REAL LIVES
Opening the Christmas Box Story Norfolk journalist, Sandie Shirley, spotlights the inspiring stories of men and women from the region and beyond that have seen them reach for victory. For more stories visit Facebook: Refreshing Waters Christian Media.
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s the festive season approaches, the heartbeat of Christmas will come to life across the region again, as Andy Jones unfolds the nativity story from a box of delights for children in churches and schools. Andy, who heads up the charity RAISE, helps youngsters capture the wonder of the Christmas story through smell, touch and sound. The teaching is engaging, visual and hands-on. “It means children can think about the story and what it means to them and wonder in the moment,” says Andy, who cut the cords as a church children’s worker and took a gigantic leap of faith to launch RAISE. He has ridden the surf of adventure and challenge and in 2018 RAISE became a charity. Its hallmark is creativity, fun and ingenuity as it portrays Old and New Testament stories in surprising ways. It has won the support and favour of sponsors, parents, pupils, teachers and churches and has taken Andy to unexpected places, as he opens the Bible and has shared “God’s love letter” with thousands of children over the years. But he knows his life would have taken a different course if not for the faithful prayers of his late mother, who died suddenly during the pandemic last summer. “When I was born, she made a pledge to give my life to God for his use. Her faith shone through with her trust 20
in Jesus. She championed me and anyone in her family. I would not have pushed through that dark time of losing my mum without my faith, but I knew God was always there and he is still good and faithful.” Andy has been the fruit of her prayers and love, and he continues to share the messages of hope that were faithfully conveyed to him as a child. Last year, the father of two ran a marathon raising £4,000 to create and fund an ‘escape room’ for youngsters. The portable inflatable pod will be transformed into a biblical setting with questions to answer and puzzles to solve, to help explore different gospel themes. The idea is ready for trial in the New Year with the Bible story of Joseph and his coat of many colours. When schools closed during the pandemic, Andy did online assemblies, reaching hundreds of pupils at once. He also trained with ‘Christians Against Poverty’ to run
two short sessions to help children with financial management and giving RAISE another dimension. “The course looks at how people earn money, as well as family spending, creating a budget and saving and giving,” says Andy. He reflects on his mission: “It’s helping kids to understand that faith is not something that binds us, but frees us to be ourselves and who God has called us to be. I want them to know that the Bible says they are chosen, loved and God’s masterpiece; there is no mistake in what he creates.” To support RAISE or find out more – use the links below: www.raisekidswork.org.uk www.facebook.com/ raisekidswork
