New Life May 10 issue 195

NEW LIFE MAY 2010 Issue 195 • 40p

GOOD NEWS STORIES

www.newlife.co.uk

‘WILD CHILD’S’ NEW ROLE IS TELLING KIDS ABOUT JESUS

HOW I WON FIGHT AGAINST EATING DISORDER THAT ALMOST KILLED ME

PAGE 3

CENTRE PAGES

I pray for the people who took Maddie PRAYER FOR MADDIE... mum Kate McCann prays for her return – and for her abductors

by James Hastings

THE mum of missing girl Madeleine McCann said she did not blame God for her daughter’s disappearance.

Kate McCann revealed how her faith gave her strength and she even prayed for the people who

Kate McCann shows humilty to abductors abducted Maddie.

The little girl was only three when she was taken from the family’s holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007.

Police in the country have now closed the case although Kate says she will never give up hope.

“I’ve never bla med God for what’s happened at all. I don’t think that was anything to do with God,” she said.

“There are times when I’ve got angry with God. Certainly the additional things that have happened where I just think, ‘how can we

have extra suffering put on us at such an awful time?’”

Kate and her husband Gerry are members of a small church in the village of Rothley in Leicestershire.

They have their own key and say ● Turn to Page 3

Millionaire gives away his fortune

ONE of Britain’s richest men has given away his fortune — because he made a promise to God. Albert Gubay, 82, has put £480million into a charitable trust and hopes to double that amount.

The founder of the Kwik Save discount store also owned the Total Fitness network of gyms as well as properties across the country.

But he has given it all away to keep a vow he made as a young man.

“After the war I came out of the Royal Navy with a demob suit and £80,” he explained.

PACT “I borrowed £100 and made the pact with God: make me a millionaire — and you can have half of my money.”

He added: “My belief in a day of reckoning keeps me on the straight and narrow.”

The devout Christian plans to keep on working and aims to give a total of £1billion to charity.

“My whole focus is to work as hard as I can to meet my target. Every penny wasted or lost reduces the pot available to the charity,” he said.

YOUTHS URGED TO GIVE UP BLADES FOR A BIBLE FULL STORY – PAGE 2

TV focuses on pastors A late night church project has gone prime time on the BBC. Millions of viewers of the One Show were given an insight into the work of the Street Pastors.

Launched to combat crime in Brixton, there are now 125 Street Pastor teams across the UK. Made up of members of different churches, Street Pastors provide a friendly presence at weekends, offering help and advice to partygoers.

Local authorities and police have credited Street Pastors with helping to reduce crime levels and making inner city areas safer.

The BBC said the One Show programme generated a huge response from viewers.

2

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

• Issue 195

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Marine joy CHURCH KNIFE AMNESTY BID TO HALT DEATHS at healing A Royal Marine has told how he was healed by God at a church weekend away.

The man told how he suffered with severe cartilage problems for 12 years but the pain disappeared when he was prayed for at a Sunday service at the Holy Trinity Brompton Alpha weekend away.

He said: “Two guys prayed for me.

After a while they asked how I was doing and I said, ‘Not too bad but there’s still a bit of pain.’ So they said, ‘Shall we continue to pray?’ and I was like, ‘Yeah, go for it!’

“They cont i nued pray i ng for five minutes and this sensation of tickling came back and I started laughing. So they stepped back and I jumped on my knees and there was no pain at all.

“It was absolutely remarkable.

After 10 minutes of prayer, God just completely healed me. It’s absolutely miraculous. I did a seven mile run today! Seven miles — I love it.”

Ethical calls over finance

The Church of Scotland and the Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility (ECCR) have called on churches to invest in a fairer and more sustainable future by embracing ethical and socially responsible models of finance and investment.

The call was issued at a oneday conference at St Georges West Church in Edinburgh, organised by the Church and the ECCR, and supported by a number of church groups including Action of Churches Together in Scotland.

In a statement, the Church of Scotland and ECCR warned that “the operation of global finance too often harms the poorest people and the poorest countries.”

Send me more...

YOUTHS URGED TO GIVE UP BLADES FOR BIBLES A church has launched a Blade for Bible scheme in a bid to reduce spiralling knife crime.

St John’s church is in the heart of London’s tough Brixton district where gang warfare and stabbings are rife.

Rival groups fight running battles over turfs, and terrified locals refuse to leave their homes after dark.

But the knife bin in the grounds of St John’s church in Wiltshire Road, means gang members can ditch their dangerous weapons – and get a free Bible pack in exchange.

Christian charity, Word4Weapons is behind the innovative scheme.

Founder Michael Smith said: “Too many young lives are being lost to knife crime.

“Weapons are still openly used on our streets leaving individuals in fear, injured or killed. Something different had to be done to bring back the true value of life to a society that is becoming numb to violent crime.”

He added: “Brixton has always had a knife problem, so we’re aiming to have around four bins at churches there. We want a minimum of two bins in every London borough.”

A pilot scheme with two bins in Islington in 2007 saw 160 knives collected within six months.

At St Mary’s a brightly coloured secured bin has been placed in church grounds out of sight of CCTV cameras to protect the anonymity of those who use it. Anyone can drop a knife or other

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)

bladed weapon in the bin and pick up a Word Pack which contains a Bible and advice on escaping a life of crime.

The Rev Dr Rosemarie Mallett, from St John’s said she was delighted to be associated with the scheme.

“If we can take just one weapon out of circulation, then that is one less weapon putting someone’s life at risk,” she explained.

“Our church is in the heart of a large estate where there are huge problems with knife crime. It is not unusual to see crowds of young people hanging around at 2am followed by loud fights.

“This project shows the church is not only at the geographical heart of the community, but also at the heart of the problems and the solutions.”

Dr Mallett said gang members had spoken to her about the knife bin and wanted to know more about the Bible packs they would receive.

“The packs offer practical advice, as well as Scripture, written in a way that will connect with young people,” she added. The bright blue bins are securely locked and covered in stickers with the slogan: Get A Life Bin That Knife.

A number of sponsors including the Salvation Army a re back i ng the project.

Knives dropped in the bins will be melted down and SUBSCriBe t u r ned i nto key-sh aped • Only £10 for 12 issues pendants with the message “education is the key” which • Free delivery direct to are handed out to youth your door groups.

NEW LIFE

BUlK OrDerS Prices inc. UK delivery

BIN IT... one of the amnesty bins

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

• 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�

195

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 824 0777 Email: info@newlife�co�uk Web: www�newlife�co�uk or return this form to: New Life Publishing, Po box 777, Nottingham Ng11 6ZZ

DEADLY... London churches wants to halt stabbings by urging young people to swap knives for a Bible

Young people to Vicar steps ‘buck vote trend’ out for fund YOUNG evangelical Christians w ill buck the trend and vote in this year’s general election, it has been claimed.

Eighty-one per cent of 18to 24-year-olds surveyed at Soul Survivor's Momentum event last summer said they plan to vote — more than double the percentage of people in the same age bracket who voted at the last general election.

Evangelical Alliance Parliamentary Officer Daniel Webster said: “Young evangelicals are going to buck the trend and take part in the coming election. Rather than being turned off from politics, the findings show young adults care about a range of issues and will take these v iews to the ba l lot box.” The Evangelical Alli-

ance’s new General Election 2010 website aims to give information to voters about how a general election works, a brief introduction to each of the major parties and an outline of what their policies are on a range of issues.

It also gives local churches advice on how they can play their part by holding hustings events.

Steve Webb, MP for Northavon, sa id: “Some of t he liveliest debates that I take pa r t i n at e le c t ion t i me are organised by the local churches. It is important for Christians to get informed and get involved at election time. This is an excellent way for churches to reach out to people in their local area.”

The website can be found at w w w.eau k .org /publ icaffairs/elections/index.cfm.

A vicar walked 110 miles in five days to raise money for his church’s £1.8million building project.

The Rev Robin Ewbank, 67, walked from Hampshire to Canterbury, to raise funds for St John’s Church in Hartley Wintney.

The church has outgrown its current, outdated buildings and needs more space for its expanding youth work, provision for the elderly and families.

Mr Ewbank said: “It underlines my commitment to the cause and my hope that others will take up the baton.”

Fifty years ago, as a teenager, he trekked the Alps from Salzburg to Zurich (310 miles) in two weeks. He completed the Lyke Wake walk (40+ miles in a day) across the Yorkshire Moors several times in the 1970s, and took part in the Test Valley Way pilgrimage from Inkpen Beacon to Romsey Abbey 17 years ago (about 35 miles).

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

I can get satisfaction from telling kids about my faith in Jesus

ROLE MODEL...

Mandy Smith.

Below, Mandy marrying Bill Wyman

Former wild child says her new role is a call from God

FORMER “wild child” model Mandy Smith has swapped fashion for faith — and is telling youngsters all about it.

For over a decade, Mandy was THE A list celeb at red carpet events, dating some of the world’s most famous people.

At the age of 13, her older looks meant she could gatecrash nightclubs for wild parties without being challenged.

And at just 18, Mandy became a regular on tabloid pages after marrying Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, who was then 52.

She said: “I was very young when my mum became ill. It was a lonely and difficult time for me. When Bill came along, I think I saw him as a father figure.”

Mandy divorced the rocker two years later and wed footballer Pat Van Den Hauwe.

But today the 39-year-old has put her riotous days behind her.

Mandy is using her past experiences to help young girls avoid the mistakes she made — and she believes it’s her calling from God. She became a Christian after her hectic schedule of parties, fashion shoots and TV appearances badly impacted her health.

While lying in a hospital bed, she was touched by a card sent from pop star Cliff Richard — and it set her on a quest for the faith she once knew as a child.

“Sometimes in the middle of a party, I’d just quietly pray, saying the name of Jesus over and over,” she explained.

“Other times, I’d pop into an empty church. I’d whisper, ‘Lord, I don’t really know why I’m here, but I am. Help me.’

“Some people say they don’t believe God sees their problems. But I think we don’t always see him. He’s just waiting for us to open the door and let him in. I was ready to open the door and when I did, God just poured into my life.”

Mandy now works as a counsellor and is a spokesperson for a number of charities.

She is also a busy mum who runs a successful PR company with her sister, Nicola.

She feels God is calling her to use her past experiences to help young girls.

“When I was searching for Jesus, out of the blue, I received a letter from one of my old teachers. She said Jesus does not look at the mistakes we’ve made or the times we ignored him. That is so true.”

Mandy believes society today is even more celebrity obsessed now than when she was a teenager.

She said: “People want instant gratification. Teenagers want to be famous overnight. Girls want to be beautiful but won’t take time to diet or exercise, so they opt for plastic surgery.”

Mandy works in her local church with young people. She believes churches have a vital role in helping teenagers deal with life, especially those who may have absent parents.

She added: “We can chase all kinds of thrills and diversions, but only Jesus can heal the hole in our hearts. You could say, he is the best role model — ever!”

Very ‘appt’ for church sermons!

A Br igh ton chu rch has become the first in Britain to launch an application for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Church of Christ the King (CCK) recently launched the app, which is available free through the iTunes store.

It features video and audio ser mon s a nd t he chu rc h

calendar. Church spokesman Matt Simmonds said: “At CCK we are keen to investigate a nd uti l ise new technologies to communicate the message of Jesus Christ.

We c u r rent ly use out lets such as Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube as well as our own website and blogs.

One of the fastest growing communication tools is the app, with around 37 million iPhone and iPod Touches sold worldwide, so we were eager to get involved.”

The application was designed by Brightec. For more i n for m at ion , v i s it w w w. brightec.co.uk.

Issue 195 • NEW LIFE 3

Mum prays for Maddie abductors NEW LIFE

● Continued from Page 1 they often go there to pray when the church is empty.

“Obviously most prayers are centred on Madeleine. But I pray for the people who have taken Madeleine, the people who know what has happened to Madeleine and the people around, related to the person who has taken Madeleine,” added Kate.

“I pray for the police and the people who are looking for her, and I pray for all the other children who are missing.”

Kate said she drew on her faith when Portuguese police named her as a suspect in the kidnapping of her own daughter.

“It was a strange day. I had been really low and feeling quite weak.

Then suddenly I felt really strong. I was angry, I was angry that people hadn’t been looking for Madeleine.

“But also I just thought to myself, ‘I know the truth and God knows the truth, and nothing else matters’. And I just felt really strong from there, I felt a real inner strength.”

The McCan ns have two other children, five-year-old twins Sean and Amelie who speak about their older sister every day. Kate described motherhood as “a real gift.”

“My relationship with Sean and Amelie is incredible. They know Madeleine is missing. They know she has been taken. They understand Madeleine belongs to us.”

A 24-hour prayer vigil for Madeline and all missing children will be held on May 2–3, three years to the day since she went missing. For details, email madeleineprayerday@ act-againstinjustice.org

20,000 Souls to be converted and Discipled in 2010 in Great Britain

Melvin Banks Crusades That’s the number Melvin is believing for.

Every Church can share a part of the vast harvest in 2010!

Now is the time to reap the Harvest Melvin believes he is the Man called for such a time as this to tell the world Jesus is coming Soon!

Book Melvin now and witness first hand as he brings God’s word in Power.

Size of church doesn’t matter. Melvin will come whether you’re large or small. No fee is charged.

Book this ministry for your church soon. This is your opportunity to have an evangelist in your neighbourhood.

His Christianity is 100% miraculous – biblical – supernatural Melvin Banks full page ad.indd 1

For Ministers and Church Leaders I would like a crusade with Melvin Banks I want a revival and to experience this miracle ministy in my fellowship I want Melvin Banks to come to my church this year.

Please send details This is a serious, prayerful, earnest request I know Melvin makes no charge!

Church name: ��������������������������������� Minister / Elder’s name: ������������������������ Address: ������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������� Postcode: ���������� Telephone: ��������������� Post this form to: Crusade Office, 44 Monks Way, Chippenham, Wilts, SN15 3TT, England or telephone: 01249

655712

Small and large churches welcome to apply.

14/04/2010 11:42:32

NEW LIFE

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

4 NEW LIFE • Issue 195

Artists are on song to help Haiti quake fund Some of Britain’s top Christian singers have recorded a single to raise funds for victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Former X Factor finalists, Voices With Soul, joined worship leader and composer, Graham Kendrick and MOBO winner, Victizzle, at the world fa mous Abbey Road studios.

Also taking part were award winning rapper, Jahaziel, Gospel diva Faye Simpson and hip-hop

stars, The 29th Chapter. Les Moir and Lawrence Johnson of Kingsway Music who oversaw the project said: “It’s great when Christian artists can work together on a project that will provide help and assistance to people that need it. More than anything it demonstrates Christian unity and togetherness.”

It is hoped the single of the song Somebody Please, written by Israel Houghton and Noel Robinson , will be released in April. All proceeds

from the single will be donated to Compassion UK, which runs a number of projects in Haiti Mea nwh i le, rap a r t ists a nd hip-hop dancers will spearhead a massive music and ministry event in Haiti.

The music extravaganza also features top Christian performers and musicians including The Ambassadors and Prodigal Son. Called Hope Alive, it will be the first large-scale concert since the

earthquake earlier this year.

Ben Cerullo, whose ministry is backing the project, said: “Our goal is to bless the people of Haiti and show them God’s love. “ T h r o u g h o u r pa r t ne r s h ip with humanitarian organisation, Convoy of Hope, we’ve been on the ground helping to supply basic necessities. We felt it was important to provide encouragement and bring a message of hope to the people.”

BOSS SELLS £1m HOUSE TO LIVE IN MUD HUT AND HELP UGANDANS

telecoms tycoon ringing changes!

by James Hastings

SADDLE DO IT...

Peter Hodge on his bike after raising cash for charity

With a criminal record, alcoholism and affairs with married women to his name, Jon Pedley makes for an unlikely Mother Teresa character.

Yet the self-made telecommunications tycoon is selling his businesses, his £1million farmhouse and all his furniture — to move to a mud hut in Uganda and start a children’s charity.

The dramatic turn-round in the 41-year-old’s life comes after a serious car crash in which he almost lost his life and which caused him, he says, to find God. He now hopes his charity, Uganda Vision, will help build the selfesteem of troubled British children by sending them to the East African country where they will support locals orphaned by HIV-AIDS and poverty.

“I’ve lived an incredibly selfish existence,’ said Mr Pedley, of Finchingfield, Essex, in an interview with the Daily Mail.

“I’ve been convicted of crime, slept rough, been an alcoholic, had affairs, and damaged people’s lives including my own. I’ve always put the pursuit of money in front of everything else.”

His business success means he has ‘the big house, big car, mortgage, business. But I’m leaving that behind to start a new life’.

Mr Pedley grew up in Shrewsbury and earned a scholarship to the £14,310-a-year Wrekin College, Shropshire. But he became jealous of the wealthy pupils and began smoking and drinking, ‘funded by theft from shops and my parents’.

When he left school he ‘craved money’ but it led to a suspended

jail sentence for fraud and theft after scams including selling the furniture at a rented flat.

After going broke when a business venture went wrong, he slept rough before starting an affair with a married woman who lent him money.

The pair later married and had two children. But while Mr Pedley rebuilt his businesses, he also drank heavily and cheated on, and later divorced, his wife.

In 2002, the tycoon had been drinking when he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a van. He was in a coma for six weeks.

After making a full recovery he attended a short course on Christ ia n it y, wh ich t ra nsfor med h is outlook. “I’m now teetotal and I try to live my life in a way that pleases God,” he said.

Inspired by a friend’s work in Uganda, he is selling his Essex farmhouse and businesses, Empowered Communications and Eme Tech, to fund his charity ambitions.

‘I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life,’ he said.

Daleep Mukarji

A CHRISTIAN leader has been praised for helping fight world poverty.

Church leaders including the Archbishop of Canterbury paid tribute to Dr Daleep Mukarji, who has stepped down as director of the charity Christian Aid. A letter from Gordon Brown was read out at a service of thanksgiving, in St John’s Church, London.

It read: “I know that your work at Christian Aid will have changed, improved and saved the lives of thousands of people.”

Evangelist on misson VIETNAM — Veteran evangelist Luis Palau is to lead the first foreign mission in nearly 30 years to one of the world’s most anti-Christian countries.

Vietnam tops the list of nations where Christians face daily persecution.

Thousands of worshippers are imprisoned, tortured or killed every year in the secretive state.

Mr Palau, who has spoken to over one billion people through crusades in seventy-two countries, has recently held talks with government officials.

They have given the go-ahead for a mission in December, which will include a music and sports festival.

Vietnam has relaxed some of its strict anti-Christian laws. Last year, over 50,000 people attended a Christian rally in Ho Chi Minh City despite the event only being announced 48 hours in advance.

During his recent visit, Mr Palau also met US officials and some 500 pastors. The evangelist urged them to respect the nation’s leaders and to pray for them.

Literacy bid is launched

AFRICA — People are being urged to help fight one of the biggest diseases in Africa – illiteracy.

The Scottish Bible Society has launched a new drive to raise funds to help teach more people to read and write, particularly women, who are usually not given the opportunity to learn.

Being illiterate causes extra hardship for the people of Africa in many ways, but the main problem is that it prevents people from finding work.

In predominantly Muslim Senegal, 60 per cent of people are illiterate, and in the nation’s churches only two per cent of the congregation have been taught literacy.

Scottish Bible Society Chief Executive Elaine Duncan said that literacy was more than a luxury.

“On many levels it can be a lifesaver,” she added. “Literacy will open the door not only to vital healthcare information but also to greater involvement in community affairs.”

SELLING UP... Jon Pedley is heading to Uganda to find help people

Leader praised for poverty fight

WORLD NEWS ROUND-UP

Bless you... and the bike Pastor’s pedal power A pedalling pastor has got on his bike to raise money for cancer research – and to tell people about God. Peter Hodge from Ca rd i ff, cycles around Wales as a street evangelist with OAC Ministries.

But recently Peter hit the road on a charity trek in India raising nearly £4,000 for Cancer and Leu-

kaemia in Childhood. The pastor, whose booklet Turn to God has sold over a million copies, also used the ride to talk about his favourite subject — Jesus.

He said: “Most of the ride was on roads full of pot holes but it was great fun and I had loads of chances to tell people about Jesus.”

USA — A pastor in Portola Valley, California blessed a crowd of bicycles, scooters and even roller blades in an effort to promote community spirit.

Mark Goodman-Morris blessed about 50 different vehicles at his Valley Presbyterian Church. He used special water bottles to sprinkle the cyclists and their bikes.

Pastor Goodman-Morris said. “I have to admit as a Presbyterian pastor it’s funny to be blessing bicycles, but it felt really good to bless the bikers.”

The group included a wide range of ages, from an 87-year-old to a young girl, who organisers said was about five years old.

After the blessings, the group of cyclists went off for a family ride in the area around the church.

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Issue 195

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

5

MORRIS CERULLO EUROPEAN SCHOOL OF MINISTRY AND HEALING

GoD SAYS...

“I WAnT MY PEoPlE WEll”

EARLS COURT ARENA 2 wARwICk ROAD, LONDON Sw5 9TA

nlY £1 0

REGIST

ER

TODAY!

with ben cerullo • jentezen franklin • todd coontz • steve Munsey • john francis ayo oritsejafor • Mike Murdock • and Musical guests • noel robinson • kevin wade chevelle franklin • roger saMuels • new wine choir • ruach choir and x factor finalist bev trotMan

DE S I G N : w ww. J H A RTS . CO . U k

29TH JULY - 1ST AUGUST 2010

4 DAY

CONFER ENCE REGIST RATION o

REGISTER TODAY 0800 1072251 www.MCwE.COM New Life Newspaper.indd 1

20/4/10 15:14:08

6

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

NEW LIFE • Issue 195 NEW LIFE

NEW LIFE www.newlife.co.uk

WORKING together to bring you the good news

tune in New Life works in partnership with UCB (United Christian Broadcasters) who are now broadcasting nationally on DAB radio.

For great Christian music, discussion, chat, regular news bulletins and lots of fun, UCB is great, contemporary radio for the whole family.

Listen on DAB radio across the UK or online at www.ucbmedia.co.uk

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 195 •

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

Woman healed of anorexia was given just eight weeks to live by doctors

Finding faith beat the eating disorder that almost killed me...

S

itting in the doctors’ surgery the words rang in Shell’s ears: “If you don’t start eating again, you have less than eight weeks left to live.”

How had she reached this point?

What had started off as just missing lunch had developed into a life-threatening eating disorder after she plummeted to a mere six-and-a-half stone.

Now ten years on and a Christian, Shell’s life is a testimony to God’s goodness, and she is a professional singer, songwriter, speaker and author.

Shell, 25, says: “I grew up in Warrington with my family who weren’t Christians. At the age of five I’d already decided I wanted to be like Kylie Minogue. I used to stand in front of my mirror with my pink hairbrush pretending I was a pop star.”

But once she started school the bullying started.

She says: “It was mainly because I was good at my subjects and would get good marks.”

And when her granddad died of a brain tumour when she was 15, Shell started to feel she was losing control of life.

BULLYING “Because of the bullying and my mum’s depression and people close to me dying, I decided that the only way to gain some control in my life was to stop eating,” she explains. “At least I could control what I put into my body.”

This was the beginning of Shell’s eating disorder. “I would take my packed lunch to school then throw it in the bin as soon as I got there so I wasn’t tempted to eat it,” she remembers. “The hunger pains were horrendous at first but I soon realised that drinking water and chewing gum made me less hungry.

“I soon felt that this was too easy so

Shell Perris was given eight weeks to live after suffering from anorexia. But after finding faith in Christ, she experienced miraculous recovery and is now an evangelist, singer, songwriter and author. Becky Barlow reports then I decided to stop eating my breakfast. I would go downstairs half an hour before any of my family and swish some cereal around in a bowl to make it look like I’d eaten.”

But the lack of food was starting to have an effect on Shell.

“My hair started falling out and I had constant headaches,” she explains.

“I was losing weight and had brown splodges on my skin.

“But I was still convinced that there was nothing wrong with me.

“Then I started to skip my main meals. I’d make up excuses like I wasn’t hungry, I felt sick or I’d eaten at my friends.

“Sometimes I would have to eat my meal because I was so determined not to be found out that I’d make myself, but then the next day in school I would make myself sick. The first time that that happened I started to realise that maybe something wasn’t right.

“This was going on for four months before I was diagnosed.”

O

ne night after another uneaten meal, Shell’s mum started to ask questions and, unable to hide it any more, Shell confessed everything.

The next day, her parents made Shell an appointment at the doctors.

She says: “The doctor said that I had an eating disorder called anorexia and that if I didn’t start eating again, I would have eight weeks left to live. I was sixand-a-half stone.

“I was shocked. I wasn’t aware of what I was doing to myself.

Factfile: The toll on young girls’ lives ● Statisti cs indicate that in the UK, one in 100 women aged betwee n 15 and 30, suffers from anorexia. Reports show girls as young as five have weight concerns and consider dieting. ● Approximately 11 people in 100,000 develop anorexia nervosa each year. ● Two per cent of young women are

thought to be anorexic at any one time. ● Anorexia nervosa is most likely to strike during the mid-teenage years ● Anorexia affects approximately one in 150 15-year-old females, and one in 1,000 15-year-old males. ● About one percent of 16 to 18-yearolds suffer from anorexia.

“I remember sitting there with my arms wrapped really tightly around myself feeling really ashamed and guilty.

“I remember thinking, ‘I’ve not done this to try and kill myself, I just wanted to be in control.’ But I felt so out of control.

“We came out of the doctors and my parents drove me to Asda and I filled a basket full of fat free products. I went home and the first thing I ate in months was a yoghurt. It took me about three hours to eat it and I sobbed my way through it.

“I knew that I had to do it or I would die. The shock of being told I had eight weeks left to live, switched a light on.”

At around this time Shell came into contact with a Christian youth worker at school. She says: “There was a guy in my school called Steve, who worked for a charity called Youth for Christ.

He came up to me in the entrance hall and said, “Do you know that God loves you?”

“I looked up at him and said: ‘Does he now?’

“I didn’t understand how if God loved me he would allow me to go through this situation that had left me with an eating disorder.

DECISION “But here’s this guy telling me that God loves me then quoting from Revelation 3:20, that Jesus wants to come and eat a meal with me – and I’ve got an eating disorder!

“I couldn’t understand it, but the words were stuck in my head. He told me that God thought I was precious.

“Then I started meeting all these Christians and got invited to church.

“As a child I used to go to church at Christmas and Easter and sit on an uncomfortable wooden pew but this was nothing like that. It was quite cool.

Everybody accepted me for who I was so I decided I wanted to be in on the action.”

Then Shell made a decision that changed her life forever.

She says: “I remember going home one night in February 2000. I said, ‘God, if you love me as much as these people say you love me then you need to come

into my life and do something about this mess that I’m in.’

“By then I was eating but I still wasn’t right because I would only eat fat free foods and my stomach had shrunk so much I couldn’t eat properly.

“I remember having this sense of God just showing me a glimpse of h is love for me. It wasn’t a thunderbolt of lightning experience but in my heart I sensed God’s love for me. I t houg ht, ‘That’s amazing!’

“From that moment I decided I wanted to be a follower of Jesus and live my life for him.”

Now completely free from her eating disorder, Shell is a successful singer, songwriter and author and also uses her own experience to counsel other girls who have eating disorders.

S

he says: “God has just changed me so much. The doctor told me t h at once you’re a n a nore x ic, you’re always an anorexic but now I am completely healed. I had 18 months of counselling but it wasn’t until I started seeing a Christian counsellor that I was fully healed.

“I only had six sessions with her and she really helped me to understand why what had happened had happened. She helped me understand that having an eating disorder is an outward expression of something that’s going on inside.

She helped me to look at the issues that were contributing. That’s when I really felt that God really healed me to the point where it wasn’t even an issue for me any more.

“It took two-and-a-half years for me to be fully healed. There’s lots of questions about God’s healing but just because God doesn’t heal you instantly, it doesn’t mean that he’s not going to.

“I n September 2002 I moved to Manchester and was trained for three months on evangelism at the Message Trust. In January 2003 I moved to Liverpool. I was 18 and spent 18 months going around all the city schools telling people about God and how he loved them through music and dance.

“We saw 25,000 young people in the 18 months. So many of them became Christians. It was amazing.”

Now a successful solo artist, Shell uses her spare time to minister to girls suffering in the way she did.

She says: “I’m self-employed and do a

lot of visiting girls in hospital who have eating disorders.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to tell them that there is a way out. It’s such a privilege to be able to minister into the lives of all these girls who are just driven to eating disorders for whatever reason.”

In April 2008, Shell, who attends Warrington Elim Church, released her debut solo album, ‘Have You Heard’ and her latest album ‘Beautiful Life’ was released in November 2009. ● For more information about Shell, go to www.shellperris.com

Shell mar ries husband Tim in 2005

ON SONG... Shell Perris, who is now a singer songwriter

7

6

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

NEW LIFE • Issue 195 NEW LIFE

NEW LIFE www.newlife.co.uk

WORKING together to bring you the good news

tune in New Life works in partnership with UCB (United Christian Broadcasters) who are now broadcasting nationally on DAB radio.

For great Christian music, discussion, chat, regular news bulletins and lots of fun, UCB is great, contemporary radio for the whole family.

Listen on DAB radio across the UK or online at www.ucbmedia.co.uk

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 195 •

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

Woman healed of anorexia was given just eight weeks to live by doctors

Finding faith beat the eating disorder that almost killed me...

S

itting in the doctors’ surgery the words rang in Shell’s ears: “If you don’t start eating again, you have less than eight weeks left to live.”

How had she reached this point?

What had started off as just missing lunch had developed into a life-threatening eating disorder after she plummeted to a mere six-and-a-half stone.

Now ten years on and a Christian, Shell’s life is a testimony to God’s goodness, and she is a professional singer, songwriter, speaker and author.

Shell, 25, says: “I grew up in Warrington with my family who weren’t Christians. At the age of five I’d already decided I wanted to be like Kylie Minogue. I used to stand in front of my mirror with my pink hairbrush pretending I was a pop star.”

But once she started school the bullying started.

She says: “It was mainly because I was good at my subjects and would get good marks.”

And when her granddad died of a brain tumour when she was 15, Shell started to feel she was losing control of life.

BULLYING “Because of the bullying and my mum’s depression and people close to me dying, I decided that the only way to gain some control in my life was to stop eating,” she explains. “At least I could control what I put into my body.”

This was the beginning of Shell’s eating disorder. “I would take my packed lunch to school then throw it in the bin as soon as I got there so I wasn’t tempted to eat it,” she remembers. “The hunger pains were horrendous at first but I soon realised that drinking water and chewing gum made me less hungry.

“I soon felt that this was too easy so

Shell Perris was given eight weeks to live after suffering from anorexia. But after finding faith in Christ, she experienced miraculous recovery and is now an evangelist, singer, songwriter and author. Becky Barlow reports then I decided to stop eating my breakfast. I would go downstairs half an hour before any of my family and swish some cereal around in a bowl to make it look like I’d eaten.”

But the lack of food was starting to have an effect on Shell.

“My hair started falling out and I had constant headaches,” she explains.

“I was losing weight and had brown splodges on my skin.

“But I was still convinced that there was nothing wrong with me.

“Then I started to skip my main meals. I’d make up excuses like I wasn’t hungry, I felt sick or I’d eaten at my friends.

“Sometimes I would have to eat my meal because I was so determined not to be found out that I’d make myself, but then the next day in school I would make myself sick. The first time that that happened I started to realise that maybe something wasn’t right.

“This was going on for four months before I was diagnosed.”

O

ne night after another uneaten meal, Shell’s mum started to ask questions and, unable to hide it any more, Shell confessed everything.

The next day, her parents made Shell an appointment at the doctors.

She says: “The doctor said that I had an eating disorder called anorexia and that if I didn’t start eating again, I would have eight weeks left to live. I was sixand-a-half stone.

“I was shocked. I wasn’t aware of what I was doing to myself.

Factfile: The toll on young girls’ lives ● Statisti cs indicate that in the UK, one in 100 women aged betwee n 15 and 30, suffers from anorexia. Reports show girls as young as five have weight concerns and consider dieting. ● Approximately 11 people in 100,000 develop anorexia nervosa each year. ● Two per cent of young women are

thought to be anorexic at any one time. ● Anorexia nervosa is most likely to strike during the mid-teenage years ● Anorexia affects approximately one in 150 15-year-old females, and one in 1,000 15-year-old males. ● About one percent of 16 to 18-yearolds suffer from anorexia.

“I remember sitting there with my arms wrapped really tightly around myself feeling really ashamed and guilty.

“I remember thinking, ‘I’ve not done this to try and kill myself, I just wanted to be in control.’ But I felt so out of control.

“We came out of the doctors and my parents drove me to Asda and I filled a basket full of fat free products. I went home and the first thing I ate in months was a yoghurt. It took me about three hours to eat it and I sobbed my way through it.

“I knew that I had to do it or I would die. The shock of being told I had eight weeks left to live, switched a light on.”

At around this time Shell came into contact with a Christian youth worker at school. She says: “There was a guy in my school called Steve, who worked for a charity called Youth for Christ.

He came up to me in the entrance hall and said, “Do you know that God loves you?”

“I looked up at him and said: ‘Does he now?’

“I didn’t understand how if God loved me he would allow me to go through this situation that had left me with an eating disorder.

DECISION “But here’s this guy telling me that God loves me then quoting from Revelation 3:20, that Jesus wants to come and eat a meal with me – and I’ve got an eating disorder!

“I couldn’t understand it, but the words were stuck in my head. He told me that God thought I was precious.

“Then I started meeting all these Christians and got invited to church.

“As a child I used to go to church at Christmas and Easter and sit on an uncomfortable wooden pew but this was nothing like that. It was quite cool.

Everybody accepted me for who I was so I decided I wanted to be in on the action.”

Then Shell made a decision that changed her life forever.

She says: “I remember going home one night in February 2000. I said, ‘God, if you love me as much as these people say you love me then you need to come

into my life and do something about this mess that I’m in.’

“By then I was eating but I still wasn’t right because I would only eat fat free foods and my stomach had shrunk so much I couldn’t eat properly.

“I remember having this sense of God just showing me a glimpse of h is love for me. It wasn’t a thunderbolt of lightning experience but in my heart I sensed God’s love for me. I t houg ht, ‘That’s amazing!’

“From that moment I decided I wanted to be a follower of Jesus and live my life for him.”

Now completely free from her eating disorder, Shell is a successful singer, songwriter and author and also uses her own experience to counsel other girls who have eating disorders.

S

he says: “God has just changed me so much. The doctor told me t h at once you’re a n a nore x ic, you’re always an anorexic but now I am completely healed. I had 18 months of counselling but it wasn’t until I started seeing a Christian counsellor that I was fully healed.

“I only had six sessions with her and she really helped me to understand why what had happened had happened. She helped me understand that having an eating disorder is an outward expression of something that’s going on inside.

She helped me to look at the issues that were contributing. That’s when I really felt that God really healed me to the point where it wasn’t even an issue for me any more.

“It took two-and-a-half years for me to be fully healed. There’s lots of questions about God’s healing but just because God doesn’t heal you instantly, it doesn’t mean that he’s not going to.

“I n September 2002 I moved to Manchester and was trained for three months on evangelism at the Message Trust. In January 2003 I moved to Liverpool. I was 18 and spent 18 months going around all the city schools telling people about God and how he loved them through music and dance.

“We saw 25,000 young people in the 18 months. So many of them became Christians. It was amazing.”

Now a successful solo artist, Shell uses her spare time to minister to girls suffering in the way she did.

She says: “I’m self-employed and do a

lot of visiting girls in hospital who have eating disorders.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to tell them that there is a way out. It’s such a privilege to be able to minister into the lives of all these girls who are just driven to eating disorders for whatever reason.”

In April 2008, Shell, who attends Warrington Elim Church, released her debut solo album, ‘Have You Heard’ and her latest album ‘Beautiful Life’ was released in November 2009. ● For more information about Shell, go to www.shellperris.com

Shell mar ries husband Tim in 2005

ON SONG... Shell Perris, who is now a singer songwriter

7

Issue 195

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

8

NEW LIFE CLASSIFIEDS post: New Life Newspaper, PO Box 777, Nottingham, NG11 6ZZ tel: 0115 824 0777 email: ads@newlife.co.uk web: www.newlife.co.uk

ENJOY A GROWING INCOME with a simple to learn, proven, recession proof home based business. Flexible around other commitments. For full free information 01792 824460 (24 hrs) www.income-opportunity.info (EI58)

“I’M ANOINTED to do business in a way that the world is not familiar with, all to the Glory of God! I’m believing for the people of God’s choosing to join me.” Call Sadie on 07714 541254 (EW48)

FINANCIAL

– INSURANCE –

Excellent policies for: Churches – Christian Organisations Charities – Minibuses – Trustees Indemnity Bookshops – House Buildings & Contents – Cars We aim 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 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) 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) LENCHWOOD CHRISTIAN CENTRE Static, Touring caravans and camping.Good facilities, Wonder ful views towards the Malvern Hills.Large groups welcome.

Brochure available.01386 462220 Lenchwood.org.uk (GF32)

SPRING OPPORTUNITIES Selfcatering by the sea. Sunny all seasons. Special rates couples and long term. Bus/tram service.

Christian fellowship nearby. Special rates for large families. Couples winter specials. Contact 028427 38559. A ls o a cco m m o d ati o n in USA/N. Ireland. See www.christiancoastalapartments.com (EJ10)

KESWICK, LAKE DISTRICT Primrose Cottage. Self catering.

Well equipped. Sleeps 5. 2 double bedrooms and single bedroom. Cot and high chair if needed. 10 minutes walk on level ground to the town centre. For further details contact Steve Jones 01768 774 463 (CE93) A LAKELAND HOLIDAY begins at Thornleigh Hotel. Grange-overSands, overlooking Morecambe Bay. Ensuite throughout. No single room supplement. Bayview bedrooms. Lift. Chapel. Coffee Sh o p. H ighl y acclaim e d cui sine. Brochure: 015395 327 33. www.thornleigh-hotel.co.uk (CC71) 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 www.thewaytostay.co.uk (EH35) RAINBOW COTTAGE HOLIDAYS Carmarthenshire - Farmhouse and Cottages. Holidays - Retreats Conferences. Log Fires, Hot Tubs, Warm Welcoming Church. www. rainbowcottageholidays.co.uk Tel 07989851268 (GE84)

NEW LIFE PUBLISHING

TORQUAY DEVON Receive a PUBLISHING warm Christian welcome at our 9 bedroom licensed Guesthouse, situated in quiet central location, seafront 400m, rail station 600m Good sized rooms all ensuite The UK’s leading independent publisher is seeking new manuscripts in all subjects. w i t h t e a m a k i n g , d i g i t a l T V. now For an appraisal please send Home-cooked food with choice your manuscripts to: Ref: NL breakfast and dinner Full details at MELROSE BOOKS www.grosvenorhousehotel.co.uk St Thomas’ Place, Ely, Cambridgeshire or Nigel and Angela Pearce CB7 4GG, UK Phone: 01353 646608 Grosvenor House Falkland Road info@melrosebooks.com www.melrosebooks.com Torquay TQ25JP 01803-294110.

INCLUDING OUR NEW SUPERIOR NewLife.indd 1 30/09/2009 14:20:05 ROOMS (EW41)

TRAINING

PERSONAL WOMEN’S RETREAT: time out to relax, refresh and inspired by Pastor Dorothy Bates. CHARITY GOSPEL CONCE RT: May Not tingham. www.milloservices.co.uk/ 07846 114907 (FV28) TROVE INTRODUCTIONS a social networking and introductions agency for single Christians in U K . P h o n e : 0114 24 6 0 5 8 0 . www.troveintroductions.co.uk (CF76)

SALES & SERVICES MINIBUS SALES Speak to Colin Baker. Southampton (023) 8078 3820 or 01794 278 184. Nationwide delivery. Established in 1977.

(CQ30)

Christian? single?

WidoWed? divorCed? Don’t be alone another weekend!

Call NEW DAY INTRODUCTIONS

01706 224049

www.marriageintroductions.co.uk Hundreds have married through New Day Introductions

(CJ23)

2010

B AT T L I N G W I T H S C H I Z O PHRENIA? Jesus’s power still shatters the bars of iron and gates of brass!! Watch 1 hour video on www.schizophreniadefeated.com and be encouraged!!

(CT08)

ad abro

£1 (wh

ere sold

)

TOD

A BIBLE M AGA ZINE OF UNIQUE INTEREST

o.uk ces.c eren conf s 2009 sand ence olidaynfer tianh d Co chrisays an wtiawnw.Holid LINFE Chris I G N PEW ISH UBL

You can now find

2010 visit

on the web:

www.christianholidaysandconferences.co.uk

and find the perfect getaway for you and your loved ones.

Stories of Bible personalities and happenings, sidelights on Bible history and archaeology, important aspects of the Christian faith.

The Bible outlook on current events and social habits, for views of the future – optimism of the Bible.

24 pages – published bi-monthly – sent free for six months on request to:

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

BIBLE STUDY AT HOME you can enjoy with ease! WSBCC established 1998. User-friendly course material.

Work at own pace. Comprehensive commentary / notes. Supportive and friendly tuition / assessment by correspondence through out. College Cer tificate. Visit: w w w.study theword.org.uk or phone Peter (tutor) for a chat. 01293 520288 (EU85)

Seize the moment!

Log on to: exodusministries.org.uk for an inspired Bible-based ministry.

SAMPLES ON REQUEST

VACANCIES Quality chairs & tables

Career opportunities with

Compare our prices

Floor plans available free of charge

Contact: Julia Page

Tel/fax: 01224 279885 Mob: 07985 737608

(EJ64)

OK BO UR YO AK BRE AY

and

tel: 0115 824 0777 or email: ads@newlife.co.uk

HELP JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES FIND CHRIST. For free literature write to Freedom Ministries, 28 Church View, Killamarsh, Sheffield, S21 2FA. (CU26)

(CD15c)

your

the uk

from as little as £8.

OUTREACH

INTERESTED TO KNOW what the book of Revelation is all about?

Details from Basar Blessings, PO Box 5937, Bournemouth BH6 4WY. (EW13)

in eaks eat br

NEW LIFE

RESOURCES

PUBLICATIONS

gr e to guid

Advertise in

NEW AUTHORS

(DZ62)

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

E: enquiries@angelicachurchfurniture.co.uk W: www.angelicachurchfurniture.co.uk

Save up to 50% on all makes of hearing aids Free tests & advice

Call Pastor Chris Scire on 0800 9177678 or

New Life Publishing

Telesales Person Experienced advertising telesales person required to join a dynamic small publishing company. Unlimited commission earnings. Work from home around your other commitments. Immediate start. References required.

Self-starter abilities essential.

Could earn at least £1,000 per month for part-time work.

Telephone and internet based, location irrelevant.

To apply email md@newlife.co.uk with CV

info@christianhearing services.co.uk

CHS 30x60 ALT.indd

1

25/09/2009

09:46

WANTED CHURCH FURNISHINGS Bought and sold. From chairs to pulpits.

Call Chancellors on 01932 252 736, Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm. (CT75) LIVE IN CARER. To help daughter look after elderly lady. No lifting.

Must have references/CRB checks.

Tel 07525 134 682 (NG Region Car an advantage) (ER58)

WHAT’S ON

Royal Rangers A young person’s uniFormed orgAnisAtion a g e s

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 exciting programme  Fun & achievement   learning new skills reAch, teAch, And keep boys & girls For jesus

www.royalrangers.org.uk

Place your advert here call 0115 824 0777 or email ads@newlife.co.uk

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

NEW LIFE

Issue 195 • NEW LIFE 9

Debt help Candidate bids to put Bible back in ballot box firm wins COMMENT top award Pray for Maddie A Christian debt counselling company has scooped a top business award.

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) fought off competition from over 500 other companies to win the Best Leader category at the Sunday Times Best Small Companies awards.

Worke rs sec ret ly score their bosses’ performance on topics such as leadersh ip a bi l it ies a nd staff relations.

CA P di rectors Matt Barlow and Joh n Kirkby came out tops with a staggering 99 per cent of their employees saying the pair were “inspiring leaders”.

Matt, pictured above, said: “We are delighted to receive this award. We hope that it demonstrates both how dynamic and in touch Christian organisations can be and the example they can set for other organisations.”

New church opens after 20-year wait MEMBERS of a church are celebrating the opening of a £2.5million amphitheatrestyle church built on derelict land — after a patient wait of two decades!

Pastor Mark Burchell, of Champions Church, Netherton, near Dudley, returned to his native West Midlands to fulfill his calling as a minister. He claims he heard the “audible voice” of God back in 1992.

The church, which met at a 200-year-old dilapidated chapel, eventually bought the plot for £150,000 in 1998.

Another five years passed before planning approval was granted, but technical hitches held up any construction.

Pastor Burchell said: “Donations have ranged from a pensioner’s £10 to a millionaire’s £165,000.”

The bu i ld i ng boasts a n 800-seater auditorium, state of the art visual and sound systems.

Boss all set for battle to be MP THEY’RE OFF... John Walton at the launch of the Christian Peoples Alliance launch. Below, John gets set to canvass support

A LIVERPOOL business chief plans to put the Bible back in the ballot box.

John Manwell says voters are fed up with sleazy politicians who don’t del iver what they promise.

And the committed Christian claims the main parties shun traditional values shared by all faiths for their own political dogma.

Mr Manwell is standing for the Liverpool Walton seat, the second safest Labour seat in the country.

In last year’s EU elections less than one in five people turned out to vote in some wards in Walton, and just 45 per cent did so in the 2005 parliamentary elections.

“Voters here and all over the country, are disaffected and disillusioned,” said Mr Manwell.

“They want a fresh approach to politics. The nation is angry and frustrated with the politicians who continue to talk while the country gets worse. In Liverpool and the country, we need fresh thinking, fresh voices and fresh action.” Mr Manwell is a member of the Christian Peoples

Alliance party. But he says people of all faiths and none have pledged their support for him.

“They want to be represented by someone who cares for them, someone w it h i nteg r it y,” he added.

“It’s not about converti ng people. Liverpool’s deep well of Christian values of service to others is a motivation for my decision to stand.

“I don’t believe that Christian faith is about only attending chu rch meeti ngs, but rather serving to see society improved, and making a difference.”

Mr Manwell claims the main parties ignore faith values while promoting secular human ist

PUZZLE CORNER Sudoku

Crossword clues Across 1. Constant (6) 4. Evidence of past injury (4) 8. Haggard (5) 9. Fiends (5) 10. Salutary (10) 13. Clearly (10) 17. Dialect (5) 18. Copious (5) 19. Part of an egg (4) 20. Pressing (6) © Krazydad.com

Solutions on the right

Down 1. Mentor (4) 2. Evade (5) 3. Point (3) 5. Breed of dog (5) 6. Answer (6) 7. Outcome (6) 11. Mystery (6) 12. Collector’s item (6) 14. Motionless (5) 15. Oversight (5) 16. Portable shelter (4) 18. Atmosphere (3)

v iews wh ich “have gone too far”.

“There was a time when a Christian could have an effect in the main parties, but now MPs are just fodder who have to toe the line on party policy.

“Traditional family values are being swept aside by secular humanists.”

The former senior manager with United Utilities, has had a lifelong involvement with the community in Liverpool through voluntary action.

A resident of the city since 1988, John has had a variety of jobs in industry as well as wide involvement in church and community groups.

Most recently John has been chairman of Merseyfest, an organisation working with churches across the Mersey region to encourage co-operation in the community.

In 2008 John helped organise a major street festival in Hope Street — The Festival of Hope — which saw 25,000 celebrating hope for the region. ● Candidates for the seat include Peter Kilfoyle (Lab), Adam Marsden (Cons), Patrick Moloney (Lib Dem), Joseph Moran (UKIP) and Darren Ireland (TUSC).

IT’S extremely difficult to put yourself in the place of Kate McCann and imagine how tough it is to experience the mystery disappearance of your child.

But the heartache and emotions you go through probably can’t be imagined.

Losing your child for a few seconds in a shop is harrowing enough, but what happened to Madeline is gut-wrenching.

It would be easy for anyone going through such a traumatic experience to point the finger of blame at God and ask why he let it happen.

But Kate’s Christian faith means she knows God loves us and hates watching us having to cope with such pain.

And that is why she doesn’t blame him.

God hasn’t decided that Kate’s child should go missing. It’s the evil of the world in which we live that allows someone to decide to take away a child from its parents.

Kate’s moving response is to show great humility. Yes, she gets angry – she wouldn’t be human if she didn’t – but Kate knows it’s right to pray for those who snatched Madeline from her holiday villa.

She will be praying that Madeline is alive and that those who abducted her admit their crime and hand the young girl back.

And it is only right that we all should add our prayers to hers.

Let us all pray on May 2-3, and ask God to intervene and end this nightmare for the McCanns.

Real role model MANDY SMITH was no angel. But, then, as the Bible points out, none of us is.

The one-time “wild child” model is now a woman who tells young girls about her Christian faith. It’s a faith that says forget about fashion and love people for who they are, not what they wear.

BIBLE QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong.”

Colossians 3:13 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.

New Life newspaper is printed on 100% recycled paper PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

10

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Issue 195

NEW LIFE CLASSIFIEDS WANT TO EXPLORE CHRISTIANITY, BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE TO TURN?

Log on to

KEEP THIS PAGE TO HELP YOU FIND A NEW DIRECTION IN LIFE...

ALTRINCHAM The Upper Room Christian Fellowship, The Downs.

Sunday services 10.45am and 6.30pm.

Enquiries: 0161 282 6676.

(CA09)

DROITWICH SPA Emmanuel Church, Blake Avenue. Tel: 01905 797110.

Sunday family service 10.30am–noon.

Also healing rooms available, just ask.

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

New Life Community Church

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)

(FT24)

BIRMINGHAM Bromford Bridge Church Centre (AoG), Bromford Drive.

Sundays 10.45am and 6pm. Minister Ivor Davies. Tel: 0121 748 7081 Mobile 07745 100 942.

(AG30)

Main Hall

BURY ST E D MU N D S , Suffolk.

The Christian Resource Centre (a Pentecostal church). Oakes Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 6PX. www. crcministries.co.uk 01284 761000.

Service times: Sunday 10.30am and 6.30pm. All the family will be made (EQ05) very welcome.

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

(CA06)

(AS88)

CHATTERIS FenLife Christian Church. Sunday 10.30am and 6.30pm.

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

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

GILLINGHAM

Meet every Sunday 10.30am A warm welcome awaits you

For information on other meetings phone Allan Smith 01634 264410 (CF42)

LEICESTER Narborough Road Christian Fellowship. Meet at Manor House, Neighbourhood Centre, Haddenham Road. Services: Sunday 10.30am. Tel: 0116 2891 395 or 0116 2897 804. All welcome.

(AB25) LEICESTER Apostolic Church New Life Centre, Sanvey Lane, Aylestone, Leicester LE2 8NF. Main services: Sunday 10.30am worship, Bible ministry and Communion. Wednesday 8pm Bible study and prayer. Pastor Richard Forman telephone 0116 275 2582 everyone welcome.

(CW05)

(AC01)

RUSHDEN Full Gospel Church. High Street South, Rushden. A family Church that loves God, each other and those in the community. Sundays 10.45am & 6pm. Enquiries telephone: 01933 418 002.

(DC19) SAFFRON WALDEN, New Life Church. Shire Hill. Sundays 10.30am & 6.30pm. For details call Pastor R Ellalasingham on 01799 506045 email: mail@nlpc.co.uk (FR19) 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)

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

(DU35)

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

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

PUBLISHING

APRIL – JUNE 2010

1

April – June 2010 Issue 2 £3.50 $6.00 €5.00

heroes of the

(DH80) (CA66)

L I G H T H O U S E ( E L Y , CAMBRIDGESHIRE) A loving, growing, praying family church.

Sunday celebration 10.30am & 6.00pm.

Enquiries phone: 01353 662 228. Email: info@lighthouse-ely.org.uk. Web www.lighthouse-ely.org.uk. Also Christian Bookshop 01353 667 004.

NEW LIFE

W NErter ly e a qu inspir to ou y

(EL62)

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

NL195

faith

INSIDE:

• George Jeffreys The apostolic evangelist who saw truly stunning miracles of healing

£14

• Teddy Hodgson The Congo missionary who laid down his life

for 1 year

• Jonathan Edwards Sinners in the hand of an angry God • Prayer power When the gospel and black magic collide • Michael Brown Learning from the critics of revival PLUS Prayers worth praying • Controversy Corner • Time Travel

inspiring insights from men & women who proved God Heroes002Apr2010.indd 1

10/03/2010 14:55:34

(EB18)

advert now

Make sure your neighbours know where to come Prices from £8

Contact Barry for details: tel: 0115 824 0777 email: ads@newlife.co.uk

ORDER NOW TO SECURE YOUR COPY!

Tel 0115 824 0777

Book your

CHURCH

• High quality quarterly • Makes an ideal gift • Powerful testimonies • An ideal resource for individuals or churches

New Life Publishing, PO Box 777, Nottingham NG11 6ZZ

check out our website at www.newlifepublishing.co.uk/ heroes YES! Please send me HEROES OF THE FAITH Name: .............................................................................................

Address:...........................................................................................

Please enclose a cheque payable to New Life Publishing or add card details below Card number: ..............................................................

Valid from (if shown): ......................................................

......................................................................................................... .........................................................................................................

Postcode: ........................................................................................

Expiry date: .................................................................

Issue number (if shown): ................................................

Tel: ..................................................................................................

Security code (last 3 digits on reverse): ..............................

Email: ..............................................................................................

Please supply the registered cardholder’s address if different from the delivery address.

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

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Issue 195 •

Club chaplain calls: Pray up for Pompey The chaplain of Portsmouth FC has urged fans and churchgoers to ‘pray up Pompey’ as the club fights for its future.

Portsmouth has already been relegated from the Premier League, but it’s the off-thefield problems that threaten the club, which was put into administration in February.

The Rev Jonathan Jeffery, who is also vicar of St Francis Church, Leigh Park, and St Clare’s, Warren Park, has composed a simple prayer to help fans pray.

He has urged them to join Christians — including those involved in the charity

Faith and Football headed by Pompey legend Linvoy Primus — who have been praying for the club for years already.

“For many people in and around Portsmouth, there is a genuine love for Pompey FC,” said Jonathan.

passion “It’s not just about football, it’s something that is part of who they are. That passion is incredibly important to the city’s morale, and no one wants to see the club die.

“Writing a prayer might seem like a last

resort — as if we have no other option but to turn to God. Of course, for people like me and many other Christians associated with the football club, prayer is actually the first thing that we do. We’ve obviously been praying for Pompey for years, and we aren’t going to stop now!

“But there may be many other Pompey fans for whom prayer doesn’t come naturally. Hopefully this simple prayer will help them to express their feelings to God, who loves us, and therefore cares for everything that we care for.”

Darts champ’s life is now on target...

Former darts champ Charlie Conaghan has revealed how he found the real bull’s-eye after giving his life to Jesus.

BULL-Y FOR YOU...

Charlie Conaghan

The star, now 67, won the first Four Men’s British Championship and was on the verge of a glitzy career when his estranged wife Mary took him to a Christian crusade in Glasgow.

The dad-of-five told New Life: “I found out I was really good at darts. I was in the pub most nights of the week. I started getting serious about it and began winning trophies.

The way I saw it, Mary had her religious thing, so this was my thing.

“By this time I’d won the singles championship in Belshill then I won the doubles Cchampionship. Then I joined the super league and started moving up the ranks.

“I played in the Scottish Inter Counties then the next step up was the International level. I got trialled for Scotland and we won the first ever British Four Mens’ team competition.”

Life was on the up but then Charlie was dealt a devastating blow when his wife left him. But on a family day out at Stratchclyde Park in 1980, his life was changed forever.

“I had my whisky in one pocket, my cigs in the other and my darts in my top pocket,” he remembered. “Suddenly, out of the blue, there’s this massive big tent which said, ‘Jesus saves’ on it.

“There were 3,500 people in that tent and a guy called Luis Palau was preaching. Then he quoted a scripture Revelation 3:20, ‘Behold I stand at the door and knock.’

“Then he gave an invitation to come to the front.”

Charlie realised that despite his darts success, his life was a mess.

He explained: “In the week leading up to this night, I’d been done for drinkmess of it.’ I clearly heard God speak to driving, I’d been given the sack for stealme, ‘The latch is on the inside, big man.’ ing, I was in the process of losing my God was saying that only I had the power house because I couldn’t pay the mortgage to open the door of my heart to Jesus, and and I’d already lost my wife, so I knew I I had to do it from the inside. needed God. “So I asked God to come into my heart.

“I remember kneeling down at the front I was 37 and for the first time in my life, of the platform and asking God to come I cried. When God met me that night, into my life. I said, ‘Jesus please do somesomething deep down inside me broke and thing with my life because I’ve made a I just wept my eyes out. I could feel layer

11

LINVOY PRIMUS

The inside track on faith in football

Eruption has shown real power of God WHEN GOD decides to show his power the world can grind to a total halt!

Science and reason go out of the window as has been demonstrated by the Iceland volcanic explosion, which has seen international air travel stopped at a stroke.

Indeed, as I write this I’m stuck in the middle of Egypt with the family — our holiday extended by that incredible eruption.

Inconvenient, of course; annoying, you bet, but as a born again Christian who believes 100 per cent in creation I know that this was a God thing and I am determined to remind all who read this column of that simple fact.

You can’t believe in a Creator God and then go looking for reasons as to why such things happen because as ever it’s all covered in the Bible.

Talking to his disciples, Jesus explained that earthquakes — and volcanic eruptions can be bracketed as such — wars, rumours of war, rampant sin and a hatred of Christians are the signs which will precede his second coming.

We saw what happened in Haiti, we have seen tsunamis and earthquakes and, wherever we look there are wars or rumours of conflict.

This volcano which is delaying the family’s return is annoying, but as I sit here in All these things the land of which J o s e p h b e c a m e happening around second i n comm a nd t hou s a nd s the world convince and thousands of yea rs ago I k now me Jesus may soon one thing: MY GOD be on his REIGNS! He’s i n c h a rge way back and and there is absolutely nothing that he wants to take man can do when G od a l lows a de- everyone with him velopment such as this. But I must add one other point.

If you are not a Christian... if you haven’t given your life to Jesus... and believe there may be a way into heaven regardless, I’m here to tell you, NO WAY! All these things happening around the world convince me that Jesus may soon be on his way back and he wants to take everyone with him into heaven when he does. So if you want to be sure of your place in heaven receive him into your life right now.

A volcano of love and peace will erupt in your heart and you will know for certain that you are going to spend eternity with him!

❛

❜

after layer of hardness disappearing.

“When I got up I was totally changed.

That was 30 years ago. I got rid of all my darts trophies when I met God and I’ve never looked back. ” Mary and Charlie were reunited and enjoyed 16 years together before she died of breast cancer in 1996. Charlie remarried in 2007 and now lives with his wife Carol, 56, in Liverpool.

Winger prays through injury hell ● Continued from Back Page has had a big influence on him and his faith in Jesus.

“I think religion is quite big in football but people keep it to themselves a little bit,” he said.

“There’s quite a few different religions that I’ve come across in football and one of my mentors when I was growing up was Darren Moore, who is a big Christian.

“I used to room with Mooro and I used to talk to him quite a lot. Actually, we still talk on

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

the phone to this day. When times got tough I’d have words with him and he echoed the word of God to me, that was another thing that got me thinking of religion. It helped a lot.

“I don’t pray for me to be better or have a good game because that’s not what it is about.

I just ask to be protected and little things like that. From learning bits of the Bible it opens up your eyes into what’s happening now.

“The Bible was written before everything that’s going on in the world now and yet it’s still relevant.”

NEW LIFE Tiger Woods should t ake inspiration from the Bible, a fellow golfer says.

Woods, who had several affairs, was encouraged by Ben Crane. He said: “One of my favourite stories is about a prostitute. Everyone brings her before Jesus and says shouldn’t we stone her? Jesus says ‘yes, but the one who is without sin should be the one to cast the first stone’.”

SPORTSFLASH

Up for the cup Stunning, incredible, amazing — they are the words that spring to mind when I think of Portsmouth FC’s arrival at Wembley for another FA Cup Final. When we lost nine points and went into administration the players knew they had only one thing to play for — a Cup Final place.

And just how ironic was it that they should beat Spurs, managed by our old boss Harry Redknapp, in the semi final.

Our manager Avram Grant has done an amazing job in keeping all the players focused on what they had to do on that Cup run.

It’s an unbelievable achievement and for all that’s happened this season I am immensely proud to be a part of this club.

Linvoy, who is ambassador at Portsmouth FC, was talking to Hugh Southon

Issue 195 • NEW LIFE 12

FINDING FAITH FELT LIKE I’D HIT THE BULL’S-EYE

NEW LIFE

SPORT

ON THE WING...

WITH A PRAYER! PAGE 11

Baggies’ Barnes says Jesus got him through injury hell Rejunavated Baggies winger Giles Barnes has revealed how he turned to Jesus to get through his recent injury.

The highly-rated 21-year-old appears to have put his dark days at Derby behind him, having made an immediate impact on Albion’s first-team.

Tipped as a future England star, a catalogue of injuries saw Barnes’s world collapse and he found himself a free agent in December.

However, the Baggies handed Barnes a lifeline with a trial, followed by an 18-month contract, and now he looks set to repay the favour.

While Barnes has quickly settled into the Albion set-up, the Christian has told the Sunday Mercury that it was God that gave

by Matthew Murray him strength during his spell on the sidelines.

While recuperating from his series of setbacks, the former Fulham loanee started to regularly visit churches in Nottingham and Derby. He insisted that his injuries were part of “God’s plan”.

Barnes recalled how the wise words of his ex-Rams team-mate Darren Moore also helped him see the light.

talk Moore, a centre-half for Barnsley, is a devout Christian. The giant defender has helped raise thousands of pounds for Christian charities He said: “It’s great to see what the Lord is doing in Giles’s life. I used to room with him at Derby and he would talk about Jesus, but he’s now taken the step of faith

and accepted Christ into his heart.

He is sharing with others about what God has done in his life. I am sure he will be used as a witness for Christ as well.”

Barnes added:“I started to learn a lot more when I was injured.

I’ve always been interested in it [Christianity] and when you get that much free time you have time to read and think about stuff.

“My friends got me going to a church in Derby for the first time and I really liked it, so ever since then I just kept on going. ‘‘Then when I moved from Derby to my house in Nottingham, I found a church there with one of the physios from Derby.

“My mum and dad are religious but they don’t go to church like I do. When me and my dad have little talks we always talk about God.” Barnes admits that Moore ● Turn to Page 11

NEW LIFE

ERUPTION HAS SHOWN TRUE POWER OF GOD READ LINVOY PRIMUS IN HIS OWN WORDS... PAGE 11

INJURED...

David Beckham

Becks doc on knees before op

BARNES CONVERSION...

Baggies winger Giles Barnes, who is a believer

David Beckham’s surgeon prayed to God for help before operating on the crocked former England skipper.

Dr Sakari Orava revealed he asked for the Lord’s help in healing Becks’ Achilles tendon, which he ripped playing for AC Milan.

The club’s bosses had made a frantic phone call to the world renowned Achilles expert hours after the injury occurred.

Dr Orava said: “It wasn’t so easy to get back to sleep.

“But I’m a devout Christian, so my wife and I prayed. We said it is not up to us, it’s in bigger hands to see if things go fine.”

Becks, 34, tore his tendon in an Italian club game in March.

He was operated on at the orthopaedic surgeon’s clinic in the Finnish city of Turku the next day. The star has been ruled out playing in the World Cup.

Local Local contact contact details: details:

Published by New Life Publishing Company, PO Box 777, Nottingham NG11 6ZZ. Tel 0115 824 0777. Printed by Yorkshire Web, Barnsley. Tel 01226 734410. New Life Newspaper is printed on 100% recycled paper.