New Life October 2010 issue 200

NEW LIFE OCTOBER 2010 • Issue 200 40p

GOOD NEWS STORIES

KFC COLONEL GAVE AWAY BUCKETFUL OF WEALTH PAgE 3

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CEnTRE PAgEs

HUNDREDS WATCH MIRACLE UNFOLDING Youngsters make Bible reading vow

BACK ON MY FEET! ● Woman takes steps after 22 years in her wheelchair ● Thousands view YouTube clip of moment she walks

Prayer bid for UK launched

A sIngER who was confined to a wheelchair walked for the first time in 22 years at a Christian healing meeting last month.

SINGER... Delia Knox at an event last year

Delia Knox, a popular gospel singer, had been paralysed since a car accident on Christmas Day 1987.

But a YouTube video filmed during a church service at Mobile Convention Centre in Alabama shows British preacher Nathan Morris praying for Delia before helping her out of her wheelchair. The clip — which has had ● Continued on Page 2

More than 10,000 youngsters in Britain pledged to read through the whole Bible over the next year at a Christian event.

The young people kicked off the marathon in September after signing up to the challenge at the Soul Survivor youth conference over the summer.

The launch coincided with the start of the new academic year when many young people returned to school or university.

Christian youth worker Jon Jolly said: “While there are many other Bible reading plans and various notes available, it’s great that such a large youth organisation are encouraging young people to read the Bible together.”

Some 30,000 young people went to Soul Surv ivor’s four sum mer events, mak ing it a record h igh turnout. event founder Mike Pilavach i shared his excitement at what God was doing through the movement.

“We have heard some amazing stories of what God has been doing.

“I met an re teacher who brought 80 pupils from her school for an re field trip to see what Christians believe. Now many of those teenagers are Christians themselves!

“We are thankful to God for all he had done; this has been another year of his grace.”

WALKING... “paralysed” Delia Knox gets up from her wheelchair at the meeting in Alabama

SeverAl hundred Christians from across the globe gathered at the emmanuel Christian Centre in Westminster, london, for the launch of a historic prayer chain. organised by Celebration for the Nations and Global Day of Prayer london, believers from South Korea, Spain, South America, Africa and the UK began 500 days of non-stop prayer and fasting for the UK, which will end in September 2011.

Celebration for the Nations coordinator Gail Dixon said the team behind the non-stop prayer campaign were excited.

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• Issue 200

Woman walks after 22 years in wheelchair

● Continued from Page 1 more than 120,000 views on YouTube — shows Delia standing from her chair and taking small steps across the platform as hundreds of people in the crowd leap and scream.

Wit h tea rs rol l i ng dow n he r cheeks, the singer is helped to walk for the first time since the accident 22 years ago.

A week later, Delia, whose husband Levy leads a church in Mobile, Alabama, returned to the church and walked again, this time without anybody holding her hand or helping her.

The following weekend in her home church, she stood for more than 30 minutes praying for people.

“It’s overwhelming,” said Delia moments after the miracle. “It’s a God thing. It’s so sacred that I have to be careful not to put words on it.”

Husba nd Lev y sa id, “She got up by herself. Delia has begun to walk on her own for the first time in more than 20 years. Jesus has touched her and we are rejoicing at this miracle.”

Evangelist Nathan, who is based in Sheffield, has been conducting healing services in Mobile since July.

He initially visited America for a two-day conference, but when healings began to break out, he decided to stay in the country.

He told New Life: “I don’t heal anybody, but Jesus is the healer. We pray for the sick and they are healed, but it is Jesus performing the miracles, not me!”

Meanwhile, hundreds have converted to Christianity as Nathan has preached the gospel. ● To see more clips of people being healed, search for ‘Bay of the Holy Spirit Revival’ in YouTube.

Give your neighbours a

Church effort is highlighted

HAND OVER... An official accepts the letter from Steve Clifford, right,

BODY ARTIST AND EX-HARDMAN TELLS HOW HIS LIFE CHANGED

I wanted to end it all, but tat’s history now!

TATTOO artist Graham Swann looked like he had it all — but deep inside he wanted to end his life.

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Despite having a beautiful wife and family and owning a successful tattoo business, something was missing.

The 44-year-old former hardman – known as Swanny to his friends — kept his feelings to himself… and it almost killed him.

“Life looked so good to everybody else as I had a beautiful home, a great wife, a child and my own tattoo parlour, something I’d always wanted, but inside I was consumed with negativity,” said Graham.

“I decided to commit suicide, but then met this guy called Tyler who had emigrated from America, and I liked what was in him.

“I wanted a bit of what he’d got. I asked him why he’d come to England and he said because ‘God told me’. He witnessed to

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CHRISTIANS have submitted a report to David Cameron informing him of what the Church is doing to make Britain better.

A letter was delivered to the Prime Minister in August, unveiling the Evangelical Alliance’s Square Mile initiative.

The scheme has helped churches demonstrate care and support for people in the square mile around their buildings.

The letter, along with a copy of a Square Mile DVD, was delivered by Director of the Evangelical Alliance, Steve Clifford, Mandy Ogunmokun from Transform Network of Churches, Tim Bissett, CEO of the Church Urban Fund and Sarah Richards, Director of The Gap Project at Cornerstone Church in Swansea.

Steve Clifford, of the Evangelical Alliance said: “The Square Mile initiative encourages Christians to let their faith impact all of their lives — including caring for those around them.”

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me and I knew God had sent him.”

Graham had a happy childhood growing up on a council estate in Loughborough with parents who loved him.

But at the age of ten things started to spiral downwards.

H is older brot her was permanently in trouble with the police and Graham would often find himself locked in the back room so he couldn’t hear the rows with his parents.

“I was so insecure. It was all about my brother. They didn’t have time to bother with me any more.” His unhappiness in-

Religion plea to Beeb

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CHANGED... Graham Swann

THE CHURCH of England has called on the BBC to appoint a religion editor to improve religious literacy within its news and current affairs sector.

The Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, the Bishop of Manchester and the Church of England’s chief spokesman on communications, said that the post of BBC religion editor could cover radio, TV and online output. He argued that there was “no logical distinction between the genre of arts, science and business and that of religion, the landscape of which likewise demands a ‘trusted guide’ for both internal and external stakeholders.”

Mr McCulloch’s comments were made as part of the Church of England’s submission to a BBC consultation.

creased at senior school where he was viciously bullied.

“They used to take me up into the woods and make me run and they’d count to 60 and chase me with sticks. And then the sexual abuse started.”

When another boy came to Graham’s aid, the pair turned on the bullies and then became bullies themselves.

Soon he was out of control, running with gangs and getting into violent fights at football matches. There were stabbings, beatings, batterings and glassings.

By the time Graham was 15, alcohol and drugs were a big part of his life. But then his break came with the arrival of his now wife Rachel.

Graham said: “She told me she loved me, and I knew for the first time in my life she was speaking the truth. She believed in me and wanted to change me. That was hard, as I didn’t believe in myself.”

But the more Graham fell in love, the unhappier he became on the inside. He was consumed with negativity and decided to commit suicide. And that’s when he met Tyler.

“He told me, ‘You don’t have to be behind bars to be in prison. When we’re hurt we put up barriers and only Jesus Christ holds the key.’ I’ve been to hell and prison and I know Jesus is the key to freedom.”

Graham now attends The Beacon Ch ristia n Centre i n Loughborough. He has a passion to help people beat addiction, and he runs a soup kitchen as well as giving inspirational talks in schools and churches.

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Gazza: God helping me beat booze PRAYING...

Gazza

Issue 200 • NEW LIFE 3

Man behind had loads of

The founder and muchloved face of Kentucky Fried Chicken was a born-again Christian who gave large amounts of his wealth after a remarkable conversion that radically changed his life.

Colonel Sanders, whose image appears on millions of signs and billboards worldwide and is adored by fried chicken lovers everywhere, turned to Christ when he was in his 70s after attending a gospel crusade at a church in Louisville, Kentucky.

Born Harland David Sanders, he was given the honorary title Kentucky Colonel in 1935, and chose to call himself Colonel and to dress in the style of a stereotypical “southern gentleman” as a way of self promotion.

SObER “It’s not a social thing. I enjoy myself more when I’m sober.”

Gazza, 34, added: “I am trying to take one day at a time. Yesterday I didn’t drink, today I haven’t drunk and tomorrow I’m hoping I’m not going to drink.”

He has completed the detox stage of a 12-week program me at the Providence Projects clinic in Boscombe, Bournemouth and is living in nearby digs.

NEW LIFE says

GENEROUS

WE pray that Paul Gascoigne will find the true freedom that only faith in Jesus Christ can bring. The Bible and the pages of this newspaper are full of stories of how God intervened in people’s lives, bringing hope and blessing out of despair. All they had to do was turn the Lord and put their trust in him.

Pastor rings the changes

bEG Tom wants phone companies to put more God apps into phones so Christians can hook up to heaven.

“The same rules apply,” he told t he cong regat ion at St Fra ncis’ church in Milwaukee.

“But don’t just use prayer to beg for things and treat God like Santa Claus.”

Meanwhile, website mobile.biblegateway.com enables browsers to read and search the Bible online in more than 100 translations, with a site specifically designed for mobile users.

KFC TLC

Fast food boss gave away wealth after he found faith

GAZZA believes God is helping him kick the booze.

The troubled ex-England star is back in rehab after going on another bender.

Now he has put his faith in prayer in a bid to stay off the drink.

After checking into a clinic, Gascoigne revealed: “I pray to God this one (rehab) works. I’ve not come for a holiday, I’m a sick person trying to get well.

“It’s true what they say, one drink is too many and 50 is not enough. I don’t go out for a drink, I go out to get drunk.

A PASTOR is urging his flock to give God a call – in church.

Tom Eichenberger has even used his iPhone to make a Sunday sermon and has church bells as a ringtone.

The w i red up preac he r says parishioners should use the latest technology — or apps — to spread the gospel.

Most mobile phones have a series of apps that can do th i ngs like give football results and news headlines.

NEW LIFE

BUCKETFUL OF GENEROSITY...

Colonel Sanders and, inset, how he is depicted today

A book written on the chicken legend by a family friend reveals the transformation Sanders saw and how he became a generous donor to the church where his life was changed.

Author Dr Bob Rodgers, whose dad Waymon Rodgers was Colonel’s pastor, revealed how his father baptised the multi-millionaire, who died in 1980, in the River Jordan in 1967.

He also tells how the Colonel knelt down in church and asked God to forgive him of his sins.

Rodgers writes: “My dad knelt down beside him and asked, ‘Colonel, would you like to get born again?’ The old Colonel, with tears in his eyes, said, ‘I really would. Do you think that Jesus could save me to the point where he would take away my cussing?’

“Dad then said, ‘Colonel, God is

going to save you tonight and you’ll never cuss again.’ That night the Colonel genuinely received Christ into his heart. He was truly born again. He became a new creation in Jesus Christ. From that time on he never used the Lord’s name in vain.”

A few days after his conversion experience, the Colonel donated more than £15,000 to Pastor Rodgers’ church in Louisville, a huge sum at the time.

The Colonel told the pastor: “Since I prayed the sinner’s prayer, things have completely changed in my life. I have not cussed even one time since then. It has really made a difference with me. I am getting ready to come into a large sum of money. I want to give the church the tithe.”

Dr Rodgers’ book also reveals how the Colonel experienced a supernatural healing when scheduled to have an operation on his colon to remove a growth.

He was awaiting surgery in hospital when his pastor came to pray for him. A day later the Colonel wrote: “I don’t need surgery. My pastor came in and prayed for me and God healed me. The doctor said, ‘Colonel, when I opened up you up there weren’t any polyps.’”

The Colonel continued to give generously to the church for years to come.

He later said: “My prayers have always been of thankfulness. God has been so good to me. I’ve been a great believer in tithing. The Bible says you owe ten per cent. I believe, even if you are a crook, you still owe ten per cent to the Lord. Tithing is a great inspiration in my life.”

Just before his death, the Colonel added: “I always figured there is no use being the richest man in the cemetery. You cannot operate from there. People don’t know that I gave most of my money away. Most of it goes to churches.”

Now that’s finger-licking good!

Snoop Dog ‘would be a good preacher’ Teens help HIP-HOP star Snoop Dogg might soon be preaching about Jesus, his mum has said.

Brought up in church, Snoop is not known for having a godly lifestyle – but mum Beverly Green is adamant he will one day turn to the Lord.

Beverly, a minister at a Baptist Church in California, said: “I recently told Snoop he’d become a preacher, a rapper for God. It made him laugh, but I th i n k he’d be a wonderfu l preacher.

“Snoop went to church with me every Sunday from the time he was eight until he was 18. He was a tenor

in the church choir, and he has a great understanding of the Bible.

“In fact, he can quote the Bible better than most preachers! I’m convinced he’s going to get a call from God soon.”

Snoop and his mum are close, but don’t always get to spend a lot of time together due to his busy schedule.

When they do meet up the 38-yearold likes his mum to cook for him, and he still enjoys the meals she made him as a child.

“He likes fried chicken wings and what he calls ‘cheese and macaroni’ because I use so much cheese!”

MUM’S THE WORD...

Snoop Dog

in clear up

HUNDREDS of helpful teenagers cleared 30 tonnes of rubbish from people’s houses and gardens in Norwich as part of a week-long Christian festival.

About 2,000 you ng people from all over the country were in Norfolk for the Newday festival and spent each afternoon helping with garden clearing, fence painting and rubbish removal.

The Newday Socia l Act ion Project was part of the event, which was held at the Norfolk Showground in the summer.

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CHRISTIAN GROUP THANKED FOR HELP

STORM’S SURVIVORS PRAISE VOLUNTEERS

WORLD NEWS ROUND-UP

Prayers after crush horror GERMANY — Chu rch leaders i n Germany have held a special prayer service following the tragic stampede at a music festival where nineteen young people died.

The victims were crushed as revellers at the Love Parade festival near Duisburg surged through a tunnel.

Nikolaus Schneider, head of the country’s Evangelical Alliance, said: “We are devastated by the catastrophe in Duisburg and our thoughts are with those who wanted to enjoy this festival but who lost their lives in such a tragic way.

“We trust in God’s promise to us in the Bible, that he is close to the broken-hearted and helps those who are low in spirits.”

He said the church was praying for those mourning the loss of friends and family, the injured, and the police and emergency services.

Project helps Bible reading

Church volunteers from All Congregations Together unload donated furniture to help people in New Orleans rebuild their lives

SURVIVORS of the devastating Hurricane Katrina have praised Christian volunteers who are helping them rebuild New Orleans.

The stor m r ipped t h roug h the Louisiana city and the Gulf Coast and killed more than 1,800 people.

After the devastation, many people heavily criticised the then Bush government for not reacting quickly enough.

Since then work has been slowly carried out to rebuild the wrecked areas in Louisiana New Orleans.

On the fifth anniversary of the storm, Church World Service (CWS) officials have said that much of the work it has carried out was

whEEL dIffERENcE A HUNGARIAN pastor has become a YouTube hit with his distinctive method of spreading the gospel on wheels.

The Rev Zoltan Lendvai, 45, who lives and preaches in Redics, a small village on Hungary’s border with Slovenia, believes skateboarding can open the way to God for young people.

The video of him in action, Funny Priest Skateboarding, has attracted close to 170,000 hits and also has a music version.

“Many times I’ve felt this is the way I can bring people a bit closer to Jesus,” he said.

thanks to funding, support and labour of the Christian community in the US. Gloria Mouton, 62, whose home in New Orleans was among those repaired by volunteers during the CWS Neighbourhood New Orleans ecumenical project, said: “If it weren’t for the volunteers and agencies who assisted me, I don’t know where I would be.”

EFFORTS She said the city was “nowhere where it should be five years later”, with many areas are still dotted by empty or overgrown lots.

But Gloria praised the efforts that allowed her to return to her home after two years of living in Georgia with family as she waited to return to New Orleans.

The retired government worker

added: “This is home, where I want to be. The work of volunteers came out real nice.”

To r epa i r t he homes , C WS worked with the New Orleans’s long-term recovery organisation, the Crescent Alliance Recovery Effort, and with volunteer teams co-ordinated by ten of CWS’s member denominations.

Founded in 1946, CWS is a cooperative ministry of 36 Christian de nom i nat ion s a nd com mu nions.

Gloria said: “I never realised there were that many people with such big hearts!”

Another survivor, Christopher Weaver, 48, agreed and praised the efforts that allowed him to return to his home in New Orleans East.

He said: “There are people who showed me a new way of life. It

was powerful to see these things happening.”

Those who have worked tirelessly in the five years since the hu r r ica ne say t he repon se of church and humanitarian agencies saved lives.

Jessica Verm i lyea, the Louisiana-based state director for Lutheran Disaster Response and Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response, said: “It saved families.

If it hadn’t have been for that response, I don’t know what would have happened.”

Ellenor Simmons helps oversee long-term recovery projects for the United Way of the Greater New Orleans Area.

She said the Christian community’s response was “absolutely rema rkable i n ever y way they could be”.

Nigerian president says ‘we do God’ A TOP African politician delighted his audience when he told them: “We do do God.” The remarks by Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, president of Nigeria, are in stark contrast to those of former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s then press aide.

inTERviEw When Tony Blair was asked a question about his Christian faith du ri ng a n i nter v iew for Va n it y Fair magazine, his chief spin doctor, Alistair Campbell, famously interrupted his answer, replying: “We don’t do God.” The Nigerian president was speaking at a prayer

breakfast in the state house in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

But Dr Jonathan (right) has called on Nigerian religious leaders “not to relent” in praying for the peace of the country.

He insisted that the collective prayers of believers have been behind Nigeria’s economic and social revival.

Dr Jonathan went on to say that, “the way out of the challenges facing the country” was through a “trust in God.” “No matter the wisdom, skills and ability I have, I cannot succeed except with God,” he told his hearers.

USA — Thousa nds of people i n Tanzania are now reading the Bible for the first time, thanks to a new project from the Bible Society.

The aim is to make the Scriptures available in every one of the world’s 6,000 languages.

Many people have to read the Bible in a foreign tongue because they have no translation in their local language.

Ta nza n ia n fa r mer Joseph i ne Mkala-Mungi, has had to use a Bible written in Swahili, not her first language, for over 30 years.

She says: “I feel I have been set free to read the New Testament in Kikagulu, my mother tongue.

“It feels as if God is my best friend because he is now speaking to me directly. I read how to keep my faith and how to forgive others. I didn’t understand these things before.”

£500k raised to reach poor

ZIMBABWE — A charity’s summer appeal has raised over £500,000 to help impoverished Zimbabweans.

The Christian relief agency Tearfu nd wa rned that a lthough the country had seen some early signs of economic recovery, many Zimbabweans are still struggling without enough food to eat and even basic services.

The money raised will go towards the organisation’s relief and longerterm recovery programmes in the country.

“We are incredibly grateful for this committed support,” said Ann Foley, Tearfund International Regions Director.

New opening

USA — One of the world’s most popular churches is opening up a branch in America.

Hillsong, famous for its congregation in Sydney, Australia, is opening in New York City. The church already has branches in London, Paris, Moscow, Kiev and Cape Town.

The new church will be led by Joel Houston and Carl and Laura Lenz, and is the first ever Hillsong Church in the USA. Houston is a renowned songwriter and worship leader.

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Issue 200 •

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

Three generations of family take the plunge!

FAMILY FORTUNE... Lisa, Julia, Stuart and children Luis and Elainor

A CHuRCH in St Ives celebrated a baptism with a difference as five people from three generations in the same family chose to demonstrate their determination to follow Christ.

Stuart and Lisa O’Loughlin were baptised along with their two children Elainor, 11, and Louis, eight, as well as Lisa’s Mum, Julia. The family all attend St Ives Crossway Christian Centre.

Lisa said: “Since becoming a Christian I’ve had a feeling of overwhelming happiness. I feel

complete with my love of God, my lovely family and my welcoming church family.”

Stuart described his baptism as “the best decision of his life”, adding: “God is the rock our family is firmly rooted to.”

The couple’s eight-year-old son Luis got baptised after asking his Sunday school teacher.

He said: “She told me to say sorry for all the bad things I had done. I feel very proud that I became a Christian because I want to

believe in God. God has a special place for me in heaven.”

Delighted grandma Julia said: “I know now that, putting my trust in God, he will show me the way and I have a bright future. I remain safe in God’s hands.”

Pastor Vic Hudson said: “It was a real blessing to see Lisa come to the Lord with her husband. I have no problem with children being baptised, as long as they have given their lives to Christ and their parents are happy.“

Campaign asks teens to be kind

MANCHESTER-based Christian charity the Message Trust has launched a national campaign “to make goodness fashionable”.

Aiming to unleash the full potential of the nation’s young people, the Shine Your Light campaign is challenging youngsters across the uK to do 15 acts of kindness for their friends, family and community.

The theme tune for Shine Your Light is a hip-hop recording of the 1920s gospel children’s song The Little Light. Recorded by urban music collective LZ7, the video has already had more than 140,000 views and a new video has just gone live on YouTube.

The Message Trust is an awardwinning charity working in schools, communities and prisons with the aim of bringing hope, providing opportunities and releasing potential.

The charity helps young people predominantly in the 11–18 age group.

Court urged to use Bible

ONE of the most prestigious figures in Scots law is calling on the country’s courts to take biblical teachings into account when administering justice.

Former Conservative Cabinet member Lord Mackay of Clashfern, who served as Lord Chancellor under Margaret Thatcher and John Major as well as holding the post of Scotland’s Lord Advocate, is fronting a campaign that will see Bibles sent to every court in the land.

Mackay, who is also the current Lord Clerk Register, the oldest surviving “Great Office of State” in Scotland, now acts as honorary president of the Scottish Bible Society (SBS), and has invited sheriffs and judges to refamiliarise themselves with biblical principles and act accordingly when presiding over court cases.

He said: “I believe the teaching of the Bible is vitally important for guidance in daily living for all of us.”

A reel boost for outreach

A YOuNG pastor who has planted a new church in South London says films can help the church reach people beyond its walls.

Michael Kosmas, 23, has just planted Kingdom Assembly in Deptford. One of its first ministries is the KA Film Club, which invites members of the local community to go and watch a movie each month for free.

The films screened promise to be family friendly and contain a spiritual theme.

Kosmas believes that movies are a good way of sharing the Christian faith in a way that is culturally relevant to the community.

NEW SONG...

Randy Travis and, inset, his best-known album Always and Forever

Country star binned booze and brawls!

For many years, country music legend randy Travis’ life mirrored one of his many hits.

It included bar room brawls, broken relationships and numerous appearances before a judge.

Add on drugs and wild drinking sessions, and Randy admits his past could well have been a No.1 song for all the wrong reasons.

But just when he feared his life was out of tune, the five-time Grammy Award winning singer started to sing a new song.

It happened one night when, sickened by yet another drug and booze-fuelled evening, Randy picked up a Bible and started to read.

He explains: “I was going to bed. I was still drinking, still using drugs, and probably was drunk or high or both.

“I just picked up the Bible and started reading to go to sleep. I was amazed at how well I slept, but even beyond that, the next day, there was this peace of mind that was still there that I wasn’t used to. I never had peace of mind. I never felt at peace with anything or anybody.”

In his glitzy career, Randy’s first big breakthrough came in 1982 and, after a string of top ten hits, his song On The Other Hand went to number one.

But perhaps his best-known song is Forever and Ever, Amen — released in 1987 it has been recorded by numerous major recording artists.

Since reading that Bible over 30 years ago, Randy, 50, says his life has been an amazing spiritual journey.

“I know I’m forgiven for those terrible things, as bad as they were, in the past. There’s forgiveness if you ask for forgiveness; if you truly repent, and you make an honest effort not to do that any more,” he explains.

“You continue to grow. As you study the Word of God more and more, you find that more is continually revealed to you from the Bible.

“On top of that, there’s the relationship we have with God, with Jesus, and with the Holy Spirit.

That relationship is the most important part.

And I’m amazed what things we have access to through prayer.

“As Jesus said, ‘Where any two of you agree as to anything you ask in my name, it will be given to you.’ The fact that I’ve seen that work is just an awesome thing.”

Randy Travis has enjoyed one of the most successful careers in country music. As well as twenty-two No.1 hits, he has six No.1 albums, five Grammys, six Country Music Association awards, nine Academy of Country Music awards, 10 American Music awards, five Dove Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of fame.

In between his concerts, Travis performs free of charge at churches where he shares his testimony and sings a song from his three best-selling gospel albums.

5

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WORKING TOGeTheR TO BRING you The GOOd NeWS CLEAN CUT...

Charlie Hale

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

C

haRliE halE is a comedian with a difference – his act is clean because he is a committed Christian.

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

But the lack of blue language hasn’t stopped the dad-of-three from rising to the top of his game.

And he packs a real punch as he has shared his faith with some of the world’s best-known boxers.

He has prayed with the likes of Mike Tyson, Frank Bruno and Ricky Hatton.

The funnyman revealed that he’s also shared a prayer with Wayne Rooney, who has admitted if he hadn’t become a football star he would have chosen a career in the clergy.

“I pray regularly with Mike Tyson,” said Charlie.

“I first met him eight years ago when I was on Sky TV doing the build up to his fight.

“He’s going through a tough time with losing his daughter. He always asks me to pray with him.

“I’ve also prayed with Wayne Rooney. I prayed for his friend who was healed from a back injury and he introduced me to Wayne, so I prayed for his knee before the 2006 World Cup. “I’ve also prayed with Ricky Hatton and I met Muhammad Ali when he was over here last year. I talked to his wife about Jesus. He’ll always be the best boxer that ever lived to me.”

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

PROMISING Charlie didn’t always see himself as a comedian. In fact, a career on the football pitch beckoned as a youngster.

“When I was 12 it looked like I was going to be a professional footballer,” revealed Charlie. “I ended up going to Coventry City for a short while, then on to Manchester City.

“I had a promising career ahead of me, then at the age of 18 I had a bad knee injury and by the time I was 19 I was finished.”

Devastated at losing out on his dream, Charlie even considered ending his life because he got so low. He remembered: “When my football career ended I was in a deep depression for a few years, just doing a few labouring jobs. I was suicidal.”

When a friend suggested that he take the funny impressions he used to do on to the stage, Charlie wasn’t so sure. “I thought that being a comedian would be the hardest job in the world,” he recalled.

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

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

CHARLIE HALE IS A COMEDIAN WHO ISN’T BLUE... AND IT’S GAINED HIM SOME HEAVYWEIGHT FRIENDS

www.newlife.co.uk

tune in

Issue 200 •

Charlie’s big-hitting friends...

Christianity is no laughing matter for comedian Charlie Hale, who has shared his faith with some of the biggest names in the sporting world. Becky Barlow met him

But in 1990 he started a double act called Hale and Hearty, before deciding to go it alone. Just two years later, he’d made it big, appearing in the TV show, The New Comedians.

Three years after that Charlie was given his own half-hour show, Stand and Deliver, on Sky TV. But despite being at the top of his game, something was missing in his life.

“I always believed that there was a God, but I didn’t understand anything about the personal relationship that you could have with Jesus,” he explained. “I just knew that he was real, but nothing else.”

So when two showbiz friends started talking to him about Jesus, Charlie was interested.

“They said that often, behind the showbiz smile, is heartache, and that made sense to me,” he remembered. “By this time, my career was

❛

i thought once you take the blue jokes away, people wouldn’t laugh

❜

really taking off – I had my own TV show, I was making lots of money but it didn’t seem as good as I thought it would be.

“So I said the sinner’s prayer, where I said sorry for all the wrong things I’d done in my life and asked Jesus to be Lord of my life. Now I truly understand what it is to have a personal relationship with Jesus.”

The first thing that had to change was his act.

He explained: “As a comedian you go out on stage as a non-Christian and every other word out of your mouth is a swear word – you get paid plenty of money and the audience love it.

“I thought as a comic, that once you take all the blue jokes away, and all the swearing, that people wouldn’t laugh. But I’ve earned more respect and God’s honoured it as I’ve been working less for

more money. I remember one day phoning Bobby Ball, who is also a Christian, and asking him how to clean up my act. He told me to just give it to God and I didn’t know what he meant.

“It took a while for me to get used to giving my full act to God, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.

“Certain events can be difficult when you’re on stage and people want blue but I know that I’m honouring Jesus. I find my act goes down just as well at a sportsmen’s dinner as at a church outreach event.

“I always say grace in the name of Jesus before my act so they know I’m a Christian. The fact that my act is clean gets people talking so I tell them I’m a Christian.

“You get one of two reactions, they either run or ask questions and that sometimes leads to me praying with people. I can be praying with regular members of the public in the morning and famous people in the evening. My ministry is with everyone.”

Charlie has had 18 different TV shows, even playing the part of Mike Baldwin’s van driver on Coronation Street, but his first love is sport.

His TV roles led to Charlie being asked to compere ahead of boxing matches on Sky sports where he was introduced to boxing legends Mike Tyson, Frank Bruno and Muhammad Ali. A lasting friendship with Tyson ensued, which led to Charlie going on tour with the boxing champ, introducing him at dinner speeches in 2005.

Tyson broke all box office records for a UK dinner tour and Charlie is currently in talks for a fifth tour with his famous friend.

He said: “I just want to be where God wants me, whether that’s on the street or with somebody world famous. People think Christians have no sense of humour so I try and change that.

“The Bible talks about having a ministry of reconciliation and that’s how I see my ministry. I have to be a shining light in the darkness.” ● For more information or to book Charlie for your event go to www.charliehale.co.uk

With Muhammad Ali...

...Frank Bruno

...Mike Tyson

...and Ricky Hatton

7

6

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

NEW LIFE • Issue 200 NEW LIFE

NEW LIFE

THE COMEDIAN WHO PULLS NO PUNCHES!

WORKING TOGeTheR TO BRING you The GOOd NeWS CLEAN CUT...

Charlie Hale

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

C

haRliE halE is a comedian with a difference – his act is clean because he is a committed Christian.

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

But the lack of blue language hasn’t stopped the dad-of-three from rising to the top of his game.

And he packs a real punch as he has shared his faith with some of the world’s best-known boxers.

He has prayed with the likes of Mike Tyson, Frank Bruno and Ricky Hatton.

The funnyman revealed that he’s also shared a prayer with Wayne Rooney, who has admitted if he hadn’t become a football star he would have chosen a career in the clergy.

“I pray regularly with Mike Tyson,” said Charlie.

“I first met him eight years ago when I was on Sky TV doing the build up to his fight.

“He’s going through a tough time with losing his daughter. He always asks me to pray with him.

“I’ve also prayed with Wayne Rooney. I prayed for his friend who was healed from a back injury and he introduced me to Wayne, so I prayed for his knee before the 2006 World Cup. “I’ve also prayed with Ricky Hatton and I met Muhammad Ali when he was over here last year. I talked to his wife about Jesus. He’ll always be the best boxer that ever lived to me.”

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

PROMISING Charlie didn’t always see himself as a comedian. In fact, a career on the football pitch beckoned as a youngster.

“When I was 12 it looked like I was going to be a professional footballer,” revealed Charlie. “I ended up going to Coventry City for a short while, then on to Manchester City.

“I had a promising career ahead of me, then at the age of 18 I had a bad knee injury and by the time I was 19 I was finished.”

Devastated at losing out on his dream, Charlie even considered ending his life because he got so low. He remembered: “When my football career ended I was in a deep depression for a few years, just doing a few labouring jobs. I was suicidal.”

When a friend suggested that he take the funny impressions he used to do on to the stage, Charlie wasn’t so sure. “I thought that being a comedian would be the hardest job in the world,” he recalled.

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

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

CHARLIE HALE IS A COMEDIAN WHO ISN’T BLUE... AND IT’S GAINED HIM SOME HEAVYWEIGHT FRIENDS

www.newlife.co.uk

tune in

Issue 200 •

Charlie’s big-hitting friends...

Christianity is no laughing matter for comedian Charlie Hale, who has shared his faith with some of the biggest names in the sporting world. Becky Barlow met him

But in 1990 he started a double act called Hale and Hearty, before deciding to go it alone. Just two years later, he’d made it big, appearing in the TV show, The New Comedians.

Three years after that Charlie was given his own half-hour show, Stand and Deliver, on Sky TV. But despite being at the top of his game, something was missing in his life.

“I always believed that there was a God, but I didn’t understand anything about the personal relationship that you could have with Jesus,” he explained. “I just knew that he was real, but nothing else.”

So when two showbiz friends started talking to him about Jesus, Charlie was interested.

“They said that often, behind the showbiz smile, is heartache, and that made sense to me,” he remembered. “By this time, my career was

❛

i thought once you take the blue jokes away, people wouldn’t laugh

❜

really taking off – I had my own TV show, I was making lots of money but it didn’t seem as good as I thought it would be.

“So I said the sinner’s prayer, where I said sorry for all the wrong things I’d done in my life and asked Jesus to be Lord of my life. Now I truly understand what it is to have a personal relationship with Jesus.”

The first thing that had to change was his act.

He explained: “As a comedian you go out on stage as a non-Christian and every other word out of your mouth is a swear word – you get paid plenty of money and the audience love it.

“I thought as a comic, that once you take all the blue jokes away, and all the swearing, that people wouldn’t laugh. But I’ve earned more respect and God’s honoured it as I’ve been working less for

more money. I remember one day phoning Bobby Ball, who is also a Christian, and asking him how to clean up my act. He told me to just give it to God and I didn’t know what he meant.

“It took a while for me to get used to giving my full act to God, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.

“Certain events can be difficult when you’re on stage and people want blue but I know that I’m honouring Jesus. I find my act goes down just as well at a sportsmen’s dinner as at a church outreach event.

“I always say grace in the name of Jesus before my act so they know I’m a Christian. The fact that my act is clean gets people talking so I tell them I’m a Christian.

“You get one of two reactions, they either run or ask questions and that sometimes leads to me praying with people. I can be praying with regular members of the public in the morning and famous people in the evening. My ministry is with everyone.”

Charlie has had 18 different TV shows, even playing the part of Mike Baldwin’s van driver on Coronation Street, but his first love is sport.

His TV roles led to Charlie being asked to compere ahead of boxing matches on Sky sports where he was introduced to boxing legends Mike Tyson, Frank Bruno and Muhammad Ali. A lasting friendship with Tyson ensued, which led to Charlie going on tour with the boxing champ, introducing him at dinner speeches in 2005.

Tyson broke all box office records for a UK dinner tour and Charlie is currently in talks for a fifth tour with his famous friend.

He said: “I just want to be where God wants me, whether that’s on the street or with somebody world famous. People think Christians have no sense of humour so I try and change that.

“The Bible talks about having a ministry of reconciliation and that’s how I see my ministry. I have to be a shining light in the darkness.” ● For more information or to book Charlie for your event go to www.charliehale.co.uk

With Muhammad Ali...

...Frank Bruno

...Mike Tyson

...and Ricky Hatton

7

Issue 200

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

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1,000 flock DOC LEFT GOBSMACKED AFTER CHECKS to take part in festival OVER a thousand travellers and gypsies attended a major Ch ristian festival in Cambridgeshire.

They gathered at the small village of Swavesey, near Cambridge, in what is thought to be the biggest event of its kind in the world.

Around 200 caravans were present for the six-day festival which was organised by the Light and Life Gypsy Church.

Despite objections from some people, ma ny loca ls welcomed the event.

L i g h t a n d L i fe G y p s y Church spokesman Abraham Howard said: “We have come here to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“We paid for use of the field for one week and after we have gone, the field will be returned to its previous state.

“We are meeting to talk a b out t he wor d of Jes u s Christ. We haven’t come to do any harm.

“People have nothing to fear. We are Christians. We preach a l l over the world and we’ve come to share the Word.”

Light and Life have more than 20 churches throughout the UK.

£5m boost for charity

A MAJOR Christian charity is set to receive £5m in Government funds, which will be the largest public grant allocated to a church group in recent years.

The Church of England’s Church Urban Fund is expected to receive the money later this year.

The boost is likely to be welcomed by many Christians who have become increasingly concerned at the way in which Christian groups have struggled to access public funding.

The Church Urban Fund was established in 1987 in a bid to alleviate poverty in the country’s poorest areas.

They h ave suppor ted projects tackling issues ranging from addiction and homelessness through to debt and financial exclusion.

Prayers helped to beat cancer A shocked woman has revealed how precancerous cells in her body vanished after she received prayer.

Dawn Johnson, 37, was diagnosed w ith cerv ical dysplasia after a routine smear test showed that two-thirds of the cells in her cervix were pre-malignant.

She was told that if the cells were left untreated, they could develop into cancer.

The mum-of-three explained: “They sent me an appointment for three weeks time to come in and have them removed by laser.

“I’ve been a Christian for sevenand-a-half years so I just said to God ‘I know that you’re a healing God’ and left it at that. I had a peace about it.”

EXPERIENCE When a team of evangelists visited her church in Chippenham, Wiltshire, in May, Dawn received prayer and had a strange experience.

She s a id : “O n t he Su nd ay evening, ten days before my next appointment was due, the evangelist Marilyn Harry prayed for me.

“She’d come with a team from Newport Elim to our church for a week of evangelism, and the Sunday evening service was a healing service.

“As the pastor’s wife continued to pray for me, I nearly hit her out of the way because I felt as if hot water was being poured across my stomach, over my right hand and

Dawn Johnson saw pre-cancerous cells vanish after being prayed for

dripping from my right ear.

“But when I opened my eyes, she was just praying for me. There was no water.”

Later, when Dawn went to the hospital for the scheduled laser treatment, she was in for a bigger surprise.

“They explained that they were going to put bleach into my cervix and this would highlight the abnormal cells, so that they could laser them off,” she said. “Then the doctor shocked me when he

Vicar steps out to help the heroes in 500-mile walk A VICAR walked almost 500 miles in aid of forces charity Help for Heroes.

The Rev Renée Cou lson, of Seend, Wiltshire, went on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Santiago, in the Spanish Pyrenees. It took

29 days and raised £2,475 for the Tidworth Garrison.

Walking about 15 miles a day carrying a 17kg pack, the vicar encountered heatwaves, gales, high winds and a blizzard – and suffered blistered feet. She added:

PUZZLE CORNER Sudoku

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© Krazydad.com

Solutions on the right

said, ‘There’s absolutely nothing there!’ He was gobsmacked.

“He had to check his records because he couldn’t believe that three weeks earlier, two-thirds of my cells had been abnormal and now they were all fine.

“He said, ‘We don’t need to do anything.’

“It was only when I left that I realised that I should have told him that it was God who healed me. I always knew that God can heal and this is amazing!”

Across 1. Nil (4) 3. Cask (6) 8. Security device (7) 9. Water barrier (3) 10. Terse (4) 11. Rudderless (6) 13. Technical terminology (6) 15. Zealous (4) 18. Written record of events (3) 19. Countries (7) 21. Currency unit (6) 22. Labyrinth (4)

Down 1. Fastner (3) 2. Detection instrument (5) 4. Japanese martial art (6) 5. Armbones (5) 6. Restricted (7) 7. Adult male swan (3) 10. Coaxed (7) 12. Part of the eye (6) 14. Majestic (5) 16. Stringed instrument (5) 17. Consumed (3) 20. Litigate (3)

“It was a wonderful experience I wouldn’t have missed for the world.

“I met some wonderful people, the countryside was beautiful and it was a delight to see some signs of Old Spain.”

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

NEW LIFE

Issue 200 • NEW LIFE 9

COMMENT Sporting life!

OUR sports pages are always packed with stories of sportsmen and women who want to share their faith or thank Jesus for being an instrumental part of their life.

And in a time when sport is wrapped up in betting scandals and even more unsavoury activities that fill newspapers, it’s always good to know that the world of sport, in general, isn’t a bad place.

Sadly, many of those sportspeople never make the newstands – but that’s where New Life likes to be different.

We show that there is good in sport, and there are plenty of people who make their livings from it who take the responsibility of being in the limelight seriously.

Marvin Andrews is one such sportsman.

He has shown that he doesn’t just talk about God and faith, but lives it in his everyday life.

When it came to injury, he did what the Bible and Jesus said – and put his faith in God. He knew that through prayer he could recover.

And he did... much to the amazement of the club where he played, who are probably used to seeing such injuries leaving great players in physio for months.

Even Lewis Hamilton, who has been coy about his faith in the past, is showing glimpses that he needs to put his trust in God before a race.

We sincerely hope that one day he will talk fully about his faith. But with such ridicule in some newspapers, it’s not a great surprise that he chooses to remain private about his life.

If you read the sports pages and think those we feature are one-offs, you’d be wrong. Every month we have stories of sportspeople who have a deep faith in Christ.

If you love sport and want inspiration, make sure you get New Life. You may find your “hero” follows a true hero – Jesus!

BIBLE QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives.”

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Ex-Premier striker gives help to kids FORMER Premier League striker Dennis Bailey joined other retired players to journey to South Africa.

But while others were watching the World Cup, Bailey, who was a hero for QPR in 1992 when he put three past Peter Schmeichel, he was helping a football community programme in a township.

Bailey, who also played for the likes of Birmingham City and Bristol Rovers, is used to helping disadvantaged young people.

The devout 44-year-old Christian said: “I’d been running a football club for d isadva ntaged k ids i n Stratford-upon- Avon for many years and thought it would be interesting to see the similarities and the differences facing young people, particularly those from poor backgrounds.

“So my local church Renewal put me in contact with a Christian charity called World Emergency Relief (WER) who have been running a football community project in the township of Paarl since 2005.”

Fans stunned over recovery

● Continued from Back Page him about our plans and our ambitions during the time he has trained with us, and he likes it here. He wants to be part of our plans to try and win promotion this season, and I’m convinced he is the right man at the right time for us.”

Marvin once stunned team-mates from his national squad when, during a flight home from a match, the plane experienced mechanical problems.

While his fellow passengers panicked and were convinced they were going to die, Marvin was sleeping soundly.

When he was woken by a teammate, Marvin explained that they would be safe because God had given him a prophecy that had not yet been fulfilled. He insisted the plane could not crash while he still had this task to do, and went back to sleep. The plane landed safely.

Langer has a new outlook!

GOLF legend Bernhard Langer has described how Christ changed his life.

The German star (pictured) said: “I’ve seen tremendous changes in my life, my marriage, and my whole outlook. My priorities have changed.

They’re now where they should be: God first, family second, and then my career.

“I believe when you r pr iorities are in the right place everything is managed better.”

La nger described the moment he accepted that he needed Christ: “I was amazed to realise that the only way to have eternal life is through Jesus Christ – that he died for our sins.

“And that it is not through our deeds or good behaviour that one receives eternal life, because we can never live up to God’s standard. We will always fall short.”

Issue 200 •

Gary hit for six at finding faith

TURNED AROUND...

Gary Kirsten

SOUTH AFRICAN cricket legend Gary Kirsten has revealed how God has changed his life.

The retired batsman — who now coaches the Indian national team — says that the Lord helped him throughout his career.

He said: “There have been some disastrous times in my cricketing career, but through prayer and help from the Lord things have turned around positively.

“For me, decision making has become so much easier since I committed my life to Christ.

“I know I have a long way to go in the Christian life and I don’t always lead by example, but I am getting there and am happy to share the good news with others.”

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

11

ONGAO’S FEELING FREE

KENYAN footballer Musa Ongao says God has always been on his side.

The giant defender, who now plays for South African club Santos, is a committed Christian.

He said: “I am feeling free and secure since I committed my life to Christ. I know the peace of God in my life. I want to make him number one in my life. God has given me my talent and I try to live for him and give him the glory.”

CLUB TURNS TO CHURCH OFFICIALS at Bath Rugby Club are turning to the Church in an effort to provide greater pastoral support for players.

The club is in the process of securing the services of a local vicar who would offer a confidential counseling service.

The club has been in talks with the Rev Martin Lloyd-Williams, rector of St Michael’s Church in Broad Street.

71-YEAR-OLD SAYS ACCIDENT CHANGED VIEWS ON LIFE

PARALYSED, BUT I’M FLYING HIGH! FORMER hang-gliding expert Chris Corston is flying high again – after a devastating crash left him in a wheelchair.

Chris, 71, was a pioneer of hanggliding in Britain and co-founded the British Hang-gliding Association more than 30 years ago.

But his life was changed in an instant when a freak wind smashed him into the ground.

He was rushed to hospital where doctors told him he was lucky to be alive. He was paralysed from the chest down.

Just 38 at the time, Chris was married with two young children.

A highly successful businessman who lived for the next deal, Chris spent all his spare time in the air – sometimes gliding for up to two hours at a time.

“On t he day I c rashed, t he weather wasn’t the best, and deep down I knew I was stressed and not up to flying,” said Chris.

AIR I GO...

Chris Corston has changed his outlook on life. Inset, a hang-glider like the one Chris crashed in

fearful “But hang-gliding had become my life. I really was like an addict, living for my next fix. I took off into the wind and minutes later I was soaring high in the air.

“The next thing I remember, I was lying on my back in an ambulance.”

After the accident, Chris’s marriage broke up and his children went to live with their mother. He was left alone, in a wheelchair, trapped in a broken body.

“Every day was filled with frustrations of every kind,” he said.

“It took hours even to get out of bed and get dressed. I was fearful of growing old and alone. Would I cope? What was there for me now?

I considered suicide.”

Wit h plent y of t i me on h is hands, he began to ponder whether life was just random chance or if there was a meaning – and a

God – behind it all. Chris told New Life: “I began to study the world’s religions. I spent a fortune on books about Buddhism and transcendental meditation, trying to relax and escape life’s worries. I tried Hinduism and Spiritualism and many other faiths.

“I wondered why there was so much suffering in the world, why there were wars and famines.”

Then some Christian friends

gave him a book explaining the basics of the faith. He also started to read the Bible.

“Gradually, the truth fell into place,” said Chris. “I saw that the world was in a mess as a result of mankind’s inhumanity, greed and selfishness. Wars and suffering will only end when we show unselfish love and concern for others.

God wants us to know him and spend eternity with him. That is

why he sent his son, Jesus.

“Jesus showed his father’s love.

He died and rose again to prove that death is not the end. When we accept his authority, we are able to share his perfection. He fits us for our heavenly life, which is eternal.”

“If I hadn’t had my accident, I reckon I would have carried on living a selfish life, never getting to know Jesus.”

DRIVING SEAT...

Lewis Hamilton says he needed help in Belgium

Hamilton admits he needed help!

Formula one championship contender lewis Hamilton admitted he needed help from above to win the Belgian GP. The Brit was inches from ending his race in a tyre wall after a rain shower made his car almost impossible to control on its slick tyres.

RELIEVED later he confessed, “The lord definitely had his hand over me there as I was able to get away with it.

“I braked quite late and locked my wheels and went wide – I was on the edge of my seat! I was so relieved to cross the line at the end

CAPTAIN MARV-EL Fans left stunned by defender’s recovery

MARVELLOUS...

Marvin Andrews who has signed for Wrexham

of the race. It was an overwhelming feeling!”

Hamilton’s third win of the season – and 14th of his F1 career – took him three points clear of red Bull’s mark Webber in his quest to win back the drivers’ championship he won in 2008.

He added: “after not finishing the last race in Hungary, this victory was the perfect way to bounce back.”

Hamilton’s faith in God has been a help to him during his career, he says. He has often thanked God publicly for his success, and said his skills are “God-given”.

SEE PAGE 11

CRICKET ACE hIT foR sIx NEW LIFE

SPORT

fLYING hIGh AAfTER fTER CRAsh CRAsh

Top defender Marvin Andrews has a word for his new teammates: Jesus.

The centre back, nicknamed “Marvellous Marvin” by Glasgow Rangers fans, has just been signed by Wrexham and is playing a key part in the club’s bid for promotion to the football league this season.

He saw action in the Champions League with the Scottish League Winners and has been capped 97 times for Trinidad, helping them get to the 2006 World Cup finals.

Andrews earned his nickname after refusing surgery on a badly damaged knee, insisting that God would heal him.

The club and fans were amazed when he returned to full time football just weeks later – without any medical treatment.

Afterwards he said: “Jesus is my Lord and Saviour.

He told me I was healed, and I knew I could trust him.

“My knee was seriously injured and it could have been the end of my career, but the Lord has never let me down.”

The 34-year-old central defender is also an ordained minister at a church in Scotland. When he was with Rangers, he held regular healing sessions and has seen many miracles.

Marvin has joined Wrexham on a sixmonth contract.

Manager Dean Saunders said: “I’ve told ● Continued on page age 11

FULL STORY — PAGE 11

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