www.ucb.co.uk www.faithstart.com Help on becoming a Christian: Write to Christian Enquiry Agency (NL), FREEPOST WC2947, South Croydon, CR2 8UZ. Email: www.rejesus.co.uk In need of prayer: Call UCB Prayerline on 0845 456 7729

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Issue 175 – New Life Newspaper – 11

Benn: Fame STAR STRIKER KEEPS FAITH FOR NEW SEASON Beliefs will give Tykes and fortune Moore hope are nothing THE ‘Dark Destroyer’ Nigel Benn has told a national newspaper that fame and fortune are nothing compared to a relationship with Jesus. Speaking to the Sun, Benn, now a born again Christian preacher for the Vineyard Church in Majorca, has abandoned his former lifestyle of clubbing and women. He said: “I made a lot of money in boxing but there’s more to life than money. The most important thing in life is not money, because I had the money – it’s knowing Jesus. “What’s the value of money? I’m looking at it now and you see all these kids wanting the money. You want to talk about boxing but really and truly when we talk about everything, I don’t even want to talk about it any more. “Not because I’m being disrespectful but because that was my past life.

Thank God Ivan second chance! CROATIA star striker Ivan Klasnic will continue to show his true faith when he joins the starting line up for new French club Nantes this season.

PEACEFUL “That was the life I used to live with sin, going out, sleeping around, doing this, going to clubs, having this girl, that girl. That’s all it was. It was a big party. “The life I have now is peaceful, happy. I can bring my kids up the right way. “The life that I was living I was burning the candle at both ends so what was I teaching my kids? My daughter now, she’s happily married, she’s a Christian, she’s got a lovely daughter and now she knows the Lord. What more can a dad ask for? “It’s only now I truly understand what Jesus means. “It’s very hard to just sit here and talk about boxing without giving the glory to Jesus, because if it wasn’t for him I’d be six foot under, or in a mental hospital, or banged out on drugs.”

NEW LIFE NEW Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari announced he is a Christian. Scolari, nicknamed ‘Big Phil’ by the British press, apparently prays to God before key matches, and has close friendships with key religious leaders.

STAR MAN... Ivan Klasnic celebrates after scoring for Croatia

NEWSFLASH

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

PRIMUS TO USE PEDAL POWER

DEFENDERS Linvoy Primus and Darren Moore are joining 100 cyclists on a 160-mile bike ride this month. Portsmouth’s Linvoy and Barnsley’s Darren will raise money for disadvantaged children on the ride, from September 5 to 7. The Pedal for Primus event will support Christian charity Faith and Football, of which Primus is patron. The Premier League defender believes the challenge will enable participants, supporters, the business community and the general public to focus on the charity’s work. He said: “The aim of Pedal for Primus is to raise funds to help the charity change lives, whilst cyclists have the achievement of completing a genuine physical challenge. “The money raised will help to extend Faith & Football’s community and educational programmes in the UK including inner-city football leagues, literacy schemes and a business enterprise challenge, and our overseas work which supports orphans, AIDS victims, disabled and poverty stricken children in Africa, India and Mexico.”

The 28-year-old attacker joined the Ligue 1 side just months after helping Croatia reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 – a year after a major transplant op. And he thanked God in front of reporters for being alive after surviving two operations following kidney failure, which he called his “second chance”. The 6ft 1in striker had to wear a fibreglass protective shield during the European competition, knowing that a kick in the wrong place could be fatal. His heroic efforts meant Ivan became the first person ever to play a major football game after a kidney transplant. Ivan suffered kidney failure in January 2007 and his mother was quick to offer one of hers. But the devout Christian’s body rejected the organ. He said at the time: “It was a huge blow when I heard the news, but I can only think that it happened for a reason. God gave me this challenge, but he also gave me the tools to overcome it.” Despite the setback, God gave him the “tools” in the shape of a kidney from his father in March 2007. Since then, he has kept his faith and continued to believe God would help him back to full recovery. He helped Croatia stun Poland with the only goal of the game to take his team to the quarter-finals. Ivan said after the game: “I scored once and had two more chances and for this I thank God. “I’m happy that I’m here at all. As I said once, this is like a bonus from God. It’s like a dream, it’s my second chance. I thank God that I’m alive and that I can play football.” Ivan scored in the quarter-final against Turkey, but it wasn’t enough as Croatia were sunk 3–1 after a penalty shoot-out. Croatia coach Slaven Bilic said that the whole team had joined Ivan in prayer. Bilic told reporters: “We all prayed for h im. We called h im on the phone to encourage him, but it was actually the other way round, he encouraged us. His faith is very strong.”

DA R R E N MOOR E believes divine inspiration can help him in his quest for a return to the Premier League with Barnsley. Moore, a devout Christian, feels his faith will help him handle the pressure as the Tykes look to mount a challenge for promotion. The veteran former West Brom and Derby defender, who has won four promotions in his career, said: “I was i mpressed by Ba r nsley’s performances in the FA Cup last season and it’s clear the club have the ambition to get into the Premier League, but the key will be to show consistency. “My faith will certainly help me. It keeps my feet on the ground in the pressurised, results-based world of football.”

I wouldn’t beat Jesus claims darts champ! AFTER dominating the terrestrial world of darts, Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor has revealed his desire to travel back in time a nd ta ke on none ot he r t h a n Jes u s Christ. Taylor, who previously listed his toughest opponent as Dennis ‘The Menace’ Priestley, remarked: “I’d love to meet Jesus. I’d go back to those days. I’d be in awe.” When asked if he would cross arrows with Jesus, Taylor chirped: “Yeah, if possible.” However, the a l l-conquer i ng, 13-ti me world cha mpion played down his chances of victory, saying his money was on the man who turned water into wine.

Clubs can give church thanks! THE author of a critically acclaimed book has discovered that many of today’s top football teams can trace their roots to the church. Peter Lupson spent seven years researching to write Thank God For Football. The devout Christian found that 12 of the 38 clubs that have played in the Premier League can trace roots to the church: Aston Villa, Barnsley, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers, Everton, Liverpool, Fulham, Manchester City, QPR, Southampton, Swindon Town and Tottenham Hotspur.

DO YOU HAVE A SPORTS STORY? Contact our sportsdesk on 0115 921 7285 or email editor@newlifepublishing.co.uk with your testimony and news

Issue 175 – New Life Newspaper – 12

NEW LIFE SPORT

www.newlife.co.uk

Ewood Park now has a prayer room for fans

KNEEWOOD PARK!

BLACKBURN’S NEW PRAYER ROOM FOR THEIR FANS

BLACKBURN Rovers has installed a fans’ prayer room at Ewood Park – and is the first Premiership club to do so! The soundproofed match-day room will replace a toilet block and contains prayer benches and Bibles. Club chiefs hope the room, in the Blackburn End stand, will meet the spiritual needs of supporters and staff. Fans who sit in other sections will be escorted there by stewards. Club chaplain the Rev Kevin Howles said it was important to provide the environment of prayer. He told New Life: “There will be Bibles in there. I fully expect Christians to use the prayer room. “At Blackburn Rovers Football Club, we think it’s very important to meet the needs of staff and supporters. If it be a spiritual need, we want to help them in that way too.” Rev Howles, of St James’ Church in Chorley, has

been at the club for ten years. He said a great Christian work had been established. “I can’t break the confidence of certain people, but we have seen good things happen,” he added. “I have open access to every player, director and staff member, and as an evangelical Christian take my role at the club very seriously.” Speaking about the prayer room, the club’s Managing Director Tom Finn said: “We live in a diverse society and need to accommodate the needs of people from all walks of life.” Dean Christopher Armstrong, of Blackburn Cathedral, said: “It is crucial inter-faith projects like this are allowed to succeed.” Rovers fan Scott Gardiner, 30, said: “It gives fans the chance to pray when things aren’t going well on the pitch.” And it could be argued prayers are already being answered as Blackburn opened their campaign with a last-gasp 3-2 win over Everton!

I know who helps me get game off to a tee! HE may be young, handsome and a wealthy 27-year-old, but Aussie golfer Aaron Baddeley isn’t afraid to explain who he attributes his success to. Aaron, who is the youngest player ever to represent Australia in the Eisenhower Trophy, said he wouldn’t be on the precipice of a long and distinguished career without his faith. A nd the you ng sta r, who has twice been in the PGA top ten players’ league this season, is known for boldly declaring his faith on the greens! Ever since committing his life to Christ at the age of 12, the double Holden Australian Open winner said he knew God was with him. “I just knew,” he e x pl a i ne d . “You just know from what you Aaron Baddeley feel and the decisions that you make and how you feel on certain topics, situations, things that your mates will do who aren’t Christians… just little things, like not swearing. “Things that are small do stand out to some people. You get questions, ‘Why don’t you swear?,’ or ‘Why don’t you do this?’ You tell them the reason why is because you’re a Christian.” Not that Christians are immune from what the world around them offers. A nd to a soaring professional athlete, the world can offer quite a bit. “You’re young, you’ve got money, so it’s very easy to get caught up in getting things and collecting things and whatnot,” Baddeley admitted. Aaron, married to Richelle, likes to surround himself with strong friends. He added: “With their help and their counsel, it’s definitely making it a lot easier. And then having a strong relationship with God, spending time with him daily and being in the Word [the Bible] as much as possible.”

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