New Life Feb 09 issue 180

NEW LIFE FEBRUARY 2009

Issue 180

40p

GOOD NEWS STORIES

Page 6

PAGE 6

www.newlife.co.uk

JADE: WHY SHE HAS STARTED TO READ BIBLE PAGE 3

PRAY FOR BABY P KILLERS PLEA – PAGE 2  WIN A BRILLIANT NEW BOOK – PAGE 7

Why Kaka snubbed City cash bonanza

missing nurse prayed in freezing car boot ThE missing nurse who was found trapped in the boot of her car was kept alive by her faith in God, her brother has revealed.

FAITH...

Magdeline

Brave Magdeline Makola is recovering at home following her horrific 11-day ordeal in freezing temperatures.

Her brother Refilwe Makola, 35, insisted it was prayers that kept her from death.

He said: “Magdeline is very strong mentally and has great faith. She was praying while inside the car boot and this is what kept her going.

“Eventually these calls were answered  Continued on Page 2

PRAYED...

Magdeline’s brother Refilwe at a press conference last month

A FOOTBALLER renowned for openly declaring his faith has stunned the sport by rejecting a historic £100m deal.

Devout Christian Kaka has been dubbed ‘the man money couldn’t buy’, after turning down the biggest signing fee in sport history.

And sources close to the AC Milan striker suggest that it is because the Brazilian-born star isn’t driven by cash – but the love of God. It was claimed he would rake in £500,000-a-week if he were to leave AC Milan to play in the Premiersh ip. But wh i le many would have bee n te mpted by t h is h istor ica l offer, bor naga i n Ch ristia n Kaka, real-name Ricardo Izecson do Santos Leite, FAITHFUL... Kaka wasn’t.

Kaka is certain to have prayed about the inquiry from Manchester City, which has become the Premiership’s richest club after a takeover last year.

The 26-year-old hasn’t said much regarding the speculation, but he did tell reporters: “‘Not even for 30 seconds did I think about going to Manchester City.

“All the messages coming my way said to choose with my heart. And in the end, that’s what the choice was.

It was absolutely not economical.

Through this, I have understood how people love me at Milan.”

The move has dominated national papers, with the Daily Mirror reporting: “Jesus, rather than money, is Kaka’s God.” Kaka grew up a devout Christian, and has regularly said how much he prays to God and reads the Bible.

He remained a virgin until his wedding in 2006, and is known for his ‘I belong to Jesus’ t-shirt which he sometimes wears underneath his Milan shirt.

2

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Issue 180

My missing sister kept alive by faith  Continued from Page 1 a nd her l i fe was saved.” Sout h African-born Magdeline is a committed Christian and a regular at the Livingston Baptist Church, near her West Lothian home.

The congregation were praying for the 38-year-old nurse, wh ile some fellow worshippers visited their friend’s bedside to offer love and support.

Pastor Jim McNaughton said: “We wish Magdeline a speedy recovery, mentally, physically and spiritually.

We rejoice that she has been found and pray for her.”

Churchgoers were left stunned when concerns were first raised for Magdeline after she failed to turn up for her shift at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. She was found on Boxing Day last year.

And it is believed she may have been missing for up to 11 days before being discovered in the boot of her Vauxhall Astra in Airdrie, Lanarkshire.

Courageous Magdeline has since told pals she had no food or water during her terrifying nightmare.

Refilwe – who travelled 6,000 miles from South Africa to care for her – says his sister managed to stay strong throughout the ordeal. He said: “Magdeline is doing very well and is delighted to be home.

“Despite everything that happened she was very excited about returning to her own house. She is very thankful to everyone for their support and best wishes.

“Our whole fam ily has been through hell with worry and we thank God that Magdeline is safe.”

A 35-yea r- old ma n h as bee n charged in connection with the alleged abduction.

Send me more...

Mixed views over atheist bus adverts

CASHING IN... representatives of the charities with the financial backers

Bishop urges: Pray for killers of Baby P NEW LIFE

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)

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

180

BULK ORDERS Prices inc. UK delivery

OFF THE ROAD...

Ron Heather with the bus that carries the advert

CHURCH leaders have welcomed a bus advert funded by an atheist group which claims: “There’s Probably No God”.

As the campaign – funded by atheists including Professor Richard Dawkins – was launched, officials from The Methodist Church of Great Britain said they hoped it would help people consider “the deepest questions of life”.

The Rev Jenny Ellis, spirituality and discipleship officer, said: “We are grateful to Richard for his continued interest in God and for encouraging people to think about these issues. This campaign will be a good thing if it gets people to engage with the deepest questions of life.”

Meanwhile, Christian bus driver Ron Heather has refused to drive a vehicle that carries the advert.

Ron, 62, who drives for First Bus Southampton, said: “I was in a dilemma but I felt strongly I couldn’t drive that bus.”

• 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

A BISHOP has called on worshippers to pray for Baby P’s killers in an act of mercy.

Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, asked for compassion for the killers who tortured the 17-month-old boy to death.

Rt Rev Reade said they should pray that sinners who “defaced God’s image through abuse and oppression” could be “brought face to face with the baby in the manger”.

TRAGIC LIFE...

The Bishop told worshippers at BlackBaby P burn Cathedral: “There have been some high-profile stories in recent months of indiv iduals and sure, the same baby that sufg roups who h ave de faced fered alongside Baby P, and God’s image through abuse who now cares for him, is the and oppression of others. baby who reveals the truth and “We should pray that those grace of God.” who are abusers, those who MPs and child abuse camcannot find it in their hearts paigners blasted the message, to reflect the love and mercy saying it wasn’t correct to pray of God in their lives, may be for child abusers. brought face to face with the But Rt Rev Reade defended baby in the manger. For, be his comments and added: “One

PLEA... The Rt Rev Nicholas Reade hates the sin but one shows Christian love to the sinner.”

The C h r ist ia n fa it h demands forgiveness of sins and says that God will forgive if a sinner repents of their sin.

Baby P’s mum, 27, his 32year-old stepdad and lodger Jason Owen, 36, were convicted of allowing the tot to die in Haringey, North London.

Crunch prayers God can fix us RESIDENTS turned to the power of prayer to help solve their money woes.

A 12-hour prayerathon was held at St Peter’s and St Paul’s churches in Lingfield, Surrey, so that people could pray to God for help with the credit crunch.

The session started at 11am and finished at 11pm, with special hourly prayer sessions taking place for residents looking for support in the current financial climate.

The Rev Stephen Gendall said: “I have had many people contact me from the village who have been seriously affected by the credit crunch. Some residents have lost their jobs and are despairing over what to do. Church members held a meeting, and that is where the idea came from.”

God can mend the social problems afflicting Britain, but it might not necessarily happen in the way some people expect, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said.

Speaking to around 50 young people at the Solace pub church in Cardiff, Dr Rowan Williams said God’s way to mend broken Britain “is through us”.

“God doesn’t step down out of the sky, shooting thunderbolts out of his fingers. He comes down at a human level and says, ‘You are going to do this, I trust you.’

“That’s how God mends – through you and me,” Dr Williams said.

He added: “Christianity is the story of a God whose priority is to take people seriously, a God who treats humans like adults.”

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Issue 180

Nobody does it better for Alicia SH E’S sold 30 m i l l ion a lbu m s worldwide and sang the soundtrack to the latest James Bond film, but superstar Alicia Keys keeps her feet very much on the ground.

The 28-year-old is far from your normal celebrity – she prays, loves Jesus, and gives much of her time to helping the poor and needy in Africa.

Alicia, who has won 11 Grammy Awards, is a committed Christian who believes God has blessed her with an exciting career.

She added: “Spirituality is at the centre of my life. Music is the closest to God that we can get, it’s

What makes a splash for ‘mermaid’ THE voice of Ariel in the new Little Mermaid DVD release is an unashamed follower of Jesus.

Jodi Benson revealed she was brought to Christ by her husband.

She said: “I am a follower of Jesus.

My husband brought me to the Lord when I was 18, and I am so lucky to have a platform through the studio.

They have been so kind and loving and supportive.

“I home school, so the start of the day is reading Bible scripture, memorisation and praye r. It i s t he number one thing in my life. I am just led by the Lord.

“We as a family have tried to make Jodi Benson our lives a blessing, and tried to be an open vessel to pour out whenever the Lord gives us the opportunity.

“When I share a song or walk the The Little red ca r pet, I a lMermaid ways say, ‘Let us do the loving thing.’ My husband has a gift for reaching out to people in need. I always look over and see him connecting to someone who needs to talk or needs some support.

“The important thing is relationships, making connections and loving. We live in a broken world and we are here to help it heal.”

Jod i h a s worked on a lot of projects over 20 years, but says of The Little Mermaid: “The people at Disney really gave their hearts to this project so that made it extra special for me.”

Why X-Factor star is praying X-FACTor sensat ion A le xa nd ra Burke says she is asking God to help her be the best UK singer.

The 20-year-old, below, hoped she could one day rival fellow star Leona Lewis.

She said: “I hope for what Leona’s got, by this time next year. I’d love a number one album and masses of support. I really pray, I pray for it!”

A lexandra won X-Factor after performing Hallelujah. She became the first British female solo artist to sell a million copies of a single in the UK.

God’s gift to humanity.

“I believe that music has a mystical dimension, because when I meet people from all over the world we can connect through music. It’s like a common language.

performing “I pray a lot every single day. I am very big on prayer before everything I do – like going on stage and performing.

“It’s not dangerous or seductive for me to be in front of huge audiences. I don’t get egotistical or full of myself because I am centred as a person.”

And while Alicia could afford to splash out on expensive clothes, she often chooses not to, remembering those less fortunate than her.

She said: “I do love dressing up.

The other day, I saw a cream cashmere V-neck sweater that I liked in a store for $700.

“I could afford it, but I would be uncomfortable spending so much when there’s so much poverty and so many struggles in the world.

“I would rather be called smart than sexy.

“As long as I’m beautiful on the inside... that’s the kind of beauty I want.”

Alicia Keys

The Bible is helping my fight for life REALITY TV’s Jade Goody has turned to God to help her cope with cancer.

The 27-year-old, who recently said she had a 40 per cent chance of surviving the the fight against cervical cancer, revealed: “I’ve always thought there’s a God, although I’ve never been a churchy kind of person, but now I think, ‘Why not go to church?’

“I’ve got a version of the Bible which is easy to read, and I look through it when I’m feeling down. It really helps,” said Goody, who became a household name after being a contestant in the third series of Big sta r Sh i lpa Shet t y, Brother. who starred alongalong She added: “I’ve always side Goody in the prayed but now I do find it Celebrity Big Brother helps. Maybe the big man that sparked a race upstai rs th in ks, ‘She’s a row, has revealed she tough cookie, she can hanis praying for Goody’s dle this. She’s watched her recovery. dad inject heroin, watched She said: “What haphap her mum do crack, she’s pened between us in the lost a baby, had boyfriends past means nothing comcom who’ve hit her. Yeah, she can pared to what Jade is going handle this too.’ through today.

“Every n ight I pray disease for a miracle to save her “But I do think after this life. You wouldn’t wish is over, God might think I’ve this on your worst enhad more than my fair share emy. to deal with!”

“I was one of the Goody learned she had fi rst people to be the disease when producers told and I kept sayof the Indian version of Big ing over and over Brother broke the news to to myself, ‘It can’t her in the Diary room. be true.’ I called She said it was “the hardJade at Mu m ba i est times of our lives” for airport, telling her he r a nd boy f r ie nd Jac k to hang in there Tweed. and be strong for Meanwhile, Bolly wood her kids.”

Jade turns to God to cope with cancer

Jade Goody before her chemotherapy started

3

Revealed: the truth behind Emmerdale’s double ‘killer’ EMMErDALE star Tom Lister has had more than his share of “hairy” moments as Carl King, one of the ITV soap’s major characters.

In the popular soap, he still hides a deep, dark secret – his character murdered his father!

In his on-screen persona he has also been responsible for the death of a village postman and has, of course, been involved in his share of sexual shenanigans.

It’s a very different life to the one that he leads off-screen, as the young actor can be found every Sunday leading the praise and worship group at his church.

And he attributes all his success to God. In an interview with New Life he explained how the complex character of Carl interested him deeply, and how his belief in Jesus Christ was the motivating force behind everything he does.

He said: “Carl’s an interesting guy, and a lot of young men will be able to relate to him.

He’s had casual affairs and squa ndered money t hat he’s never had to work ver y hard for.

“He’s been h igh ly irresponsible and as a result is l iv i ng w ith a STAR... Tom Lister, lot of guilt. But Emmerdale’s as a Christian, Carl King I need to tell everybody that no one has to live with guilt, and that we don’t have to earn God’s forgiveness. That was all done when Jesus Christ hung on a cross and died for our sins 2,000 years ago. “o “once we accept him into our life, everything we’ve done is dealt with by that incredible act of the Lord.”

Tom has no difficulty accepting some of the roles that deal with the moral shortcomings of human beings.

He said: “If you were to refuse every role that came along because of moral objections, you’d never work, would you?”

Tom has been in and around church for the best part of his life and said: “I now lead the praise and worship group in my church up in Yorkshire, and I love being involved in that.”

He admits that he has had “cool periods” in his church life.

But he admitted: “When I landed the Emmerdale role I honestly felt – and still do – that it was driven

by God. “I genuinely felt he wanted me to stay in the area where I would remain in church. I wanted to remain true to myself and to him.”

NEW LIFE CORONATION Street’s Sophie Webster is to become the opposite of sister Rosie – by turning to God. The 14 -year- old schoolgirl (played by Brooke Vincent) even takes a vow of chastit y af ter converting to Christianity on the ITV soap. And when Sophie starts attending a Bible group, she ends up with two new men in her life – boyfriend Ben, 16, and Jesus.

NEWSFLASH

4

Issue 180

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Saddle do nicely for preacher

WORLD NEWS ROUND-UP

£50k boost for cholera effort ZIMBABWE – Relief organisation Christian Aid has given £50,000 to reduce the vulnerability of 15,000 people in Harare following a cholera outbreak.

The relief effort will be carried out

by Christian Aid’s partner organisation the Zimbabwe Project Trust (ZimPro) through the promotion of public health education and water and sanitation activities.

“Around 30 people are dying every day from cholera in Zimbabwe,” says William Anderson, Christian Aid’s country manager in Harare.

“Although this is quite a small number compared to the HIV mortality rate there is still a higher than acceptable fatality rate of cholera victims.”

In addition to public health and hygiene promotion sessions, ZimPro will distribute non-food items including soap, cotton wool and disinfectants.

REVVED UP... Joe Drake, who has become the elder of the Middle Tennessee chapter of Bikers for Christ

Prayer call for WOMAN WAS BURIED FOR 72 HOURS North Koreans NORTH KOREA – Christians around the world are praying for persecuted believers in North Korea.

There are an estimated 200,000 Christians in the reclusive communist country, which has topped Open Doors’ annual list of countries where persecution against Christians is most severe for the last six years in a row.

At an event last month, Open Doors urged Christians to pray for North Korean believers, who the group says face being beaten, arrested, tortured or even killed because of their religious beliefs.

The Methodist Church took part in the day of prayer, and plans to help run a food production company in North Korea. The Church’s Fund for World Mission has released a £5,000 grant to support the project.

Pastor targets ‘Sin City’ porn USA – A pastor with a passion to fight pornography has taken his ministry to The Las Vegas Strip, right in the middle of the action in what is famously known as “sin city”.

And the mission is simple: to share Christ and, with that, steer people away from the temptations and “dangerous devices” in Vegas.

“It makes perfect sense for who we’re trying to reach, the temptations that this city has to offer, and the call that we feel that God has put in our lives to do this,” said Craig Gross, founder of XXXChurch.com.

“Las Vegas is known as ‘sin city’, and that’s where we need to be.”

Ghana president prays for wisdom

GHANA – Recently elected president John Atta Mills said he will pray for humility and for God’s wisdom to govern Ghana after being declared the West African country’s next president.

“The time has come to work together to build a better Ghana,” he told throngs of jubilant supporters.

“May we pray to God to continue to shower his blessings on Ghana.”

He also assured Ghanaians “that I will be president for all”.

Thank God my wife survived ordeal in snow A THANKFUL husband believes God “reached down and cradled” his wife as she survived 72 hours underneath several metres of snow.

The amazing find has even caused experts to admit 55-yearold Donna Molnar shouldn’t be alive.

Husband David told reporters: “It’s a miracle. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.

“If anyone has a better explanation for how someone in street clothes can survive 72 hours in minus 10 and minus 15 temperatures with an incredible amount of blowing snow… and without all the high-tech gear, well, I’m all ears.

protected “My theory is that I really believe that God reached down and cradled her and protected her until they could find her.”

Donna, who lives in Hamilton near Toronto in Canada, was reported missing by her husband after she didn’t return from a shopping trip.

Her abandoned vehicle was found, and search crews began to search for her for two days.

They didn’t find her until a rescue dog made a bee-line for a mound of snow about 200 metres

IN the mid-1990s, Joe Drake was a clean-cut businessman, but his life was a wreck.

His marriage was on the rocks, and Drake spent most nights drinking booze and taking drugs at his home.

“I was addicted to cocaine and was drinking a case or two cases of beer at the end,” said Drake.

Today, Drake is a clean, sober, happily married, regular churchgoer and part-time preacher.

He also prefers his torn jeans, black sleeveless shirt, leather vest, tattooed shoulders, Fu Manchu moustache and 1975 Harley-Davidson Ironhead Sportster motorcycle. “These are my church clothes,” he said.

Drake is the newly appointed elder of the Middle Tennessee chapter of Bikers for Christ, one of a growing number of motorcycle ministries popping up around the USA.

Obama tells of faith in first speech PRESIDENT Barack Obama clearly told the world of his Christian faith during his inauguration speech last month.

The 44th American President’s address was heard by millions President of Americans who Obama gathered in Washington, and millions more who watched the speech on TV around the world.

Speaking on unity in America he said: “I have asserted a firm conviciton – a conviction rooted in my faith in God – that working together we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact we have no choice if we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union.”

He also credited America’s pursuit of equality to God and asked for God’s grace as the United States of America overcame many problems.

President Obama added: “Let it be said of our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter, and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us we carried forward that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”

Child No18 is real ‘gift’ BURIED... A picture of Donna Molnar which was part of a prayer vigil for her safe return after going missing in a snowdrift from her vehicle.

Staff Sgt Mark Cox said all that was visible was an eye, looking up from a small hole.

He believes Molnar probably survived because she fell and quickly became buried in snow, which would have had “an insulating effect”, Cox said.

Upon arriving at the hospital, David said his wife was heavily sedated and put on painkillers.

“I did whisper in her ear, ‘Wel-

come back, I love you.’ I don’t know if she heard that or not. But she has a long, long road to go, I can tell you that. She’s going to continue to struggle.

“Clearly she’s capable of doing that, and the good part is that she doesn’t have to do that alone.”

Training worker of the Volunteer Search Team David Walker admitted: “I’ve done many, many searches and that woman should not be alive.”

A WOMAN who has already had 17 children with names beginning with the letter J has given birth to her 18th child – a girl named Jordyn-Grace Makiya Duggar.

Devout Christian Michelle Duggar, 42, delivered the baby girl by Caesarean section in Arkansas, US. The baby weighed 7lbs 3oz (3.26kg) and was 20 inches long.

“The ultimate gift from God,” said dad Jim Bob Duggar.

“She’s just absolutely beautiful, like her mum and her sisters.”

The Duggars now have ten sons and eight daughters. The family, who has its own TV show in the US, refuse to use any form of contraception, and say each child is a gift from God.

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Issue 180

5

RAPPER REGAINS HIS SIGHT AFTER PRAYING An amazing

i was blind but now i can see...

by Matthew Murray

BRIGHT FUTURE...

Rap artiste Marcus Brendling who says his sight was restored

A rApper who was partially blind has revealed how his sight was miraculously restored after he became a Christian.

Marcus Brendling, 23, was a self-confessed “mess” after getting involved in partying and booze.

He had also developed a genetic eye condition that left him partially blind in both eyes, meaning he only saw people as “blobs” and his vision was “highly blurred”.

But after being preached to by members of his family, Marcus turned back to his Christian roots and found God. About a fortnight after, he was praying in his bedroom when he says God healed him of his condition.

He told New Life: “It all happened when I was in my room at home. I was praying about my vision and believed that Jesus was going to heal me.

Volunteers patrol red light area to help in crime battle CHrISTIAN volunteers are patrolling Preston’s red light areas in a bid to tackle the city’s prostitution problem.

A new team of Street Pastors are to tackle crime issues on the city’s streets after being asked by police for their help.

They will attempt to mix with prostitutes, residents, traders and others in areas affected by street sex work, give comfort to those who find themselves in the depths of

Binge drink bid SENIor leaders in the Church in Wales and the Welsh police force are uniting in a campaign aimed at overturning the nation’s binge drinking culture.

The “Enough is Enough” campaign will target all areas of excessive drinking, from out-of-control revellers in city centres to those who enjoy one too many glasses of wine at home.

despair and, where appropriate, offer to pray with them. They will also mix with revellers and offer them practical advice.

The project saw trained church volunteers go out on the streets at night to talk to and support people at risk of offending.

They will be trained in important social and practical issues and under guidance from police, the local council and the church, they will be deployed in areas where a Christian presence is considered necessary.

The chairman of the Christian crimefighting team, Pastor Chris Drury, a minister at Fulwood Free Methodist Church, said it was a positive step for the community that showed people in Preston cared about the city’s problems.

He added: “We have been asked to go into these areas to deal with these sensitive issues. We won’t just focus on prostitutes; we will also engage with residents and shopkeepers in those areas.

“This project is eventually for the whole city. It has to be a long-term project, as volunteers have to gain people’s trust.”

IT’S amazing! A classic British hymn is still carrying the sweet sound to loved-up British couples.

Amazing Grace is the most frequently chosen song by 400 couples planning their wedding each month through the Church of England’s new online ceremony planner.

More than 1,300 couples have registered to use the new “listen and choose” service, which gives couples the choice of 25 hymns for weddings and 12 readings from the Bible.

John Newton’s Amazing Grace is the most popular choice for a wedding hymn, closely followed by Make Me a Channel of Your Peace and All Things Bright and Beautiful.

The most popular Bible reading is wedding favourite 1 Corinthians 13, which ends with verse 13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

Godfather finds God the Father!

A MAFIA Godfather who was arrested two and a half years ago has turned to God in prison.

Bernardo Provenzano lives a solitary life, according to an Italian Parliamentary deputy who visited him in his prison cell.

Antonio Missiani, a centre Left deputy, said Provenzano, 75, who is in isolation serving many life sentences for murders, spent his days “praying, reading the Bible and writing to his wife and children”. The former Mafia boss of bosses told his visitor “faith is everything”.

weeping “While I was praying, I was listening to Christian music and a song came on that I wanted to sing to and I knew the words were in the album booklet.

“Expecting to put it really close to my face, I opened it – and then found I could read the small print writing from 3ft away! It was amazing, and I just broke down in tears. I began weeping and ran to my dad and told him what had happened.

I had been healed by Jesus!”

Before, Marcus said the only thing he could tell about a person was their skin and hair colour.

He soon went for tests, and although doctors tried to give a medical explanation for he would never have been able to do before the sudden change, he remained adamant his miracle. He now travels to different this was a work of God. churches rapping.

“The doctors didn’t say too much, but I Wh i le at one t i me pe r for m i ng i n a pointed out to them that they had it on my nightclub full of revellers would have been records that I could not see, and now I could! his perfect scene, he now wants to rap in Jesus Christ had healed me and no one was churches and at Christian events, presenting telling me any different. the message of the gospel.

“Within two weeks of being back in God’s He said: “I’m not in this for me at all. house, I got my vision back. Even though it God’s given me this talent to use for his wasn’t perfect, it could be made perfect by purpose, not for mine. glasses or a contact lens - something that “The only thing I want from my music the hospital had been trying for three years career is to save as many people as possible but failed. It was amazing.” for the kingdom of God.” Marcus, of Taverham, Norw ich, now For more on Marcus’ rapping ministry, works in administration for the NHS, a job visit his website, www.markaos.com

choice for newlyweds

T H E

P O W E R

T O

T R A N S F O R M

L I V E S

Supernatural Scriptures Supernatural Scriptures is based on Sandra’s belief that the power of prayer can transform lives.

It might look like your situation is impossible in the natural, but all things are possible in the supernatural of God. You don’t have to be a product of your past to accept your circumstances. It’s never too late to change your situation. Discover how miracles can occur by speaking supernatural scriptures from the Bible. Key scriptures will transform your life.

only

£10.99 Supernatural Scriptures by Sandra Almond (ISBN: 978-1-4343-4657-5) is available from: AuthorHouse, 500 Avebury Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 2BE, UK Tel: 0800 1974 150 Web: www.authorhouse.co.uk

6

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Issue 180

NEW LIFE www.newlife.co.uk

WORKING TOGeTheR TO BRING you The GOOd NeWS

tune in In 2009, New Life will be working 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 thoughtprovoking 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 that Jesus died so that you can be forgiven, and ask God to forgive you B Believe Admit that you have done wrong

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

C

‘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.

FREE

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

Issue 180

Former junkie explains moment his liFe changed at a prison in a bin Full oF water

How I met Jesus... in a dustbin!

IN THE CAN... Colin Garnett at the South African Bethesda Christian Rehab centre he now leads

A

The bin was usually reserved for the backs of factories or shops, and wheeled out on refuse collection day. It dominated my view as I walked into that chapel, and I went and sat next to it out of curiosity. It was full of water, though I had no idea why. I sat down and just tried to blend in.

Steve was in there with a big daft smile on his beautifully glowing face and I purposely avoided his gaze. Off to my right, there were between 12 and 14 prisoners, including the lifer I had been cuffed to on the way in.

It turned out that we were waiting for the Prison Christian Fellowship (PCF) to arrive with guitars and tambourines, and hopefully some biscuits. There was an uncertain silence in the place until a huge black guy stood and started to talk. I made an instant judgement on this guy as being “ugly”. He had nothing going for him in my eyes. However, when he started to speak, I had to check it was his voice. His voice sounded really comforting, almost silky. I was astounded.

He said: “We are waiting for the Christians to arrive, and Jesus himself is here.” He then started to sing the most wonderful song. It went from wonderful to heavenly when the rest of the guys stood up with him and joined in with perfect harmony. They were singing Majesty. It seemed to fill the whole room and was quite tear-provoking.

rapturous The PCF arrived in the midst of the singing and initially crept in to listen to the guys singing, but soon got caught up in it themselves. I suddenly became an observer. Steve was as caught up in this rapturous worship as everyone else, but I stood watching, feeling left out and left behind. As the worship grew in volume and adoration, I grew more and more distant from the whole evening.

Twenty minutes or so into the evening a guy, who turned out to be the preacher, stood up and went to the front to deliver a message. He started to talk and read from the Bible, and what he said gave me reason to

think that Steve had spoken to him about me, because everything he said pointed to me. I sat there feeling like everyone knew he was talking about me, and I tried to catch Steve’s eye, because I wanted to tell him he was out of order talking to these people behind my back. Steve knew all about my failed attempts at cleaning up and what I called “the clinic failure”, and it was more than obvious that the whole night was pointing at me.

The preacher read from Romans 7: “I do not understand what I do, for what I want to do, I do not do; what I hate, I do.” Straight away I thought: “Oh, very funny!” and I tried to catch Steve’s eye. It went on: “I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do right, but I cannot carry it out.”

A lot of it went over my head, but a lot of it hit me in the very depth of me. And then when he said: “Who can set me free from

God for forgiveness, in Jesus’ name.”

He then focused on Earl and asked him these three questions out loud: “Do you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he was crucified for your sin, died and was buried, and after three days was raised from the dead?”

Earl open ly confessed th is to be h is belief.

In my heart I said to myself: “I’ve always believed that.”

“Do you confess yourself sinful before God and man, and turn to him with your life and with your soul for forgiveness, confessing Jesus is Lord?”

Earl openly asked God for forgiveness and openly confessed: “Jesus is Lord.”

I had no doubt about my sinfulness, and from deep within I was crying “Jesus is Lord!”

I

was stunned by the truth, and the truth seemed to ask me: “Colin, who is going to rescue you from your body of death?”

From a room in the corner of the chapel, a guy from Jamaica was brought out with a bathrobe on and he was walked toward me.

As he got closer, several Christians got up and followed him over to my corner. They were all smiling and hugging this guy, and he then removed the bathrobe. He was wearing a t-shirt and shorts, and he climbed into the bin right next to me and knelt down.

Christians crowded into the corner, around the bin and myself, and they started to pray for him.

After a short time, the preacher guy said to everyone in the room: “Our brother Earl has lived a life displeasing to both God and man. But tonight Earl is openly turning his back on his former lifestyle and turning to

“Do you open your heart now, Earl, and receive Jesus to be your personal Lord and Saviour?”

Earl openly invited Jesus into his heart and life as his own personal Lord and Saviour.

I knew I had never made a personal invitation or commitment to Jesus as the Christ of my life. In fact, my last genuine interaction with God was back on the school stairs, when I aggressively threw the God of my so-called religion into the bin.

gauntlet Earl was baptised in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and he was dunked into the water. The singing erupted once again and people were crying with Earl. I was in a stunned silence.

The Christians started to disperse back to their seats, and the preacher went back to his Bible. He threw a gauntlet down to me when he asked: “Is there anyone else here tonight who feels the need to receive Jesus into their life as personal Lord and Saviour?”

YOunG people gathered in a north London church recently to express their unanimous opposit ion to ga ng violence.

The youth concert at St Aldhelm’s Church, Edmonton, was held in response to the gang murders that have blighted the area since the start of the year.

The event was joined by youth activist Alexander Rose, who has worked in a number of campaigns against knives, guns and drugs.

The local Youth Engagement Panel led a con f lict management workshop before the concert.

V ic a r of St A ld he l m’s Church, the Rev David Bolster, said: “This is a positive alternative to throwing up your arms in horror at the gang culture that has gripped our neighbourhood.

“Most of the young people in our area want peace and security.

“Th is concert is about celebrating life and joy in

An initiative set up by churches last year to help the community has been applauded by the Prime Minister.

Volunteers who took part in the Hope08 initiative joined board members from the campaign at 10 Downing Street to meet Gordon Brown.

A nd he pra ised those i nvolved i n the campaign to take the gospel to the streets.

He said: “People of faith have been at the heart of just about every social movement that has transformed society in this country, from the abolition of slavery through to Make Poverty History.”

He continued, “I applaud all those involved in Hope08. There is no doubt that Hope08 has succeeded in offering hope to people.”

The question had not completely left the minister’s lips, and I was standing up and taking my jeans off. I heard myself saying, “I do! That’s exactly how I feel!”

The whole congregation turned to look at me and as they all looked at me, I felt an inner urge to turn it all into a joke and to sit back down. But the truth was, I could no longer live my life under the influence of what other people thought of me. I looked at them, and in a moment’s clarity of heart, I knew that I could not allow these guys to define me any longer.

I said: “I need to know this Jesus for myself.”

M jeans went one way, my shirt went another, and I climbed  My into this trash-can of water and tearfully fell to my knees  this body of death?”, he was speaking the language of my heart, and it slowly started to dawn on me that this was some guy in the Bible, with the exact same problems as me.

Young people in rally to oppose large increase in gang violence the gospel.” The Bishop of Ed monton , t he Rev Pete r Wheatley, added: “It is vital t h at e nt i re com mu n it ies work together to ensure that support is provided to all young people susceptible to local gang culture.

“Music can help give us the new vision we need in our communities.

“Life should be about coming together, not to fight, hurt and destroy but to have fun, share our talents and help each other.”

PM applauds Campaign on Hope initiative sweatshops

Colin Garnett grew up in stockport, south Manchester, in a tough working-class culture. He became hooked on heroin, and for many years was lost in a maze of crime and drugs, doing time in 27 different prisons. in this extract from his new book, he explains how he beat his demons. s I entered the chapel, I was shocked to see a bright blue industrial rubbish bin sitting in the corner of the room.

It was in the wrong place.

7

y jeans went one way, my shirt went another, and I climbed into th is trash-can of water and tearfully fell to my knees. I suddenly found myself up to my armpits in water. I thought to myself, “If this does not work now, I am dead.” However, I then conceded within my heart, “Actually, I’m already dead.”

Within minutes I was openly confessing my belief that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died on the cross for me and that God raised him from the dead. I was openly confessing myself sinful before God and man, and openly turning to God with grief in my heart over my sin. I turned to him for forgiveness and readily confessed my desire for Jesus to be my Lord. I openly invited Jesus into my heart as my personal Lord and

Saviour. I was then immersed into the waters of baptism.

In the waters, I put my life at the feet of God. To summarise, I said to God in my heart: “Lord, there is nothing in me of any value.

I come before you tonight not knowing who I am. I need you to tell me who I am, and I need release from this inner drive toward destruction. If you are willing, and you make me clean, Lord Jesus, I will serve you with everything that I am for as long as you want me to live, and I do not care what that might mean. If you release me, I am yours lock, stock, and barrel. Lord, in truth, you should actually turn your back on me now; I have no argument. But before you do, I want you to know this: I am truly, deeply sorry for the way I have lived my life.”

free Jesus met this junkie exactly where I had left him – in the trash-can.

As I came up out of the water, it was as if a heavy, wet trench-coat was removed in that instant. I knew, deep within me, that I had just been saved.

I was a free man. My addiction ended right at that moment. It was removed. I simply knew it was over.

Extract published with permission from Junkie Meets Jesus In A Trash Can by Colin Garnett.

Published by Authentic Media (£8.99, ISBN 9781860247200).

WIN...WIN...WIN... a copy of book  ColIn Garnett’s new book is a brutally honest account of how his life went from being a junkie to the leader of a drug rehab centre in south Africa.  Thanks to our friends at Authentic, we have five copies of Junkie Meets Jesus in a Trash Can to give away.  send your name and address on a sealed envelope or postcard to Trash Can Competition, new life newspaper, Po Box 777, nottingham, nG11 6ZZ to be in with a chance to win.  Please don’t send multiple entries, as these will be disqualified.  Closing date for entries is 20 March 2009.

YOunG Christians are to meet Government ministers to demand an end to sweatshops around the world.

Members of the campaign and prayer network SPEAK will present the first ever 24-hour spoken petition to MPs on Saturday, February 28.

SPEAK Campaigns officer Tom Skinner said: “Since finding a sweatshop right here on our doorstep in Manchester, the importance of our campaign is clearer than ever. “uK Multinational companies lack any real legal accountability for the way they treat communities and the environment.”

Government minister Stephen Timms MP will debating the issues addressed by the petition during a gathering of SPEAK members called Soundcheck.

6

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Issue 180

NEW LIFE

Issue 180

Former junkie explains moment his liFe changed at a prison in a bin Full oF water

www.newlife.co.uk

IN THE CAN... Colin Garnett at the South African Bethesda Christian Rehab centre he now leads

WORKING TOGeTheR TO BRING you The GOOd NeWS

tune in In 2009, New Life will be working 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.

We’re also working with Alpha, the course that allows people to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thoughtprovoking 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

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 that Jesus died so that you can be forgiven, and ask God to forgive you B Believe Admit that you have done wrong

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

C

‘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.

FREE

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

Young people in rally to oppose large increase in gang violence YOunG people gathered in a north London church recently to express their unanimous opposit ion to ga ng violence.

The youth concert at St Aldhelm’s Church, Edmonton, was held in response to the gang murders that have blighted the area since the start of the year.

The event was joined by youth activist Alexander Rose, who has worked in a number of campaigns against knives, guns and drugs.

The local Youth Engagement Panel led a con f lict management workshop before the concert.

V ic a r of St A ld he l m’s Church, the Rev David Bolster, said: “This is a positive alternative to throwing up your arms in horror at the gang culture that has gripped our neighbourhood.

“Most of the young people in our area want peace and security.

“Th is concert is about celebrating life and joy in

the gospel.” The Bishop of Ed monton , t he Rev Pete r Wheatley, added: “It is vital t h at e nt i re com mu n it ies work together to ensure that support is provided to all young people susceptible to local gang culture.

“Music can help give us the new vision we need in our communities.

“Life should be about coming together, not to fight, hurt and destroy but to have fun, share our talents and help each other.”

PM applauds Campaign on Hope initiative sweatshops

exPlore CHristiAnity

Find A CHurCH

7

An initiative set up by churches last year to help the community has been applauded by the Prime Minister.

Volunteers who took part in the Hope08 initiative joined board members from the campaign at 10 Downing Street to meet Gordon Brown.

A nd he pra ised those i nvolved i n the campaign to take the gospel to the streets.

He said: “People of faith have been at the heart of just about every social movement that has transformed society in this country, from the abolition of slavery through to Make Poverty History.”

He continued, “I applaud all those involved in Hope08. There is no doubt that Hope08 has succeeded in offering hope to people.”

Colin Garnett grew up in stockport, south Manchester, in a tough working-class culture. He became hooked on heroin, and for many years was lost in a maze of crime and drugs, doing time in 27 different prisons. in this extract from his new book, he explains how he beat his demons.

A

s I entered the chapel, I was shocked to see a bright blue industrial rubbish bin sitting in the corner of the room.

It was in the wrong place.

The bin was usually reserved for the backs of factories or shops, and wheeled out on refuse collection day. It dominated my view as I walked into that chapel, and I went and sat next to it out of curiosity. It was full of water, though I had no idea why. I sat down and just tried to blend in.

Steve was in there with a big daft smile on his beautifully glowing face and I purposely avoided his gaze. Off to my right, there were between 12 and 14 prisoners, including the lifer I had been cuffed to on the way in.

It turned out that we were waiting for the Prison Christian Fellowship (PCF) to arrive with guitars and tambourines, and hopefully some biscuits. There was an uncertain silence in the place until a huge black guy stood and started to talk. I made an instant judgement on this guy as being “ugly”. He had nothing going for him in my eyes. However, when he started to speak, I had to check it was his voice. His voice sounded really comforting, almost silky. I was astounded.

He said: “We are waiting for the Christians to arrive, and Jesus himself is here.” He then started to sing the most wonderful song. It went from wonderful to heavenly when the rest of the guys stood up with him and joined in with perfect harmony. They were singing Majesty. It seemed to fill the whole room and was quite tear-provoking.

rapturous The PCF arrived in the midst of the singing and initially crept in to listen to the guys singing, but soon got caught up in it themselves. I suddenly became an observer. Steve was as caught up in this rapturous worship as everyone else, but I stood watching, feeling left out and left behind. As the worship grew in volume and adoration, I grew more and more distant from the whole evening.

Twenty minutes or so into the evening a guy, who turned out to be the preacher, stood up and went to the front to deliver a message. He started to talk and read from the Bible, and what he said gave me reason to

think that Steve had spoken to him about me, because everything he said pointed to me. I sat there feeling like everyone knew he was talking about me, and I tried to catch Steve’s eye, because I wanted to tell him he was out of order talking to these people behind my back. Steve knew all about my failed attempts at cleaning up and what I called “the clinic failure”, and it was more than obvious that the whole night was pointing at me.

The preacher read from Romans 7: “I do not understand what I do, for what I want to do, I do not do; what I hate, I do.” Straight away I thought: “Oh, very funny!” and I tried to catch Steve’s eye. It went on: “I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do right, but I cannot carry it out.”

A lot of it went over my head, but a lot of it hit me in the very depth of me. And then when he said: “Who can set me free from

God for forgiveness, in Jesus’ name.”

He then focused on Earl and asked him these three questions out loud: “Do you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that he was crucified for your sin, died and was buried, and after three days was raised from the dead?”

Earl open ly confessed th is to be h is belief.

In my heart I said to myself: “I’ve always believed that.”

“Do you confess yourself sinful before God and man, and turn to him with your life and with your soul for forgiveness, confessing Jesus is Lord?”

Earl openly asked God for forgiveness and openly confessed: “Jesus is Lord.”

I had no doubt about my sinfulness, and from deep within I was crying “Jesus is Lord!”

The question had not completely left the minister’s lips, and I was standing up and taking my jeans off. I heard myself saying, “I do! That’s exactly how I feel!”

The whole congregation turned to look at me and as they all looked at me, I felt an inner urge to turn it all into a joke and to sit back down. But the truth was, I could no longer live my life under the influence of what other people thought of me. I looked at them, and in a moment’s clarity of heart, I knew that I could not allow these guys to define me any longer.

I said: “I need to know this Jesus for myself.”

M jeans went one way, my shirt went another, and I climbed  My into this trash-can of water and tearfully fell to my knees  this body of death?”, he was speaking the language of my heart, and it slowly started to dawn on me that this was some guy in the Bible, with the exact same problems as me.

I

was stunned by the truth, and the truth seemed to ask me: “Colin, who is going to rescue you from your body of death?”

From a room in the corner of the chapel, a guy from Jamaica was brought out with a bathrobe on and he was walked toward me.

As he got closer, several Christians got up and followed him over to my corner. They were all smiling and hugging this guy, and he then removed the bathrobe. He was wearing a t-shirt and shorts, and he climbed into the bin right next to me and knelt down.

Christians crowded into the corner, around the bin and myself, and they started to pray for him.

After a short time, the preacher guy said to everyone in the room: “Our brother Earl has lived a life displeasing to both God and man. But tonight Earl is openly turning his back on his former lifestyle and turning to

“Do you open your heart now, Earl, and receive Jesus to be your personal Lord and Saviour?”

Earl openly invited Jesus into his heart and life as his own personal Lord and Saviour.

I knew I had never made a personal invitation or commitment to Jesus as the Christ of my life. In fact, my last genuine interaction with God was back on the school stairs, when I aggressively threw the God of my so-called religion into the bin.

gauntlet Earl was baptised in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and he was dunked into the water. The singing erupted once again and people were crying with Earl. I was in a stunned silence.

The Christians started to disperse back to their seats, and the preacher went back to his Bible. He threw a gauntlet down to me when he asked: “Is there anyone else here tonight who feels the need to receive Jesus into their life as personal Lord and Saviour?”

y jeans went one way, my shirt went another, and I climbed into th is trash-can of water and tearfully fell to my knees. I suddenly found myself up to my armpits in water. I thought to myself, “If this does not work now, I am dead.” However, I then conceded within my heart, “Actually, I’m already dead.”

Within minutes I was openly confessing my belief that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died on the cross for me and that God raised him from the dead. I was openly confessing myself sinful before God and man, and openly turning to God with grief in my heart over my sin. I turned to him for forgiveness and readily confessed my desire for Jesus to be my Lord. I openly invited Jesus into my heart as my personal Lord and

Saviour. I was then immersed into the waters of baptism.

In the waters, I put my life at the feet of God. To summarise, I said to God in my heart: “Lord, there is nothing in me of any value.

I come before you tonight not knowing who I am. I need you to tell me who I am, and I need release from this inner drive toward destruction. If you are willing, and you make me clean, Lord Jesus, I will serve you with everything that I am for as long as you want me to live, and I do not care what that might mean. If you release me, I am yours lock, stock, and barrel. Lord, in truth, you should actually turn your back on me now; I have no argument. But before you do, I want you to know this: I am truly, deeply sorry for the way I have lived my life.”

free Jesus met this junkie exactly where I had left him – in the trash-can.

As I came up out of the water, it was as if a heavy, wet trench-coat was removed in that instant. I knew, deep within me, that I had just been saved.

I was a free man. My addiction ended right at that moment. It was removed. I simply knew it was over.

Extract published with permission from Junkie Meets Jesus In A Trash Can by Colin Garnett.

Published by Authentic Media (£8.99, ISBN 9781860247200).

WIN...WIN...WIN... a copy of book  ColIn Garnett’s new book is a brutally honest account of how his life went from being a junkie to the leader of a drug rehab centre in south Africa.  Thanks to our friends at Authentic, we have five copies of Junkie Meets Jesus in a Trash Can to give away.  send your name and address on a sealed envelope or postcard to Trash Can Competition, new life newspaper, Po Box 777, nottingham, nG11 6ZZ to be in with a chance to win.  Please don’t send multiple entries, as these will be disqualified.  Closing date for entries is 20 March 2009.

YOunG Christians are to meet Government ministers to demand an end to sweatshops around the world.

Members of the campaign and prayer network SPEAK will present the first ever 24-hour spoken petition to MPs on Saturday, February 28.

SPEAK Campaigns officer Tom Skinner said: “Since finding a sweatshop right here on our doorstep in Manchester, the importance of our campaign is clearer than ever. “uK Multinational companies lack any real legal accountability for the way they treat communities and the environment.”

Government minister Stephen Timms MP will debating the issues addressed by the petition during a gathering of SPEAK members called Soundcheck.

Issue 180

new life classifieds post: New Life Newspaper, PO Box 777, Nottingham, NG11 6ZZ tel: 0115 921 7280 email: ads@newlife.co.uk web: www.newlife.co.uk

– INSURANCE –

Excellent policies for: Churches – Christian Organisations Charities – Minibuses – Trustees Indemnity Bookshops – House Buildings & Contents – Cars All our staff are committed Christians whose aim is to find you the best policy for your needs

W. Brian Wilson & Son

3 Portland Grove, Heaton Moor, Stockport SK4 4AA

Telephone: 0161 432 2407 Email: insurance@wbwilson.co.uk Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

(CV26)

holidays B&B Isle of Wight Double & Single rooms available with own bathroom good walks & cycling Mooring facilities at rear tel,01983 8 8 4 6 61, 079 674 433 4 8 Em a i l: cliveheathfield@hotmail.com (FV33) Calahonda Costa De Sol Spacious 3 bed 3 bathroom apartment sleeps 7. 25 minute drive from Malaga Airport. Close to all amenities including 5 minute drive to lovely beach. Garage parking with lift.

Brochure & Rates 01543 480900 or whitbysmith@sky.com (FE71) C A R M A R T H E N SH I R E , n e a r Llanelli. Beautifully appointed and equipped bungalow. Outstanding coastal views. 2 ensuite bedrooms.

Sleeps max 7. Tel 01554 758876. www.gowerview.co.uk (EI58) Comfortable accommodation Ensuite rooms. Wheelchair access. B&B from £25 PNpp sharing doublle room.Single room from £35 PN. Tel 01275 874 477. Cavell House, 1 Elton Road, Clevedon, BS21 7RA www.cavellhouse.com (CQ69)

0121 427 1286 www.friends1st.co.uk

Near Cromer North Norfolk 4/6 Berth Caravan. Quiet site.

Near to Beach. Lovely walks near to National Trust properties. Tel: Nigel 01502 560 457 or email: nigelofsuffolk@hotmail.co.uk. (FQ45)

sales & services HOME INFORMATION PACKS ­Personal, portable HIP with free online ad from www.My-HIP-Plus.co.uk email: enquiries@my-hip-plus.co.uk.

Highgrove Property Search Agency (FF90) 01588 673113

Pa l ma N ova , M a l l orca one bedroom apartment; Isle of Wight two bedroom bungalow.

Great locations,reasonable rates. www.sunnybreak.co.uk Brochures:(FV37) 01983756118

JARROD COOPERS Music, Free Resources, Television Listings, Online Radio, Books, Missions, Worship Courses, Conferences, Articles, Webshop, Podcasts, Sheet Music, (CG65) www.daysofwonder.org.uk

PEACE , PERFECT PEACE .

Attractive bungalows (Sleeps 2-6) pool, gardens, glorious panoramic rural views, idyllic looking. Near Looe. Tel 01503 272 570 www.

(CJ07) catherinepark.co.uk SPAIN LA MANGA Award winning development. Luxury 2 bedroom air-conditioned apartment, satellite/TV, pool, playground. Beach, 2 min walk, water sports nearby. Tel. 0282 8270865 jimandbrendahill@ (FB95) yahoo.co.uk SPAIN east coast 3 Bedroom spacious near beaches & restaurants. Large families beat the credit crunch with self-catering accommodation /home cooking, handy buses/trains. Cost not af fected by £/euro exchange.

Contac t 028 4 27 38 559 visit www.christiancoastalapartments. com (includes USA /Nor thern (EJ10) Ireland)

LOOK & LISTEN MULTIMEDIA S­ pecialists for Churches High quality - low budget Song software - Screens Laptops - Install - Hire Tel: 01895 624 774 Email: info@llmedia.com Web: (CR67) www.llmedia.com

publications Do you need help in reaching your Friends and Family for Christ? www.familysalvation.com (CU13) FREE BOOK ‘Going for Broke on Jesus’ - True moving story of how Jesus restored a broken home and turned beer bottles into furniture.

(FN03) www.going4broke.co.uk

Ideal for home groups, bible study groups, churches of all denominations and of all ages.

(EI21)

Bible Study Monthly

Single? Christian Friendship Fellowship (established 1976) has much to offer. Full details info@c-f-f.co.uk, www.c-f-f.co.uk or (CS06) 01302 711007

Biblical Evangelism This short course explains the biblical principles for bringing in the endtime harvest of souls. Already literally hundreds of people have come to The Lord through practising these biblical principles, this could be the very thing you are looking for in 2009.

handofgodministries@googlemail.com

training

SAMPLES ON REQUEST

Quality chairs & tables

A bi-monthly magazine available for FREE six months’ trial on request.

Compare our prices

Floor plans available free of charge

Contact: Angela Gorton Tel/fax: 01745 859 223 Mob: 07970 661135

E: angelicafurniture@btinternet.com W: www.angelicachurchfurniture.co.uk

‘The Venture’ Venture’ ‘The

The story of the vision given to me concerning spring water from Wales with a touch of Welsh gold, where the royal wedding rings come from.

A venture of faith into the unknown, a prophetic insight. ‘The Venture’ is now available by mail order from:

Cyril Jones Ministries:Tel: 01341 423281 www.livingwatersprings.co.uk (EW87) (EW87)

Make the Book of Revelation easy!

Learn to drive with

KINGS WAY

Visit: www.basar-blessings.org or write to: Bâsar Blessings, PO BOX 5937, Bournemouth BH6 4WY

publishing

vacancies

For further information or to enrol on this course (which can be undertaken by correspondence) e-mail:

Publishers of

‘The Venture’

PHOTOGRAPHER Available for weddings, family portraits, commercial, headshots, events, website photo’s. North West based. www. howardwilkinsonphotography.co.uk.

01706 645203 / 07947 345305. (FT58)

“The missions of Jonah”

Bible Fellowship Union Dept N, 4 Manor Gardens, Barnstone, Nottingham NG13 9JL

ISLE OF ARRAN Farm accommodation. 3 bedrooms plus spa bathroom, sleeping 8. Private trout-fishing, personal alpacas, sea views. 01770 700488 The story of the vision www.arranalpaca.co.uk (EQ47) given to me concerning christian Life ministries Uk. i s rae l , mediterranean , spring water from Join free men and women.Start a Wales with a touch of Europe, UK ‘weekend breaks’. gold, in your area. where the Christians branch Uniting All excellent value (ATOL 3669); bro-Welsh royal wedding rings come from. chure Lifetime Christian Holidays, to fulfil theinto great commision to Go. A venture of faith the unknown, PO Box 55, Newport, NP19 8XT. Tel:a prophetic ‘Themembership Venture’ Contactinsight.

Des for form.

01633 277167 Email: info@lifetimeis now available by mail order from: 07787 513235. www.despillingminisCyril Jones Ministries holidays.co.uk (CJ11) (FR50) tries.co.uk 423281 Tel: 01341 LANCASTER - LITTLE ACORNSwww.livingwatersprings.co.uk Homely B&B. In pretty riverside ChristiansUK Friendships (EW87) village close M6 Junction 34. Ideal Looking for Christian friendships or North/South Stop over. Tel: Alison something more? Join our all-age 01524 811 408 (EJ33) pen-friend service for free. Phone LLANDUDNO. Beth Eden Christian 0800 9774192 leaving your contact Guest house with superb views details.”

(EX15) overlooking sea and Snowdonia PRISONER TAKING DEGREE in mountains. We welcome individuals, families and groups of up to 30. theology and law seeks sponsors.

Times of fellowship and bible min- Support on all levels. Contact P istry. www.betheden.co.uk 01492 Kelly H.M.P. Longlartin, Evesham, 877057 betheden@btinternet.co.uk (FS03) Worcs, WR11 5TZ

(CJ13)

MINIBUS SALES Speak to Colin Baker. Southampton (023) 8078 3820.

Nationwide delivery. ­Established in (CQ30) 1977.

Send for your Free copy of

An examination of the Bible story, giving evidence for its historical accuracy From:

CZECH REPUBLIC Large flat near Petrovice village on the German / Polish borders. Protected scenic region. tel 08444 620 620 followed by 00420 487 521 115 (2p/min) (FM97)

T h e Hig h bury C entre , London. Christian guesthouse on quiet private road. Free on-street parking. Tel: 0207 226 2663 Website: www.thehighburycentre.org. (FD60)

if they are not swimming in your direction, join friendsfirst.

(EJ64)

financial

There are plenty of fish in the sea but...

(CD15)

GET READY FOR DARWIN DAY! February 12th 2009 is the bicentenary of Charles Darwin’s birth.

For resources to help you use this opportunity to challenge evolution and encourage debate, contact: Creation Resources Trust, PO Box 3237, Yeovil, BA22 7WD. 01935 850569. www.crt.org.uk or www. darwinday.org.uk (Reg. charity 1016666).

(EY56)

LONDON HAMMERSMITH Nice B&B. Comfortable, central, quiet family home. Direct line to all attractions, airpor ts/Eurostar.

Double/twin £50p.n. Single £36p.n.

Children’s reductions. 020 7385 4904 (EH35) www.thewaytostay.co.uk

(EW13)

creation

(DZ62)

8

School of Motoring

Area covered - North Birmingham Special Offers available. Theory & Pass Plus Tuition. Nervous pupils put at ease.

BRIAN MORRISON A.D.I Tel: 0121 3530805 Mob: 07817 764390 Email: teachme@kingswaysm.co.uk www.kingswaysm.co.uk (EY87)

Y ou C an ’ t F i s h wit h Bananas. A soul winners guide to evangelism. Free download www.ashkotecha.org or email akministry@btinternet.com (EK23) Pentecostal Bible School School of Christ International, 4 week (or part thereof) residential course, Limerick , Ireland.

For more information contact: +447855368515 or email: schoolofchristeuro@hotmail.com

(FO97) Healing School . Learn at home. Practical and informative. 9 Months course. £15 Monthly. www. healingschoolonline.org Tel 01908 501 643 for free brochure (EK23) HELP JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES FIND CHRIST. For free literature write to Freedom Ministries, 28 Church View, Killamarsh, Sheffield, S21 2FA. (CU26)

enjoy a second income, new career challenge or pension topup with established UK company.

Flexible hours. For free information call 08000 40 79 81 (24hrs) or www. income-opportunity.info (EI58) Q UALIT Y PE O PLE WANTE D Would you like a challenge where you enjoy flexibility with a great income? We urgently need to recruit to meet the demands of our rapidly expanding business and have fulltime or part time opportunities. So, whether you are a mum who would like to stretch and ease back into the workplace, or a career person looking for a higher income call Tom on 01823 431710 (FR45) RISE & SHINE IN 2009! Godinspired business opportunity.

Believe it & receive it! For more information, contact Sadie 07714 541254.

(EW48) UNIQUE & RARE OPPORTUNITY to partner with an industry giant, tiscali.network. Your own home internet business. Benefit from explosion in Broadband & Internet. www.bestbroadband.org.uk (FH47)

wanted Church Furnishings Bought and sold. From chairs to pulpits.

Call Chancellors on 01932 252 736, Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm. (CT75)

what’s on

Royal Rangers A YOUNG PERSON’S UNIFORMED ORGANISATION A G E S

NL,

3

-

1 8

For information, phone: Daytime: 0161 339 4819 Evening: 0161 338 5392 Children and young people’s work – what is your church doing?  Building friendships  Opening new doors  Fun & achievement  Exciting programme  Learning new skills REACH, TEACH, AND KEEP BOYS & GIRLS FOR JESUS

www.royalrangers.org.uk

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Issue 180

9

w

CALL TO HELP WORLD’S POOREST

use loose change to make a change GIVE up your loose change! That’s the call that has gone out to Britons to make a difference in the world’s poorest communities.

The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Price, is leading the bid to collect as much change as possible for international charity WaterAid. Rt Rev Price made the plea for fol k to g ive up thei r copper for Lent to help boost WaterAid’s Jars of Change for Jars of Water appeal.

Spare pennies that are donated will be converted into clean water, sanitation and hygiene education to those who live in the poorest areas of the developing The Rt Rev Peter Price world.

Rt Rev Price said: “As in touch now for informalong as millions of people tion packs so they can really are in poverty in our world, make a difference this Lent our whole society is impov- – just £15 can provide someerished. one with a lasting supply of “Once communities have water and sanitation.” access to safe water, sanitaWaterA id works i n 17 tion and hygiene education countries throughout Afthey can take their first rica, Asia and the Pacific steps out of poverty.

Region. To date, WaterAid “Giving up your spare have helped over 11 million change over Lent is a simple people. way to help transform lives.

A free resource pack is I’m urging everyone to colavailable w ith collection lect jars of loose change, jar stickers and facts and which WaterAid will turn figures about WaterAid. into jars of clean water.”

To order yours, please Com mun it y Fundra iscall 0845 6000 433, contact ing Manager Victoria Rouse churches@wateraid.org or HELP MAKE A SPLASH... A WaterAid project in Afria. said: “We need people to get visit www.wateraid.org

Recognising the increasing pressure on people during the economic downturn, Kingdom Bank chose the charity to bless with a major donation.

A lthough spending on the High Street was at record lows before Christmas, a survey has found that 11.6 m i llion Britons face “financial meltdown” because of spending on credit

cards, which they’re now struggling to repay.

Chief Executive Officer of the Christian bank, Guy Priestley, said: “CAP’s free service is one that is very hands-on, and shows God’s love in action by offering sustainable poverty relief through debt counselling, advice and practical help. We recognised the importance of CAP’s work

PUZZLE CORNER Sudoku

Crossword clues Across 1. Large house (7) 5. Pieces of information (5) 8. Profits (5) 9. Gruesome (7) 10. Retaliated (7) 11. Form of transport (5) 12. Hostility (6) 14. Stick (6) 18. Permit (5) 20. SIncere (7) 22. Creatures (7) 23. Doctrine (5) 24. Ledge (5) 25. Sweet (7)

Solutions on the right

Down 1. Tycoon (7) 2. Dissonance (5) 3. Perceptiveness (7) 4. Wanderers (6) 5. Aspect (5) 6. Vegetable (7) 7. Austere (5) 13. Discomfort (7) 15. Mocks (7) 16. Pull out (7) 17. Stopped (6) 18. Accumulate (5) 19. Dock (5) 21. Bird of prey (5)

A FIGHT against cancer has helped reality TV star Jade Goody consider her life and what it’s all about.

After the news was revealed, many were quick to criticise the former Big Brother contestant’s comments about finding light in her dark days by reading the Bible.

The story came to light in a long interview with a national newspaper, which asked Goody a wide range of questions. None directly asked if she believed in God, but that’s where the discussion led – which may show he’s really on her mind.

It is wrong to judge Goody and to take a guess at how she must be feeling and to question what faith she has.

Jesus said that all that was needed was faith the size of a mustard seed. If that is the case with Goody, everyone should support her as she studies the Bible and finds answers to life’s questions.

If you have received similar news or are at your wit’s end, then following Goody’s footsteps and picking up a Bible will be the best choice you’ll ever make.

He’s priceless

Pic: WaterAid/Jon Spaull

Bank’s cash boost for debt counselling service A UK bank has stepped in to help a debt counselling service, which expects a rise in calls from worried consumers when postChristmas credit card bills hit the doormats.

Kingdom Bank has selected Christians Against Poverty (CAP) as its annual charity as part of its commitment to give 20 per cent of its annual profits to charity.

COMMENT Give support

and were impressed with its approach to debt counselling.”

CAP has 80 centres around the UK that work through churhes to offer debt advice.

Spokeswoman Tina Morris said: “With the problem of debt grow i ng, it is v ital that CA P expands its service. We are very grateful for the support from Kingdom Bank for our work.”

EVERYONE has their price, apparently – and £100m may just be your price!

But it’s not enough for Kaka, it appears.

That’s probably because for the Milan striker, there’s more to life than money.

Kaka is a shining beacon in a sport which is often clouded by scandal.

The Brazilian once said: “I learnt that it is faith that decides whether something will happen or not.”

A move to Manchester City for an obscene amount of cash was just too much for a man of faith, it seems.

BIBLE QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

Luke 17:4 Editor: Peter Wreford Accounts: Helen Wreford Advertising: Barry Wilson

Editorial office: New Life Publishing Co, PO Box 777, Nottingham NG11 6ZZ, UK Email: editor@newlife.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 PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

10

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Issue 180

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)

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

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

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

(AC01)

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) RIPON Worship and Rejoice with us at the New Life Church, Water Skellgate.

10.30am Sundays. Info or Prayer.

Phone 01765 604379.

(EY00)

NEW L IFE March

welcomes you 11am Sundays Broadstone Hall Road South Community Centre Heaton Chapel, Stockport www.ccc-stockport.org.uk

(ER53)

Great Barford Word of Life Church

meet Sunday 10.30 at the Village Hall, Fishers Close.

Enquiries: Pastor John Best

01234 871475 CANTERBURY Trinity Community Church. Meetings Sundays 10.45am at St Stephen’s Junior School, Hales Place, Canterbury. Tel: 01227 459 785.

(CA06)

CHAT T E R I S F e n L i f e Christian Church. Sunday 10.30am and 6.30pm.

King Edward Centre, Railway Lane, CHATTERIS. 01480 385001. www.fenlife.org.uk (EQ51)

New Life Community Church Fuller Drive

CREWE

Where God Changes Lives!

Sundays 10.30 - 12

ER EDITI ON FROM

Mum an d bab by y had to battl e for lives

YOU THE GOOD

NEWS

WE

www.new life.c

Brin

gin

o.uk

MP GI VE S BA CK IN G TO CH UR CH IN ITI AT IV E

g hop

e bac k to

’R E

BA

CK

IN G

Brita in

40p

PAGE THE CH 3 URCHES OF GORN AL AND SEDGLE Y

WE’RE BACKING

LATEST CR FOR ATTA AZE BLAMED CK ON YO UTH CH CHUR S S END E TO NUR S ND LA PHILLY S WA ZI IN CAER Bringing hope back to Britain

BRINGING

E’RE HO W W A G M AK IN CE EN DIFF ER DA IN UG AN

GOOD YOU THE

three month wood ’s to delive r s early daugh ter starte d after Ursula be i ng going into eclam d ia g nosed a fit after psia. w it h pre The toxic condit on by ion and in h ig h blood is brought threat some cases press u re ening. can be life-

BRAV

PAGE

FOR EDITION SPECIAL

(CF42)

March

NEWS

2008

Issue

3

IM THE EL

life.co.uk www.new A TEEN serious AGER esca wieldinginjury when ped BIBLE yobs stab knife- EXCLUSIVE in his pock bed a by Matth The teenag ew Murr et. a Christ er regula ay ian

rly attend minor youth Emma s a few pain, which group nuel held at Walthamsto Christian stitches. will result w, Londo Centre in Other in And pastor n.

Ch r ist members the churc Dez of rience ia n Cent re Emma nuel the boy, h believes Brown from d have Brown simila r incide ex peto name,who he has God spared said. asked nts, Mr from furthe Earlie us not He told the congrr this year, New Life, r injury. been a memb a bit egatio attack er of troub ‘There had n was some gangs ed by a raped of acid throw gang, and for reveng , and they le betwe en n over before havin effort e for him were going attack g to destro her body . for anoth in 3 the er Mr Despite the y DNA eviden an PAGEhe ‘As attack dange Brown stabbe er went rs, howevce. admit toring for him, the young d the Bible s he er, instea that no in Londo n. enjoys pasd of ‘The boylad. for God situat ions areHe believ es comes group to impos to the every sible He addedimpact. to give week. youth his testim I asked , exper group him ience ‘Because of my ony but he and past, fazed own quite a was a at the youth by little shy. remar that God such troub I am not kable It’s le. I can reach story.’ lives, just in and know PAIN own life.’ like he Mr Brown chang touch ed my , who himse The churc a prison senten lar work h has lf served for stabbi ce as a starte 17-yea d reguthe police in schoo ng someo knows r-old ne to combals and with within knife all about the to death crime , Spark their comm t proble dange ms rs of 2Life He said . unity. them severa projec Their ager was the attack t l award has earne d Senior as ‘jucki part of a on the teens. ng’, where craze known said counspastor Doug their victim attack Willia elling ‘heart ers s inflict break ing’. the victim ms seriou but don’t meanstab s was s injury Instea to face‘The only answe . of their d, they pierce of r victim believ such things I have in the , hopin the skin e in the is g to cause pel. I believ power that I still of the e the power to chang Gospe l hasGose a heart. the ’

169

40p

CHURCH OSTAL PENTEC

BRINGING

d Mum an y had by bab battle SPEC to IAL ED ITI for lives ON FOR BISPAGE HO5

HUDDERSFIELD Elim Pentecostal Church, Grace Centre, 23 St Johns Road, Huddersfield HD1 5BW welcomes you to their Sunday services 10.30am and 6.30pm. TE: 01484 535 554 Web Site: www.huddelim.org.uk

YOU THE GOOD

NEWS

AMED ’R E CRAZE BLWEUT HBACK LATEST IN G CK ON YO FOR ATTA VE EXCLUSI Murray ped Brin- by Matthew R esca in result knife gin wwwAGE y when bed a g hop pain, which will A TEEN .new injur nuel stab o.uk minor e bac es. serious yobslife.c stitchk ers of Emma to Br have ex pememb pocket.attends a few wielding Mr Other in his regula rly Cent reita at in nts, BIBLE incide ist ia n er

BUS DRIV ITER WAS THE HONOUR HAED PPIEST DA Y

BY QUEE OFNMY LIF P’S ST E ORTFOR

r held Ch r d simila The teenagyouth group e in er of rience ian tian Centr said. a memb and a Christ Brown r this year, n. nuel Chris raped Emma Earlie n was w, LondoBrown from having egatio before in an Dez Walthamsto spared the congrby a gang, es God not And pastor ed her body ce. h believ asked us attack n over eviden er, the churcwho he has r injury. y DNA acid throw to destrodangers, howev the boy, from furthe ‘There had paseffort e the es to name, New Life, le betwe en Despit admits he enjoys believ He told of troub n. He sible Mr Brown were going a bit impos in Londo been , and theyfor another toring situat ions are some gangse for him own that no to impact. se of my not for reveng for him, for God , ‘Becau I am . er went added d of past, attack He attack instea and I know ‘As the the Bible ience trouble. touch d exper in and by such youth my he stabbe lad. to the him fazedGod can reach changed the young comes like he PAGEthat ‘The boy week. I asked youth lives, d regu3 just at the every It’s starte with PAGE group 2 testimony h has own life.’ his little shy. ls and was a ms to give The churc in schoo t proble story.’ but he work group remarkable comba Their lar to unity. d quite a comm the police earne PAIN their t has lf served within projec 2Life awards. r-old ms , who himse Spark l Willia Mr Brown ce as a 17-yea Doug death, s was them severa senten ne to pastor a prison ng someo dange rs of Senior elling the victim the for stabbi in the said couns ing’. all about I have still r break teenknows .

I ‘heart only answe crime attack on the is that Gosknife known ‘The the a craze ers stab such things of the the He said part of face of in the power l has e Gospe ’ ager wasng’, where attackmean to the believ e don’t as ‘jucki s but e a heart. pel. I believ . to chang their victim s injury the skin power seriou pierce inflict d, they hoping to cause Instea , victim of their

BIBLE SA STABBIN VES TEEN G VICTIM was n who ANT woma life has A PREGN ng for her that both le left fighti a mirac ture baby was said it her prema l. she and their ordea to delive r ed surviv al staff had daugh ter ’s Medic Key wood after Ursula Ursu la s early a fit after into pre three month w it h d going starte d ia g nosed ht be i ng psia. ion is broug u re eclam condit The toxic h blood press lifeh ig can be on by some cases and in ening. threat BRAV E had nd Jason baby ’s husba wife and Ursula as his e. to watch t to surviv wavered both fough faith never e.

But his both survivon, t he r saw he yea le and one a mirac A l most e it was battle believ brave couple won their that both 8 for life.

Y... PAGE FULL STOR

Mum an d baby ha d to battl e for lives

(EB18)

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)

BRINGING

BIBLE SA STABBIN VES TEEN G VICTIM E F I NEW L E Ursula to watch ’s husba nd Jason as his both fough wife and had baby But his t to survive. faith never and he saw waver A l most both surviv ed e. one yea couple believ that both e it was r on, t he a mirac for life. won their le brave battle FULL STOR Y... PAGE 8

For information on other meetings phone Allan Smith 01634 264410

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)

40p

N VES TEE A S E L B I B NEW G VICTIM STABBINLIFE

Meet every Sunday 10.30am A warm welcome awaits you

BEDFORD

169

PAGE

A PREGN left fightiANT woma n who ng said it was a for her life was she mirac has

(CA66)

Issue

3 SPECIAL EAST

and her le that 169 surviv both Issue ed theirprema ture baby ordea 2008 hMedic Ursu la al staff had l.

Marc Key

GILLINGHAM

2008

COMIC LE GE TO TA LK AB ND OU LIFE OF FU T N AND TR AG EDY

A PREGN left fightiANT woma n who ng said it was a for her life was she and mirac le that has her surviv ed theirpremature both baby ordea Medic Ursu la al staff had l.

Key wood to delive three month r ’s s early daugh ter starte d after Ursula be i ng going into eclam d ia g nosed a fit after psia. w it h pre The toxic condit on by ion and in h ig h blood is brought threat some cases press u re ening. can be life-

BRAV E

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)

WAKEFIELD The King’s Church.

Real People, Real Life, Real Answers.

For more information contact Jonathan on: 07914137512 or www.christ4u. co.uk (FF63)

Ursula to watch ’s husba nd Jason as his both fough wife and had baby But his t to survive. faith never and he saw waver A l most both surviv ed e. one yea couple believ that both e it was r on, t he a mirac for life. won their le brave battle FULL STOR Y... PAGE 8

D CHRIS

TIAN AS SEMB

LY

Many churches successfully use localised editions to promote their own church and special events. Others work together with local congregations to produce and deliver localised editions to their whole town or city.

When you order a minimum of 1000 copies (£200), for an additional £300 we can produce a special localised edition by changing a page (or more) to your own news or to your advert. We also change the banner advert across the top 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.

LATEST CR FOR ATTA AZE BLAMED CK ON YO UTH

A TEEN serious AGER esca wieldinginjury when ped BIBLE yobs stab knife- EXCLUSIVE in bed a by Matth The teenaghis pocket. ew Murr a Christ er regula ay

rly attend minor Emma ian youth group s a few pain, which nuel held at Walthamsto Christian stitches. will result w, Londo Centre in Other in And pastor n.

Ch r ist members the churc Dez of rience ia n Cent re Emma nuel the boy, h believes Brown from d have Brown simila r incide ex peto name,who he has God spared said. asked nts, Mr from furthe Earlie us not He told the congrr this year, New Life, r injury. been a memb a bit egatio attack er of troub ‘There had n was some gangs ed by a raped of acid throw gang, and for reveng , and they le betwe en n over before havin effort e for him were going attack g to destro her body . for anoth in ‘As the er Mr Despite the y DNA eviden an dange he stabbe attacker Brown rs, howevce. went for admit toring the young d the Bible s he er, him, instea that no in Londo n. enjoys paslad. d of ‘The for God situat ions areHe believ es group boy comes to impac impos to the every sible He added to give week. t. youth his testim I asked , exper group him ience ‘Because of my ony but he and past, fazed own quite a was a at the youth by little shy. remar that God such troub I am not kable It’s le. I can reach story.’ lives, just in and know PAIN own life.’ like he Mr Brown chang touch ed my , who himse The churc a prison senten lar work h has lf served for stabbi ce as a starte 17-yea d reguthe police in schoo ng someo knows r-old ne to combals and with within knife all about the to death crime , Spark their comm t proble dange ms rs of 2Life He said . unity. them severa projec Their ager was the attack t l award has earne d Senior as ‘jucki part of a on the teens. ng’, where craze known said counspastor Doug their victim attack Willia elling ‘heart ers s inflict break ing’. the victim ms seriou but don’t meanstab s was s injury Instea to face‘The only answe . of their d, they pierce of r victim believ such things I have in the , hopin the skin e in the is g to cause pel. I believ power that I still of the e the power to chang Gospe l hasGose a heart. the ’

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

Advertise in NEW LIFE from as little as £8. tel: 0115 921 7280

GATEWAY CHURCH LEYTON

01270 664 225 www.newlifecentre.co.uk (EI26)R

CROYDON

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

i

Sharing Hope & Life (FN61)

HELPFUL INFORMATION www.newlife.co.uk

God turns up Sunday 11am.

0208 689 5187

(CH20)

(EN26)

City Church

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

“A great place to be” City Church, Jubilee Drive, Liverpool L7 3BA

Tel: 0151 2649995 www.liverpoolcitychurch.org

(EY24)

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.

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)

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) 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)

(AS88)

THE

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

Meet Sundays 11am at Isleworth Town Primary School, TW7 6AB (opp West Middlesex Hospital)

www.always.org.uk/mustard

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

Tel: 020 8570 4265

STEVENAGE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH Assemblies of God UK. Bedwell Community Centre, Bedwell Crescent, Stevenage. Meeting Sundays 10.30am. For details email Pastor: pete.cross@stevenagepentecos talchurch.co.uk or visit our web site www.stevenagepentecostalchurch. co.uk (FV22)

CHURCHES 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

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

(ES70)

MAIDSTONE Welcome to Mangravet Church which meets at Grove Road (near Police HQ), Sundays 10.30am.

Enquiries: 01622 664 940.

(DP53) MAIDSTONE Grove Green Chr istian Fellowshi p w w w. grovegreenchristianfellowship.org meetings Invicta Grammar School, Huntsman Lane, Sundays at 10am. All are welcome. 01622 204 221 (AY48)

WHATEVER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR, LOG ON TO

www.newlife.co.uk (DH80)

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Issue 180

DEVOUT BOXER PRAYS IN RING BEFORE EACH MATCH

faith’s behind canny manny!

FILIPINO boxer Manny Pacquiao is likely to show his Christian faith in action when he enters the ring to fight Britain’s Ricky Hatton.

KNOCKED OUT

BY FAITH...

Manny Pacquiao

Pacquiao, who has a massive following in the Philippines, is known for snapping up dozens of tickets for his matches to give away to supporters and friends.

The 29-year-old reckons it’s better to give than receive, and told reporters after a recent match: “I’m just happy I made a lot of people happy.”

His faith in Christ is probably as well known as his boxing career in the Philippines. Pacquiao – known as Pacman – kneels in deep prayer in his corner as soon as he enters the ring.

The current WBC Lightweight Champion is likely to become better known in the UK when his match against Hatton takes place on May 2.

And despite worries that the fight may be cancelled over a contract dispute, Pacquiao is happy with whatever life throws at him because of his strong faith. It’s something he’s never afraid to talk about to fans or journalists.

After last December’s surprise victory against Oscar de la Hoya during a non-title fight in Las Vegas, he didn’t shy away from telling the crowd: “Don’t tell God that you have a big problem.

But tell your problem that you have a big God.” Pacquiao stopped de la Hoya after eight rounds, defying a disadvantage in size with a dominant performance in their welterweight showdown.

Ret urn i ng home to Ma n i la after that fight, Pacquiao headed back to his church and he was asked to give a message.

A member of the congregation said: “During his message, Pacquiao thanked the people and attributed his success to God. “He talked about the criticisms he got from some sportswriters before his bout with Oscar de la Hoya. But he said he did not lose hope as he kept his faith in God.”

The inside track on faith in football

We prayed, but not for any points...

I’M back at Pompey and looking to break back into the first team, although it’s not going to be easy with a lot of good players in front of me!

But I’m ready for the challenge. This club is where God told me I’d spend the rest of my career, and I trust him with all my heart.

I enjoyed life at Charlton, and feel I did well despite the problems the club has encountered this season.

It was a particular privilege to be able to set up a prayer group at the club, as has been in place at Portsmouth for several seasons now.

I spoke to the club chaplain, who said he hadn’t been able to “cross the line” in getting one set up. So I spoke to the former boss Alan Pardew who agreed, and we got things moving.

The first meeting drew three players, who were all non-Christians, and myself, the chaplain, and press officer.

At the next meeting six players arrived and then ten at the last, so I am really pleased to have got that set up. Whether you are a Ch rist ia n or not, there’s something  about prayer that affects us all.

Deep dow n we a l l k now there is someone out there greater than ourselves and it’s my privilege to tell you that his name is God who made h i mself k now n t h r ou g h h i s son  Jesus.

It didn’t surprise me at all that non-Christian players were a rriv i ng for the meeti ngs. Prayer ca l ms and prov ides a focus for our i n nermost yearnings.

We never pray for football points - only that God will be glorified in everything we do.

While at Charlton I also had the great joy of sharing my faith everywhere from the dressing room to the training ground and also chatted with a couple of Muslim colleagues.

SHARED

A ‘hole’ lot of BIG PHIL: RONALDO’S Tevez: I get help for Lin! HAD A WAKE UP CALL a lot of tests CHELSEA boss big Phil Scolari reckons God has given Cristiano Ronaldo a big wake up call!

Fervent believer Scolari delivered his comments after the Portuguese and Man Utd winger crashed and virtually wrote off his new £200,000 Ferrari.

He said: “After seeing his car I told Cristiano he should be grateful to God and that he needed to say thank you to him every day and think about life.

“I told him he is young and that God has now given him a lesson. Now he needs to stay alive until he is 90!”

PRIMUS

While at Charlton I also had the joy of sharing my faith everywhere from dressing room to the training ground

DominAnt

TAIWAN golfer Lin Wen-tang birdied the second playoff hole to edge out Rory McIlroy and Francesco Molinari in a dramatic climax to the Hong Kong Ope n rece nt ly, becom i ng the event’s first Asian winner in a decade.

But the star putter isn’t taking any credit, insisting he received miraculous help from above.

L in told reporters: “At fi rst I didn’t know what to do... but I told myself to do my best to hit this shot towards the green and, maybe God helped me, because I made it.”

LINVOY

Scolari

Ronaldo

MANCHESTER United striker Carlos Tevez has dropped a heavy hint that he’s a believer in Jesus Christ.

In a revealing interview, the Argentine has explained that he’s happy to be made to fight for his place by hard man boss Sir Alex Ferguson – himself a Christian believer.

Said Tevez: “I think it’s part of my life. Everywhere I have been I had to fight, and it ended up with titles.

“I think that God tests me, not each year, but each month. And at the end of the day, winning league titles makes me feel great.”

Once you become a Christian you are compelled to speak about Jesus, but we never got argumentative… just shared our faith.

My faith is the No 1 thing in my life. Without Jesus there’s no point to anything… he’s always there for us with nothing but our best interests at heart.

If you don’t know him start reading the Bible, and speak to people who know about the King of Kings.

Find a church that runs an Alpha course, where you can ask all those questions about God that have bothered you.

There’s nothing like the Christian life… and it may be just one church trip away. Give it a try. He changes lives for ever, and only for the better!

Linvoy was talking to Hugh Southon

DON’T MISS LINVOY NEXT MONTH

YOU GET THE BIGGEST NAMES IN SPORT IN

11

Issue 180

12

NEW LIFE SPORT

www.newlife.co.uk

prayers helped me wyne Why rumpus won’t send injury me nuts: KP fight!

LIFE’S PLANNED... Kevin Pietersen

by Hugh Southon

Black Cats star says return was a ‘miracle’

YES HE KEN...

Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones

Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones has said his recent scoring form is nothing short of a miracle.

In fact, the tall goal poacher says there was a good chance he wouldn’t have played at all this season, had it not been for God. When Jones’s knee ruptured during Trinidad and Tobago’s end of season international with England last May, the pain in his leg was excruciating.

But it was the fear of the months of mental torment that would follow that really scared the Sunderland forward.

In a split second, Jones had torn both the cruciate and medial

ligaments in his right knee. For those who watched him as he was carried off the pitch on that early summer evening, it looked as though it was more than just his leg that was in tatters.

The initial diagnosis suggested Jones’s injury was so serious he might not play again before the start of next season.

But the devout Christian – who has returned to goal-scoring form for the Black Cats – says his faith helped him recover and eased his fears.

He said: “It was a 70 per cent possibility that I would miss the whole season. From the early tests that was the diagnosis – that I would miss the whole season.

“But thanks to some good prayer that wasn’t the case. It

was basically down to God. I had probably the worst tear you could have on your medial, the worst tear you could have on your cruciate. Both injuries combined, I was looking at 2009-2010 [season].

Thanks to God, I was fortunate to heal quite well.

“My faith is what got me through. I was praying more than normal, about four times a day.

Some people wait until they have an injury because they don’t want something bad to happen.

“I pray all of the time, but you intensify it more once you want to get back to doing something that you love.

“You want to have a full career, and you don’t want to be sitting in front of the TV thinking ‘That could have been me.’”

KEVIN Pietersen may have been at the centre of a huge political row within English cricket over recent weeks, but it’s very unlikely he’ll be stressed out about it.

Love him or hate him – and he is a character who creates extreme reactions – the brilliant England batsman never fails to cause huge interest wherever he goes.

KP – as he is widely known – has great friends and bitter enemies, but above everything else he retains a tremendous faith in his own abilities and in God. He is the third of four boys born to an Afrikaner father and English mother, and reveals: “We were a hugely competitive family.” A belief in God was always to the fore in the Pietersen family. Mum and dad, Janny and Penny, raised a Christian family and older brother Tony went on to become a church minister.

Said KP: “I’ve got this thing inside of me – I don’t get highly strung or blow things out of proportion in pressure situations.

“I won’t sit around and think, ‘It’s the last day of the Ashes test, I have to score 100 to save England.’

“I will never accept defeat until it is right in front of me, and won’t blow things out of proportion because what will be will be.

“That’s something I believe my religious upbringing has brought out in me.

“I believe your life is planned for you. I believe that what will be will be. I can’t control what’s going to happen to me.”

He’s absolutely right because the Bible says all the days of our life are counted and the Lord holds us in the palm of his hand.

KP may not be perfect, but as a Christian one thing’s for sure… he is forgiven!

LocaL contact detaiLs:

WHAT MAKES MANNY CANNY? FILIPINO BOXING STAR’S PHILOSOPHY IN LIFE — PAGE 11

Published by New Life Publishing Company, PO Box 777, Nottingham NG11 6ZZ. Tel 0115 921 7280. Printed by Yorkshire Web, Barnsley. Tel 01226 734410. New Life Newspaper is printed on 100% recycled paper.