New Life Nov 09 issue 189

NEW LIFE NOVEMBER 2009 • Issue 189 40p

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How Whitney Houston got through her darkest days... Centre Pages

Young people HIT AND RUN BOY’S PARENTS’ BELIEFS give away an icy reception YOUNG churchgoers are proving church is cool – by giving away ice creams at their own parlour.

The youngsters in Coventry decided to open the ice cream parlour to highlight the importance of the Christian faith in their lives.

The initiative is one of 84 new evangelistic projects that have received a grant of up to £3,000 from the Church of England’s Youth Evangelism Fund (YEF).

The Archbishops’ Council, the Henry Smith Charity, the Laing Family Trusts and the Jerusalem Trust support half the fund.

engaging The YEF aims to enable more young people to connect with the gospel and come to faith within the life of the church by allowing the young to share faith with friends in ways that make sense to them.

The Archbishops’ Council’s Mission and Evangelism Associate Dr Rachel Jordan said: “It’s for young people themselves to be able to express their Christian faith in a way that is engaging and will help to introduce their friends to the importance of Jesus Christ in their lives.”

I’VE BEAN THROUGH THE MILL! A FUNDRAISER who shot to fame after sitting in a bath of beans has revealed his life of despair.

Barry Kirk, who became known as Captain Beany for his record-breaking charity stunt, said that while people laughed at his antics, he was crying inside. ● FULL STORY – Page 3

CLINGING TO OUR FAITH TRAGEDY... Martin and Rachel Riddall pay tribute to their 12-year-old son, Sam, above, who was killed in a hit and run accident

by Becky Barlow

THE parents of a 12-year-old killed in a hit and run accident are “clinging to their faith in God” to make sense of the tragedy.

Martin and Rachel Riddall said their faith was helping ● Continued on Page 3

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Issue • 189

Preaching MY FAITH HELPED ME IN CIVIL SERVICE from plinth A cou nc i l l or h a s told how his faith in God helped him during his year as civic mayor. committed christian ian rathbone recently completed his 12-month stint as mayor of Hackney, the troubled area of london.

During his year in office, cllr rathbone constantly flew the christian flag, the most obvious example being when he led a procession of 250 people to unveil a plaque in memory of murdered schoolboy Shaquille Smith. ian said: “in such a role you may think i would be kissing babies, shaking hands, and opening jolly old fetes, snipping ribbons everywhere as i go. And, indeed, i have done all those things!

“But this is inner city Hackney where we are struggling against a tide of violence, mostly knife but also gun.

“And for me, struggling to find a role as firstly a christian, then as a councillor and also as a member of the Hackney church leaders group.

Getting alongside people in thei r str uggles isn’t easy,

VAriouS christian preachers have shared the gospel from the fourth plinth at Trafalgar Square recently as part of an unusual initiative.

The speakers are just a handful of 2,400 people who have enjoyed a stint at the unnamed plinth between July 6 and October 14 as part of sculptor Antony Gormley’s one and other Project.

Alison Wooding, from Yorkshire, prayed for fellow evangelists, friends and family during her stint. She also used her time to publicise church Army’s life to the Full campaign and a new interactive website Make Jesus Famous.

Mrs Wooding said she wanted to send out the message to people to sit still and just “be with God”.

She added that her time on the plinth had felt like minutes rather than a whole hour and that it was remarkable how the noise – and occasional heckling – died down halfway through her prayer time.

Another christian, the rev Ken chalmers, offered spiritual reflections and worship during his stint on the plinth.

A-tract-ive new idea...

An innovative new website has been launched to enable christians to create a personal tract and share the “good news” of how Jesus radically changed their lives.

The website – persona lt ract. com – is the brainchild of two Sussex christians from Kings church Horsham who felt inspired to help other christians produce professional looking personal tracts telling their own unique story of how they became christians.

Send me more...

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LOVE “There are christians in our community who i can see being enlivened when i go and speak at public meetings, or go to their church. My message is often simple – be a good neighbour – which, amazingly, the civic newspaper turned into a headline announcing my year of office, which said, ‘love thy neighbour!’ i could not have put it better. He is the lord even of civic matters.”

MAKING CHAIN-GES... Ian Rathbone with wife Jayne during his time as mayor

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particularly in the current climate of cynicism about politics and politicians. i can only show by my actions that i do care and am committed to them as an advocate.” ian revealed he followed Jesus’ example when occupying the prolific role.

He added: “i have been in some churches, and know of others, where to be ‘political’ is frowned on and even rejected. i feel that Jesus took full part in the political scene of his day, challenging the hypocrisies and wrongly held beliefs, teaching a new order of the kingdom of God.

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Party makes call in bid God’s got to recruit hopeful MPs answer on the climate

A cAll for christians to come forward and offer themselves as candidates at the next general election was made by leaders of the christian Peoples Alliance recently.

Meeting in london to review the European election results, the cPA Federal council decided that the party would contest the coming General Election,

by Matthew Murray which must be called by June 2010.

Addressing Eu candidates and party supporters from smaller parties. The cPA across England, cPA leader now intends to turn the hard cllr Alan craig said: “All work of christians in their over the country, the public communities into a stronger are looking to support politi- political presence by contestcians committed to bringing ing the general election and truth and integrity to West- also local government elecminster. it has been thrilling tions next year. to see christian community cllr Alan craig, who leads activists approaching the the opposition on newham cPA about their hopes to Borough council concluded: stand for Parliament.

“The sheer ha rd work at grassroots level by so many OppOrtunity christians will have given “We have decided to widen t he m t he c red ibi l it y t he the appeal for more to come public are looking for. forward because historically “This spirit of sacrificial christians have always been service in the love of their at the heart of social and neighbours is the distincpolitical renewal. This is a tive difference that they can moment of opportunity to offer. change politics as we have “As a party, the cPA will known it.” be drawing such activists The cPA has been work- together to run on a platform ing for over a decade to es- of cleaning up politics, tacktablish christian Democracy ling growing social inequalas a British electoral option. ity, facing up to the secular The Times this month said fu nda menta l ist th reat to that the CP-CPA a l l ia nce religious freedom and rewere “key winners” of the newing the christian contriEuropean elections among bution to public life.”

A lEADinG scientist says turning to God may be the answer to climate change.

Atheist lord May, the president of the British Science Association, says that in the past fear of punishment by God made people more aware of their lifestyle.

He said the powerful nations of the world would not take the lead in the fight against climate change and that faith could step in and help.

“Given that punishment is a useful mechan ism, how much more effective it would be if you invested that power not in an individual you don’t like, but an all-seeing, all powerful deity that controls the world.” rev Dave Bookless, of christian environmental group A rocha, was delighted by lord May’s comments.

He added: “it’s fascinating, slightly amusing and also very encouraging that a major scientific leader who is on record as being an atheist says the world may have to turn to God to save itself from climate change. “i think we need to take his views seriously. We [as christians] are not doing enough. We are getting there, but in terms of the science we are getting there slowly.”

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Things ain’t what they used to bean!

Charity champ’s life changed after facing death heartache CHARITY superhero Captain Beany has admitted that his real hero is Jesus. the madcap fundraiser – who collects cash by sitting in baths of baked beans – is the zany alter ego of Barry Kirk.

Captain Beany came to life when Barry, now aged 55, took part in a charity stunt in 1986, which has been imitated countless times for charitable causes. the fundraising event got him into the Guinness Book of records and Captain Beany shot to fame, appearing on countless tV programmes and newspapers.

But while Captain Beany was catapulted into the limelight, Barry’s life was falling apart. in May 1991, after the success of another of his baked beans stunts, Barry Kirk changed his name by deed poll to Captain Beany, and fully immersed himself in his charity work.

But soon t he con sta nt de m a nd s started to get too much. he said: “the pressure of not saying no was getting to me. i used to do all this fundraising for different causes and that got me the buzz of helping others less fortunate than myself, but i questioned whether i was doing it to help others or to make myself feel good.”

After a series of deaths in the family, Barry started to question even more – including the meaning of life. he said: “i couldn’t cope with my life and couldn’t come to terms with death. the only way i could get over it was going to the local boozer and drowning my sorrows.”

But just when he was giving up on life he met a Christian who offered to pray for him. however, when she died two weeks later, he was left wondering why his life was surrounded by death.

At the woman’s funeral, he met up

NEW LIFE

Game is tops for learning...

A ChristiAn version of popular children’s games top trumps has been released. testament trumps aims to help children learn more about biblical characters and values. the game features Old testament heroes such as Moses and samson. in addition, the pack also contains special cards requesting the player to name all ten Commandments, or all ten Plagues that struck Egypt. testament trumps creator steve strongman said: “they are a bit of fun but have a serious message. i wa nt schoolch i ld ren to enjoy playing the game but also take on board the decent values the cards represent.

“A lot of youngsters are unfamiliar with the Bible and its teachings but are huge fans of top trumps so there was no better way of addressing that issue.”

1m decide to follow Jesus

with old friends who invited him to church. he said: “i wasn’t sure i wanted to get involved. i didn’t think it was for me, but i thought i’ll go just for one sunday.” that was two years ago and Barry is now a changed man. he said, “About a year ago i got baptised. now i’m a new man. it was the most tremendous day of my life. i have so much hope for the future. i read God’s word and he has inspired me for future projects.”

But Captain Beany is not hanging up his cloak just yet – and has just been voted the most eccentric person in Britain.

“Barry Kirk was lost. Captain Beany took 99.9 per cent of my life but now the balance has been restored,” he said. “i’m using Captain Beany for good and it’s great to know i don’t have to be a superhero to be a Christian.

“People may ask how can someone so eccentric be a Christian, but i tell them Jesus saves people from all walks of life. to know that you’re going to be saved from your sins and have eternal life, is so reassuring and to know that your life on earth isn’t a waste.”

We’re clinging to faith in God after tragedy ● Continued from Page 1 them cope with the death of son sam. the keen footballer died after he and three other boys were knocked down on their way back from an evening youth service at henleaze and Westbury Community Chuch in Bristol on May 1. hannah saaf, 27, is due to be sentenced later this month after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

After the court hearing in september, Martin and rachel, who both work for Christian organisations, released a statement through their Westbury-on-trym church. it read: “the last three months have been an incredibly painful and difficult time, we miss our lovely sam so much.

“We have been overwhelmed by the love and support that we have experienced from our friends and families, our church, our local community and many people around the country and are so thankful for all the cards, letters and prayers from so many people. this

Issue 189 • NEW LIFE 3

love and support is helping us to get through each day. sam asked the big questions of life and we had lots of opportunity to talk with him about heaven.

“Knowing that he is there now and that we will see him again one day gives us great hope and we continue to cling to our faith in a loving God to help us make sense of this awful tragedy.”

WONDERFUL More than 500 people joined sam’s parents and his three brothers Jacob, 14, thomas, nine and Joshua, five, at a memorial service after his funeral in May. Mr riddall, a former rAF mechanic who worked for Campus Crusade for Christ international, paid tribute to his son. the 45-year-old said: “this is an impossible time for us. sam was the most wonderful of boys, we loved him very much. his smile could light up the darkest room and his attitude to life shone out of him like a light.”

BEANZ MEANZ FUNDZ... Barry Kirk, left, and his alter ego Captain Beany

NEW LIFE

A MiLLiOn people decided to become Christians in one month as part of a campaign.

Global Media Outreach, the media arm of Campus Crusade for Christ Ministries (CCCM) says it recorded the figures in June.

GMO reported 1,030,581 people decided to follow Jesus or recommit their life to Christ during June through one of more than 90 GMOhosted gospel websites.

Founder Walt Wilson said: “this is an historic event only possible

by God’s power. Over the past few months, we have seen an increasing number of people come to our evangelistic web and mobile sites.”

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WORLD NEWS ROUND-UP

TAKING MESSAGE TO THE BROTHELS

Prayer group in parliament UKRAINE – A Christian prayer group has started in the parliament building in Kiev.

Pavlo Ung u r ya n, a Ch r ist ia n member of the Ukrainian parliament, has told reporters about the group.

He said: “This is truly a miracle of God. For the last 18 years we didn’t have any believers in our parliament, then one year ago we had some re-elections and four evangelical Christians were elected in the parliament. They are all Protestants in one partial party block.

“We have five political parties in our parliament, but just one block or party has Protestant evangelical believers in it.

“One year ago, in September 2008, we started a prayer group for these four members of parliament. Every Tuesday morning we unite to read Bible together and pray the Lord’s Prayer.

“I am delighted to say that now, in our parliamentary prayer group, it has grown to 12 members, which also include Orthodox and Catholic Christians, as well as members from different political parties.”

REACHING OUT... Members of Alabaster Oil Ministries take the gospel to prostitutes in Nigeria

PROSTITUTES in Nigeria are being given the chance to quit the sex industry thanks to a Christian organisation.

Alabaster Oil Ministries consists of frontline preachers who go into brothels, distributing Bibles, sha ri ng the Ch ristia n message and makes friends with prostitutes.

The evangelists – all women – invite the prostitutes to live with them at a refuge home for up to two years.

They are shown the love of God in practical ways and given opportunities to earn money by learning trades.

A spokesperson for the ministry said: “Our vision is by the power of God to empty the brothels in Nigeria, to have a home of refuge where women will come for a period of 12–24 months to find out their call in life, encounter and get to know our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, be empowered spiritually and acquire skills that will enable them to empower themselves financially and go out and impact other women in their category in our society.

“We do brothel evangelism, taking church to the brothels.

By the help of the Holy Spirit we hope these girls see the Lord through us.”

Help for kids WOMAN’S HOPE DESPITE BEING WIDOWED TWICE with trauma IRAQ – A mission group has launched a new ministry in Iraq focused on helping train teachers, church workers and others who interact with traumatised children.

Open Doors said it had received positive feedback from the beneficiaries.

One of Open Doors’ co-workers in Iraq said: “Because we are working with a traumatised population, we have to address the issue of trauma.

Training people to help traumatised children is one part of the course.

“Rece nt ly we gave a t rau m a counselling training course to help children. The group was very attentive, on-time and able to soak in the material. Church youth workers also benefited from the course.

All seemed to enjoy breaking into smaller discussion groups.”

Open Doors is a non-denominational Christian mission supporting persecuted Christian believers in more than 45 countries where Christianity is socially or legally discouraged or oppressed.

Clinton backs rehab centre AFRICA – US Secreta r y of State H i l la r y Cl i nton has pra ised a n organisation helping women who have suffered sexual attacks in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mrs Clinton made her comments during a visit to Christian organisation Heal Africa’s hospital and rehabilitation centre in Goma, the provincial capital of conflict-affected North Kivu province, in the east of the country.

There she met with hospital workers and patients, including women recovering from the physical and psychological effects of rape.

“Heal Africa is doing amazing work,” said the Secretary of State, who was on a tour of Africa.

It is estimated that 200,000 women and girls have suffered sexual violence since 1996.

DOUBLE TRAGEDIES TRANSFORMED ME

by Ian White

A WOMAN who was widowed twice found faith and rebuilt her life supporting travellers in the Canary Islands.

Nor t hu m be rla nd-bor n A n n a Hampton is now a full-time Christian worker and enjoys her new beginning.

But the day she was told her first husband Clive had been killed in a road accident will always be with her.

The 67-yea r-old rel ives w it h rema rkable ca l m ness t he da rk Maundy Thursday in 1974 when she received a spine-chilling prolonged ring of the doorbell at her Newcastle home.

Husband Clive was overdue from work and Anna, then known by her birth name of Audrey, sensed something was drastically wrong.

She opened the door to police who told of his accident.

DESPAIR On her arrival at hospital, medics confirmed the worst – that Clive, in rushing across the road for his bus, had been struck by on overtaking vehicle throwing him on to an oncoming car.

Becoming a widow after just 17 months put the previously socially inept adult, who had such a strict upbringing that foreign holidays were taboo, on a downward spiral

A NEW START... Anna Hampton of despair and depression. However, on moving to Scarborough she became engaged again and they were in the throws of buying a Spanish apartment when tragedy hit again…

Harry suffered a massive, fatal heart attack.

But this time Anna didn’t “bottleup” her emotions and, after a string of “God-incidents”, she rediscovered her faith.

It was in 1984 when she found herself in a church meeting and experienced what she describes as “the 18-inch drop” from head to heart and got to know God, rather than know about God. She told New Life: “My relationship with God was growing stronger.

No longer was he the remote, distant God of years ago. I was enjoying a new freedom. “ Anna, who has no children, felt an overwhelming desire to “mother” the hurting and needy and has con-

tinued doing so in various places and in a variety of ways.

And she’s well qualified to do so, as by the tender age of 11, she was already carrying adult responsibilities within the home due to her own mother’s ill health.

Anna feels that, through Christ, God restored her lost childhood by challenging her to change her name to indicate a fresh beginning.

A friend confirmed this when she told her the name Audrey didn’t suit the new person whom she now sensed as ‘gentle’.

Anna added: “She told me the flashing anger in my eyes that killed at ten paces had gone!”

Her friend had sudden inspiration for the name ‘Anna’ which delighted the modern-day Anna as she recalled the biblical story of a woman of that name who served God continually and that complemented her own heart’s desire.

VISION Anna’s vision has only really begun to unfold since relocating to Gran Canaria in September 1995, since when she has co-ordinated t rave l a r ra nge me nts, prov ided own-home hospitality and hands-on practical support for travellers to and from Africa.

Anna is now writing her autobiography – entitled No Coincidence – after feeling challenged by God. She said: “It’s remarkable! Never would I have imagined in my life that I would be living abroad and writing a book. Both things were the furthest from my mind.”

Aid agency feeds 60k after floods

A youngster has completed two three peak challenges in one weekend to raise funds for his rugby team 60,000 flood-ravaged andALMOST his church. people are being completed saved fromthe Nathan Holland starvation by awalk church action grueling 52-mile of the Yorkgroup. shire Dale’s peaks Whernside, InAct ionand

by Chu rches Toand gleborough Pen-y-ghent gether (ACT) International is 12 raised £800 for Crosfield’s under providing meals southern rugby team and King’sinChurch, Great India,Cheshire. but is struggling to genSankey, The money will be erate financial support. split between the two.

I nter nat iona l AsiaTheACT 12-year-old marked his dad Paci40th fic prog ra m me officer Paul’s birthday in September Yonetani said: “We

by Michelle accompanying his father on the are which concerned that funding walk, is usually completed been slow by commitments adults who arehave competent ramto materialise, given the large blers. number affected and the urgency of the relief effort.”

Some 2.5 m illion people were left homeless after the worst floods in a century hit the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka last month.

Some 300 people were killed and at least five million people are crammed in temporary government shelters, according to officials.

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CD launched to help those with cancer A MuSIC CD has been released to help those who are suffering with cancer.

David Jardine, Director of Divine Healing Ministries in Ireland, makes practical suggestions about praying for people with cancer; how to pray for them, and how cancer victims can pray for themselves.

In the 48-minute CD, David gives examples of people he has prayed for who have received healing at different levels.

Some who have been completely healed or gone into remission, while others have received great peace, freedom from pain or partial healing and other beneficial results.

gentle He said: “At Divine Healing Ministries the two common conditions that we are asked to pray for are cancer and depression. There is hardly a family in the country that hasn’t been touched by cancer. Our way of praying is gentle and effective.”

For more details, call 028 9031 1532 or visit www.divinehealingministries.wordpress.com

Minister now in the drink!

A CHuRCH minister has created a drink after he was prompted to throw together a couple of unlikely ingredients during a home cooking session.

Pastor John Berriman was wondering what to do with some homegrown chillies while sipping a glass of cola in the kitchen of his home in St Ives, West Cornwall.

‘Suddenly I just thought what would happen if I put the two together, the chilli and the cola,’ he said.

‘So, I chopped up the chilli quite small and I put it in the glass of cola to see what it would taste like.

Along with his wife Sally, 52, he since launched drinks company 3sixteen uK. The result is Chilli Cola, a diet version, Chilli Cola Lite and a Chilli Apple drink. He says feedback has been positive so far.

Shoppers are left stunned STuNNeD shoppers watched as people performed an impromptu, ‘flashmob’-style worship service in Portsmouth’s Guildhall Square.

At a pre-arranged signal, 50 worshippers appeared in the square, took off their shoes and socks, sat on the floor behind a large cross and prayed silently for two minutes.

They then hummed a single note together and lit candles before dispersing.

The Rev Mark Rodel, who is the city centre pioneer minister for the Church of england, arranged the event. His role involves creating new Christian communities outside traditional churches.

Issue 189 •

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

I turned my back on my transvestite dad ...But his faith brought us back together

by Becky Barlow

NEW LIFE NEWS FEATURE NEW LIFE

I

T was a discovery that shocked Jane Blease to the core. At the tender age of 17 she found out that her dad was a transvestite and having an affair.

For the next two years Jane struggled to come to terms with both her dad’s obsession and the double life he was leading with another woman.

“I was about 17 when my mother discovered my father’s secret behaviour,” Jane told New Life. “She came home that day and found my father dressed up in her clothes. We were both horrified and shocked at this discovery.

“It also transpired that he had had a relationship with a woman in London. Apparently, she accepted his behaviour.”

Jane was devastated and deeply hurt when her dad said he was going to leave the family to live with the ‘other woman’.

At the age of 19 Jane left home, got married and cut all ties with her dad.

She said: “I felt I couldn’t cope any more with his life choices so I made a decision to cut off all communication with him.”

Now 61, Jane has spoken for the first time about how she rejected her dad and the mix of emotions that ripped her life apart.

But it was her ex-Army major dad who would eventually come back into her life and lead her on a journey of discovery about her Father in heaven.

separation

A BIG CHALLENGE...

Jane Blease whose father was a transvestite. Above, Jane with her grandfather on her wedding day

l

After several years without any communication, Jane heard that her dad – who was now remarried – had been miraculously healed from deafness and was a born-again Christian.

Rather than be encouraged by the news, she was left red-faced.

She explained: “I was so embarrassed and wondered what on earth he was up to. I thought being a born again Christian sounded excessive and embarrassing.”

Although always in the back of her mind, Jane had sent her dad to Coventry for 11 years – until one day the telephone rang.

“He asked to come and visit. I think that over the years of separation, watching my children grow, I had felt sad that they had never known their grandfather,” Jane remembered.

For her children’s sake, Jane agreed to a meeting and when they finally sat down to talk after more than decade apart, Jane was left surprised by her dad’s experience with faith.

He then bought her a book for Christmas that changed her life.

“It was called, In Search of God by David Watson,” said Jane. “Here I was believing in God, even praying, thinking I must be a Christian, but what I was reading, explained why I felt far away from God. The problem was my sin. It

‘I couldn’t cope any more with his life choices’ had never been dealt with. Now, I understood that good works, going to church, or praying, wouldn’t make me right with God. Only Jesus Christ could pay the penalty for the sin of the world, and that included mine.

“I realised the sacrifice of Jesus needed a response from me. I needed to acknowledge to God my sin, my guilt, and to thank Jesus for paying the price, with his perfect, sinless life “I thought how extraordinary it was, that through my father, I should come to faith in God. In spite of all the hurt and pain he had caused me, his abandonment of me, my rejection of him, he was the one to introduce me to Jesus.”

Over the next few years Jane started to work through her issues with her dad.

She said: “I realised I must forgive those who had hurt me, as God had forgiven me. My dad

The truth about Christmas Don’t miss our brilliant special feature – only in NEW LIFE next month NEW LIFE

was my biggest challenge but, trusting God, I made that decision to forgive.”

And when she found out her dad was dressing up in women’s clothing again, Jane was able to draw on God’s grace to accept him for who he was and their relationship was fully restored before he passed away last year.

peace She said: “Little by little God had got me through to a place where I was able to talk to my dad and pray with him, accept him as he was and still love him. I have no regrets, and thank God for giving me time and opportunity to get right with my dad.

“I am sure that he is now at peace with the Lord. He is at last completely healed, made whole and rejoicing in God’s presence.”

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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 Admit that you have done wrong that Jesus died so that you can B Believe be forgiven, and ask God to forgive you The Bible says, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).

‘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).

C 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 189 •

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

AFTER DRUGS HELL AND AN ABUSIVE HUBBY WHITNEY SAYS OF GOD...

i will always love you!

D

iDn’t she almost have it all? At the peak of her career in the 1990s, American singing sensation Whitney Houston had everything anyone could possibly desire.

Whitney had achieved superstar status through her million-selling singles and albums, starred in numerous blockbuster films, married, and started a family.

But behind the success lay an ugly secret: increasing drug abuse and a turbulent personal life.

Now, in her first in-depth interview for several years, Whitney, 46, describes the depths to which her life plummeted, and how her life got back on track – thanks to a mother’s love and her “greatest love of all”… Jesus.

Talking to US chatshow host Oprah Winfrey, Whitney reveals: “I had the money. I had the cars. I had the house.

Had the husband. Had the kid. And none of it was really that fulfilling.

“For a time, I was happy. I was happy, but I needed that joy. I needed my joy back. I needed that peace that passes all understanding.”

That joy was very real to Whitney at an early age. Born into a highly musical family (her mother is the wellknown gospel singer Cissy Houston; her cousins include Dee Dee Warwick and Dionne Warwick; her godmother is Aretha Franklin), Whitney began singing in a local church gospel choir in Newark, New Jersey, aged 11.

Asked by Oprah when she knew she had a gift, Whitney answers: “I knew in the days when I was a teenager singing for God. I was so sure.”

Her talent was soon discovered by Arista Records’ head Clive Davis in 1983 and Whitney’s meteoric rise to stardom began in 1985 with the release of her first album. Her second album, released in 1987, helped make her one of the top ten highest earning entertainers, according to Forbes Magazines.

But it was in 1992, when she married the “bad boy of music”, Bobby Brown, and starred in the phenomenally successful film The Bodyguard alongside Kevin Costner, that – ironically – things started to go wrong.

As Whitney explains, Bobby’s jealousy at her success began to alter her personality: “He had just put everything aside of his own, and said: ‘I’ll go with you. Don’t worry about it.’ [But] I think somewhere inside something happens to a man when a woman has that much control or has that much fame, if he doesn’t have his own.

“I tried to play it down all the time. I tried to play: ‘I’m Mrs Brown, everybody. Don’t call me Ms Houston.’”

The “light” drug taking that the couple had engaged in now began to get heavier.

“Before ‘The Bodyguard’ it was very light. After The Bodyguard, it started getting heavy... trying to hide the pain.”

Whitney turned to cocaine and marijuana to help mask the increasingly difficult times at home, with Bobby often being abusive – both emotionally and physically.

By the time she starred in the film The Preacher’s Wife, the drug taking had increased dramatically.

She explains: “By The Preacher’s Wife [doing drugs] was an everyday thing... I would do my work, but after I did my work, for a whole year or two, it was every day... I wasn’t happy by that point in time. I was losing myself.”

When asked how bad the situation got, she says: “When you don’t speak and you live in the same home and you’re sitting right next to that person and you’re not saying a word for a week? You’re just sitting there?

And you’re just watching TV? That’s bad... It gets to the point where you’re sitting in your home and you’re just trying to cover what you don’t want people to know.

“It’s painful. And then you want more just so that you don’t let anybody see you cry. Or anybody to see we’re not happy... I had so much money and so much access to what I wanted and everybody was [asking] me ‘What do you want? What do you need?’ I didn’t think about the singing part any more.”

And yet it was in these darkest hours that Whitney began to reach out to the One she knew could help her: “[I would] listen to gospel. I would still read my Bible,

‘I love the spirit of God so much that I’m not willing to trade that for anything’

amazingly enough. I would still read my Bible. I still had it in me. I knew God was there. I knew the light was there and I was just trying to get back to it. I just kept trying to get back to that spirituality.”

She did a spell in rehab, and faced up to the difficult, yet necessary, experience of explaining to her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, what was happening in her life.

But, as Whitney says: “I got out of that programme, and it continued. The drugs didn’t stop.”

It was then that Whitney’s mother, Cissy Houston, literally came to her rescue. Accompanied by a police officer, Cissy turned up at her door and forced her to choose between rehab or officially ending her career.

“One day my mother came to my house. Looking back at it, I see the love and the passion that my mother had for me, that she has for me.

“She walks in with the sheriff and she says: ‘I have a court injunction here. You do it my way or we’re not going to do this at all. You’re going to go on TV, and you’re going to retire.

“I’m not losing you to the world. I’m not losing you to Satan. I want my daughter back. I want to see that glow in your eyes. That light in your eyes. I want to see the child I raised. And you weren’t raised like this. So you make a choice.’”

Thanks to her mother’s dramatic intervention, Whitney realised she needed to go into rehab to sort out her drug problem, and then make a decision about the future of her marriage.

Despite rumours of Bobby’s alleged promiscuity and his upsetting behaviour, Whitney had always tried to keep the marriage going.

She says, for example, he would cut her head off family portraits, painted “evil” eyes all over her bedroom, and spat in her face after she had organised a birthday party for him.

But when she realised his ways – particularly his drug taking – were not going to change, she knew she had to get out.

“I just remember praying, ‘Lord, if you give me one day of strength, I will go out that door and I will not look back.’

And that one day came. And I left.

“I wasn’t going to be in an unholy matrimony. I wasn’t going to be living with a man who decided that he didn’t want to live the same way I did or thought about marriage or me the same way. Being loyal. Being dedicated. Being true. Being faithful.

praying

WOMAN OF FAITH...

Whitney Houston performs songs from her new album. Above, Whitney puts on a brave face with her now exhusband Bobby Brown

“He was doing all the opposite. And I wanted to stop at that point. I mean, the drugs, the whole thing. I wanted it all just to stop. And he just wanted it to continue. By that time, the evil, the enemy just wanted to let itself in and take over, and I wanted it out.

“And I was praying hard. I was praying very hard. The spirit of God is stronger than any spirit that you can ever have... it helps you to make a decision.”

The couple divorced in 2007, and Whitney now has custody of their daughter. Completely free from drugs, she has returned to her first love – music. Her long-awaited comeback album I Look To You was released in the UK last month and focuses on how she “made it through some of the rough times”, as she puts it.

Talking about the song I Didn’t Know My Own Strength, where she focuses on all those who are suffering, aiming to inspire them to something better, she describes the source of her strength: “I know from whence my help cometh. I do know that.

“And I know that it’s strong within me. If ever I get low, I get weak, I know where I can turn to... I’m not trading that for nothing. For nothing. Because I feel joy that I can’t even speak about. And peace that passes all understanding.

“I was by myself so much... and I would just sit and I would read the Word and I would stop and I would think, ‘What do you want me to know?’ The Holy Spirit would speak to me and would guide me.

“And I wouldn’t know how I would get to this place or that place. Or how I did this or how I was to go into the studio and sing again. But I did it.’

I Will Always Love You is perhaps Whitney’s most famous song. So when asked “Who do you love?” her answer is perhaps not surprising: “The Lord. I do. I’m so humbled and so thankful, by his grace, his goodness, for never giving up on me.”

7

6

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

NEW LIFE • Issue 189 NEW LIFE

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 Admit that you have done wrong that Jesus died so that you can B Believe be forgiven, and ask God to forgive you The Bible says, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).

‘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).

C 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 189 •

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

AFTER DRUGS HELL AND AN ABUSIVE HUBBY WHITNEY SAYS OF GOD...

i will always love you!

D

iDn’t she almost have it all? At the peak of her career in the 1990s, American singing sensation Whitney Houston had everything anyone could possibly desire.

Whitney had achieved superstar status through her million-selling singles and albums, starred in numerous blockbuster films, married, and started a family.

But behind the success lay an ugly secret: increasing drug abuse and a turbulent personal life.

Now, in her first in-depth interview for several years, Whitney, 46, describes the depths to which her life plummeted, and how her life got back on track – thanks to a mother’s love and her “greatest love of all”… Jesus.

Talking to US chatshow host Oprah Winfrey, Whitney reveals: “I had the money. I had the cars. I had the house.

Had the husband. Had the kid. And none of it was really that fulfilling.

“For a time, I was happy. I was happy, but I needed that joy. I needed my joy back. I needed that peace that passes all understanding.”

That joy was very real to Whitney at an early age. Born into a highly musical family (her mother is the wellknown gospel singer Cissy Houston; her cousins include Dee Dee Warwick and Dionne Warwick; her godmother is Aretha Franklin), Whitney began singing in a local church gospel choir in Newark, New Jersey, aged 11.

Asked by Oprah when she knew she had a gift, Whitney answers: “I knew in the days when I was a teenager singing for God. I was so sure.”

Her talent was soon discovered by Arista Records’ head Clive Davis in 1983 and Whitney’s meteoric rise to stardom began in 1985 with the release of her first album. Her second album, released in 1987, helped make her one of the top ten highest earning entertainers, according to Forbes Magazines.

But it was in 1992, when she married the “bad boy of music”, Bobby Brown, and starred in the phenomenally successful film The Bodyguard alongside Kevin Costner, that – ironically – things started to go wrong.

As Whitney explains, Bobby’s jealousy at her success began to alter her personality: “He had just put everything aside of his own, and said: ‘I’ll go with you. Don’t worry about it.’ [But] I think somewhere inside something happens to a man when a woman has that much control or has that much fame, if he doesn’t have his own.

“I tried to play it down all the time. I tried to play: ‘I’m Mrs Brown, everybody. Don’t call me Ms Houston.’”

The “light” drug taking that the couple had engaged in now began to get heavier.

“Before ‘The Bodyguard’ it was very light. After The Bodyguard, it started getting heavy... trying to hide the pain.”

Whitney turned to cocaine and marijuana to help mask the increasingly difficult times at home, with Bobby often being abusive – both emotionally and physically.

By the time she starred in the film The Preacher’s Wife, the drug taking had increased dramatically.

She explains: “By The Preacher’s Wife [doing drugs] was an everyday thing... I would do my work, but after I did my work, for a whole year or two, it was every day... I wasn’t happy by that point in time. I was losing myself.”

When asked how bad the situation got, she says: “When you don’t speak and you live in the same home and you’re sitting right next to that person and you’re not saying a word for a week? You’re just sitting there?

And you’re just watching TV? That’s bad... It gets to the point where you’re sitting in your home and you’re just trying to cover what you don’t want people to know.

“It’s painful. And then you want more just so that you don’t let anybody see you cry. Or anybody to see we’re not happy... I had so much money and so much access to what I wanted and everybody was [asking] me ‘What do you want? What do you need?’ I didn’t think about the singing part any more.”

And yet it was in these darkest hours that Whitney began to reach out to the One she knew could help her: “[I would] listen to gospel. I would still read my Bible,

‘I love the spirit of God so much that I’m not willing to trade that for anything’

amazingly enough. I would still read my Bible. I still had it in me. I knew God was there. I knew the light was there and I was just trying to get back to it. I just kept trying to get back to that spirituality.”

She did a spell in rehab, and faced up to the difficult, yet necessary, experience of explaining to her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, what was happening in her life.

But, as Whitney says: “I got out of that programme, and it continued. The drugs didn’t stop.”

It was then that Whitney’s mother, Cissy Houston, literally came to her rescue. Accompanied by a police officer, Cissy turned up at her door and forced her to choose between rehab or officially ending her career.

“One day my mother came to my house. Looking back at it, I see the love and the passion that my mother had for me, that she has for me.

“She walks in with the sheriff and she says: ‘I have a court injunction here. You do it my way or we’re not going to do this at all. You’re going to go on TV, and you’re going to retire.

“I’m not losing you to the world. I’m not losing you to Satan. I want my daughter back. I want to see that glow in your eyes. That light in your eyes. I want to see the child I raised. And you weren’t raised like this. So you make a choice.’”

Thanks to her mother’s dramatic intervention, Whitney realised she needed to go into rehab to sort out her drug problem, and then make a decision about the future of her marriage.

Despite rumours of Bobby’s alleged promiscuity and his upsetting behaviour, Whitney had always tried to keep the marriage going.

She says, for example, he would cut her head off family portraits, painted “evil” eyes all over her bedroom, and spat in her face after she had organised a birthday party for him.

But when she realised his ways – particularly his drug taking – were not going to change, she knew she had to get out.

“I just remember praying, ‘Lord, if you give me one day of strength, I will go out that door and I will not look back.’

And that one day came. And I left.

“I wasn’t going to be in an unholy matrimony. I wasn’t going to be living with a man who decided that he didn’t want to live the same way I did or thought about marriage or me the same way. Being loyal. Being dedicated. Being true. Being faithful.

praying

WOMAN OF FAITH...

Whitney Houston performs songs from her new album. Above, Whitney puts on a brave face with her now exhusband Bobby Brown

“He was doing all the opposite. And I wanted to stop at that point. I mean, the drugs, the whole thing. I wanted it all just to stop. And he just wanted it to continue. By that time, the evil, the enemy just wanted to let itself in and take over, and I wanted it out.

“And I was praying hard. I was praying very hard. The spirit of God is stronger than any spirit that you can ever have... it helps you to make a decision.”

The couple divorced in 2007, and Whitney now has custody of their daughter. Completely free from drugs, she has returned to her first love – music. Her long-awaited comeback album I Look To You was released in the UK last month and focuses on how she “made it through some of the rough times”, as she puts it.

Talking about the song I Didn’t Know My Own Strength, where she focuses on all those who are suffering, aiming to inspire them to something better, she describes the source of her strength: “I know from whence my help cometh. I do know that.

“And I know that it’s strong within me. If ever I get low, I get weak, I know where I can turn to... I’m not trading that for nothing. For nothing. Because I feel joy that I can’t even speak about. And peace that passes all understanding.

“I was by myself so much... and I would just sit and I would read the Word and I would stop and I would think, ‘What do you want me to know?’ The Holy Spirit would speak to me and would guide me.

“And I wouldn’t know how I would get to this place or that place. Or how I did this or how I was to go into the studio and sing again. But I did it.’

I Will Always Love You is perhaps Whitney’s most famous song. So when asked “Who do you love?” her answer is perhaps not surprising: “The Lord. I do. I’m so humbled and so thankful, by his grace, his goodness, for never giving up on me.”

7

Issue 189

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

8

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Thousands HEALING LASTS 50 YEARS FOR OAP make stand on poverty THOUsANDs of Christians across the UK expressed their solidarity with the poor by standing up and speaking out.

The action was taken as part of a campaign called stand Up, Take Action.

Churches were encouraged to stand up and renew their commitment to working for justice and asking MPs to take action on poverty and climate issues.

They a lso spe nt t i me praying together for global econom ic just ice, ra isi ng awareness of the Millennium Development Goals to halve extreme global poverty by 2015 and taking action to cancel the debts of impoverished countries. stand Up was the campaign action for Micah sunday, part of the World Evangelical Alliance’s Micah Challenge movement to end global poverty.

Church now doc surgery MiL L iONs of pou nds have been spent transforming a Portsmouth church into a doctor’s surgery, pre-school and a host of community groups.

When David Power took over as vicar at st Cuthbert’s in 1997, he inherited a huge building and a mostly elderly congregation.

His task was to turn things around and put the church back in the centre of the community. Eleven years on and £4million later, st Cuthbert’s is now a great influence in Portsmouth.

Worshippers feel chipper!

CHUrCH services can often end with a cup of tea – but not in the staffordshire village of Halmer End. The Methodist Church there has started to organise chip and hymn services in a bid to attract new members. The local chippie partners with the initiative, and chip butties are served to the congregation after the services.

Life could have been different!

HEALTHY LIFE... Ken Davies who was healed as a boy

by Becky Barlow

A ForMEr security officer has told how he was healed from a debilitating illness as a child when he became a christian.

Ken Davies, from Liverpool, was left with chronic bronchial asthma after a bout of childhood pneumonia.

His condition was so bad that he was practically bedridden and missed out on playing outside with pals.

But all this changed when a swedish preacher came to town and changed his life forever.

Ken’s mum, Mary, took her 11-year-old son along to hear this man speak at the Central Hall in Liverpool and what happened that night changed Ken’s life dramatically.

asthma “He preached and made an appeal and something inside me responded,” says Ken. “i turned to my mum and told her that i wanted to give my life to Jesus. i’ll never forget what she said next. she said, ‘Ken, you’re going to be healed.’ “i went up on the platform, told him [the preacher] my name and told him about my asthma.

He put his hands on me. There could have been someone else there but i definitely felt another pair of hands on me.

“As soon as he started praying for me, i felt a tingling sensation go through my head, to the tips of my fingers, to the tips of my toes.”

Ken left that hall a changed boy. His asthma and daily doses of medication were behind him, and he was finally able to play out with his friends and take part in a normal, everyday child-

hood. Later he did suffer one further asthma attack but, after he and his mum prayed, his illness disappeared completely.

Ken’s healing baffled doctors at the hospital where he was treated as a boy.

He said: “When i was 21 i was asked to go to Liverpool University Clinic for tests to check up on my condition. i went to the hospital, where they had all sorts of apparatus – i had to get

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on a bike to test my breathing and fitness.

“The doctor said to me, ‘i don’t know what it is but there’s nothing wrong with you’.”

But Ken knows the answer and now shares his story with anyone who will listen.

He added: “i believe that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. What he did for me so long ago, he can do for people today.”

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

NEW LIFE

Issue 189 • NEW LIFE 9

COMMENT Your bodyguard UNIMAGINABLE riches, a successful movie and music career and fame around the world.

Many people strive to have all those things – as hugely popular shows such as The X Factor prove.

But diva Whitney Houston has laid bare the truth that all those trappings of wealth aren’t the route to happiness.

Like a song title from her Bodyguard album, despite having everything anyone could ever want she still said, “I Have Nothing”!

That’s because the material possessions and success she had couldn’t buy happiness – but Whitney realised the only route to true peace and joy is through Jesus Christ.

No amount of riches can ever buy the love that is available from God through Jesus – it is priceless. God’s love is free, although it certainly didn’t come cheap.

The song we mentioned above has the following lines that sum it up: “You see through, right to the heart of me. You break down my walls with the strength of your love.”

Maybe it wasn’t originally written about God’s love, but the words are remarkably apt.

Whitney’s heartbreaking years wrapped up in drugs were dark indeed, but she reached for her Bible, took notice of the words, prayed and believed that God’s Holy Spirit would help her through. And that’s what happened.

You may be at a crossroads in your life and think talk of faith is nonsense. But we would urge you to take the Lord Jesus Christ at his word.

He died on Calvary to pay for your sin, and rose again so that you could enjoy a brand new life in him.

Believe in him today; acknowledge your need of a Saviour, and invite Jesus into your life. He is the only Bodyguard you’ll ever need.

BIBLE QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”

Joshua 3:5 Editor: Peter Wreford Advertising: Barry Wilson

Editorial office: New Life Publishing Co, PO Box 777, Nottingham NG11 6ZZ, UK Email: editor@newlife.co.uk Telephone: 0115 824 0777 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.

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Issue 189 •

LINVOY PRIMUS

The inside track on faith in football

Offer no-one should refuse THERE is only one way to become a Christian – via the cross on which the Saviour of the world, Jesus, died at Calvary over 2,000 years ago.

Once you accept that he died for your sin, ask for forgiveness and allow him to help you with all the business of daily living – that’s it, you’re a Christian.

However, it would be completely wrong to believe that’s it and then sit waiting to go to heaven, because Christ wants us all to experience the kingdom of heaven whilst we are on earth.

The cross is so important, but it is simply the door to that kingdom and we are all invited to step inside the house (kingdom) and enjoy all the wonderful benefits on offer.

When you enter a house (kingdom) you normally receive a bunch of keys and it’s no different in the kingdom of God… there are keys for your healing, prosperity and much else.

But the major thing is that when you become a n a mbassador for the K i ng you receive authorit y from him to take into the world in which you live.

We are to follow t he r u les of t he kingdom into which we have stepped and as sons and daughters of the king we automatically become princes and princesses!

We a re asked to spread word of t h is wonderful kingdom and vested with HIS power we are to heal, deliver, evangelise and much else in his glorious name.

It is vitally important that we are shown the door – the all important cross – but once you have seen it and it’s been opened to you, make sure you step inside and take advantage of all the wonderful gifts on offer.

If you haven’t yet received the message of the cross and the kingdom of God, receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour right now – where you are.

Become a prince, a son or daughter of the King of Heaven – now that really is an offer no-one should refuse.

where golf ace putts his faith!

HOLE NEW MAN...

Stewart Cink

He may have recently lifted the 2009 Open Championship, but Stewart Cink is adamant golf isn’t at the top of his priority list.

In fact, the American knows his achievements on the golf course are nothing in comparison to his faith in Christ.

The devout Christian, 36, has become one of the world’s most respected golfers, having spent the last few years in the Top Ten of the World Golf Rankings.

The 6ft 4in star, who lives in Georgia, was once obsessed with golf until a friend asked him a very important question.

Cink recalls: “I don’t think I saw the church doors for three or four years. I took a detour. It wasn’t a Christ detour. I was always at the golf course. One day a friend asked me, ‘If you died today, would you go to heaven?’”

The golf superstar thought he had the answer. “I had a list in my pocket, figuratively, of course,” he said.

“Are you a good person? Are you nice to people? I had a checklist that would go on for hours and I, of course, had checked all the right boxes. I had to take a look at the man in the mirror.”

It was six years later that Cink surrendered his life to Jesus and decided to become a Christian.

Since then, life has been amazing. He said: “Though it took me a few years, the most important lesson I ever learned was that the way to heaven leads directly through Jesus Christ and only through him.

“My relationship with Christ is now the central part of my life. I am a better father to my two boys. I am a better husband to my wife; and I am a better golfer now that the Lord is walking with me in the fairways and through the rough.

“I’ve always relied on my faith real heavily and have never been afraid to talk about that with people – whether it’s media, friends, whatever. And I really believe that’s the rock I have.

“I’ve been through a lot. Anybody that plays golf long enough goes through ups and downs and I’ve been through them. And the one thing I always have with me, whether it’s up or down, is my faith.”

for your healing, prosperity and much else. ❜

Isn’t it Fabio?

Linvoy was talking to Hugh Southon

DON’T MISS LINVOY NEXT MONTH ...ONLY IN YOUR NEW LIFE

11

CHAMP REVEALS LESSON HE LEARNT

❛ There are keys

FABIO CAPELLO and England are on their way to South Africa for the World Cup Finals and thus we can all puff our chests out a little further.

Ok, if I’m honest I would sooner have got to the finals under an English manager, perhaps my old Pompey boss Harry Redknapp.

But you can’t have everything in this world and let’s be fair, Capello has done a wonderful job and proved one very important thing along the way.

Modern footballers have amazing lifestyles and wage packets, but footballers remain the same from one generation to another.

Fabio has shown that you either do it “my way or hit the highway”. He’s brought a good old fashioned dose of discipline and the players love than and always respond.

I really believe this England team can go all the way at the World Cup Finals and if they do it will all be down to the boss – a realist and disciplinarian who has shown that very often the old methods are the best.

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

how i had the hearts to survive HEARTS boss Csaba Laszio says God helped him through his tough upbringing.

The 45-year-old, who won the Manager of the Year plaudits after an outstanding first season in Scottish football last year, said life was difficult growing up in Romania.

However it was his faith that kept him going – and his community’s determination to keep worshipping God, despite

religion being outlawed.

He said: “Religion was taboo in Romania, this is true.

But I was always in church.

If I have help from anyone, it is from God. I believe in God, definitely. I pray every evening and I try to give this to my children as well.

“I a lso have my opi n ion about a lot of churches and a lot of pastors but I don’t lose my own confidence in God.”

TOUGH START... Csaba Laszio

first footy ministry conference planned THE UK’s first ever Football Ministry Conference is to take place next year.

The event is planned for Sunday, January 17 from 10am until 4pm at the Frontier Centre in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire.

The conference is for Christians who

love football – whether players, coaches, administrators or supporters. Early booking discounts apply.

Anyone interested should contact organiser Mark Blythe on mark@mccfc.org.uk or call 07885 778501.

Champion night!

FORMER boxing champion Nigel Benn and wife Caroline shared their powerful testimonies at an event organised by retired footballer Bruce Dyer recently.

Held at Sheffield United Football Club, the evening event attracted more than 100 people.

Nigel and Caroline told how God had saved their marriage after Nigel had been unfaithful on several occasions. After they told their story, several people became Christians.

NEW LIFE Wayne Rooney’s said he only ever had two career options in life – football or the church. The only subjects he enjoyed at school were Pe and Re. He’s confessed he would have become part of the clergy if his sporting talent hadn’t been picked up.

NEWSFLASH

Issue 189 • NEW LIFE 12

NEW LIFE

SPORT

We’re always leading the way with big names

open CHampion WHo WH Has Come a FairWay sinCe Fair CHanGinG His liFe CHan CH – see paGe pa 11

is s God my TOV advisor?

OF THE i’d say DAY ah-mensah to that...

NEW LIFE

don’t miss pompey star linvoy primus’ Great Column – turn to paGe 11 TAKING TOP ADVICE...

John Mensah

eXClusive By Hugh Southon KAKA has revealed for the first time that it was God who decided he wouldn’t be joining Manchester City earlier this year.

The £58million Real Madrid superstar admitted: “I listened to everything the club had to say and it was flattering to know how badly they wanted me and what they valued me at.

“There was much talk of the wages on offer, but to me that is not a big deal. They are now a very rich club and are quite rightly going to pay their players top wages.”

However, even the reported £500,000 a week the Brazilian was offered was not enough to overrule Kaka’s ASKED FOR SIGN... “sign from his superstar Kaka God”.

He said: “I asked him [God] for a sign and he made it clear that it was not the right time for me to leave. I don’t regret not having signed for City because I am now playing for the greatest and most famous football club in the world.

“I always knew in my heart the only club I’d leave AC Milan for was Real Madrid.”

Kaka is probably one of the most famous Christians in the world, having frequently spoken about his faith in Christ in the past.

He has previously given money to Christian causes; worn a vest saying “I belong to Jesus” under his football shirt and revealed he didn’t have sex with wife Caroline until they were married.

BlaCK Cats neW Boy talKs oF FaitH YOU may think Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is in charge of new signing John Mensah – but the Ghanaian might disagree.

As a committed Christian, Mensah says he seeks God on all big decisions, and is adamant that the Almighty is in control.

The 27-year-old left his home country as a teenager but never forgot his Ghanaian roots and always turns to God for advice when faced with decisions.

He did exactly that when the Black Cats were trying to sign him from Lyon and he was given complete backing from Reverend Joseph Koshy at his home Methodist Church.

The star told reporters: “I’m big on Christianity and my godfather, the Reverend, promised me that we would make it to the World Cup in 2006.

He promised me that as soon as I played for my country. Thank God we did qualify.

“He also promised me that we would qualify for the 2010 World Cup and we have. I thank God for that. I also spoke to him when I was about to leave for England and he told me there’d be no

problems at Sunderland. He told me ‘Wherever you go, God will always be with you’. He has promised me something about Sunderland, but that’s a secret. He will always pray for the team while I’m playing. I just need to play for the team and stay focused on it.”

Sunderland have first option to turn Mensah’s loan deal into a permanent arrangement at the end of the season, when he hopes to have impressed them enough to stay around.

But while it often takes time for foreign imports to the Premier League to adapt, Mensah is convinced he will be able to adjust quickly having spent the last ten years playing in Italy, Switzerland and France.

“I have played in World Cups, Africa Cups and played in many teams. This is my first time in England but I’m sure I will get used to it,” said Mensah, who sees himself as a centre-back.

Mensah is encouraged by what Steve Bruce is trying to achieve at Sunderland and thinks it is possible for a high finish.

“I’m excited to be here. I’ve arrived from a big team to another big team, Sunderland have great potential and some great players,” he added.

Why Kaka didn’t sign for Blues

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