New Life September 2011 issue 211

AL L NE THI WS S G FO OO RJ D US T

NEW LIFE

SEPTEMBER 2011 • Issue 211

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GOOD NEWS STORIES

Comedian swears to clean up his act!

SEE PAGE 3

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Celebrities reveal book that changed their lives

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DANNIELLA WESTBROOK EXCLUSIVE

THE ENDER MY OLD WAYS...

Star reveals faith helped beat drugs

OLD LIFE... the infamous photo that showed how drug addiction was ravaging TV star Danniella’s life

FORMER EastEnders star Danniella Westbrook has revealed that God helped her beat drugs and has given her a new life as a Christian.

The actress, who battled cocaine addiction for more than ten years, says she has been saved by Jesus Christ and is now a regular churchgoer who prays, reads her Bible and tells others about her newfound faith.

Danniella, who lives in LA with husband Kevin Jenkins and their

by Matthew Murray two children, Kai and Jody, has no desire for drugs and alcohol, insisting that Jesus made her feel ‘completely clean’ after she confessed her sins about a year ago.

Speaking exclusively to New Life, she said: “There wasn’t a human being on the planet who could have helped me – it had to be God. Jesus is my whole ● Continued on Page 3

CHANGED...

Danniella Westbrook

A miner is welcomed to the surface

Miners’ tale to become film smash THE story of the 33 Chilean miners who were trapped underground for more than two months is on its way to the silver screen.

Hollywood producer Mike Medavoy has signed the rights to the miners’ faith-filled story.

The mov ie w i ll recount thei r remarkable 69-day plight after they were trapped in a collapsed San Jose mine near Copiapo, Chile.

Medavoy, who grew up in the country, has produced films including Shutter Island and Black Swan.

The miners have regularly spoken of how their faith in Jesus shone during the ordeal, with Bible studies and prayer meetings being held regularly.

Jose Henriquez, the 24th miner to be released, said: “In the beginn i ng there was such chaos a nd desperation. We all reacted in so many different ways. But through praying God changed our hearts and we came together in one purpose. We began to lose our fears and gained hope. God was the 34th miner down there and we trusted in him to save us.”

NOW JAY STANDS FOR JESUS

SEE P5

2

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• Issue 211

Ofsted praise GRAFFITI ARTIST CHANGED AFTER CONVICTIONS for academy THE New Life Christian Academy, based at a chu rch i n Hu l l, has received a glow i ng fi rst Ofsted inspection.

Experts said the school, which teaches students aged 4-11, was either ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ in all categories.

The school was launched last year by New Life Church, led by Jarrod Cooper, which recently announced plans for a new 1,000-seat centre in the north of the city. Proposals include a coffee shop, soft play area, conference facilities and community rooms.

Faith fashion store opens

FAMILY-run fashion store Forever 21 is about to open a flagship store on Oxford Street.

A huge hit in the US, Forever 21 is run by the Chang family, a tightknit Korean Christian unit who emigrated to California in 1981. At the bottom of every bag, shoppers will find ‘John 3:16’ – the core of the Christian faith and a statement of the founders’ beliefs.

Having caused a stir in the process of conquering the States and the Far East, the store is all set to have a massive impact on the British high street.

Sponsor a child CHRISTIANS will get an opportunity to sponsor a child in a Third World nation at Compassion Sunday, to be held on September 18.

Thousands of churches are hosting the event worldwide.

For more deta i ls, v isit w w w. compassionsunday.org or call 01932 836490.

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I thought writing was on the wall for my life

by Becky Barlow

DAD-of-two Stuart Taylor has revealed how he turned a life of crime into a work of art when he discovered Jesus.

As a teenager, St ua rt fou nd himself with a criminal record after getting involved in the graffiti scene in his local town in Devon.

But since becoming a Christian Stuart now runs a business that uses the art form to help kids work together in a positive way. Adopted by schools, churches and councils, his business is flourishing.

He said: “It’s incredible how God has opened doors. We work with autistic children and are doing some work with the learning disability charity MENCAP. “We can use graffiti to talk about the gospel message but also use it to address different issues, like what is graffiti and is it right or wrong? It gets kids to work together and pulls down barriers.”

Stuart’s journey to faith in Jesus took many twists and turns. At the age of 15 he was a regular at a youth group hosted by a local church in Brixham.

After making an initial decision to follow Christ as a teenager, his

IT’S WALL RIGHT NOW... Stuart Taylor leads a workshop parents weren’t very encouraging, and he gradually fell away, and it was then that he discovered his love for graffiti. “Without Jesus in my life I got involved in various things,” he explained.

“During that time in the 80s I was interested in graffiti art. So I went and sprayed a lot around various areas like skate parks and

got into trouble and ended up with a criminal record. I was trying to say, ‘It’s not a crime – it’s art.’ But they didn’t see it that way.

“Two convictions later I was still doing it – it engulfed me as a person. But it got to a point where I had to pack it in for the sake of my family.” Stuart, 42, studied for a fine art degree – a move that proved

to be a turning point in his life.

“During my degree I had to look at what was motivating me to do art,” he remembered.

“It was through that self exploration that I came back to a point where I realised that all the things that I thought were i mporta nt weren’t so much. Friends are fickle – if you put your trust in people it can come undone. But if you put your faith in Jesus, it won’t come back empty because he’s believed in you from the start.”

After a friend invited him to church, Stuart recommitted his life to God. But when another pal suggested that he look into teaching kids graffiti, he wasn’t so sure.

He said: “It brought back bad memories of my criminal past. I didn’t even know that there was still a scene around. But I did a few local youth festivals and the kids helped out – they really wanted to be involved.”

Six years ago, www.graffitiworkshop.co.uk was born.

“I put a website together and work started coming in from all over the place,” he said. “We’ve even started a sideline called My Graffiti Party, and we do a lot of work with the Jewish community which is great from a believer’s point of view. The way the kids embrace the work is great.”

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PEDAL POWER... The volunteers who took part in the 24-hour cycle marathon in Stoke on Trent

Saddle do nicely for project cash KEEN bikers cycled the distance from Stoke on Trent to Uganda to raise funds for a mission project.

More than 150 people from Breathe City Church took part in the initiative, taking turns in cycling 6,667 km in 24 hours on bikes at a local gym. They were raising cash for a new kids’ church facility and classroom in Lawantama, near Kampala,

the capital of Uganda.

Church spokesman Rhi Davies said: “We were hoping to raise £4,000 for the building work. We’ve not got the final figure yet but we’re well on our way. Cycling through the night was a challenge but one that was well worth it. We finished in just under 24 hours which was a real achievement. The church loved it and got really

involved. It will be for primary school children from three and upwards who live in the local area. They have 300 children in the project, which also provides hea lth ca re, educat ion a nd food, and the kids go to church on a Sunday.

“It will be a great facility that will be a blessing not only to the church but the wider community as well.”

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Issue 211 • NEW LIFE 3 NEW LIFE

TV soap star won battle with drugs after finding faith in Jesus

DANCING TO A NEW TUNE... TV star Danniella Wesetbrook

● Continued from Page 1 life now – things are so much different. I used to be ruled by the latest bag that Gucci were bringing out or the newest bit of gossip in OK! magazine, but now I’m not interested in those things.

“Since I became a Christian, I’ve felt completely clean,” said Danniella Westbrook, who played Sam Mitchell in Eastenders.

“I can’t believe that in my ignorance I didn’t have a relationship with Jesus for so many years, and I feel I’ve robbed myself of so much.

But I do now have the rest of my days with him.

“I want to spread the Word of God and give others this feeling of freedom that I have. I want people to know what it’s like to not feel alone.”

Danniella had a very public life as an addict, estimating she spent a whopping £250,000 on the drug she was first introduced to as a 14-year-

old. It took expensive surgery to fix her nose, which had been ravaged by years of snorting. The former Dancing on Ice and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here star has been in rehab six times and tried many forms of treatment and counselling, but says true freedom only came when she found God. The 37-year-old added: “I looked into the Arizona sky one night and said, ‘God, if you’re real, you really need to help me out because I can’t do this on my own. I don’t want to die but I want to be happy.’

shocked “I didn’t put any more into it than that, and then a few days before Kevin and I were set to fly back to London, some young people came up to me and gave me a leaflet for The Sanctuary Church in California where the pastor is Jay Haizlip.

“We went the next Sunday with a very open mind, although none of

us came from Christian families so we had no idea what to expect. When we got there, we were completely shocked. The people were crying and singing – they all seemed so happy.

“Pastor Jay then spoke a word and it was as if he was talking directly to us and describing our lives – it was amazing. We flew back to England and all we talked about on the way home was this church! It was much different to the traditional churches I had been in back in the UK.” The family moved back to LA, and soon afterwards, Danniella went to the altar at the church and asked God to forgive her sins.

“When you cry out to God and say ‘Help me!’ whether you’re Muslim, Buddhist or at the lowest point in your life, he will answer you.

“I got clean and realised this was what I’d been longing for all these years. A guy sat behind a desk in a suit couldn’t offer me what I needed, but Jesus could, and he makes life

worth living. If you had told me two years ago that I was going to be a Christian, I would have laughed. I used to tell people, ‘I’m way past saving.’”

Pastor Jay – who himself found God while on his way to make a drug deal – says Danniella’s conversion to Christ is undeniable.

He said: “Danniella and Kevin are continually talking to people about Jesus and inviting them to church.

They are doing what they should be doing as Christians and have genuine relationships with God. We are so delighted with their progress.” ● Follow @Westbrookdanni and @ jayhaizlip on Twitter. You can find more out about her church by visiting www. mysanctuarychurch.com. Danniella has been telling some of her old soap colleagues about Jesus and hopes to return to London one day to help start a church. Find out more in next month’s New Life.

US FUNNYMAN TURNS BACK ON BLUE Allen: church was big help

I SWORE I’D REALLY CLEAN UP MY ACT! LANGUAGE BARRIER...

Steve Harvey cleaned up his act when he became a Christian

by James Hastings

US funnyman Steve Harvey has cleaned up his act.

The sta r of Spi ke Lee’s legendary film, The Original Kings of Comedy, says swearing and profanity is no laughing matter.

And the man who turned the air blue by just walking on stage says his red-letter day was meeting Jesus.

“I was who I was but now I am who I am,” he said close to tears.

“I’m not a perfect Christian – I don’t think there is one, but I do know the Lord is working on me and I thank him for the people he sends into my life to help me in this process.”

Steve Harvey, 54, has been one of America’s top comics alongside Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy. His sell-out shows we re l it te red w it h swear words and sexual banter that earned him a fortune and legions of fans.

While Steve has turned his back on those days, he is still as funny – with an entire new audience of Christians who love his jokes about the funnier side of church life.

He made the breakthrough at a major Christian event in Atlanta in front of an audience of 16,000 churchgoers.

Steve had the audience on their feet as he came on to introduce the evening’s special guest – Jesus.

“This man needs no introduction,” he explained. “His credits are too long to list.

He has done the impossible

time after time. He hails from a stable in Bethlehem by way of heaven.

“His daddy is the author of a book that has been on the bestseller list since the beginning of time. He fed five thousand people from two loaves and five fish. He walked on water without any tricks or special effects.

“Even before the Kings of Comedy he was hailed as the King of Kings and ruler of the universe. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Ladies and gentlemen please put your hands together for the second coming of the one and only, Jesus Christ.”

Afterwards, Steve – who

has remained one of America’s hottest talents – acknowledged how h is fa it h h ad changed him, even though detractors tried to rubbish his new life.

“It’s this fame thing that makes it hard. See, my life is under a microscope. I get sick of that sometimes. The Internet has become this place for evil to dwell. People who blog have no sense of reality – they just blog about you and they don’t even know you…

I have kids that are reading stuff that ain’t true about their father. But you gotta have a piece of you that holds you when all of it is bad. You have to have some God. I give God all the credit.”

LILY Allen has revealed that her local church helped her get through the dark days of losing her baby last year.

The 26-year-old explained that because of the kindness of her village minister and the local community, she was inspired to get married in the chapel, something she’d not considered previously.

Talking to Elle magazine, she said: “Since I had the really traumatic experience last year, our local community all pitched in.

“Our vicar said a similar thing had happened to his family, so he would come over and sit with me. It feels really nice. We feel protected.”

CARE HOME MANAGER – Brighton Our care home in Egremont Place, Brighton, is famous for its loving, family atmosphere, and Christian ethos. It is home to thirty-five elderly Christians – 21 in residential care and 15 in sheltered flats. The building has been extensively refurbished and pleasantly decorated and, with its friendly and well-trained staff team, the home is a happy place to live and work. Our home manager has been with us for several years, but now she is relocating to a different part of the country, and we are looking for the person God is appointing to this important position. If you feel this could be you, you will:

● ● ● ● ●

have management, or supervisory experience in a residential setting be a committed Christian, able to lead devotional times be able to lead management, care and service teams in the home have good communication skills

Lead staff and care teams and interact with residents and their relatives as well as local authority and regulatory bodies.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU? This is a key role, where you will be making a difference to the lives of older people God has entrusted to our care. You will be well supported by our head office team.

PLEASE CONTACT: Phil Wainwright, Director of Human Resources Pilgrim Homes, 175 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2AL Tel: 0300 303 1400 Fax: 0300 303 1415 Email: hr@pilgrimsfriend.org.uk

www.pilgrimsfriend.org.uk Pilgrim Homes is part of Pilgrims’ Friend Society

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4 NEW LIFE • Issue 211

EX-STRIPPER HELPING GIRLS FIND HOPE

HOW I’VE FOUND TRUE HARMONY IN MY LIFE! TO many, Harmony Dust’s life was like something from a TV soap. But for Harmony, it was more like an episode of the Jerry Springer show.

At one point, she was working as a stripper to support her boyfriend and his mother.

Then she ended up sleeping on the couch so her boyfriend’s pregnant girlfriend could move in – while she remained the only breadwinner!

A n abu sed c h i ld hood a nd adolescence had left her feeling worthless with low self-esteem.

She was horrifically molested when she was five, and was then repeated ly abused a nd raped by older men in her teens. Her parents had split when she was very young, and depression led to several suicide attempts.

DEBT So when her boyfriend suggested she became a stripper to earn extra cash, Harmony readily agreed. At first, her intention was to earn enough for them to make a fresh start.

“I led a double life. By day, I was a quiet, conservative college student, and at night, I transformed into Monique, someone else’s fantasy,” she said. “Gradually, I began to lose sight of who I was, and became lost in make-up, stilettos and the glare of stage lights.”

No matter how much money she earned, there was always a financial black hole – and a gaping hole in her heart. At 19, she was over £50,000 in debt.

The A me r ica n beaut y h ad always been interested in psychology and imagined becoming a psychiatrist in order to understand who she actually was. She opted for counseling, and it was

WORLD NEWS ROUND-UP

Natasha, 9 raises £15k USA – A nine-year-old girl has raised $25,000 (approx £15,000) to build a school in Uganda.

Inspired by her Christian roots and church involvement, Natasha Leininger personally delivered the cheque to representatives of Uganda Tree of Life Ministries. The tiny Texan organised a read-a-thon to raise the cash.

Natasha has vowed to come back even stronger next year, and is planning a nationwide event to raise $60,000 (approx £36,000), which 60 schools have already signed up to.

Thousands back battle

NORTH KOREA – A petition calling for religious freedom in North Korea has notched up more than 20,000 signatures from concerned British believers.

Persecution watchdog Release International presented the case to the North Korean embassy in London.

It demands that the oppressive communist country grants freedom of worship to Christians, who face regular harassment by the authorities, and can be arrested or imprisoned simply for owning a Bible.

HELPING OTHERS.. Former stripper Harmony Dust. Above, Harmony (second left) at an event run by Treasures, a ministry she founded. Right, the cover of her book about her life during one class that an unexpected new man would enter her life – Jesus.

She str uck up a friendsh ip with a woman named Gayle, one of the very few people she spoke to outside the stripping world.

Gayle was funny, kind and always ready to listen to her problems. It turned out she was a Christian, and invited Harmony along to her church.

Harmony said: “I repeatedly turned her down because while I knew about God and sometimes wondered if he did exist, I would think, well, even if he does, what has he got to do with my life?

“I was stripper. I didn’t like

myself, so how could God, if he existed, like me? I was also scared about being judged.”

Instead, the two friends would meet for coffee or go shopping.

Gayle regularly invited Harmony to d rop i nto chu rch, a nd one night, when the church was holding a meal, she agreed.

“I remember thinking, Gayle’s cool, maybe her church is cool too. I saw something in her life that I was missing. When I went to church with her, I felt like I was home.

“For my whole life I had tried to make people love me and tried to prove myself worthy of love.

Then, here’s God who loves me

anyway! I don’t have to prove my worthiness and convince him. He loves me just as I am.

“Like a gentleman, he pursued me with his infinite love until he captured my heart. I finally met a lover who would never leave me – the only one who could satisfy my needs. He took the hollow with me Steven and emptyJulia pit inside that Tyler had been carved out by a lifetime of disappointment and despair, and he filled it with hope, love and purpose.”

Today, Harmony is married to Jon with a son. She also runs a Christian outreach ministry, Treasures, for women working in the sex industry.

Big praise in new country

AFRICA –South Sudan celebrated its newly acquired independence with a Christian ceremony.

The world’s you ngest nat ion began the festivities with its new national anthem, which begins, ‘Oh God, we praise and glorify you for your grace on South Sudan’.

The nation has a predominantly Christian population, and officials urged citizens to attend churches to pray for peace and thank God for their newfound freedom.

Appeal fight Star backs KGB agent found Jesus on mission over malaria

charity bid BRITISH actress Hayley Atwell visited Nicaragua with Christian Aid to support its annual week of fundraising.

The star of Brideshead Revisited and The Duchess had the opportunity to see how the charity has helped coffee farmers and workers in the country – a focus point for this year’s Christian Aid Week.

poor Hayley, 29, said: “I never thought when I was working in a coffee shop in my late teens that I would see for myself how important coffee could be to poor communities in Nicaragua.

“I’ve seen how Christian Aid’s approach to helping people work their way out of poverty can make a dramatic difference to their lives.”

A FORMER Russian KGB agent has told how he became a Christian after spying on a church meeting.

Sasha Tsutserov was suspicious of a group of believers meeting in Moscow. But after attending a weekend Christian conference, he realised he was different – because he had started to smile.

He said: “Since I had never smiled before, it gave me away.

I didn’t know any better than to tell my wife, Natasha, that I had become a Christian. She, in turn, confessed to me that she had become a Christian even earlier than I had.”

worried Sasha, who is now president of the Moscow Evangelical Christian Seminary, says h is pa re nts we re at first shocked and worried about his conversion, which meant giving up his official

car, high salary and access to luxury shops – all perks that ordinary Russians went without.

Sasha, 47, stepped up his spying work on foreign Christians worshipping in Moscow in 1991, when the Soviet Union was breaking up.

Out of respect for his old colleagues and the sensitive nature of the work he was involved in, Sasha does not discuss the specific nature of his former job.

However, he is happy to talk about his faith in Jesus, and has done so at churches across Russia.

Sasha says that between 1917 and 1987 the KGB executed some 200,000 Christian ministers and destroyed roughly 40,000 churches.

“I owe it to Russia – 200,000 ministers to be trained, and 40,000 churches to be planted,” he explained.

NIGERIA – Ch r ist ia n leaders i n Nigeria have launched an unprecedented one billion-dollar effort to tackle malaria, which each year kills up to 300,000 people in the West African nation.

The Faith United for Health campaign is hoping to deliver 63 million mosquito nets to 30 million households and train 30,000 religious leaders to spread malaria prevention messages across Nigeria.

Day of prayer

SMILING NOW... Sasha Tsutserov

UK – Wembley Stadium will play host to a gathering of Christian leaders on September 17 for a day of prayer for Britain, with a threefold focus on unity, prayer and mission.

Global Day of Prayer spokesman Jonathan Oloyede is convinced that the time will help see God’s purposes outworked in the nation. He said: “We believe this event will galvanise the Church on these three levels and will ‘add our brick’ to what the Church is doing in Britain.”

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Issue 211 •

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

CORRIE AND HOLLYOAKS STAR TALKS FAITH Noah’s Ark

jay stands for jesus!

He was Rosie Webster’s boyfriend in Coronation Street and has also starred in Hollyoaks.

But the real drama in Jay Khan’s life came when he met Jesus.

The actor from Sheffield was filled with hatred and anger until he visited a church in London a few years ago when a supernatural visitation radically changed his life.

The star – known as Ash Roy in teen soap Hollyoaks – has revealed how God immediately altered his attitude after he received prayer.

He said: “I had been dabbling in the occult and realised that there is a supernatural realm out there.

“I had never previously believed in God, spirits or demons, but when I went to my aunt’s church in London and five people prayed for me, I collapsed to the floor and cried my eyes out. I began to cry out to ‘God, Allah or Muhammad’ – I didn’t even

UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS

STAR TURN Jay Khan

Actor had dabbled with occult know who I was praying to, as my dad raised me as a Muslim.

“But I know it was Jesus who answered my prayer and he visited me in a powerful way. When I came to my senses, someone gave me a Bible and told me to read about Jesus.

“The next day I went to drama school and I didn’t want to get into fights or take drugs – my life had been changed and I just wanted to love people.

“It takes a bigger person to follow God than to run away from him. Previously I thought that Jesus was a prophet on a stained-glass window, but now I know him to be the Son of God, and I understand his teachings.

“My life is filled with joy and peace now, and if it wasn’t for Jesus I would have given up acting

a long time ago. He has given me confidence to do things, not in my own strength, but in his.”

Jay had dreamed of being a professional footballer but a serious ankle injury wrecked his sporting ambitions. He then joined acting school before picking up roles in prestigious soaps and dramas.

The 29-year-old said: “I have an agent who gets me auditions. I have worked on a film in India and done quite a lot of work in London, as well as the roles in Coronation Street and Hollyoaks. I always seem to play the bad guy! I also do firebreathing and stilt-walking so I’ve been privileged to work in lots of different scenes.”

Jay said that being a Christian in the acting industry isn’t always easy.

“It’s very tough and you have got

to be really grounded in Jesus,” he said. “Fame and money does change you, and you have got to remember that it is God who elevated you to that position.

“I have met the rich and the poor and have met many beautiful women, but when I put Jesus first, nothing can compare to that.

I would urge anyone reading this article to give God a chance – you have nothing to lose. He will give you a new spirit and your life can come alive once you accept him.

“If Jesus wasn’t real, I would have given Christianity up by now, but six years later I’m still here. It doesn’t matter if you’re Muslim, Hindu or Sikh – put your trust in Jesus and watch your life be changed forever.

He loves you and has a wonderful plan for you.”

replica built A HALF-sized replica of Noah’s Ark has been built.

Dutch contractor Johan Huibers built the boat as testament to his belief in the Bible. The ark is 150 cubits long – half the length of Noah’s – and has three storeys. A cubit, the first recorded measurement of length, was about 45cm (18in) long.

Johan, 52, has written to London Mayor Boris Johnson, asking for permission to sail his creation along the Thames during next year’s Olympics.

Star’s a big fan of Bible

HOLLYWOOD star Queen Latifah is a huge fan of the Bible.

Speaking in USA Today magazine, the actress and singer revealed that she has two necessities when on the move – her iPod and her Bible.

“Whenever I’m travelling I never leave home without my Bible,” she said. “I take my Bible everywhere I go because sometimes I need that Word to calm my mind and my spirit.”

Icon’s book

ROCK icon Pat Benatar is writing a book about the second coming of Jesus.

The Love is a Battlefield star said: “It just interests me. It’s one of my hobbies, so I just started writing this story. I’ve been putting it together for almost ten years.”

The star already has a publisher in HarperCollins, but insists there’s no deadline to complete the book.

‘The clim b of our live s!’

UCB’s Luke Weston and Gary Hoogvliet are taking on the ‘climb of their lives’ – climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (over 19,000 feet!) to raise money to change lives for good through the work of UCB across the UK.

Can you sponsor them ?

Visit justgiving.com/lukeandgary or text WALK25 £5 to 70070* and give a fiver! *100% of your donation comes to UCB

Killimanjaro New Life ad.indd 1

5

12/08/2011 15:53:52

6

NEW LIFE • Issue 211 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

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Issue 211 •

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

STARS, POLITICIANS AND SPORTSMEN ON AFFECT KING JAMES VERSION HAS HAD

The book that changed our lives

■ BBC football pundit Dan Walker has joined Strictly Come Dancing star Ann Widdecombe and former Vogue model, Mandy Smith, among other stars, in telling how a 400-yearold Bible is their favourite read.

■ It is part of the celebrations to mark the

400th anniversary of the King James Bible.

More than one billion copies of that edition have been sold, shaping Britain’s laws, literature and society.

■ Charles Dickens called the King James Bible ‘the very best book that ever will be known’, while even atheist scientist, Professor Richard Dawkins, said: “Not to know the King James Bible is to be, in some small way, barbarian.”

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE... Ann Widdecombe

■ The famous faces gave their views to The

Most Famous Book in the World, which is available for £4.99.

See www.roperpenberthy.co.uk

Part of plan

Football legend linvoy Primus was one of Portsmouth’s best ever defenders. today he runs a charity bringing faith t and football together. linvoy says he especially likes the story of the old testament prophet, Jeremiah, and quotes the verse in Jeremiah 29:11, which reads: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you an expected end.” linvoy added: “this verse came into my life at a time when I was struggling with my faith and trying to work out what God required of me in the ultracompetitive and macho world of professional football. I was finding it hard to gain acceptance as a new Christian with my football teammates after I had ‘gone public’ with my conversion, and also trying to make sense of all the uncertainty surrounding my football career. “out of the blue I received a letter from a young Portsmouth football fan that was so timely and gave me such a boost. He sent me this verse with a brief note, saying: ‘I believe this Scripture is for you.’

“I was stunned by this verse which gave me such hope and, at the time, reinforced my strong belief that my life was really going to be taken care of.

“I knew that God still needed my cooperation and that it was up to me to do everything to the best of my ability to ensure that his plan was fulfilled.”

NEW GOAL...

Linvoy Primus

BIG RETURN...

Mandy Smith

Feet on ground

‘Model your life on Bible’ MAnDY Smith, 40, was only 18 when she married former Rolling Stones bassist, Bill Wyman, 52, in a blaze of publicity.

She was the first artist signed by legendary music trio, Stock Aitkin Waterman, who later turned Kylie Minogue into a pop sensation.

Mandy travelled the world as a Vogue model before becoming a successful businesswoman.

In The Most Famous Book in The World, she tells how she slowly returned to her childhood faith by popping into churches and reading Bibles she found there. Mandy explains she was drawn to the parable of the Prodigal Son. “I’d be out shopping or on my way home from the office and come across a church that was open. I’d pop in and sit for maybe five minutes, maybe 20. I’d say a prayer like ‘Hey,

Jesus, it’s Mandy here,’ then I’d read the Bible or just sit in silence.”

Mandy says these visits helped her overcome the various troubles in her life, whether illness, broken relationships or coping with fame.

“Many people say they feel God has left them. That is not so. It is we who leave him. Like the father in Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, God is always watching out for us. He runs to us and puts his arm around us and says: ‘Hey, good to see you.’ “no matter what we do or how far we go away, no matter what mess we get ourselves into, the Father is always there, looking out for us, filled with compassion. He longs for our return.”

Scholar scribe

The write stuff for me YoRKShIREMAN GP Taylor is a New York Times best-selling author. his works include Shadowmancer, Wormwood, Tersias, The Curse of Salamander Street and The Tizzle Sisters. he chose the shortest sentence in the whole Bible – ‘Jesus wept’ – from John’s Gospel, as the phrase that has a special meaning for him.

“In my search for faith I have looked at many beliefs before becoming a Christian. I have dabbled in paganism and the occult and examined Buddhism and the paranormal. In all of my searching I never found a deity that had compassion – until I found Jesus.

“The Gospel of John is a fine piece of writing about the life of Jesus. It shows him as the Son of God, and to have him weep is the most beautiful and touching thing that I know. It was what attracted me to Christianity – God was compassionate to the point where he would not only weep for me but also be prepared to die for me.

“My life has been such that I have and do get things wrong all the time. I

am a fallen man in a frail world, and I am so grateful to have found a Saviour who is prepared to weep over the world.

God is not a man in the sky or a deity waiting to smite the world, but to me he is a compassionate loving Creator who was prepared to give the life of someone he loved so I could live and have a relationship with him.

“This is truly amazing stuff. God weeps over a broken world – over lives lost and selfish wars. God weeps over our greed and neglect, religious fundamentalism and killing in his name.

Strictly my source of inspiration!

hope “Jesus wept tender tears for the loss of his friend, but those tears were turned to joy when he overcame death once and for all. Even in the dark moments, those two words give me hope that a loving God will give me rest and eternal peace. All I have to do to inherit this is believe that Jesus is the Son of God and to confess that in a world that doesn’t want to hear. A world that Jesus weeps for today.”

SHORT SENTENCE...

GP Taylor

FORMER Cabinet minister Ann Widdecombe was the MP for Maidstone and the Weald for 23 years.

But she became the nation’s darling after appearing on Strictly Come Dancing with her partner, Anton Du Beke. Ann tells how reading about the apostle Peter has been a lifelong source of inspiration for her.

“I’ve always warmed to Peter. He represents all that’s best and worse in a follower of Jesus. Peter is passionate, headstrong and not very politically correct.

“Yet, he is also loyal, humble and willing to learn and improve. Peter was the apostle who declared Jesus

to be the Messiah. He was the leader of this little band of men who gave up everything to follow the Lord. He was also the apostle who denied his Lord three times.

“Many of us today can blow hot and cold in our faith, like Peter. At times we may feel it would be prudent to deny our Lord. That would give us an easier life, yet a very unfulfilled one.

“I love the story in John’s Gospel when, after Jesus’ resurrection, he meets Peter and the other apostles out fishing. What does Jesus do?

He cooks breakfast. Love in the small things, love in the big things.”

THE King James Bible – 400 years old this year – wouldn’t have been possible without Christian martyr William Tyndale.

The British scholar was one of the first to translate the Bible into English from the original Greek and Hebrew languages.

This was seen as a direct challenge to the dominance of both the Roman Catholic Church and the English church and state. Tyndale also wrote, in 1530, the Practyse of Prelates, opposing Henry VIII’s divorce on the grounds that it contravened Scripture. Tried for heresy, he was strangled and burned at the stake.

He was one of 54 scholars to write the version. One estimation suggests the new Testament in the King James Version is 83 per cent Tyndale’s, and the Old Testament 76 per cent.

7

6

NEW LIFE • Issue 211 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.

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

The book that changed our lives

call 0845 6040401 or log on to www.ucb.co.uk

● The word “and” is used 28,364 times in the KJV. The last word in it is “Amen”

400th anniversary of the King James Bible.

More than one billion copies of that edition have been sold, shaping Britain’s laws, litlit erature and society.

■ Charles Dickens called the King James Bible ‘the very best book that ever will be known’, while even atheist scientist, ProfesProfes sor Richard Dawkins, said: “Not to know the King James Bible is to be, in some small way, barbarian.”

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE... Ann Widdecombe

■ The famous faces gave their views to The

Most Famous Book in the World, which is available for £4.99.

See www.roperpenberthy.co.uk

Part of plan

BIG RETURN...

Mandy Smith

Feet on ground

‘Model your life on Bible’ MAnDY Smith, 40, was only 18 when she married former Rolling Stones bassist, Bill Wyman, 52, in a blaze of publicity.

She was the first artist signed by legendary music trio, Stock Aitkin Waterman, who later turned Kylie Minogue into a pop sensation.

Mandy travelled the world as a Vogue model before becoming a successful businesswoman.

In The Most Famous Book in The World, she tells how she slowly returned to her childhood faith by popping into churches and reading Bibles she found there. Mandy explains she was drawn to the parable of the Prodigal Son. “I’d be out shopping or on my way home from the office and come across a church that was open. I’d pop in and sit for maybe five minutes, maybe 20. I’d say a prayer like ‘Hey,

Dan Walker, presenter of BBC1’s Football Focus, has covered the World Cup, the Olympic Games and interviewed top sportsmen such as Tiger Woods and David Beckham.

But Dan (right) says the Bible’s emphasis on hu m i l it y helps him keep his feet firmly on the ground. “Today, greatness is measured by how much money, cars or even friends we have, but when we look at Jesus’ life, we see greatness by how much he was ready to give up for us.

“The King of Kings was born in Bethlehem in a stable and lived in poverty. I live in a threebedroom terraced house, but all that he had was borrowed. The Bible tells us he made himself of no reputation. He did that for you and me – that’s humility.”

Jesus, it’s Mandy here,’ then I’d read the Bible or just sit in silence.”

Mandy says these visits helped her overcome the various troubles in her life, whether illness, broken relationships or coping with fame.

“Many people say they feel God has left them. That is not so. It is we who leave him. Like the father in Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, God is always watching out for us. He runs to us and puts his arm around us and says: ‘Hey, good to see you.’ “no matter what we do or how far we go away, no matter what mess we get ourselves into, the Father is always there, looking out for us, filled with compassion. He longs for our return.”

Scholar scribe

The write stuff for me

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

FOR EVERY READER DAILY INSPIRATIONAL BOOK

● The first Bible version printed in America was the King James Version in 1777.

■ It is part of the celebrations to mark the

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

FRee

● The King James Version has had a huge impact on the English language with more phrases from it still being used today than those written by Shakespeare. They include Labour of love (1 Thess 1:3); Salt of the earth (Matt 5:13); There is no new thing under the sun (Eccles 1:9)

Strictly Come Dancing star Ann Widdecombe and former Vogue model, Mandy Smith, among other stars, in telling how a 400-yearold Bible is their favourite read.

The ABC of how you can become a Christian...

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.

● There have been about 7.5 billion Bibles printed since the invention of printing and the majority of these Bibles are the King James Version.

■ BBC football pundit Dan Walker has joined

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.

C Commit yourself to living God’s way

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

STARS, POLITICIANS AND SPORTSMEN ON AFFECT KING JAMES VERSION HAS HAD

the BiBle MAtters

‘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).

Issue 211 •

NEW GOAL...

Linvoy Primus

YoRKShIREMAN GP Taylor is a New York Times best-selling author. his works include Shadowmancer, Wormwood, Tersias, The Curse of Salamander Street and The Tizzle Sisters. he chose the shortest sentence in the whole Bible – ‘Jesus wept’ – from John’s Gospel, as the phrase that has a special meaning for him.

“In my search for faith I have looked at many beliefs before becoming a Christian. I have dabbled in paganism and the occult and examined Buddhism and the paranormal. In all of my searching I never found a deity that had compassion – until I found Jesus.

“The Gospel of John is a fine piece of writing about the life of Jesus. It shows him as the Son of God, and to have him weep is the most beautiful and touching thing that I know. It was what attracted me to Christianity – God was compassionate to the point where he would not only weep for me but also be prepared to die for me.

“My life has been such that I have and do get things wrong all the time. I

am a fallen man in a frail world, and I am so grateful to have found a Saviour who is prepared to weep over the world.

God is not a man in the sky or a deity waiting to smite the world, but to me he is a compassionate loving Creator who was prepared to give the life of someone he loved so I could live and have a relationship with him.

“This is truly amazing stuff. God weeps over a broken world – over lives lost and selfish wars. God weeps over our greed and neglect, religious fundamentalism and killing in his name.

Strictly my source of inspiration!

hope “Jesus wept tender tears for the loss of his friend, but those tears were turned to joy when he overcame death once and for all. Even in the dark moments, those two words give me hope that a loving God will give me rest and eternal peace. All I have to do to inherit this is believe that Jesus is the Son of God and to confess that in a world that doesn’t want to hear. A world that Jesus weeps for today.”

SHORT SENTENCE...

GP Taylor

FORMER Cabinet minister Ann Widdecombe was the MP for Maidstone and the Weald for 23 years.

But she became the nation’s darling after appearing on Strictly Come Dancing with her partner, Anton Du Beke. Ann tells how reading about the apostle Peter has been a lifelong source of inspiration for her.

“I’ve always warmed to Peter. He represents all that’s best and worse in a follower of Jesus. Peter is passionate, headstrong and not very politically correct.

“Yet, he is also loyal, humble and willing to learn and improve. Peter was the apostle who declared Jesus

to be the Messiah. He was the leader of this little band of men who gave up everything to follow the Lord. He was also the apostle who denied his Lord three times.

“Many of us today can blow hot and cold in our faith, like Peter. At times we may feel it would be prudent to deny our Lord. That would give us an easier life, yet a very unfulfilled one.

“I love the story in John’s Gospel when, after Jesus’ resurrection, he meets Peter and the other apostles out fishing. What does Jesus do?

He cooks breakfast. Love in the small things, love in the big things.”

THE King James Bible – 400 years old this year – wouldn’t have been possible without Christian martyr William Tyndale.

The British scholar was one of the first to translate the Bible into English from the original Greek and Hebrew languages.

This was seen as a direct challenge to the dominance of both the Roman Catholic Church and the English church and state. Tyndale also wrote, in 1530, the Practyse of Prelates, opposing Henry VIII’s divorce on the grounds that it contravened Scripture. Tried for heresy, he was strangled and burned at the stake.

He was one of 54 scholars to write the version. One estimation suggests the new Testament in the King James Version is 83 per cent Tyndale’s, and the Old Testament 76 per cent.

7

Issue 211

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

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COUPLE GIVING TEEN MUMS A SAFE HAVEN A WOMAN who endured four miscarriages is running a rescue house for teenage parents and babies.

Jane Chapman and husband Rob overcame their own pregnancy problems to form a charity that has helped more than 600 families in the West Midlands over the last 15 years.

The Christian couple, who have one child, believe that God gave them a love for children following their own difficulties.

Jane, 59, said: “Babies are very precious – when you’ve had my experiences you appreciate how valuable they are.

PAINFUL “I was worried that girls who got pregnant with nowhere to go might be forced to terminate their pregnancy. Having lost babies I knew how painful that was, and wanted to offer an alternative.”

The Living Springs Project aims to provide vulnerable teenage mums with a safe haven, teaching them to be good parents and to live independently.

The organisation, which boasts 35 staff and volunteers, also takes in single fathers.

Jane married Rob at a young age, and had to wait more than ten years for her husband to follow in her footsteps and become a Christian.

She recalls: “We were in church and the minister said, ‘There’s a couple here who should come

by Ian White

forward and one of you needs to make a commitment to the Lord.’ I felt that this was us, but was afraid to say anything at first. However, the Holy Spirit’s prompting was so strong that eventually I gently said: ‘That’s us.’

Rob added: “I simply felt a nervousness, as if some outside forces were saying something.

I said to the Lord: ‘If it’s me, then you need to do something.’

That’s the point when Jane said: ‘That’s us.’

“I’d gone to this church with Jane once or twice a year and it used to wind me up something terrible. I would arrive late to avoid endless worship and often leave early. But hearing the Bible preached in the middle part kept me going back.

“In my youth I’d been a choirboy, served at the altar, a youth leader, Sunday school teacher and a member of the Parochial Church Council, but being a Ch r ist ia n never entered my mind. Going to church was very much part of my lifestyle, so when I started playing cricket and doing other things, that became another lifestyle. It took God to break through.

“I was always scared about death and would have to shut my mind at funerals, or whenever death was mentioned.

“I wou ld h ave i r rat ion a l thoughts about me in a coffin being eaten by worms. But some time after I became a Christian,

CARING COUPLE...

Jane and Rob Chapman

I again thought about the subject but didn’t go into that fear mode.”

And now the couple are both serving God together, helping people’s broken lives get back on track.

A huge ach ievement came earlier this year when Jane was awarded an MBE for her tireless efforts. She said: “It’s an

amazing honour. I just couldn’t believe it – I thought it was a hoax at first.

“I thought wonderful things like this don’t happen to ordinary people like me, and was speechless when I realised it was for real. But none of it would have been possible without the staff and volunteers and, most of all, God.”

Church takes on shop as part of community initiative A CH U RC H i n Ket te r i ng has taken over a shop to i ncrease its work i n the community.

Me m b e r s of G ate w a y Community Church have been busy t ra nsfor m i ng the one-time sweet shop and photographer’s studio into a fellowship lounge for

Sunday morning services and midweek teaching.

Pastor Br ia n Ha n na nt sa id: “People a l l a rou nd us a re fig ht i ng a losi ng battle with alcoholism, prescription drugs and addiction, eating disorders, rage, gambling, pornography or just feelings of inadequacy,

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NEW LIFE

Issue 211 • NEW LIFE 9

WOMAN AWARDED MBE FOR CHARITY WORK

Brian Hannant

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

Across 1. Oily or greasy (9) 5. Bet (5) 7. Young eel (5) 9. Land measure (4) 10. Sultry (6) 12. Dairy product (6) 13. Hex (4) 15. Crowd scene actor (5) 16. Hidden drawback (5) 18. Accumulated (9)

Down 1. Cutting tool (3) 2. Remedy (4) 3. Wildcat (6) 4. Contradiction in terms (7) 6. Article of clothing (7) 8. Findings of a jury (7) 9. Of times long past (7) 11. Attack (6) 14. Dull pain (4) 17. Concealed (3)

shame and failure. Maintaining emotional and spiritual stability for a lifetime requ i res more tha n just determination.

attitude It requires changes in attitudes and behaviours, and most of all, a relationship

with God.” Rosemary Davies, 82, who has been at the church since it was founded almost a decade ago, said: “We now have somewhere to call our own. We can pray with people after the service or stay for lunch without looking at the clock. This really feels like home.”

COMMENT There is real hope THERE were many politicians who were called on when England was swamped last month with mindless and wanton violence during the terrible riots.

Each had their own view about what had led to young people and previously respectable people resorting to looting in towns and cities across the nation.

But the issue wasn’t political. It was the fact that we’re now in a society so driven by material goods that some people suddenly decided to seize the chance to grab some desirable items.

Material possessions are, ultimately, worthless. And one person who has turned away from Gucci bags and the latest fad is Danniella Westbrook.

Her fall from grace was well documented.

The pretty actress, who became an instant hit in the soap EastEnders, went right off the rails.

The tabloids had a field day when her drug habit took over her life and not only wrecked it spiritually, but physically too.

And the truth is her story echoes that of so many across the world who decide that all hope is gone, so drugs and selfish pursuits are the only hope they have.

But that’s a complete lie – and we are delighted that Danniella has found the unconditional love that no drugs habit could ever have given her.

Knowing Jesus has given Danniella a whole new life and she no longer has any need for booze and drugs.

She will, we have no doubt, be under the spotlight of celebrity magazines and tabloid newspapers to see if she slips.

But her faith appears to be deep, and we believe Danniella has found a new life in Jesus Christ.

You may be fighting a drugs habit right now. We urge you to visit a church or an organisation (featured on Page 6) where you can find help – and a real hope.

BIBLE QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12: 11-13 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

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Issue 211

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ALTRINCHAM The Upper Room Christian Fellowship, The Downs.

Sunday services 10.45am and 6.30pm.

Enquiries: 0161 282 6676.

(CA09) A WARM WELCOME AWAITS YOU at Bethel Community Church, Pwllygath Street, Kenfig Hill, CF33 6ES. Sunday Services 10.30am and 6pm.

Tel: - 01656 728089 (GE90) BRIDGEND Litchard Mission, Taylor Road, Meetings Sunday 10.30am and 6pm. For more information Phone 01656 663 094 (GH34) BURY S T ED MU N D S, Su ffo lk.

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)

EVERY MONTH

LEICESTER Na r b o r o u g h R oad Christian Fellowship. Meet at The Manor Neighbourhood Centre, Haddenham Road. Services: Sunday 10.30am. Tel: 0116 2891 395 or 0116 2897 804. All welcome.

(AB25)

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)

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)

ROMFORD ESSEX THE OASIS OF PEACE (TOP) The Harold Wood Neighbourhood Centre, The Old School, Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood, Romford, Essex, RM3 0QA. Sundays @6.00pm. Contact Bow -07738127289 or Fis- 07751066316. www.theoasisofpeace.org Where the Prince of Peace reigns supreme (Isa (GI39) 26.3)

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

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

(AC01)

RETFORD Retford New Life Church Centre, 26-32 Bridgegate, Retford, Notts. Sunday Morning meeting 10.30am With Children’s church Sunday Evening 6.30pm. Everyone welcome. Contact 01777 711377. www.newliferetford.org.uk (CA36)

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) WEMBLEY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Pentecostal church close to Wembley Stadium. Sattavis Patidar Centre, HA9 9PG. Sunday 3 pm 4pm and 5pm till 7-30pm. Pastor George 07886 923 237 (GF41)

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Issue 211 •

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

11

PROS TAKE PART IN PRISON OUTREACH EVENT Ted to tell of the love that floored him

jailhouse rocked with footy stars!

SUBMISSION... Ted DiBiase

NETTING REAL HOPE... the retired pros and the prisoners before the games

A host of professional footballers visited Doncaster prison recently to show off their skills and share the gospel message with inmates. New Life reporter Matthew Murray also made an appearance

M

y dream moment had arrived. Here I was, lining up alongside a host of professional footballers ready to showcase my silky skills.

Tottenham Hotspur’s John Bostock casually beat two men, passed the ball to Barnsley full-back Bobby Hassell, who duly played me in. I beautifully beat the last defender and was staring the goalkeeper down.

My superior colleagues had done the hard work, and all I had to do was slot the ball past the slightly overweight chap between the sticks.

Heroic status beckoned – this was it. I hauled back my right foot, ready for my few seconds of fame.

As I pulled the trigger, mentally planning my glorious celebration, I saw the ball slide past the ‘keeper. I thought it had sneaked in the far corner, but much to my horror, the ball trickled just inches wide of the right-hand post. I had missed a sitter!

In professional circles, such a miss would have gained boos and hisses from thousands of furious fans, but the reaction I received was much worse. After all, this was a charity five-aside game, held between Christian professional footballers and inmates at Doncaster Prison.

One lag, assuming I was an ex-pro, quickly shouted: “I bet no one’s signing you up mate.”

Another hollered: “He’s not very good – is he really a footballer?”

I longed for a Steve McQueen style ‘Great Escape’. I would have done anything to climb over the barbed wire fence as the humiliation of the horrific miss began to dawn.

Thankfully, my squad’s experience shone, and our All Star team, despite the inclusion of this not-so-good reporter, won every game in the small tournament without conceding.

As well as Bostock and Hassell, retired pros Barry Miller (Doncaster Rovers and Gillingham) and the nation’s first £1million teenager Bruce Dyer (Crystal Palace, Sheffield Utd and Barnsley) completed our line-up, along with prison evangelist Rowan Walker. Ex-Charlton defender Richard Rufus was also there, but unable to play due to injury.

The game was part of LoveLife UK’s prison outreach, of which committed Christian Dyer is the leader. The former England Under 21 spends each Thursday counselling prisoners and teaching them about Jesus.

There was an impressive turnout for the kickaround, as the inmates jumped at the chance to play against their heroes. Afterwards, about 40 of them went to the prison chapel, where an

FORMER wrestler Ted DiBiase, better known as the Million Dollar Man, will visit Scotland this month to tell how Jesus changed his life.

The 57-year-old Wrestlemania star will visit several schools and churches, telling of his glittering on-screen career and life-changing faith in God. Don Esson, of Youth Alive Scotland, is organising the tour.

He said: “Ted will speak to teenagers in schools about a drug-free life and how they can achieve anything.

amazing “At night each local church will host a youth event where Ted will share his amazing life story and how an encounter with Christ changed everything for him!”

For tou r dates a nd i n for mation, visit www.champion-scotland. co.uk

Tyson’s faith is a knockout ● Continued from Back Page Fury believes he can overtake David Haye and become Britain’s number one heavyweight fighter.

He said: “David Haye didn’t do what he said he would do and he let eve r yone dow n . I’m hopi ng I can make Britain happy about heavyweight boxing again and stop people talking about David Haye’s little toe.

“I am a true heavyweight with a true heart, and fight fans in Britain should not be worried about what’s coming next, as it’s me.”

STRIKE FORCE... action from one of the games at Doncaster Prison

Praying with Red Devils...

A prisoner, John Bostock and Isaiah Raymond Dyer

Prisoners praying in the prison chapel

unconventional church service was held. Gospel award-winning artist Isaiah Raymond Dyer, of Raymond & Co, and singer Israel Allen entertained the gathering with their incredible voices, before Isaiah interviewed the soccer stars about their glittering careers and faith in Jesus.

The prisoners were stunned to silence as they heard the celebrities share how Jesus Christ had changed their lives. Each one of them told how money and fame was nothing in comparison to having a real relationship with God.

Some had tears in their eyes as the love of God gave them hope that despite the mistakes that had landed them in prison, their futures could still be bright with God on their side.

The session soon ended, and the men were ordered back to their cells. We were then escorted out of the prison, thanking God for the incredible things we had witnessed.

Some of these inmates had spent most of their adult life in prison. While we had the freedom to return to our cars and drive to our houses, these chaps were preparing for another night ‘banged-up’.

But now, despite the torture that prison life must bring, the eternal destinies of these men had been radically changed. I guess that miss on the football field wasn’t that bad after all… ● For more about LoveLife UK, visit www. lovelifeuk.org or search for ‘Bruce Dyer’ on Facebook.

COMMITMENT What followed next, none of us were quite expecting. Isaiah asked the prisoners if they would like to respond to the gospel message and make a commitment to become a Christian. In a matter of seconds, more than 30 of the lads stood to their feet and began to pray, repenting of their sins and asking Jesus to forgive them.

● Continued from Back Page He said “Since our chaplain, Rev John Boyers, got involved with Manchester United in September 1992, I have become more and more aware of SCORE and its work.

“I am glad to see its influence extending across the UK and to a wider range of sports, especially to Scottish football and to horseracing.

Chaplains can be of help to all sorts of people involved with sport when crisis, need or difficulty comes.”

Tackling issues

COMEDIAN Frank Skinner and the Archbishop of Canterbury are to debate faith, comedy and football.

The awa rd-w i n n i ng sta nd-up will join Dr Rowan Williams at Canterbury Cathedral on September 16 and 17. Frank said: “We’ll talk about being a believer in an ever-more secular Britain.”

Visit w w w.canterburydiocese. org/thegathering for ticket details.

THE FOOTY STARS NEW LIFE BEHIND BARS FOR SPECIAL EVENT SEE PAGE 11

Job means I pray with Red Devils!

RED Devil John Boyers can be quite an angel when it comes to dealing with Man Utd’s top stars.

The chaplain of the world’s biggest club counsels and prays for the multi-millionaire players in the role he has occupied for more than 20 years.

John, a Baptist minister, said: “I work with everybody at the club, not just the players.

An international footballer or a part-time cleaner – it doesn’t matter to me. I’m there to help any and help all.

“A lot of my role is building up trust and friendship with people, so that they know you and what you offer.

“Sometimes, if there’s a religious need like a wedding or a funeral, and people don’t have a local church, then they ask me to help them. Occasionally I’m involved in some very special events like an official club thanksgiving or memorial service.”

trust Having been at the club since 1992, John has earned the trust and respect of staff and players, and as International Director of SCORE (Sports Chaplaincy Offering Resources and Encouragement), he is passionate about envisioning churches to see the opportunities sport offers for ministry.

He added: “Chaplaincy at Premier League level is a tiny part of sports ministry. At a more normal and local level, sport gives churches opportunities to contact people who would not normally come to church, and for them to hear about Jesus.

Sport need not be an interest only, but it can be mission and ministry.”

Man Utd manager Sir Alex Ferguson gave John his backing. ● Continued on Page 11

SPORT

SEE PAGE 11

LOVE THAT FLOORED WRESTLER!

HELL HATH NO FURY I’VE FOUND GLOVE...

Tyson Fury (inset) shows his faith after the official announcement declared him the winner of his title fight against Dereck Chisora at Wembley Arena in July

...BECAUSE TYSON BELIEVES IN GOD HE stands at 6ft 9ins and is scared of no one in the ring – but Manchesterborn fighter Tyson Fury says he is terrified of upsetting God. The heavyweight hardman, rumoured to be taking on world number one Wladimir Klitschko later this year, is a committed Christian who regularly reads his Bible, prays and goes to church.

The 23-year-old said: “Religion is everything to me. Without it I would have nothing. I go to church as often as possible and try to do everything by the Bible and I pray a lot. It’s the most important thing to me – more important than boxing.

“I would rather be knocked out ten times than not go to heaven. I’m God-fearing. I don’t have a

problem reconciling my religion with boxing. God gives me the strength and belief to win.

“Money is nothing to me; I’m not interesting in money at all if I’m being honest. All I’m interested in is being healthy and being right with God, as well as being a good father, a good husband and a good son.”

Fury – named after legendary boxer Mike Tyson – revealed how he was a fighter from birth, defying medical odds simply to survive.

Localcontact contactdetails: details: Local

died “I was born prematurely, died three times and came back to life in an incubator, so my dad called me Tyson, and I wasn’t ever going to be anything else,” he said. “My dad was a boxer and I was just destined to be a boxer really.” ● Continued on Page 11

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