General Synod’s mission shaped church debate praises Church Army Evangelists

The work of Church Army evangelists was specifically highlighted in this week’s General Synod debate on Mission Shaped Church. The published report of the working group of the Church’s Mission and Public Affairs council, chaired by Rt Revd Graham Cray, Bishop of Maidstone, had featured Ben Edson’s Sanctus 1 emerging church project, based in Manchester.

During the debate, Ben’s work and that of Captain Phil Clark, who heads up a Kidz Klub mission in Liverpool’s Page Moss, were praised by the Bishops of Liverpool and Manchester as good examples of the “ excellent and extraordinary work Church Army does.”

Ben and Phil were delighted with the recognition of their work. Ben commented: “Sixty percent of the UK population is largely untouched by the church and in response to this; Sanctus 1 has been providing an alternative to traditional church since October 2001”. Phil added; “we set up Kidz Klub to respond to the needs of local young people and have around 300 on our register. We try to make what we do fresh and exciting so that it is closer to Saturday morning TV than traditional Sunday school.”

Synod member and evangelist in training Anne Williams also drew attention to the work of the Wilson Carlile College of Evangelism in Sheffield which is a recognised centre of excellent in the training of evangelists.

In warmly welcoming the report Mission Shaped Church, Church Army Chief Secretary Philip Johanson said: “The thinking behind this report fits in very much with current Church Army initiatives. These involve going out to the increasing majority of people who would not consider themselves connected to church. We are delighted that several speakers in the General Synod debate recognised the work we do”

13th February 2004