Stories from Ambassadors

Eileen, London

"I am Eileen and over the years in the different churches that I have served, I have tried to make Church Army known and also to raise funds for their work. The Shareit magazine and Prayer Dairy are a great way of encouraging people to pray and I encourage them to give £1 towards the magazine, which I collect throughout the year.

Some people take the Church Army collection boxes and keep them for one year and it is surprising how the pennies mount up. I ask them to be returned on a specific day which I have agreed with the Vicar where we will focus on Church Army through prayer and giving.

Coffee mornings are both a good way to raise funds and to involve others in what we do.

I have done the coin talent challenge about three times. The idea for the challenge is based on the parable of the talents (Matthew chapter 25 vs 14-30). I asked people in church to do the challenge and those who responded I gave them a £1 coin and asked them to make it grow in one year. People made cakes, planted seeds and then sold the plants, some made cards, mended clothes, made chutney, marmalade and lots more. It is more about what we did collectively rather than individually because some are able to make and sell more than others. One year we raised £527.55, another year £764 and my last attempt at the coin challenge raised over £2000.

Whatever way funds are raised, the important thing I believe is that every penny makes a difference. Being an Ambassador for Church Army need not be too demanding, as all we need to do is to give the time and effort that we can and then trust God to guide and direct us."

Diane, West Sussex

"I am the Church Army Ambassador in my parish. We are very mission orientated and we support the Marylebone/Bridge Project a women's only homeless project in London.

I do a lot of fundraising, for example, each week I make marmalade and sell it at a weekly meeting held in the local town of East Grinstead, called "Food for Thought." I also take jars of marmalade to some of the sheltered accommodation in the area.

At Christmas and Easter and some other times, I have a Craft Stall where various items are sold. I also host a Church Army weekend which includes a Coffee Morning and Craft Stall on the Saturday and afternoon tea on the Sunday. On the Sunday, I also invite people from Church Army, with a Church Army worker preaching at the evening service.

Many people in the congregation now receive Church Army literature and are prayer partners.

I have a lot of support in what I do for Church Army and count it a privilege to be involved in promoting and fundraising for Church Army."

Eve, Bristol

"I have been an Ambassador for Church Army for about 4 years. As a parish, we have been supporting a Church Army project in Cardiff called Ty-Bronna. This project supports, nurtures and accommodates homeless young people between the ages of 16-21. Having a specific project to focus on has really stirred up a lot of interest in mission within the parish. Prayers are regularly said for the work of Church Army and are also included in the church's Intercessions."