Shareit! issue 26
September 2007
Making History
Bringing HOPE
Dear friends, In July, I was at the Summer Madness festival in Belfast, speaking to 4,000 Christian young people and challenging them to transform, rather than to conform. The day before - what a privilege - I had commissioned 1,000 of them to go out into the streets of Belfast, as Streetreachers to serve communities in practical ways. To bring hope to people who have lived for years in the shadow of hatred and despair.
Our challenge is to bring hope to people. Martin Luther King put it like this; "If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving."
As Christians we believe in hope. Hope for life, hope for heaven, hope in Christ. It is a fantastic message for our world of fear, uncertainty and angst. We have a hope! Peter says we need to be prepared to "give a reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15). The problem is this verse assumes someone has asked us a question, and today few people in our society seem to want to ask the Church a question. I hope Church Army will be provocative, sharing faith through words and action, being salt and light, and I pray that this provokes people to ask us to give a reason for the hope in us: Jesus Christ.
For 125 years, Church Army has been making history and bringing hope to the lives of people who have little if any connection with the Church. In this issue of Shareit!, you will see story after story of people bringing hope. Across these islands hundreds more Evangelists are bringing hope to people, reaching people where they are. We have produced a special DVD to mark our 125th anniversary and I would encourage you to order one (see page 16).
We are thrilled to be a partner with Hope08, which is an exciting opportunity for churches and Christians across the land to unite in sharing Christ's love with our nation. Church Army is passionate about reaching out to people with the transforming good news of Jesus Christ, and sharing faith through words and action. I am so excited about the new things God is going to do among us.
Each of you can play your part in bringing the hope of Jesus Christ to others, by praying for us, partnering with us, financially supporting us, and coming to train with us. Together we can make history, together we can see changed lives, together we can bring hope.
Thank you for standing with us.
Mark Russell
Chief Executive
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Out of your comfort zone
Exciting new training programme
The Newcastle estate made famous
Byker Grove is home to many young people who feel they have no value
These shoes are made for mission
Each told inspiring real-life stories of their owners
Boys with Toys adopt a Street
Doing the jobs people hate doing
Retail Therapy
Is it possible to run an effective ministry from your car and starbucks?
Inspire a Re:Action to bring HOPE
Church Outdoors in partnership with Church Army
Art for God's sake
Allowing God to touch people through beauty and messages
New direction for Brian in Aberdeen
God had different plans for Brian Wisener
Bringing Hope to Ireland
Evangelists sharing love in Ireland
More good news from Bentilee
How God is at work in one corner of Stoke-On-Trent
New partnership brings HOPE for evangelism
Christian Enquiry Agency is working with Church Army evangelists
125 years of Church Army
Mark Russell reflects on the legacy of Wilson Carlile
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