Living on The Edge

News Release: 10 March 2011

Richard Cooke, a Church Army Evangelist in Selby, North Yorkshire, has established The Edge Community for people living on the Flaxley Road Estate. In this month’s Inspire magazine he explains how he was “called out” of the parish church to lead this vibrant project which is practically demonstrating God’s love.

He said: “The Flaxley Road Estate in Selby is a place where many struggle with relationships, parenting, addiction, financial problems and with a lack of purposeful activity. People here work hard to make the best of their lives in challenging circumstances. There is no church on the estate, and apart from my work, little Christian witness.

“Along with three other Christian families, my family and I felt called to step out from our parish church and establish a new and vibrant Christian community – the Edge Community.

"We seek to live out our Christian faith in practical and down-to-earth ways to engage with ordinary people in their own environment. This was, and is, a real journey into the unknown as none of us knew what this community would look like or be called to do.”

Two years on, the Edge Community now meets weekly, seeking to grow in faith, enjoy time with each other and be guided by God in its outreach to local families. Richard also runs a family-friendly ‘Gathering’ each month, works in the local schools, helps with an after school club and organises a parent support group.