Imagine all over the country in communities large and small, churches working together, bringing Jesus’ story alive through word and action. Imagine lives turned upside down and despair turned inside out.
Roy’s word: At the beginning of this month the headlines were full of reports from the Amanda Knox case. The unexpected outcome saw Amanda walking free, after 4 years in prison. Whatever our opinion on her innocence, the freedom she felt on her release was immense. Amanda’s freedom will come at a price for her – people will judge her and struggle to employ or trust her because of what she has been accused of. Each one of us has been freed from a life sentence – except we are unquestionably guilty. Through what Jesus has done for us, He has taken our place – not only forgiving our sin but allowing us to start a brand new life as righteous sons and daughters of God – true untainted freedom! We need to show the key to others – the key to complete freedom in Christ.
N.T. Wright on Mission
Roy Crowne went to meet former Bishop of Durham, Tom Wright, to hear about his experience of HOPE. Wright shares a word and action mission theology and the reasons we need to become more missional as a Church. “We talk in our day about ‘mission-shaped Church’. But mission has to be shaped by what in the trade we call eschatology. In other words, what you believe about what God has promised to do eventually, must shape the way you do mission.”
Listen to NT Wright Premier radio programme, Sat 22 Oct, 21.00.
60 sec NT Wright reflections broadcast on UCB this month.
Snippets from N.T.Wright on Mission
For more – look out for articles in November’s editions of Youthwork and Christianity Magazine.
Textifying to God’s greatness
Hope Revolution‘s Textify youth campaign was a fantastic way for young people to step up their evangelism and start conversations about Jesus. Many shared progress on facebook and then went that bit further, encouraging fellow Textifiers with advice and prayer. One girl shared this: “2 of my friends have started coming to youth at church through Textify, which gave me the confidence to invite them, and I’ve had a really inspirational conversation with another friend who actually asked me to pray for him! And everytime I see him I tell him I’m still praying and he seems so genuinely thankful. Praying that God will give me the right answers to any more questions asked and that the seeds that have been planted will continue to grow. God is honestly and truly amazing- he will never cease to amaze me!”
More textimonies and encouragements from young people on Facebook
HOPE Forum
We are pleased to be holding our next HOPE Agencies Forum on November 2nd. Pastor Agu at Jesus House is kindly hosting the day and Bishop Graham Cray will address our gathering. Our Forums are a chance for representatives from our many partner organisations to contribute to the direction of HOPE and a time for us to encourage each other as we work together united in the purpose of mission. We are delighted that our partnerships with the Black Majority churches are continuing to develop. Please pray for wisdom as the leadership team and the agencies meet.
2012 mission moments – Queen’s Jubilee Big Lunch and the Olympics
One challenge facing local churches is demonstrating their relevance to the wider community. Ahead are large-scale opportunities for community involvement, the 2012 Olympics and the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations being just two. Churches have a chance to join together and utilise moment after moment, building their outward focus. More than Gold and HOPE can help churches build a mission legacy. We will encourage and equip churches to play their part and engage in their areas through these celebrations. Discussions and exciting plans are happening and we are really moving forward with preparations on how we can use the Big Lunch as a ‘diamond’ opportunity for mission.
Press Article: What is our mission legacy? More than Gold and HOPE
Release: Call for Church to be centre of Queen’s big lunch
Queen’s Jubilee Big lunch
Making HOPE happen – Surfers and skaters
“Mission, to me, is about breaking pre-conceived ideas about what a Christian is and what a Christian isn’t, and getting out of the Church building into the Community”, says Phil Williams.
Building on our 90 second interview series we talk with Phil, a supporter of HOPE and director of Christian Surfers and Christian Skaters. We ask what mission looks like among those communities and about his local work.
90 second interview with Phil Williams
Article: Sometimes life stinks
When Chris Drury’s wife died it felt like his life was over. But with four kids to look after and God on his side, Chris managed to pick up the pieces and use his experience to help others. He never suspected his journey would lead him to Number 10 Downing Street. HOPE tells of Chris’ journey over the last few years to Sorted magazine and we write regularly for Sorted.
Get the latest copy of Sorted Magazine to read his full story.
Autumn HOPE gatherings
HOPE could be coming to a town or city near you. Our autumn gatherings will enthuse and inspire local people and facilitate getting together for mission. Mike Pilavachi, Andy Hawthorne and Roy Crowne will share some of the vision, meet with local church leaders and host a celebration. They would love to meet you, hear your stories and you can inspire each other to do more together in word and deed. If you want to hold one in your region, get in touch.
Events: 3rd November, Imagine Celebration, Lancaster, 7.30, St Thomas’ Church; 16th November - Leeds and 23rd November – Birmingham: venues TBC
God’s bean to a car boot sale
The popular Boreham boot sale, near Chelmsford in Essex, has run for 15 years and is visited by hundreds of keen punters every Sunday. Were the regular buyers and sellers likely to give up their boot sale dedication to attend a church service? Not likely. So the Church decided to become a regular boot sale attendee itself. Volunteers serve delicious coffee with a smile, while chatting with the regulars and raising money for Essex Air Ambulance. Church being where many people are on a Sunday morning. Fuller story – God’s bean to a boot sale
Prayer
For those who would like to regularly pray for HOPE we now have a monthly calendar with daily prayer requests which relate to events or staff team members. Please pray for our young people who took part in the Textify challenge that they are inspired to keep sharing courageously with their friends. Pray for the plans for using each opportunity of the Olympics and Jubilee. If you would like to receive our HOPE prayer letters and calendars then email the office. More to be announced soon on how we are developing HOPE prayer for the nation.
Cambridge Hope Revolution mission
Beyond Belief kicks off next week and hundreds of young people will bless Cambridge – there is still time to sign up young people. As the first of a series of youth missions, under the banner of Hope Revolution, it will be six days of words, works and wonders. Hosted and fuelled by local churches and youth organisations, youth will share the outrageous grace of God. There are more to come and plans are underway for more regional youth missions. If you have ideas and passion or just want to bring fresh enthusiasm to your area then get in touch with Phil Timson. Beyond Belief Cambridge
Jesus through Asian Eyes
The South Asian Forum, dedicated to resourcing Christians from a South Asian background, has produced a myth-busting booklet to help churches reach out in mission. HOPE is a supporting partner of the ‘Jesus through Asian eyes’ booklet which answers 15 frequently-asked questions by South Asians about the Christian faith. It tackles common misconceptions that Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Buddhists often have about Christianity. At 50p it’s ideal to give to Asian friends and neighbours to help them understand who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him.
South Asian Forum – Jesus through Asian eyes
A bus brings hope to Belfast
Churches are using a double-decker icon of Northern Ireland history to share a new story on the city streets and conduct parish ministry in Belfast. Church Army evangelists George Newell and Richard Waller from Willowfield Parish Church are pictured here as they use a HOPE bus to connect with the community. The loaned double-decker has already attracted attention with a fun day and barbecue on the field where footballing legend George Best used to play.
Fuller story – Bus brings hope to Belfast
Back to church Sunday
Local churches throughout the country took part in Back to Church Sunday, a day when a special invitation is extended to everyone, including people who have dropped off from regular church attendance. Whilst the aim may be to get people through the doors of the church buildings again, many use the opportunity to invite people to Alpha courses and evangelistic events. The Anglican church claimed an average of some 18 persons returned in each of their churches that took part.
Equipping young people in their calling
This year’s annual Youthwork the conference (Eastbourne, 18-20 November) is about how young people find their calling and the role youth workers play in encouraging young people to get off the sidelines, get their hands dirty and become real world changers. It is jam-packed full of sessions that will equip, encourage, provide opportunities for discussion and give youth workers valuable skills, and a heap of ideas to take home.
God bless you, from the HOPE team.
HOPE exists to equip and support local churches to speak and live its mission, effectively using word and action outreach to share the gospel. The desire is to see long lasting spiritual change in the lives of individuals and whole communities transformed. You have been sent this email because you have provided HOPE Together or HOPE 08 with your email address and signed up to be part of HOPE. If for any reason you wish to discontinue receiving HOPE email updates please reply to the email with ‘unsubscribe to general updates’ in the subject field along with your name and address.
