New Life Nov 08 issue 177

NEW LIFE NOVEMBER 2008

Issue 177

40p

GOOD NEWS STORIES

WE’RE

Bring ing h o

www.newlife.co.uk

pe bac k to B

B AC K

ING

ritain

BOYS, 14, IN BID TO FUND £3M DREAM Page 6

T WO 14 - y e a r - o l d b o y s h a v e launched a bid to raise £3m to buy a redundant nightclub – so they can turn it into a Christian Centre. They are now praying for help to find the financialSEE backing for the 3 PAGE

by Matthew Murray centre, which will run workshops for the homeless and counsel those with drug problems.  Full story – Page 3

EXCLUSIVE: TOP BRITISH BANKER REVEALS HIS FAITH

don’’t don panic

ROCK ON... The Jonas Brothers

Rock steady! A BOY band that has become the world’s fastest selling rock ’n’ roll group is breaking with tradition. Unlike the usual image of such huge bands, The Jonas Brothers are squeaky clean!  Full story – Page 5

I’LL VISIT MY SON’S KILLER IN PRISON

GOD IS IN CONTROL!

DAD MAKES VOW... Page 5

by Shirin Aguiar-Holloway

CYMBAL-IC... Nicko McBrain

ONE of Britain’s top bankers has revealed that God and not political leaders has the current world financial turmoil “under control”.

In an exclusive interview with New Life, Jeremy Marshall, chief executive of UK Private Banking at finance giant Credit Suisse, said the turbulent times were part of a bigger plan. Jeremy, who is a founding member of a floating barge church in The City of London, said he believed good would come out of the meltdown of the world’s money markets.  Read the full interview on Pages 6 & 7

Different beat

STOCK HORROR... a city trader watches the markets fall

IRON MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain has fallen in love with Jesus! He said: “I just know there’s a greater calling on my life right now, and all I know is I want to use my life for God.”  Full story – Page 5

2 – New Life Newspaper – Issue 177

Are U2 off to church?

U2 star Bono and former Prime Minister Tony Blair show they are kindred spirits – by strolling to church together. Mr Blair, 55, was in New York a fter g iv i ng a religious talk at Yale University and appearing on TV satire The Daily Show. Bono, 48, t he f r ont m a n of the Irish rock ba nd , worked with Mr Blair in a n attempt to Blair and Bono on com bat world way to church p o v e r t y, a n d w a s i n t he c it y for ta l k s w it h Republican presidential hopeful John McCain.

EX-JUNKIE TURNED LIFE AROUND THANKS TO DOORMAN COMPANY OWNER

Bouncer firm’s boss opened door for me

Young Scots are ‘positive’ SCOTTISH young people are more positive about the church and Christianity than previously thought, a study has found. Among the 2,221 Scottish secondary school pupils surveyed in the Ipsos MORI poll, 10 per cent said they attend a service every week, while more than a third had attended a Church of Scotland service in the last year. The major it y of respondents agreed that having a religious belief is positive or potentially positive. Interestingly, 27 per cent of respondents said that they believe in God, against 26 per cent who said they do not believe in God. Yet 43 per cent stated that they believe in heaven.

Send me more...

by James Hastings A MAN who was hooked on hard drugs for 10 years has revealed how the owner of a nightclub bouncer firm helped him change his life. Martyn Parrish decided to take action after a decade as a junkie when his son was born. He said: “Heroin became my master. It took over my life like a thief I had invited in. Every other aspect of my life was second, third, fourth place to my desire for heroin. “I still didn’t see myself as a junkie. I looked after myself and had friends. “But my perception of myself was blurred. I was skin and bone, not the bright-eyed sportsman from school. “My friends deserted me. No one wanted to be associated with a loser, a no-hoper, a junkie – which was what I really was.” After vowing to ditch drugs and his junkie friends, Martyn started going to the gym where a friend told him a security firm was looking to recruit door staff. “The owner, Ian, was a Christian,” he explained. “There was something about the way he did business that was different. I felt I could trust him. He paid our wages on time and never tried to cheat us. “The way he handled situations was somehow different and he intrigued me.” Church and God had never featured much in Martyn’s life. However, when Ian invited him to attend his church, he agreed. He expected something out of Songs of Praise,

Order

Cost

25

£10 (40p each)

50

£15 (30p each)

100

£26 (26p each)

200

£48 (24p each)

400

£88 (22p each)

600

£120 (20p each)

1,000

£200 (20p each)

3,000

£540 (18p each)

5,000

£850 (17p each)

HORSING AROUND... Martyn Parrish with his family on holiday but instead he saw lots of families, young people and pensioners who were actually happy. His desire for drugs had faded. He said: “They just didn’t look like Christians. I started to read the Bible. I wanted to know who Jesus was. I loved reading it and would talk about it with Ian. People in the church helped me and

NEW LIFE SUBSCRIBE

Please send me ............. copies of the ................. MONTH

issue for £ .................... Please send me ............. copies as a regular monthly order LARGER QUANTITIES AND LOCALISED ISSUES AVAILABLE. PLEASE ASK FOR DETAILS

• Only £10 for 12 issues • Free delivery direct to your door

177

BULK ORDERS Prices inc. UK delivery

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

• Inspiring stories of faith • Just a brilliant newspaper! £10 for 1 year (12 issues) UK. £18 for 2 years (24 issues) UK. £25 for 3 years (36 issues) UK.

DELIVERY

Name: .......................................................................................... Address: ..................................................................................... .......................................................................................................

Tel: ............................................................................................... Email: ......................................................................................... PAYMENT

I enclose a cheque / postal order payable to New Life Please charge my Visa / Mastercard / Switch / Solo / Maestro Please send your card number, expiry date, issue number (if applicable), security code (last 3 digits on reverse) and the registered name and address (if different) on a separate sheet. Payments will appear on your statement as World Pay.

Please send with an invoice payable on 30 days net credit terms (not available for individual subscriptions) New Life Publishing would like to keep you updated with details of our products and special offers. If you would prefer not to hear from us, please tick this box.

Tel: 0115 921 7280 Email: info@newlife.co.uk Web: www.newlife.co.uk Or return this form to: New Life Publishing, PO Box 777, Nottingham NG11 6ZZ

cared for me. I realised that all through my life, even the drug taking, God had been watching over me. “Many of my junkie friends are dying or dead. I am alive and well and have a new wife and family. All this can be put down to only one thing: a God who loves me.”

SANTANA SPORTS A Worship’s PLAN FOR NEW JOB brought to book... Latin guitarist Carlos Santana has revealed how his faith has helped him through difficult times and his desire to become a church minister. The award-winning musician, with 37 albums under his belt, told Rolling Stone magazine he would eventually like to start a church in Maui, Hawaii. “I’m going to stop playing when I’m 67 and work on what I really want to do, which is to be a minister, like Little Richard,” said Santana, who teamed up with American hip-hop star and actor Wyclef Jean for the top ten 1999 hit Maria Maria. He added: “I’m not sick of what I do, but I find that God gave me the Carlos Santana gift of communication even without my guitar and with the ability to get people unstuck with certain sections of the Bible having to do with guilt, shame, judgment and fear.” Santana also talked about how his faith helped him overcome thoughts of suicide.

DRIVE TO SUCCEED! A 92-year-old didn’t let a damaged wing mirror stop him driving the length of Great Britain. Alex Paterson took just four days to drive from his home in Sheffield to John O’Groats, and motored 830 miles to Land’s End before embarking on the journey back to Yorkshire. The missionary, raising money for the poor in Sierra Leone, had to return home in the middle of his journey to fix his nearside wing mirror, but was back on the road to finish the venture despite bad weather. Alex was driving a 20-year-old Ford Sierra, which he bought new in 1988, and has clocked up more than 230,000 miles.

A BOOK has been released that explains worship. What Am I Doing Here? is the latest offering from Church House, the publishing group of the Church of England. It brings together cartoonist Dave Walker and author Hilary Brand to give readers a fresh but no-nonsense explanation of the Christian faith. The pocket-size book uses the main weekly communion service to not only explain why people go to church, but also what happens once they are there. Spread across 72 pages, it begins by explaining the “wonder and wow factor” of worship before moving on to repentance and forgiveness, and ending with an explanation of the renewal that comes through the reenactment of the Last Supper. What Am I Doing Here? has already won acclaim from Ian Hislop, broadcaster and Private Eye editor. He said: “Most books nowadays explain why people don’t go to church anymore. It is good to find one that explains why people still do.”

GOT A STORY?

New Life newspaper is always looking for inspirational stories and testimonies. If you want to share yours with thousands of people across the UK and the world contact 0115 921 7285 or email editor@newlife.co.uk

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Issue 177 – New Life Newspaper – 3

FOODBANKS RECORD AS CRUNCH BITES Tributes for sisters killed in car crash

LABELLED WITH LOVE... a Foodbank volunteer

ORGANISERS behind an emergency UK food aid scheme have reported a record number of churches joining the initiative since the start of the credit crunch. In the past few weeks, six Foodbanks have been launched to add to the 32 already in operation around Britain. The six new volunteer schemes will take the number of Foodbanks set up this year – as the credit crunch spiralled – to 18. Last year, the network fed more than 12,000 people who were identified as being “in crisis”. The Foodbanks scheme was set up by Christian charity The Trussell Trust to prov ide nutritionally balanced food parcels to people in crisis. Food parcels are issued using a voucher system, where recognised care professionals issue food vouchers to their clients, which are then redeemed at the Foodbank. The Trussell Trust director Chris Mould said:

“Christians nationwide are responding practically to the needs of the nation. “Debt and the rising cost of just living are pushing more and more people over the edge. Foodbanks help prevent crime, family breakdown and people losing their homes. “We’re convinced every town should have one. We are really encouraged by the increasing number of people across the UK who are giving their time and money to Foodbank projects when everyone is feeling the pinch.” Robert Key, MP for Salisbury where The Trussell Trust is based, said: “This initiative compliments the system of state benefits, which, with the best will in the world, is not designed to deliver basic food to hungry mouths.” The six Foodbanks due to launch this autumn were in Ebbw Vale, Exeter, Haverhill, Lincoln, Okehampton and Plymouth. For details about the scheme, contact The Trussell Trust on 01722 411244.

BOYS’ £3M PLAN TO GIVE NEW LEASE OF LIFE TO NOTORIOUS VENUE

teens’ AIM to add zest to old club Two ambitious 14-yearolds have launched a bid to raise £3m to convert a notorious nightclub into a Christian centre. Ipswich youths Conor Cloud and Kingsley Mensah plan to turn the town’s former Zest nightclub into a place where drug users and the homeless are cared for. The teenagers are praying God will provide the finance to make their dream a reality. Conor told New Life: “We are serious about this and know that with God all things are possible. We both have a vision to see this place transformed and have decided to leave it with God. We are praying for the money to come in and know that God can provide it.” The nightclub on Princes Street was forced to close after the fatal shooting of Jimoh Plunkett, from South London, in December 2006. It was notorious for crime, violence and drugs.

visions Conor and Kingsley, who run CK Youth Ministry in Ipswich, believe that with the help and prayers of t he i r com m it tee t hey ca n ra ise enough money to turn around the site’s fortunes. Their prayer is that a Christianbased community centre will run workshops for the homeless and counsel those with drug problems. They also aim to tackle social issues such as teenage pregnancy and single parenting. Conor added: “People have been shot and stabbed in the nightclub, and there has been drug abuse. We AMBITIONS... Conor Cloud, left, and Kingsley Mensah outside the former Zest nightclub want to see that building conquered by God. People in Ipswich know what it used to The pair would need about £2.5m to buy the added. “We want to see young people who want be like, but we believe that with God’s help we building, and a further £500,000 to refurbish it. to follow gangs come to this centre, see their life can see it turned around. They have the backing of Ipswich Elim Pentecos- turned around and begin to follow Christ. “The site is perfect for what we want to do. tal Church, where they both attend. “I know that with God’s help and through It has got such a dark feel to it, but we want to There is currently a covenant on the building prayer, we can see this money come in and see turn that around and have a complete contrast. that says it needs to stay as a leisure venue, but this dream fulfilled.” We have so many ideas and visions for this place. the pair said it could be negotiated. Conor’s mum, Mrs Cloud Thomas, said: “I All in all the project would have a very positive Kingsley told New Life that the centre could would say to people that this is their town. We effect on all age groups in Ipswich. We know be an avenue to seeing people convert to Chris- need everyone to embrace this project.” lawyers, plumbers and builders who can help tianity. If you want to help the ambitious plan, e-mail us, but just need the money to do it all.”   “The town of Ipswich needs a site like this,” he ccloud@ckenterprise.co.uk

T wo lasting tributes have been made to two Christian girls who were killed in a car crash. Jenny and Claire Stoddart died on the A12 near Blythburgh, Suffolk, in 2006. Their father Phil has now released a book, A12 to Heaven, and Indie rock band Athlete have released a song dedicated to the girls. Phil, who lives in Suffolk, said A12 to Heaven was in a diary format, including entries from Jenny and Claire a nd accou nts from friends and family. He initially started writing on social networking site MySpace, but believed God asked h im to w rite a Jenny Stoddart book. He added: “I had no idea that much of the writing I did on MySpace, starti n g i n Au g u st 20 0 6, w a s go ing to end up in Claire Stoddart print. “I just remember that loads of it was written in tears, and that often the tears were to do with Jesus and just how much he was meeting with me. “There were times I could barely cope with his presence and my eyes were run n ing and my nose was dripping so that I could barely type the words. “Some people suggested that the writing was a way of dealing with the pain, but I never saw it that way. I knew that he wanted me to write, I just didn’t see it as anything beyond whoever read it on the website.” Meanwhile, band Athlete released the track It’s Not Your Fault on their latest album, Beyond the Neighbourhood, in memory of the girls. The band’s bass player Carey Willetts is a family friend of the Stoddarts.

NEW LIFE Thousands of young people f lo c ke d to you t h c on fe re nc e Audacious in Por tsmouth recently. Leader Stuart Keir said: “Many were filled with the Holy Spirit, and many made first-time decisions to become Christians.”

NEWSFLASH

Young launch festive films Young people have made their own short films about the true meaning of Christmas in a national competition launched by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu. Mobile phones, video and web cameras were used to create oneminute clips showing what Christmas is about for the TrueMeaning competition. Organisers said the launch had been timed to coincide with retailers beginning to display their Christmas goods. The competition was devised by Ecclesiastical Insurance. Spokesman Joh n Coates said: “There’s no escaping the fact Christmas has been taken over by the commercial world, but particularly this year, when so many more families will struggle financially to afford all the trappings of Christmas.”

4 – New Life Newspaper – Issue 177

WORLD NEWS ROUND-UP

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

SINGER BELIEVES SHE WILL BE HEALED Widow STRONG FAITH... Paula Yates with her husband Darren

‘Don’t rely on Government’ USA – Americans should look towards God and not depend on the government to tackle social ills, church leaders have been told. And they should not place faith in either presidential hopeful, but return to the truth, a leading pastor said at a conference. Dr Tony Evans, director of The Urban Alternative campaign, told delegates – including almost 500 church leaders – that the church could help improve communities by improving the lives of young families. He added: “We shouldn’t look to Washington to help. We shouldn’t look to the Hill. “The Gospel is Good News in a bad situation. “I’m not committed to a political party. I’m committed to the principles of the Living God.”

A grand boost for orphanage AFRICA – An orphanage has been given a cash boost from a money transfer firm. Moneygram has donated £1,000 to the Trinity Baptist Hope Centre, a Christian orphanage for West African children. The company made the donation during a live interview on Premier Christian radio. “We at Moneygram have a lot of experience supporting community events, with the Ghanaian community in particular. “It’s part of the core values of the company, about helping the community and giving something back,” said regional director Mark Perryman.

Flooding relief work continues INDIA – Charity Christian Aid has responded rapidly to the ongoing crisis in India following the summer’s floods. Emergency food, medicine and other vital support have been given by the relief agency to those made homeless and forced to flee as a result of the floods in Bihar, described as the worst for 50 years. The £200,000 initial emergency funding was distributed to Christian Aid’s several partner organisations. They have been distributing emergency food, setting up community kitchens, providing medical aid and taking steps to prevent waterborne diseases.

Churches rally to help refugees GEORGIA – Churches have rallied to offer help to the refugees of the South ossetia conflict. Christian organisations have been opening their doors to the estimated 100,000 people who have been displaced by the violence. Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists churches in North ossetia are sending people to visit injured people in area hospitals. Joel Griffith of the Slavic Gospel Association said: “They are trying to help the refugees with food and clothing. And you can be sure that they are seizing every opportunity to share the Gospel with them.”

Cancer battle led me to faith EX-PAT Paula Yates has by Ian White revealed how she found in Lanzarote peace and faith during a Dion’s I’m Alive, I dedicate it seven-year battle against Celine to Paula. It’s her song. cancer. “I use the occasion to promote

The popular solo comedy vocalist was told she had non-Hodgkins lymphoma in December 2001 while living on the Canary Isles island of Gran Canaria. Paula, who has lost her hair five times during her fight against two different incidences of cancer, has relied on God ever since she became a Christian five years ago. She was baptised in the sea off Lanzarote – where she now lives – in March. But after a prayer vigil across the island, doctors have said the 45-yearold is now in remission – and she believes God will totally heal her. And she said that her faith was strengthened when she discovered that volunteers who visited her in hospital when she was first diagnosed were Christians. She explained: “It was amazing! All the volunteer visitors who came to see me during my time in hospital for the first transplant were Christians. That made me believe, as it was too much to be coincidence.” Colleague and friend Gerie Barber said that over the years she had asked dozens of holidaymakers on the island to pray for her pal. She told New Life: “Each time I sing

the bone marrow donor register, and then ask everyone to pray. There’s always a tremendous response.” Paula appeared to have won her fight against the condition after a bone marrow transplant in May 2007. But following health problems last Christmas, she was told the cancer had returned. Paula was then given the all-clear from a scan earlier this year, until another set-back followed when medics changed their minds and asked her to return to the mainland hospital for further investigations. Paula is now home in Playa Honda with dedicated hubby Darren Boyle – and the indications are that she is in remission. The Lancastrian mum-of-two, who originally had a transplant using her own stem cells, has been overwhelmed by public generosity since her initial diagnosis. She said: “There has been fundraising both here and back in Britain. I’ve had countless private donations, and other entertainers have even given up their wages for the night. Regular customers who I’ve got to know over the years even send money over!” Paula recalled

her customers’ sheer amazement on realising she had cancer – as they couldn’t understand how she was still able to work. As the entertainer lost her hair several times, she started to adopt baldness in her performances. “I would wait until the end of the night and ask if anyone ever felt like tearing their hair out, and then I would chuck my wig at folk. This would really throw them!” But Paula’s astonishing ability to cope with the earth-shattering news was thanks to her faith in God. She recalled: “The first time I had cancer, people kept asking me how I coped with it. I said that something comes to you to make you cope. “The second time I had it, I was walking upstairs to my apartment and I wasn’t thinking about God or anything like that, but I turned to my husband and said, ‘That thing has just happened.’ “He said, ‘What thing?’ And I said, ‘That thing that comes over you to make you calm and give you peace.’ That’s what made me believe. I knew something was there then because I felt it.” Paula’s long battle began when a friend noticed a lump in her neck. “I knew I’d always had a lump there, but hadn’t thought anything of it. I always associated cancer with a worrier, poor eater, or someone who abused their body, but now I realise it’s none of those things.”

MILLIoNS StAGE pRotESt AGAINSt WoRLD poVERty MILLIoNS of people took part in a series of events aimed at demanding world leaders do more to end global poverty. Christian organisations joined the campaign last month – which included protests, petitions and prayer vigils – as anger grew about Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) not being met. They were also protesting about an emergency summit in September, which generated just $16bn in commitments at a time when banks were being bailed out to

the tune of hundreds of billions of pounds. Salil Shetty, director of the UN Millennium Campaign, said: “World leaders have just re-committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and from this moment on we will be holding them accountable for taking urgent action to deliver on their promises. “The worldwide campaign [which took part on october 17–19] meant world leaders heard directly from their people that we will no longer stand by while 50,000 people die of preventable causes each day.”

forgives hubby’s killers

THE widow of a murdered Laos church leader has forgiven her husband’s killers who tried to destroy the church. Abigail – whose name has been changed to protect her identity – said she dreaded him going out when he went away on church business. But one day last month, she was given the news that he had been killed. It is suspected that the murderers were people opposed to his faith in the south-east Asia country. She said: “I always said, ‘Please don’t come home late, because you have enemies who will try to kill you.’ ‘Don’t worry,’ he always replied. “But I said, ‘How can I not worry, when our children are still so young? If something happened to you, how would I live?’” Her husband had been missing for several days before his body was found. To begin with, Abigail was distraught. “I was crying, crying, crying and asking God why he took my husband away – he was the one that the church and the people needed more than me,” she said.

LOVE The couple’s children were angry and wanted revenge, but she explained to them that it was not up to them to dole out punishment. As Abigail forgave the killers, she said if she ever met them she would repeat Bible verse 1 Corinthians 13 to them, which says: “Love keeps no record of wrongs.” She added: “I would tell them about God’s love; that even when I do something wrong, he always forgives me. I would tell them I love them, because God loves them, too – and God will forgive them.” Abigail does not know who killed her husband, but it has not stopped her carrying on his work in building a church in Laos. She explained: “I don’t know who killed him. But I know that God has a plan for the church, especially for the people to grow up and become strong in the faith.”

Bible ‘is a revolution’ ARCHBISHoP Desmond Tutu has told British Christians that the Bible has revolutionary power to free. Speaking to more than 800 delegates in London, the Nobel Prize winner was speaking at an event organised by development agency Tearfund and the Jesus House for all the Nations. “There’s nothing more radical, nothing more revolutionary, Desmond Tutu nothing more subversive against injustice and oppression than the Bible,” he said. “I want to thank you for caring as you do. Thank you for being a local church that wants to engage with other local churches, for wanting to make the invisible God visible.”

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Teenage brothers clean up pop’s act! ALL-AMERICAN boy band The Jonas Brothers have become the world’s fastest selling pop band, writes Hugh Southon. But unlike so many similar bands, they don’t lead a lifestyle of sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll. Not since the days of The Beatles has a rock group so caught the public’s attention worldwide, with screaming girls desperate to see the stars wherever they appear. Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas – managed by their pastor father Kevin – are taking over as the world’s biggest pop sensations. They are changing the face of a business that has been bedevilled by easy sex and chemical substances for too long. Indeed, every one of them wears a promise ring – a sign that they intend to remain virgins until they marry. The siblings – Nick, 16, Joe, 18, and Kevin, 20 – found fame after being picked up by a Christian radio station. Their songs include Dear God and Joy to the World (A Christmas Prayer), and they have performed on an anti-drugs road show. “We are Christians and our faith is really important to us. It’s a big

Issue 177 – New Life Newspaper – 5

Real love broke Nicko’s Iron will by Hugh Southon IRON MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain has fallen in love with Jesus! After a near lifetime of playing thrash metal – sometimes with Satanic overtones – the one-time wildman of the band believes his wife Rebecca’s prayers are responsible. He said: “I visited a church in Florida and as she and others prayed I was saying to myself, ‘I can’t stand up – but I didn’t drink last night!’ “The fact was that I had this love affair with Jesus going on in my heart. “The way the Holy Spirit touched that room that night was immense. I’ve never felt that way before or since.” He now plays in the church worship band and explained he was more nervous about that than he was when appearing before stadium crowds of up to 250,000. He said: “Without this church and out this relationship with God I don’t know where I’d be. “I just know there’s a greater calling on my life right now, and all I know is I want to use my life for God.” He is planning to continue playing with Maiden, saying: “I prayed about it and feel it’s the thing to do, but I’m also planning to go on some seminary classes.”

i’ll visit my son’s murderer in jail! Brave dad wants to share faith and forgive teenager

The Jonas Brothers thing in everything we do,” the band have explained. The closest they have come to a racy tabloid revelation is Joe’s admission that he has a celebrity crush on Harry Potter star Emma Watson. Instead of entertaining groupies on their tour bus, they tidy it up. They h ave a lso rece ived t he seal of approval from US President George W Bush, performing for him and the First Lady at the White House earlier this year. The ba nd were u n leashed on the British public in late summer visiting Belfast, Bournemouth and London’s O2 Arena.

Ad’s life for commuters!

WEARY commuters were given advice on how to deal with everyday worries – th rough a newspaper advertisement. The Church of England put the ad in national free paper Metro to help soothe those with busy lifestyles. It dealt with concerns including, “love life issues, bills to pay, delicate egos at work to deal with, and an overflowing inbox”. And it encouraged readers to relish every moment of every day as a gift from God.

The brave father of a teenage boy who was fatally stabbed has promised to visit his son’s killer in prison. Isaac Attram’s 16-year-old son, Eugene, lost his life after being knifed in a fight involving up to 60 youths in November 2006 on the streets of south by Sharon Gaisie London. Mr Attram told reporters that he wanted to reach out to they can spill blood without the young men involved in the consequence, there will be killing and tell them about no justice.” the Gospel and forgiveness. Mr Attram added that he He said: “I want them to believed the youths got off know I don’t hold any bitter- lightly. ness, and I don’t want revenge. “The judge sa id ‘ga ngs I want to share the love of will not be tolerated’, but the Christ, who teaches s e nte nc e s p e a k s forgiveness.” for the opposite. If I n S e p t e m b e r, you take a life you 18-year-old Ashley should serve life,” Rookwood was given he said. a 12-year minimum E u ge n e wo u ld sentence for knifing have recently startEugene four times. ed university had Four fellow gang he been alive. His members were also dad said he believed convicted of violent he had a promising disorder. Three were Eugene Attram future. given 18-month de“My son was gotention and training orders, ing to go far in life. He was a while one will serve three hard worker and he wanted to years in a young offenders’ one day own a sports centre. institution. “At school he passed with While Mr Attram, who is 15 GCSEs. He had a plan. He a pastor, wants to teach the was working at TK Max and teenagers about the forgive- teaching youngsters to play ness of Ch r ist, he is a lso table tennis and football durkeen for them to understand ing the weekends.” the consequences of their Mr Attram added: “There’s actions. noth i ng I ca n do to bri ng He said: “I want them to my son back, but I can only know the pain – it’s part of my hope that something good campaign to stop the killings. will come out of his untimely As long as youngsters think death.”

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

6 – New Life Newspaper – Issue 177

NEW LIFE www.newlife.co.uk

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.

good can come out of turmoil EXCLUSIVE

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.

by Shirin Aguiar-Holloway

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

Admit that you have done wrong

C

Commit yourself to living God’s way

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). 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.

FREE

FOR EVERY READER DAILY INSPIRATIONAL BOOK call 0845 6040401 or log on to www.ucb.co.uk

CONGREGATION IS BOWLED OVER WITH NEW BUILDING!

THE WORLD’S ECONOMY IS TURBULENT, BUT ONE BANK BOSS SAYS...

tune in

explore ChristiAnity

Issue 177 – New Life Newspaper – 7

T

HE world’s economies are in meltdown. Share markets have been in turmoil, major world banks are teetering on the brink of insolvency and housing markets are collapsing. But according to top Christian banker, Jeremy Marshall: “God is in control”. Jeremy, who is chief executive of UK Private Banking at Credit Suisse, believes that the situation may get much worse – but God has a plan in it all. “God is in control of everything, including the economy, even though we cannot always understand his purposes.” The prognosis looks bleak. The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), a leading forecaster, has predicted that the British economy will fall into recession in the second half of this year. It believes that the economic prospects could worsen if the Treasury and Bank of England cannot re-establish confidence in the financial markets. In this climate, and in his high-ranking capacity at the renowned Swiss bank, Jeremy is busy reassuring staff and clients.

CALM He is encouraging his staff – a lot of whom are in their 20s and 30s – to call and reassure their clients. His department advises wealthy people on their finances, but he is not fazed by the current mayhem: “Credit Suisse has got a tremendous capacity and capital strength, so as a bank we are doing well.” When Jeremy arrives for our meeting, rather than a highly strung banking executive, he is unassuming, calm and welcoming. He apologises for keeping me waiting. His workload is greater because of anxiety on the part of clients and staff over the financial crisis. So what is it like working as a Christian in a high-profile role for such a large financial institution? He didn’t leave university planning to be a banker. After attending school in Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, Jeremy read history at Cambridge where he found a “great home at the CU”. Jeremy worked at Barclays and Bank of Montreal between 1984 and 1988, joining Credit Suisse in 1988. He has had various leadership roles within private banking and investment banking in the UK, US and Switzerland, clocking up more than 20 years’ experience with the bank. He then completed an MBA (Masters in Business Administration) in 1992 at Europe’s leading business school – INSEAD, near

A BOWLING alley has seen its well-used lanes become the aisles of a new church in east London. The former Hollywood Bowl venue, next to a Showcase Cinema, boasts a massive 29,800 sq ft ground floor. And it has now become the new home for worshippers of Trinity Chapel, part of the fastest-growing church in London and Europe, the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Negotiations on behalf of the church for a lease of the premises were handled by Olatunji Adebayo, managing director of TA Property Consultants Ltd. Mr Adebayo said: “Trinity Chapel is one of very many black-led churches in London which is rapidly growing and looking to expand into new premises for worship and to house resources to help local communities.

growth “The former Hollywood Bowl was ideal for their needs.” He said the number of churches turning to him for help in finding new, larger premises was evidence of church growth. “While the public perception is that church attendance is declining, in our experience,

Fontainebleau (Paris). Married with three children (whose football matches he referees), Jeremy lives in Sevenoaks, Kent, and he and his family attend St Nicholas Church, an evangelical Anglican church. What about Jesus’ warning that it was harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it was for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven? “It’s not impossible, but very hard,” he said, adding that God gives us money but

MORE than 2,000 men joined in the Bigger Breakfast last month, an initiative aimed at encouraging more men to go to church. Churches across the country held breakfasts as part of the Baptists Men’s Movement (BMM). Bewdley Baptist Church,

near Kidderminster, headed to Snowdonia for its breakfast. Didcot Baptist Church spruced up the event with a remote-control car race. Phil Creighton, BMM vice president, said: “We’re delighted at the response to the Bigger Breakfast. “The number of churches

taking part has amazed us ,and the way that they have responded to the challenge of hosting the biggest breakfasts they can has been terrific. “With the vast majority of churches saying that they will do it again, it’s an opportunity we can’t miss.”

KEEP TURNING FOR MORE NEWS & SPORT >>>

WATER WAY TO WORSHIP... the barge church, St Peter’s. Inset, the Rev Marcus Nodder

tallest building, at One Canada Square, St Peter’s also acts as a resource for Christians in the Wharf during the week when they might otherwise neglect their faith while at work. Marcus said: “If we can encourage them then they’re going to be effective in their workplace. Those encouraged in their

ners Trust which he describes as “Christian Venture Capital”. “If you give a thousand pounds to a Bible student, it goes a long way,” added the 45-year-old. But while his bank may be doing well, the global financial crisis continues – despite government action to calm the storm. The nationalisation of Bradford & Bingley, one of the UK’s biggest mortgage lenders, will make British taxpayers liable for more

is in control of everything, including the economy, evenGodthough we cannot always understand his purposes  will one day ask what we did with it, making us accountable. “It’s amazing the things we can do with our money to support Christian charities.” Jeremy is a trustee of London Theological Seminary, he’s involved with Friends International – which makes friendships with international students – and the Gospel Part-

the black-led churches and many independent evangelical churches are rapidly rising in membership, hence the need for larger premises,” he said. Mr Adebayo is currently holding talks with Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, in a bid to have London’s Planning Laws changed to enable more churches to take over premises formerly designated strictly for employment or commercial use.

Men flock to church for breakfast

‘HAVEN OF PEACE’ FOR THE TRADERS BELEAGUERED city traders are flocking to England’s only church boat after being left reeling by the collapse of the economy. St Peter’s, a church on a barge in Canary Wharf in London’s Docklands, is a floating answer to weary bankers, traders and analysts faced with the financial situation. Senior barge vicar, the Rev Marcus Nodder, said: “It’s a haven of peace for people. When their jobs are uncertain and their futures are uncertain, it gets them thinking about bigger issues; that is good – we can certainly meet a need there. “But even when there aren’t big financial crises going on, there is still a real hunger in people to come and to hear about God and to hear the message about Jesus.” A refuge is certainly needed as the turmoil in the world’s stock markets looks set to continue and translate into widespread job losses and further turbulence. Despair and despondency pervade the country as a recession nears. But as bankers and traders fight for their and the country’s economic survival, some in the financial district of the Docklands are turning to God for help. The sheer novelty of the church on the water attracts people who might not normally attend church. Nestling among the gleaming banks, skyscrapers and Britain’s

STRIKE!... a bowling alley has become a church

than £150bn of potentially “toxic” mortgage debt. As part of more frantic action around the world, the American Government agreed a $700bn deal to take on bad banking debts. While the much-talked about bail-out plan for US banks may help restore some confidence in the markets for a short while,

faith then often invite a colleague along to their floating church. It’s wonderful to see it happen.” Meetings on the Barge, which is moored at West India Quay, are café-style, with talks from the Bible, Q&As and prayer. The aim is to encourage Christians but be accessible to non-Christians. Services

as the crisis continues to unfold there are likley to be more shocks and problems in a turbulent economy. Surely little good can come out of all this? But Jeremy insisted good was coming out of it. He is one of the founding members of St Peter’s, Britain’s only floating church, in Canary Wharf.

B

ankers, traders and analysts attend the canal barge church during the week. Lunchtime meetings attract up to 80 people – and the good news is that the church has seen an unprecedented rise in attendees since the financial markets started unravelling. “The first step towards God is often a question about the purpose of life,” Jeremy explained, adding that spiritual reality is needed, especially in the current, “very tough” times. He added that many people who spend their whole life focusing on just making money are beginning to question the meaning of life. “There are a lot of Christians in the Wharf – more than you’d think – in what many see as a temple of mammon.

are no more than half an hour, with no hymns, to suit busy executives. More than 200 people a week walk up the plank. Founder member and regular Jeremy Marshall, CEO of UK Private Banking at Credit Suisse, said: “Many people, who spend their life focusing on making money, begin to question the meaning of life.”

Bankers are all trying in a way to gain the whole world, that’s the nature of banking and finance, but as the Bible warns us this benefits us nothing if we lose our soul.” Jeremy admitted that it could be challenging as a Christian in the workplace. Like all fallen human beings he stresses he frequently falls short of God’s standards. He explained: “The biggest misunderstanding [about Christianity] is that it’s about morality, that we are accepted by God by being good. ‘Morality Towers’: Christians up there in the penthouse and everyone else down there in the basement.” Not so, he’s at pains to point out, because “Christians need forgiveness: Jesus came to save bad people, not those who see themselves as good.” Jeremy preaches at St Peter’s sometimes, although he has not been trai ned as a preacher. His father, John Marshall, was a non-conformist minister, ministering in the same church in Hemel Hempstead for more than 45 years. He added: “Maybe I picked it up by osmosis from my dad!”