UK CHURCHES RESPOND TO HURRICANE MELISSA
THE POWER OF OBEDIENCE TO GOD
A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM
TESTIMONY: HEALED OF TERMINAL CANCER THROUGH PRAYER
UNWRAPPING CHRISTMAS: CARIBBEAN TRADITIONS, HISTORY AND MEANINGS BE YOUR OWN LIFE COACH IN 2026
Tue 16 Dec
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Marcia Dixon MBE editor@keepthefaith.co.uk
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I hope you are entering this special time of year hopeful and expectant of good things.
The Christmas season is an important time of year for people and communities throughout the world.
We have a short window of time left this year to reflect on God’s benevolence and goodness in sending His Son Jesus Christ into the earth – and the celebration that surrounded His birth over 2,000 years ago still brings hope, peace and joy.
Christmas not only provides opportunities for rest and relaxation; it’s also a convenient time to think about the forthcoming New Year to set goals and devise strategies on how to achieve them.
This Christmas/New Year edition of Keep The Faith is filled with interviews, features and thought leadership pieces designed to (i) remind us that God answers prayer; (ii) demonstrate what’s possible, when we focus
on our God-given goals; (iii) provide insights on how we can achieve our aspirations in 2026; and (iv) remind us that we are called to the bearers of good news and to make a positive difference in the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.
So, as you read this magazine, be prepared to be informed, inspired, as well as empowered to fulfil God’s purposes in your life.
And don’t forget to have a wonderful Christmas. We at KTF also pray that you experience God’s manifold blessings and prosperity in 2026.
Happy reading
Marcia Dixon MBE
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05-06 Latest news
08 StepFWD Gospel News By O'Neil Dennis
10 Carla Jane: A life of singing, choirs & triumph By Juliet Fletcher
14 Emmanuel Smith: The singer raising the bar for UK Gospel By Marcia Dixon MBE
10 16 14 24 20
16 The light that will not be dimmed By Dr Jonathan Oloyede
18 Unwrapping Christmas: Caribbean traditions, history and meaning By Roy Francis
20 Parenting during Christmas By Chioma Fanawopo
22 Banning Jesus' birth By Gary Clayton
24 Marcia Lennon: The healing power of prayer By Marcia Dixon MBE
26 Online channels for Christmas viewing By Marcia Dixon MBE
28 It's time for carers to care for themselves By Shirley Anstis
29 Food for Thought By Marcia Dixon MBE
30 My resignation as a bishop By Dr Joe Aldred
31 Documenting the important story of Black Church history By Marcia Dixon MBE
32 A Christian response to Christian Nationalism By Revd Wale Hudson-Roberts
33 Exhale: A gift for flagging teachers By Louise Isaac
34 How to journey towards health and fitness in 2026 By Dr Jacky McLeod
35 Blending Scripture and science to develop habits in the New Year By Dr T Ayodele Ajayi
36 7 reasons we don't achieve our goals and how to break the cycle in 2026 By Carol Stewart
37 Have a prosperous New Year... By Joy Roxborough
38 Bridging the generational gap in an online world By Nicola Millington
39 Faith beyond sight By Joseph Vambe
40 Be your own life coach in 2026 By Lola Owolabi
42 8 biblical habits for financial health and prosperity in 2026 By Natasha Smith
44 Festive hair glam: Stunning styles for Christmas and New Year By Verona White
45 The journey from authorship to publishing By Vanessa Grossett
46 The power of obedience By Dr Joan Myers OBE
Faith Chapel, Peckham – one of the area’s most well-known Pentecostal churches – has entered a new era with the appointment of Pastor Joe Pitt as senior pastor, following the retirement of Bishop Lloyd Thomas. For Pastor Pitt, the moment is deeply personal; he is now leader of a church founded by his father, the late Bishop Benjamin Pitt.
Pastor Pitt, 75, acknowledges that accepting the position has been a journey. “I was running away from this for a very long time... Dad hinted that he would like me to carry on the work. And I said no. I just wanted to be free... I didn’t want to be responsible for dealing with people.” However, he sees his appointment as divine timing: “Everything happens for a purpose, there’s always a time, and God’s time is always the right time.”
Pastor Pitt does not believe his age is a barrier to leading a congregation or reaching young people. “I’m 75 with experience, which is good.” He believes his life experience uniquely positions him to guide the church forward.
One thing Pastor Pitt wants to see happen under his pastorate is to have more people come to faith in Christ and to increase church attendance. He plans to do so by increasing youth engagement and encouraging their spiritual growth. He shared: “I do find that young people... love the music, love the singing, but their connection with God... needs to come back.” He is confident the church can grow again: “The Word is powerful. The Word is going to be rich, and that will draw people... to Christ.”
Pastor Pitt also sees opportunities for growth in a changing Peckham. The church has built strong links with local residents through events, such as street gatherings and collaborative music outreach. “Relationships with neighbours,” he says, “are definitely growing in a positive way.”
As Pastor Pitt settles into leadership, his legacy goal is clear: “I want to see the church grow spiritually and physically... and people’s relationships with God strengthened.”
Nominations are now open for the Wise Women Awards (WWA) – one of the most well-known award events within the Black Christian community.
Celebrating its 21st anniversary, the WWA – founded by Apostle Marjorie Esomowei – is calling on the community to submit nominations for women who are making a meaningful impact in the Church and wider society.
There are 14 nomination categories, including Woman in Business, Woman in Missions, Exceptional Young Christian Woman, Woman in Leadership, and Woman in the Community. Nominations close on December 17th, 2025.
The WWA ceremony will take place on March 14th at the Novotel London West, 1 Shortlands, Hammersmith International Centre, London W6 8DR.
Visit www.wisewomenawards.org to submit your nominations.
The Queen’s Foundation in Birmingham has launched a new lecture series honouring Dr Robert Beckford, one of the most influential academics to emerge from Britain’s Black Christian community.
Dr Beckford delivered the inaugural lecture, entitled ‘Where Do We Go from Here? A “Fass” Christianity for a Time of “Ginnal”’, which examined the kind of Christianity required to confront the rise of neofascism and the development of hidden forms of reparations.
Dr Beckford’s contribution to theology and public discourse has been profound, spanning books, television, radio and documentaries. His work continues to shape conversations around race, justice and faith, making the establishment of a lecture series in his name a significant moment for both academia and the Church.
The debut event drew a full crowd at The Queen’s Foundation and was also streamed live on YouTube.
Reflecting on the honour, he told Keep The Faith: “It is an extraordinary privilege to be honoured with the Robert Beckford Lecture Series. My hope is that this platform will amplify Black theological voices committed to probing the vital relationships between faith, justice and the ongoing struggle for liberation.”
The full lecture is available on The Queen’s Foundation YouTube channel. Visit https://youtu.be/viux1lxMaj0?si=QVAu GRKLpmvyXxxn
On October 28th, Jamaica was lambasted by Hurricane Melissa – the worst storm in Jamaica’s history, and the 15th storm since 2000 – causing immense devastation. It then passed through Cuba, Haiti and the Bahamas before moving on.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared Jamaica as a disaster zone, as the impact of Hurricane Melissa became evident in the aftermath.
Western Jamaica, particularly the Black River region, was badly hit. A UN report highlighted that over 1.5million Jamaicans were impacted by the hurricane, with 36,000 people in urgent need of food and assistance. It’s estimated the island experienced $6billion worth of damage and that it will take years to rebuild. At the time of writing, 45 people have been reported dead.
The Jamaican Government prepared for Hurricane Melissa by creating a web portal, where people could make financial donations and access a list of items people could donate. So far, $1million has been raised. And once members of the Caribbean diaspora across Britain heard about the damage caused, they swung into action – including the Church.
Paulette Simpson CBE, Executive of JN Group and Executive Director for The Voice newspaper, has played a large role in coordinating collections of essential items across the country. She said: “The Jamaica National Group is deeply moved by the incredible generosity and support we’ve
received to help those affected by Hurricane Melissa. Our JN Foundation has joined hands with business owners, churches, councils and organisations across the UK to collect and send supplies to those in need. So far, four containers have been shipped to our partner, Food For The Poor, one of the largest charities in Jamaica. In the face of this devastation, we are reminded of the strength and unity of our people. Every donation, every act of kindness, and every helping hand makes a difference.”
One church that responded to the call is Fishers Christian Centre in South Norwood. Church administrator, Roney Henderson, sent out a request for donations. She said: “As coordinator of my church's food bank, I believed I had a responsibility to use my skills and ability to help those who couldn't help themselves. Within one week, through the generosity of the wider community, we collected and distributed 50 boxes of food and essential supplies. We are grateful to everyone who donated.”
Pentecostal denomination The New Testament Church of God called on all its churches to serve as collection points. Essential items have been shipped to Jamaica, with support from JN. They have also collected £25,000 in donations that have been sent to the New Testament Church of God Head Office in Jamaica to assist families and churches affected by the hurricane.
And RAFFA, the international development arm of the Church of God of Prophecy, launched a nationwide collection drive. RAFFA CEO, Angela Clarke BEM, said: “I have been overwhelmed to see how RAFFA, in collaboration with the Church of God of Prophecy Trust UK, has stood at the forefront of compassionate action, guiding communities with steadfast faith and practical aid. The rapid mobilisation of volunteers, the sharing of resources, and the tireless outreach to
those most affected in Jamaica exemplify the profound power of collaboration.”
Gospel artists have also given their support. Anthony King, aka Pass Da Mic, organised a gospel concert at the New Testament Assembly, Tooting. Artists who took part included Noel Robinson and Roger Samuels. To date, £19,000 has been raised. Christians have also been gathering to pray for Jamaica.
Efforts continue to be made to support the people Jamaica – and it’s not just churches.
Jamaican celebrities have been out in force, including Shaggy, Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel, and using their own money to distribute food and much-needed items.
Jamaica itself has received support and aid from other countries. Britain has given £2.5million and pledged £5million towards relief efforts; the US has pledged £22million in financial support; China has pledged $2 million for disaster relief materials; and India has sent 20 tonnes of disaster relief and humanitarian supplies.
There’s no doubt Jamaica has a long road ahead. It will cost $8billion to rebuild the infrastructure destroyed by the hurricane, but, if the immediate response to Hurricane Melissa is anything to go by, Jamaica has the support, the will and the fortitude necessary to rebuild.
You can make donations at the following sites: www.supportjamaica.gov www.ntcg.org.uk/wp/hurricane-appeal www.jnfoundation.com/hurricanemelissa-relief
Visit https://www.instagram.com/ thevoicenewspaper/ for collection points across the UK, where essential items/food for Hurricane Melissa survivors can be dropped off.
What began as a presentation during Black History Month at Southwark libraries has now evolved, four years later, into the publication of a children’s book about one of Britain's most inspiring Black heroes, Olaudah Equiano.
The Awesome Equiano tells the true story of 18th century African boy, Olaudah Equiano, who was kidnapped into slavery from the Igbo village of Essaka, Southern Nigeria. This book is drawn from Equiano's autobiography, and has been brought to life by award-winning British Nigerian artist and illustrator TAYO Fatunla. It’s aimed primarily at 8 to 12 year olds.
Despite the cruelties and hardships he faced, Equiano rose to become an accomplished seaman, an adventurer, and a leading London citizen who campaigned tirelessly for freedom. When his memoirs were first published in 1789, they were sponsored by the then Prince of Wales.
Hugh Closs, author of the autobiography adaptation, is an experienced journalist. He contributed to local London newspapers before joining the BBC, where he promoted television and radio services internationally. He currently serves as a volunteer at Peckham Library, in Southeast London.
The book’s illustrations are provided by TAYO Fatunla, an author, comic artist, and illustrator. He is also the creator of the award-winning ‘OUR ROOTS’, an illustrated feature that documents Black history globally.
The Awesome Equiano – A True Story is published by Colne House Publishing. Email equiano@colnehouse.net for more info about buying a copy.
Ready to take your ministry to the next level? Discover relevant and accessible Theological education at London School of Theology.
London School of Theology is an independent and interdenominational Theological College with externally validated degrees.
For over 75 years, London School of Theology has been dedicated to delivering a high level of education for individuals, equipping local churches, and engaging in leading research. The college provides practice-led theological and interdisciplinary education within Christian community, both on campus and online.
London School of Theology’s programmes are designed to equip you to go deeper in your relationship with God. As you study, you will participate in a common spiritual life, explore academic theology and embark on a journey of discernment towards the next step in your vocation or ministry
“My decision to study at the London School of Theology was born out of a deep desire to integrate academic theology with the practical demands of Pentecostal leadership.
As a church leader and practitioner within the charismatic-Pentecostal tradition, I recognised the need for a robust theological framework that could ground and sustain my ministry in today’s complex ecclesial and cultural landscape.”
Oscar Guobadia, MA Practical theology and ministry Student
Discover our range of unique and integrative programmes* with flexible study options:
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* London School of Theology’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are quality assured by Middlesex University and students will receive a Middlesex award on successful completion. Research programmes are a collaborative research initiative between London School of Theology and Middlesex University.
To find out more or join us for your next open event, visit: www.lst.ac.uk
Want to consider hiring London School of Theology for your next conference or event? Please get in touch for more information or arrange a visit!
Twelve years after the launch of the Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart, a new weekly singles chart is set to shine a national spotlight on the creativity, growth and impact of the UK Christian & Gospel music.
When the UK’s first Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart launched in March 2013, it marked a significant moment of recognition. For the first time, the Christian and gospel community gained an official presence within the UK music industry. The chart, produced by the Official Charts Company, saw Hillsong United’s Zion claim the inaugural No.1 spot, providing UK artists with a measurable platform for their music and stories. From that point forward, Christian and gospel music was counted, tracked and celebrated alongside the nation’s other musical genres.
Twelve years on, that progression continues with a major new development. AStepFWD, the organisation behind the UK Christian Charts, has partnered with the Official Charts Company to introduce the Official Christian
& Gospel Singles Chart, due to go live in early 2026. This weekly chart will highlight the most streamed and best-selling Christian and gospel tracks across the UK. While the albums chart made history in its day, the upcoming singles chart reflects how audiences now listen – fast-moving, streaming-driven and community-centred.
The timing couldn’t be better. Over the past decade, the UK Christian & Gospel scene has matured beautifully. The sound has expanded far beyond church or festival stages, with every genre now representing the Good News. From London to Leeds, Birmingham to Bristol, artists are creating music with a level of excellence that deserves wider recognition. This new chart provides exactly that: a place where creativity and impact can be seen in real time.
AStepFWD’s journey toward this partnership has been steady and intentional. Since 2014, its monthly UK Christian Charts have celebrated hundreds of artists across 12 categories, combining public votes with insight from more than 150 expert judges. That consistency and openness have helped define what excellence looks like in this space – one reason AStepFWD now stands as a trusted partner to the Official Charts Company.
Behind the scenes, the organisation has been laying strong foundations for growth. In the past year, AStepFWD has participated in development programmes – including the BPI, Abbey Road Studios and London & Partners’ GrowMusic initiative – designed to support creative leadership and innovation. These opportunities have strengthened its understanding of how to serve artists, analyse data, and connect with wider industry networks. It’s
the kind of groundwork that makes the new chart not only possible but sustainable.
And what a field of talent this chart will showcase. There’s DC3, the teenage rapper from Northampton; Philippa Hanna, who continues to connect across both Christian and mainstream audiences; Elle Limebear, whose worship-pop sound reaches beyond church walls; while Annatoria, winner of The Voice UK, brings vibrancy and authenticity to every release.
Among the more established names, Tim Hughes remains one of the most recognisable voices in modern worship, and LCGC (the London Community Gospel Choir) continue to fly the flag for gospel excellence at home and abroad. Alongside them are key figures, like CalledOut Music and Noel Robinson Add in UK gospel rappers, like Reblah and Still Shadey, and it’s clear the scene is both deep and diverse.
Back in 2013, the launch of the albums chart was backed by reports showing that around 600 new Christian and gospel albums had been
released in the UK the previous year. The forthcoming singles chart builds on that same momentum but is tailored to today’s landscape, where individual songs drive discovery and connection through streaming and social media.
For artists, the benefits will be immediate. A strong single will now have the chance to be recognised nationally. For listeners, it offers a shared sense of discovery and a way to see which songs are resonating week by week. For industry partners, it delivers measurable insight into a community that has long been
active yet underrepresented in official data.
The partnership between AStepFWD and the Official Charts Company is more than symbolic. It’s a practical statement that Christian and gospel music in the UK has earned its seat at the table. This music isn’t on the margins; it’s growing, it’s evolving, and it’s shaping the culture around it.
With AStepFWD’s vision, the Official Charts’ credibility, and a new generation of artists stepping forward, the UK Christian & Gospel scene is stronger than ever – and soon, officially, it will be counted.
The Barbican came alive with colour, harmony and celebration as gospel and orchestral music joined forces for Shout for Joy – a divine fusion of faith and symphonic brilliance from the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) in partnership with Platoon Music.
Conducted by Dr André J Thomas, the project features Lurine Cato MBE, Evvie McKinney, pianist Brandon A Boyd, and the Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir. It was recorded at LSO St Luke’s and produced by multiGrammy-winner Jonathan Allen. Together, they’ve created something extraordinary – a sound that unites the passion of gospel with the majesty of the symphony.
The Shout for Joy experience has been described as nothing short of transformational. “This kind of event just brings out gospel. Gospel is living. Gospel is life. Gospel is jubilant!” said one audience member, capturing the spirit that filled the hall. The music radiated life and light in a celebration of faith that felt both sacred and joyful.
Reactions from listeners have been instant and heartfelt: “They exceeded all my expectations”, “Breathtaking!”, “Spectacular!”, “The beautiful sound”, “Pure unbridled joy”. The atmosphere was so charged that even the orchestra seemed changed by it. One attendee reflected: “The gospel feeling is not only good for the gospel arena, but for the orchestra themselves. These world-class classical musicians have now been exposed to the beauty and wonder of gospel music.”
For many, the connection between gospel and symphony was something completely
new. “I go to the London Symphony quite regularly,” shared one concertgoer, “but I’ve never seen this crossover with gospel. It was very moving and amazing to hear such a big choir. Hallelujah!”
At the heart of the project is Dr André J Thomas’s belief in the power of music to unite. “This album is a true meeting of worlds,” he explains. “By combining the emotional depth of gospel with the timeless beauty of classical music, we’ve created something that speaks to the heart and spirit of every listener.”
Dr Thomas is currently an associate artist with the London Symphony Orchestra and Professor Emeritus of Music at Florida State University. Since 2022, he has appeared in concert at the Barbican with the LSO. He was formerly a professor of music at the College of Music at Florida State University and the artistic director for the Tallahassee Community Chorus.
Dr André J Thomas
The album blends genres beautifully and ultimately; it bridges cultures. Every track brought something special to life, shining a light on gospel’s global influence and its power to bring people together through shared worship.
The buzz around Shout for Joy has been just as strong beyond the concert hall. “If you don’t get the album, you’re crazy not to get it,” laughed one supporter. Another simply called it “beautiful”, while others described it as “soulful”, “vibrant”, and “empowering”. One young listener summed it up perfectly: “It
was spiritual, it was educational, and it was an experience.”
Released via Platoon Music – the multi-award-winning label now part of the Apple Music family – the project reflects a shared vision for artistic excellence and cultural celebration. As Platoon A&R Kunmi Ogunsola explains: “We wanted to honour gospel’s roots while introducing it to new audiences in a fresh, symphonic way.”
What audiences heard live was born from the same meticulous care poured into the recording sessions at LSO St Luke’s, the orchestra’s creative home. Under Jonathan Allen’s skilled production, every layer – from choir to brass to soaring strings – carries intention, emotion and reverence.
Shout for Joy reminds audiences why gospel continues to inspire across generations and genres. As one voice put it: “When you listen to gospel music, you always feel uplifted.”
Shout for Joy is available now on all streaming platforms via Platoon Music. The London Symphony Orchestra is already leaving listeners moved, inspired and, above all, joyful.
Carla Jane has been singing a long time, and is considered a gospel legend in some circles. This in-demand vocalist is National Choir Director in the New Testament Church of God (NTCG) and has made a name for herself directing choirs in Europe. Juliet Fletcher spoke to her about her musical roots, her work with choirs, overcoming cancer, and her plans for the future.
JULIET FLETCHER (JF): When did you first start singing?
CARLA JANE (CJ): When I was about five, the local church recognised I could sing and encouraged me. In Burton-on-Trent, Pastor Levi Bailey would take me, my sister and others as a group (we didn’t have a name) to sing before he preached. My passion grew from there.
There was a rule then that you had to be 16 to join the choir. I was permitted at 12!
JF: Is your family musical?
CJ: Not really. My parents, Rev Dr Cynthia and James Hayles from Jamaica, liked singing. My elder sister Hyacinth became our local choir director. That’s mainly it.
JF: What influenced you beyond church?
CJ: My Mum was an SEN (nurse), so I became a nurse assistant for a while. I also loved hairdressing – a family friend inspired me – but weekends were for singing, not salons! So, singing won.
JF: I first really became aware of you during your time in Noel Robinson’s group, Nu Image. How did that happen?
CJ: That was when I was singing solo around churches, mainly up North.
JF: Was that around the same time when Mica Paris sang with Spirit of Watts?
CJ: Mica Paris in London was ahead of me. Jennifer Phillips in Wolverhampton was very well known in my region. I was in NTCG Burton-upon-Trent, around 30 miles from Birmingham, where concerts were always happening. I also sang at the Church of God of Prophecy National Conventions. At one of those, Noel heard me and said: “We need to work together.” I joined Nu Image in 2000.
JF: What do you recall about your time in the group?
CJ: It was amazing. Noel led us spiritually and
musically in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Rehearsals were deeply empowering. Our first ministry performance was for Winans Phase 2 –the sons of the original Winans. Do you remember them? We didn’t just sing; we ministered prophetically. It was a turning-point period. I remember wearing a beautiful white dress I had made – and then spending most of the night, prostrate on the stage floor because the presence of God was so strong!
JF: Very Noel. Change the Atmosphere, his most recent album, sounds like more of the same.
CJ: Exactly. Noel still says: “Once Nu Image, always Nu Image!”
JF: What happened next?
CJ: While singing with Nu Image, I was also the NTCG Derby District choir director. That’s where my true love for choirs took root. Back then, young people were singers or musicians. It’s not like that now.
JF: What changed?
CJ: The natural progression from local to district to national choirs has broken down. People prefer small worship teams of four to six, where they can shine. District and national choirs are optional. We need youth choirs back to sustain the legacy.
JF: Are choirs endangered?
CJ: A little, yes. We need to rebuild numbers so the choral discipline remains.
JF: Do you think priorities have shifted, then?
CJ: Yes. In Europe, gospel choirs are treated with high regard.
JF: What do you mean? And how did your European journey start?
CJ: They invest seriously. For example, in Poland, at an event called ‘Gospel on the Rock’, I directed a 99-person outdoor choir – each person had their own mic! They built one full technical setup indoors for rehearsal, then rebuilt everything outdoors. Amazing commitment. Across Europe, choirs wear robes for uniformity; do recordings; host major annual events, like on the steps of Siena Cathedral in southern Italy. All’s well, I’ll be there this December, where annually thousands gather in the cold to enjoy gospel music.
In our churches I believe we need a recommitment to choirs at every level, because it’s out there, in our communities. God used us to start it all, and we should keep allowing Him to work through us.
JF: Incredible! Going back to how you started training choirs in Europe...
CJ: It was Bazil Meade who opened the door for me in Europe, starting with Spain. After four days with him, I was on my own – and comfortable with it. He trusted me. The truth is, many choir members in Europe aren’t ‘born again’ Pentecostal Christians; others are atheists but LOVE gospel music.
Recently, in the South of France, I taught seven songs and gave a workshop on ‘Gospel Music Tips’. I prayed for what to say, checked with Steve Thompson and Ruth Waldron, and the answer was clear: the number one Gospel Tip is the Message. So, I teach lyrics with Scripture references or backstories. One lady said she’d sung in the choir for 20 years and had never understood a song’s message until then.
Karen Gibson has two sayings: be intentional and draw out the gold. I choose songs with intentionality and aim to draw out the gold in the singers. I don’t choose songs just for the vibe. For
example, with ‘I Will Trust’ (Richard Smallwood), I provide references. My favourites include ‘Total Praise’, ‘Glorify the Lord’ (Sandra Crouch), and yes, ‘O Happy Day’, though I have a love-hate relationship with it because in Europe it’s always asked for. Bazil always encourages me to teach the old hymns.
JF: What countries have you worked in?
CJ: Italy (probably the most), Denmark, Poland, South of France, Holland, Spain. This month is my first weekend home since September – and it all starts again this weekend right throughout December.
JF: Do you use interpreters?
CJ: Most choirs sing in English. Interpreters help with clarity. The applause tells you when they get it.
JF: And the bands?
CJ: Bands in Europe are very good – strong notation readers. They may not always have the gospel “feel”, but they work extremely well.
JF: You’re based in Manchester. What’s music life like there?
CJ: Very, very busy. Monday to Thursday, I work in schools teaching music – and they often request a gospel choir for after school. One school choir has grown to 60 children every year – and they are EXCELLENT! I’m also part of the annual Festival of Praise, led by Pastor Abimbola Komolafe (Jubilee Church RCCG), which has had over 70,000 in attendance over the years. I was also a founding member of Warehouse Worship (Victor Omosebi and Ezekiel Omosebi). They’ve grown massively – even ministering at the UK’s new Co-op Live – an arena with a capacity of over 23,000. Thursdays, I prep for weekend travel across Europe from Friday to Sunday, and then back in time for work on Monday.
JF: Some may not know, but you did have a very dark period in the past few years – your diagnosis with cancer. How did you cope while doing all this?
CJ: Years ago, a benign growth in my head was resolved. But, more recently, a doctor on a phone triage looked closely at a test result and his intervention discovered two Stage 1 & 2 tumours. I’ll always be grateful to that doctor. I had mentioned the pain before, but no one had acted. Because of the second tumour, I needed chemotherapy. I was actually booked to go on a Caribbean tour with Sinach. I would have travelled, completely unaware, with a dangerous outcome. I lost all my hair, which was hard because I love hair. But good people supported me (thank you, Bishop & Mother Mullings). I kept myself busy by recording a live Facebook song every day for seven days, using backing tracks and focusing my mind. Now I’m beyond treatment, with gratitude.
JF: How would you summarise your testimony?
CJ: Praising God through the storm. Tramaine (Hawkins) sings ‘I Never Lost My Praise’ – that was me. I found reasons to laugh. I also started The Carla Jane Show, sharing about my odd experiences. The feedback from many has been pure encouragement – for them and for me. Just be yourself. Someone will be helped.
JF: So, after everything, WHERE is your album? We need the legacy of your voice!
CJ: You’ve always asked! For me, it hasn’t been a priority. Noel also encourages me. I’m trusting that I will.
JF: And, when she does, I’m sure every choir and musical peer she has uplifted will support her. What a fitting culmination that would be.
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Emmanuel Smith is a UK gospel artist who is making a major mark. This worship leader and former semifinalist on singing competition The Voice raised the bar for his fellow gospel artists when he became the first UK gospel soloist to headline a show at Wembley Arena with an audience of 6,000 people. He talked to Marcia Dixon MBE about his music, his faith, and his plans for Christmas and the New Year.
The event, organised as part of his annual SKYLIGHT concert series, saw him take a big leap from the O2 Indigo, where it was last staged, to the Wembley Arena in October 2025. Other artists on the line up included Eugy, Becca Folkes, Neon Adejo, Tab Worship, and Warehouse Worship.
It was faith in God that inspired Emmanuel to aim so high. He shared: “I believe we serve a big God. I want to take territories to inspire and impact a generation. We can have worship nights in church, but I believe we’ve also been called to go outside the four walls of the church. So, Wembley was definitely a big stretch! I had everyone telling me to cancel it and do something that’s ‘more realistic’. But thank God He's giving me a stubborn faith. And when I believe God wants me to do something, you can't talk me out of it until I see it done.”
Emmanuel’s achievement is a far cry from the ambitions he had for himself as a young child.
Born in Ghana, Emmanuel grew up with his extended family, as his parents migrated to the UK – his dad did so when he was a toddler and his mother when he was six. Although he missed his parents, being raised by relatives helped him overcome some of the emptiness he felt being away from his parents.
His extended family were heavily into church and music, so Emmanuel spent a lot of time in church singing. During that time, Emmanuel’s aspirations weren’t to be a singer; he wanted to be a prophet. He explained: “Growing up in Ghana, I was curious about the supernatural. I grew up seeing prophets from a young age who would come to church. I wanted to be prophesying.”
He loved being in church. He attended Sunday school and sang in the choir. He says faith played a major role in his life: “It was like my safe space. Music was a way I could escape.” At the age of 12, he made a formal commitment to serve Christ.
At 13, Emmanuel left Ghana to join his parents in London. Living in Britain changed his ambitions. He no longer wanted to be a prophet; instead, he wanted to be a footballer. He recalled: “I spent most of my time playing football with my friends, trying to seek opportunities to get into football as a profession but, deep down, I always knew that I was called into ministry.” In fact, one day whilst at church, he received a prophetic word that he’d be a minister, and Emmanuel promised God that once he retired from football he’d pursue ministry.
Emmanuel followed his desire to be a footballer hard and even played semiprofessionally. What stopped him from pursuing his ambition further was injury, after he tore his ligaments. “If it wasn’t for that, I would have been pursuing it with everything.”
With his dream to play football ended by injury, Emmanuel focused on music. He already sang in worship teams and was an in-demand worship leader in the church circles he moved in.
In 2015, Emmanuel made a decision that would transform his music ministry. He applied to be a contestant on music talent shows The Voice UK and X Factor. His applications were rejected by both shows. He applied again in 2017 and was rejected again. However, he felt he should be on one of the shows and prayed a simple prayer. “I said, ‘God, I feel like I’m supposed to be on one of these. So, if it’s Your will, then make it happen.’ The following year, I had two emails, one from The Voice, one from X Factor, and they said, ‘Look, we want you to come for the producer auditions.’ I said yeah! Long story short, I ended up being on The Voice.”
Mentored by Will-I-Am, Emmanuel reached the semi-finals of The Voice and his appearance on the show turbo-charged his singing ministry. He also learned a lot. “I think the key thing I got from the show was confidence. Not to throw any shade, but I feel like, in church, even when people couldn't sing, we’ll just encourage them, but I feel like going on a stage like that (The Voice), you had to have a bit of skill. The Bible says David played with skill. So, it also gave me confidence that, as much as you’re anointed, you also have a
"When ... God wants me to do something, you can't talk me out of it..."
voice that even people in the world will want to hear.”
Emmanuel takes his music ministry seriously. He has performed across the UK, Europe and Africa. He sings and prays continually, doing what Scripture says – making a joyful noise to the Lord. He seeks to be in continual fellowship with the Holy Spirit, singing and praying.
He is also focused on remaining humble – despite his amazing feat of singing in front of 6,000 people. It should be noted, not only did he sing at the event, he also organised it with the support of a team, and raised the money to finance it. There were occasions where he saw God move miraculously. However, he would like to see others do the same. “I want it to become the norm, not just for me, but for people in the UK. I want to see gospel artists, worship leaders and churches holding events in these venues – the arenas, the stadiums. Let's go back to that.”
He is excited about where the UK gospel scene is headed. “I think we’ve always been looking outside, but we’re getting to that time where people from the outside are now looking in at what’s happening here.”
The future looks bright for Emmanuel. He is a loved member of the worship team at The
Tab London, led by Pastor Micheal White. He has a deal with Integrity and is set to start work on his album. And he wants to travel the world with his SKYLIGHT event – whether it’s in small 100-seater venues or in stadiums. “I don’t even know where God wants it to go,” Emmanuel admitted. “So, it could be a stadium. And people should know that if God says the stadium, we are going to go to the stadium! Lord, have mercy!!!”
Like many Christians, Emmanuel’s thoughts have turned to Christmas. It’s a time of year he enjoys. “We know Christmas signifies the birth of Christ. But for me, Christmas is love, family, friends... and not just that. There are some people who, at Christmas, don’t have family; they don’t have people to be around. So, for me, Christmas is a time that even people who don’t have family and friends may get to experience that love or that togetherness – even if it’s for one day, they get to experience that.”
And although he’s not a preacher, Emmanuel has a message for Keep The Faith readers. He said: “Keep the faith. Don’t lose faith, especially in the times we're living in. We need faith. We need hope to keep going. Don’t lose the faith. Don’t lose hope.” Visit www.emmanuelsmith.co.uk
As thousands of churches across the UK unite for Shine Your Light 2025, Dr Jonathan Oloyede calls on Christians to join this initiative that aims to bring unity, revival and evangelism
This Christmas, something powerful is stirring across Britain. Nearly 2,000 churches, networks, and Christian organisations will be taking the Gospel beyond their walls – out into streets, schools, shopping centres, stadiums and city squares. Carol services and Christmas events will no longer be confined to pews and pulpits but will break out into the heart of our communities, declaring that Jesus is still the Reason for the season!
For too long, the vast majority of our nation has celebrated Christmas without Christ. Once the decorations are packed away, the indigestion tablets finished, and the credit card bills begin to bite, millions are left facing another New Year without hope, peace or purpose. But that’s where we come in – the Church of Jesus Christ, called to shine His light in the darkness!
Years ago, the Lord gave me a vision of the British Isles at night, covered in deep shadow, but suddenly illuminated by countless little lights flickering across towns, cities and villages.
Each light represented believers and churches shining for Jesus in their neighbourhoods.
By God’s grace, that vision is becoming a reality. Last year, over 1,500 churches united, as 100,000 believers reached more than one million people with the message of hope.
This December, we’re believing for even more: 200,000 believers joining forces with local churches to reach two million souls across the UK and Ireland!
And let me say this with deep gratitude and pride: Black-majority churches (BMCs) have been right at the heart of this move of God. Across London and beyond, Black-led congregations made up nearly half of all Shine Your Light events.
Let’s be honest, 2025 has been a difficult year for many. The war between Russia and Ukraine continues to take lives by the millions; the Israel-Gaza conflict rages on; and persecution against our brothers and sisters in Nigeria and across the world intensifies.
Even here at home, our communities are weary – divided by politics, racial tension, and fear for the future.
But we know something the world does not: only the Prince of Peace can heal the nations. Only Jesus can bring reconciliation, meaning and true joy to the human heart. And that is why we must keep shining our light!
Shine Your Light is not a huge corporate machine. We don’t have massive offices or a long payroll. What we do have is a faithful, praying army of volunteers and a small, dedicated team working behind the scenes. This is the Church of Jesus in action – ordinary believers doing extraordinary things together.
Most local events are simple: a few churches joining to sing carols in a shopping arcade, handing out invitations, or praying for passers-by. Yet in those moments, denominational walls come down. Friendships are formed. Pastors begin to pray together.
The Spirit of God knits hearts and purposes.
As we gather and go, our faith is reignited. The Holy Spirit emboldens believers to speak about Jesus – some for the very first time. Hundreds of thousands are stepping out in love, shining their light in ways that only heaven can measure.
This year, Shine Your Light has expanded in three exciting directions: Youth, the Workplace, and Social Media.
Our youth team has launched creative, high-energy videos that are going viral, reaching hundreds of thousands of teens – many of whom, according to the Bible Society’s Quiet Revival report, are surprisingly open to faith.
We’re also partnering with ministries that help Christians shine in their workplaces – in offices, GP surgeries, schools, construction sites and beyond. Our social media reach has exploded too, bringing the message of hope to people who may never set foot in a church.
And because Jesus’ heart beats for those on the margins, we’re taking the light to prisons and homeless centres this Christmas. A special Shine Your Light broadcast, recorded in Westminster, will beam into over 100 prisons and 100 homeless shelters, reaching tens of thousands who are often forgotten. We want them to know that Christ offers a new
beginning, a fresh start, and the power to walk with God – no matter what life brings.
God is using this simple vision – ordinary believers shining the light of Jesus – transform communities and lives.
If you’ve already registered your church, thank you! You are part of a growing wave of light sweeping across the UK.
If you haven’t yet joined, it’s not too late. Access free resources, training and inspiration for your church today.
Visit www.shineyourlight.org.uk and register now. Together, let’s light up the nation. Let’s proclaim Jesus in the streets, on the airwaves, in our workplaces, and in our schools.
This Christmas, let your light shine – and keep shining – until the whole land is ablaze with the glory of God!
Roy Francis looks at the Christmas tradition of the Windrush Generation and shares the story of Sam Sharpe, a Baptist minister who led a slave rebellion in the 1800s
Christmas today is deeply shaped by cultural and commercial influences. While the Christian story of Jesus’ birth remains central, for many, it’s also a time of festive traditions, such as giving Christmas cards, exchanging gifts, attending family gatherings, week-long services, and celebrations. In the Caribbean community, unlike in the ‘established churches’, there are precious few Christmas services.
There are historical and social reasons for this. In Britain, in the 1960s and 70s, Caribbean women – especially mothers and daughters – would spend days preparing for Christmas, cleaning their homes, seasoning meats, cooking fish, and baking cakes and breads for the special day. Most Caribbeans, including pastors, worked full-time, which meant that organising church services during Christmas week was near impossible.
The day itself was largely a family-centred occasion, celebrated at the home of the family patriarch. It usually began with an elaborate breakfast, setting the tone for the rest of the festive season. For anyone familiar with the traditional Caribbean – especially Jamaican – breakfast, you would need to double it to grasp the scale of what was typically served on Christmas morning.
With this focus on family and food, attending a Christmas Day church service was simply impractical. Also, with services that were often held in rented halls, and with no public transport available for the holiday, getting to church was practically impossible. This set a pattern that persists to this day, and although Christmas remains deeply ingrained in Caribbean culture, relatively few Caribbean churches hold services on December 25th.
There are also theological reasons for this omission. Many Caribbean Christians come from a Pentecostal background, where religious holidays are not venerated in the same way as they are in established denominations. What Pentecostals believe is that Jesus was born, died, and was resurrected – and now lives in the hearts of believers. For them, the life of Christ is not confined to one special day but is something to be lived and celebrated daily.
No one knows the exact date Jesus was born, and the day we now celebrate as Christmas – December 25th – was not recorded in any biblical or historical document. In the ancient world, accurate records of births and deaths were either non-existent or were inconsistently kept.
What we do know about Jesus’ birth,
however, comes from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:4–19), and it wasn't until nearly 400 years later that Jesus' birth began to be celebrated on December 25th. The Roman Emperor Constantine, who converted to Christianity around AD 312, is largely responsible for this. What he did, along with the church leaders of his day, was to join the celebration of the birth of Christ with those of existing pagan festivals – most notably, Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (which means ‘Birthday of the Unconquered Sun’) – and, in a strategic partnership, helped to popularise December 25th as the official birthday of Christ, and as Christmas.
Another lesser-known explanation for choosing December 25th involves Sextus Julius Africanus (c. AD 160–240), an early Black Christian historian, who was born in what is now Libya. He calculated that Jesus was conceived on March 25th, a date later commemorated as the Feast of the Annunciation – when the archangel Gabriel declared that Mary would conceive and bear a Son and become the mother of Jesus. Counting nine months from that conception date places Jesus’ birth in December – on the 25th. While this theory influenced early Christian thought, it has been largely downplayed by the Catholic Church.
In the Caribbean – especially in Jamaica – Christmas, apart from its religious traditions, contains a story rooted in history, and although it’s a time of joy, with music, family, carols and church services, it celebrates the season in two distinct, secular ways.
The first is Junkanoo (or Jonkonnu), where in Jamaica it takes the form of mask dancing, acting, street processions, and general revelry. It’s a tradition that dates back hundreds of years and is rooted in the memory of John Cannu (or John Canoe), who rose up and resisted slavery. He has since become a folk hero, and at its peak in the 18th century, during the one day the enslaved had off at Christmas, the enslaved people celebrated Junkanoo. However, as soon as the authorities realised the celebrations were being used to communicate their escape plans with their drumming and dancing, Junkanoo was banned. Similarly, the same thing happened in Trinidad with Canboulay, where the enslaved did much the same with their dancing and the exaggerated costumes they made, mocking their enslavers as a form of resistance.
The second event linked to Christmas in Jamaica is the Baptist War, also known as the Christmas Rebellion (1831–32), which was led by Sam Sharpe. A Baptist deacon and preacher, he is today immortalised with a statue and square named after him in Montego Bay, Jamaica. No one knows what he looked like, as there are no drawings, photographs, paintings or etchings of him. The portrait of him on the Jamaican $50 bill is an artist’s impression, commissioned by the Jamaican government in1975.
The uprising that bears Sharpe’s name began on Christmas Day on the West Coast of Jamaica in 1831. Born into slavery in St James, Jamaica, sometime around 1801, Sharpe was converted to Christianity in the Baptist Church. He rose quickly to become a deacon and leader of the enslaved Christians in Montego Bay. Today, his ‘rebellion’ is considered the largest enslaved uprising in the history of the British Empire, with over 60,000 enslaved taking part.
It started as an initial strike for better wages and improved working and living conditions, but with years of pent-up outrage and oppression, it turned violent. What Sharpe and his followers demanded was precisely what the missionaries had taught them and what Sharpe himself had read – the simple message that all people are ‘one in Christ Jesus’ and that everyone, including the enslaved, are equal in His sight.
The determination of Sharpe and his followers was further fuelled by rumours –brought by sailors who worked on the trading ships and circulated among the enslaved who had overheard conversations in the ‘Big
House’ – that the King of England had declared an end to slavery and had granted ‘freedom papers’, but that the colonial administration and plantation owners in Jamaica were suppressing the decree.
The uprising, which lasted from December 25th, 1831, until January 4th, 1832, was brutally suppressed by the soldiers and gun boats deployed by the administration. Fourteen planters were killed, along with over 200 enslaved people. In retaliation, the government executed over 3,000 enslaved, hanging them and cutting off their heads, then placing the heads onto poles around the plantations, as a warning to anyone contemplating a similar rebellion.
Sam Sharpe was ultimately betrayed by the Maroons – people who had themselves fought against the colonial administration for over 70 years, before reaching an agreement that secured their autonomy in exchange for returning runaway enslaves. On May 23rd, 1832, as Sharpe was led to the gallows, he is reported to have declared: “I would rather die upon yonder gallows than live in slavery.”
What are we to make of Sam Sharpe’s rebellion? Quite a lot really, for although it is often reduced to a mere footnote in the history of emancipation and the abolition movement, Sharpe’s rebellion was central to both. His uprising sent shock waves throughout the British Empire and Britain itself, galvanising the
abolitionist movement at a critical moment. The rebellion coincided with a number of powerful forces coming together. Firstly, it helped to weaken the powerful West Indian interest in the British Parliament, with the rise of the industrial class. It also clearly showed what was possible with the growing realisation that sugar production had become increasingly uneconomic. Also, falling prices – driven down by competition from Brazil and Cuba – along with the depletion of the soil, meant that, as Eric Williams would later
argue, in Capitalism and Slavery, that ‘slavery and plantation had become uneconomic’, with Britain earning less from sugar than it was investing in it.
Sharpe’s rebellion also exposed that plantation owners in Jamaica and throughout the West Indies – many of whom were absentee landlords – had very little emotional attachment to the area, unlike plantation owners in America. The sole interest of plantation owners in the West Indies was how much profit they could earn, and therefore what the uprising showed was what the future might hold, if no changes were made in the region. It prompted many planters to negotiate with the government for a compensation (reparation?) in exchange for agreeing to abolition.
In December 1832, the Abolition Bill was introduced in Parliament and received royal assent. The ‘free paper’ that Sharpe and his followers had long been waiting for finally reached Jamaica, bringing freedom to the 300,000 enslaved people of the island and throughout the British Empire.
Former BBC producer, founder of Roy Francis Productions and author www.royfrancis.co.uk
Chioma Fanawopo provides steps parents and families can take to make their children’s Christmas a memorable one
Christmas is such a beautiful time of year but, if we’re honest, it can also bring its fair share of pressure for parents. Whether you’re raising children together or co-parenting across two homes, there are always decisions to make – how much to spend, whose family to visit, and how to make sure the children feel loved and secure.
I know this from both personal experience and from my work as a parent-and-teen coach. I’m a co-parent myself, and I’ve walked through those awkward, emotional Christmas conversations. But I’ve also seen how much smoother things can be when families keep the focus on what really matters – the children.
Start early and keep the peace Children do best when they know what to expect, and planning early is one of the simplest ways to create calm during Christmas.
If you’re co-parenting, sit down in November (yes, that early!) and make a clear plan for the holidays. Who has the children on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day? How will you handle gift-giving? The earlier you decide, the less stress there will be for everyone. When my children were younger, their dad and I agreed to alternate Christmas Day each year. It wasn’t perfect – it rarely is – but it gave our children consistency and kept things fair.
And, if you’re parenting together, the same principle applies. Sit down and talk about the festive season before it sneaks up on you.
Be honest about what matters most to each of you and find middle ground.
Proverbs 16:3 says: ‘Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.’ That includes Christmas planning too!
Budget with love, not pressure Christmas can easily turn into a spending contest – especially whenever guilt or competition creeps in. Whether you’re together or co-parenting, it’s so important to set a realistic budget and stick to it.
One year, my co-parent and I decided that instead of lots of gifts, we’d each buy one special present and focus on shared experiences – baking, movie nights, or seeing the Christmas lights. My children still talk about those memories years later.
For parents living together, sit down and agree on a spending limit that works for your family. It stops one person feeling like the “bad guy” and teaches the children that love doesn’t come with a price tag.
Luke 12:15 reminds us: ‘“Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”’ The memories we make are what our children will treasure most.
Whose family this year? Finding the right balance
Ah, the big question: Where do we spend Christmas? This can be one of the trickiest parts of planning, whether you’re co-parenting or married. Everyone wants a piece of the day and, before you know it, you’re spending Christmas driving from house to house instead of enjoying it.
If you’re co-parenting, remember that your children have the right to enjoy all sides of their family – without guilt. Speak positively about their time with the other parent. It sends a powerful message of love and maturity. If you’re parenting together, talk openly about family expectations. You might decide to alternate years – one year with your family, the next with
your partner’s – or split the day if that feels right. Or visit one family on Christmas Day and the other family on Boxing Day, then alternate each year. This is what we did.
I once worked with a couple who always argued about whose parents to visit. Eventually, they agreed to spend Christmas morning at home with their children; lunch with one side of the family; and Boxing Day with the other. It completely changed the atmosphere. Romans 12:18 says: ‘If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.’ Sometimes peace means being flexible – and that’s okay.
With all the planning and presents, it’s easy
to forget why we celebrate in the first place. But the heart of Christmas is Jesus – His love, His peace and His presence.
In my home, before we open any gift, we tend to attend Christmas service and be reminded of the Reason for the season. Everything we have – family, love, even the breath in our lungs – comes from Him. You may create your own tradition, like attending a carol service, lighting an Advent candle, or writing down things you’re grateful for as a family. Those faith-filled moments create memories that stick.
Christmas doesn’t have to be ‘perfect’ to be special. Your children will remember how the season felt far more than what they got. So, choose peace over pressure. Focus on presence over presents. And let grace guide your words and actions. When we centre Christmas on love – for our children and for Christ – we give our families the greatest gift of all: a peaceful, joy-filled home.
Gary Clayton looks at attempts made over the centuries to ban Christmas Day and how, in spite of these efforts, it remains one of the most important days in the calendar
According to an old friend: “Christmas sucks!”
Although the festival is celebrated by millions of people worldwide, he points out that the Bible doesn’t give the year of Jesus’ birth; the date wasn’t agreed on in the West until about 350AD, and it’s highly unlikely that sheep would have been in the fields at night if Jesus had been born in the ‘bleak midwinter’, i.e. 25th December.
So, because of all this, I haven’t always been that big a fan, though I guess I’ve mellowed somewhat. But you’d have to ask my wife if that’s true – she loves Christmas!
Though I haven’t necessarily changed my mind about certain aspects of the festival, I do see some merit in celebrating the most significant birth in history, and using the period to worship the Lord; help spread the message of ‘peace on earth’ (Luke 2:14); and spend time with family and friends.
I also find it interesting that, over the centuries, different political regimes have sought to cancel Christmas – although the Puritans who did so in the mid-17th century did it because they regarded it as an excuse for drunkenness, promiscuity, gambling and excess.
Later, in 1793, the revolutionary government in France not only sought to ban Christmas, but killed hundreds of priests, closed churches, and ‘converted’ Notre-Dame Cathedral into a ‘Temple of Reason’.
Catholicism – France’s official state religion – was eventually replaced with the short-lived Cult of Reason; the atheistic ‘faith’ lasted about a year before it was supplanted by the Cult of the Supreme Being, which only lasted six weeks!
Because the Gregorian calendar was
thought to be too closely aligned with the Church, it was changed to a Republican calendar. This replaced the traditional seven -day week with twelve 30-day months, each of which was divided into three 10-day cycles, with five or six days added at the end of the year.
The days, dates and months were dedicated to animals, natural elements and descriptions of the seasons. So, to avoid any reference to Jesus’ birth, 25th December is said to have become ‘Dog Day’, taking place on the fifth day of the newly named month of Nivôse or ‘Snowy’. (I wonder if Tintin would have approved!)
But when the revolutionary regime finally collapsed in 1799, Christmas eventually returned.
Then, in 1917, when the Bolsheviks seized control in Russia, Christmas again came under attack, with Stalin eventually abolishing it in 1929 as part of his campaign against Christianity.
Christmas became a normal working day, and the selling of conifer trees a criminal offence. Volunteers were even tasked with going from one apartment to another to check if any trees had been put up in secret. Anyone who broke the rules risked arrest.
And yet, in 1935, Christmas returned, albeit in a far more secular form. It was due to the need for Stalin to improve morale following his disastrous man-made famine which caused millions to perish. The celebrations were, however, moved to New Year’s Eve to avoid religious associations!
The USSR also saw the return of Ded Moroz (‘Grandfather Frost’) – Father Christmas’ slimline Russian rival. Unlike the capitalistic Santa Claus, he is said to have asked children: “To whom do we owe all the good things in our socialist society?” The answer was, of
course, “Stalin.”
Decades later, as we’ll see, the more traditional Christmas returned.
Unfortunately, two years before Stalin lifted his original ban on Christmas, Hitler came to power in Germany. He too tried to get rid of Christmas – partly because of its Christian associations, but also because Jesus was Jewish!
But rather than killing it off completely, the Nazis attempted to ‘reclaim’ it by emphasising the Germanic origins of the originally pagan Yuletide festival and encouraging its widespread celebration.
Abandoning Jesus – the ‘Reason for the season’ – members of the Hitler Youth held torchlit parades, stormtroopers sang carols and militaristic marching songs, and women decorated their ‘people’s Christmas trees’ with runic symbols, like those employed by the SS. They also placed sinister-looking sun wheels on top of their trees.
But, when the ‘Thousand-Year Reich’ fell apart in 1945 after only 12 years, with Hitler shooting himself in a Berlin bunker, Christmas again returned, as it did in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
So, whatever my friend might think of the festival, with Christmas surviving the Puritans, the French Revolution, the Communists and the Nazis, it’ll probably survive anything – which might not be such a bad thing after all...
GARY CLAYTON has been writing/editing for various missionary organisations since becoming a Christian in his early twenties.
The publication of an updated and expanded English version of the international bestseller God, the Science, the Evidence—which has sold over 400,000 copies in French, Spanish, and Italian— marks a major milestone in the revival of interest in the scientific evidence for the existence of God.
Can the existence of God be known with certainty through the natural light of reason, by rationality alone, without faith?
For centuries, this was a widely accepted belief, yet modern science once seemed to dispute it. As scientific understanding grew, many began to explain the workings of the world without reference to a Creator. This rational, materialistic approach dominated much of the 19th and 20th centuries.
But over the past hundred years, extraordinary scientific discoveries have reshaped that narrative. The evidence now points toward a profound reversal, one that reopens the question of God’s existence.
God, the Science, the Evidence, investigates one fundamental question, the existence of a creator God, through a single approach: reason. A dozen distinct scientific, philosophical, and historical domains are explored, examining the probability of God’s existence based on modern knowledge.
Ultimately, the reader is the jury. Each person must decide for themselves what is most reasonable to believe, based on the evidence presented.
The book makes no secret of the conclusion: materialism, once thought to be the rational stance, is now an irrational belief. Today, a vast and convergent body of evidence affirms the existence of God beyond a reasonable doubt.
What makes this inquiry possible is that the hypothesis of God’s nonexistence has specific, real-world implications. If God does not exist, then:
• The universe cannot have had an absolute beginning; it must always have existed.
• Chance alone must govern everything, in both physics and biology.
• Good and evil have no objective meaning.
• Prophecies, miracles, apparitions, and revelations must be impossible.
Each of these claims can be tested rationally, and modern science allows us to assess many of them with unprecedented precision. Across numerous disciplines, three key findings converge:
Our universe consists of time, space, and matter, three inseparable realities, as Einstein demonstrated. His theories not only unified these elements but also made testable predictions that were swiftly confirmed by observation. No philosopher or thinker could have imagined this 150 years ago, yet it is now universally accepted.
Multiple scientific fields, from cosmology to thermodynamics, support the conclusion that the universe had an absolute beginning. The cosmos of time, space, and matter did not always exist, and they came into existence together.
The fundamental parameters that define our universe are extraordinarily precise. The conditions that allow stable atoms, long-lived stars, and ultimately, life itself, are so finely balanced that even slight deviations would render existence impossible.
And all this has immense implications. If time, space, and matter had a beginning, their cause must be non-temporal, non-spatial, and non-material, that is, transcendent to the universe. This cause must also possess immense creative power and the ability to calibrate the cosmos with astonishing precision. Through science, we find ourselves describing precisely what classical philosophy and religion have long called God.
Modern science now places humanity at a crossroads. In light of the evidence, each person must ask: which explanation is more reasonable?
Science has come full circle. The philosophical proofs and the countless evidences of Revelation—miracles, apparitions, saints, and testimonies of personal encounters with the divine—all remain valid. Together, they form a unified picture: science, philosophy, and faith now point in the same direction. We stand in a new moment in history, one where everything converges.
God, the Science, the Evidence is unique in its comprehensive, accessible, and rigorously factual approach, may mark a turning point in the modern debate over God’s existence.
To purchase visit www.godthesciencetheevidence.com
Marcia Lennon is a legal executive at an investment bank and director of Faithworks Gospel Choir. She is also a living testimony. Thirty-five years ago she was diagnosed with cancer and sent home to die. However, she experienced physical healing after receiving prayer. She shares with Keep The Faith her response to the diagnosis, her healing, and how she shares the goodness of God with others.
KEEP THE FAITH (KTF): Marcia, can you take us back to when you were first diagnosed with cancer? What do you remember about that time?
MARCIA LENNON (ML): I was in my mid-20s, living in Battersea, when I started feeling unwell – fatigued, bloated and with painful lumps on my stomach and thighs. My mother took me to our GP, Mr Saeed, who arranged tests at St George’s Hospital. When the results came back, the doctors said I had ovarian cancer.
At first, I couldn’t comprehend it. I went into complete denial. I remember thinking:
“I’m a Christian, I’m God’s child, I sing in the church choir... How could this happen to me?” My mother tried to console me, saying: “You’re special,” but I knew she was just trying to soften the blow. I was terrified. Back then, I believed cancer was a death sentence.
KTF: That diagnosis must have been devastating for you. How did you react?
ML: I cried, I prayed, and I asked God: “Why me?” But even in that darkness, prayer brought me comfort. Eventually, I began chemotherapy at Hammersmith Hospital. After two treatments, my doctor told my mother the words no one
wants to hear: “We can’t cure her.” He advised that I be taken home to rest, because there was nothing more they could do.
I became so frail I could hardly walk. Yet something inside me insisted: “Go to church.” My mother begged me to stay home, but I told her: “God said I need to be in His house.” Reluctantly, she helped me get dressed and took me to the New Testament Assembly in Tooting. When I entered, the congregation applauded – they hadn’t seen me for months.
Sister Powell, one of the elders, asked for a chair to be placed at the front. She said: “Only those who truly believe in God’s healing power should come and pray.” A small group gathered – Bishop Bernard, Bishop Powell, Sister Buckley, Sister Newman – and they laid hands on me. As they prayed, I felt something indescribable – warmth and light filling my body. Suddenly, the heaviness left me. I wanted to eat again. I knew I had been healed.
'Healing isn't just physical; it's spiritual. Through faith, prayer and obedience, we can access the divine.'
KTF: That’s remarkable. How did you confirm that you had been healed?
ML: A few days later, I returned to the hospital for another appointment. I insisted on a new scan even though the doctors thought it unnecessary. When the results came back, the grey mass that had once covered my ovaries was gone. The consultant was baffled. My parents were speechless. I looked at my mother and said: “I told you. God healed me.” From that day on, I’ve never needed further treatment.
KTF: How did that experience impact your relationship with God?
ML: It completely transformed my understanding of who God is. Before, I believed in Him; after, I knew Him. It showed me that God isn’t distant – He’s intimately involved in our lives and our suffering. Healing isn’t just physical; it’s spiritual. Through faith, prayer and obedience, we can access the divine. That miracle gave me a deeper conviction that God’s power is real and available to everyone who believes.
KTF: I know you often used to visit and pray with the sick. Do you still do that today?
ML: Very much so. I see it as part of my
'Never give up. When everything seems hopeless, keep believing.
If God could heal me of terminal cancer, He can heal you.'
calling. I visit hospitals, pray for the sick, and even do quiet street ministry in Croydon. I’ll buy food or cake for people on the streets, talk to them, pray with them, and remind them that God loves them. I’m never afraid because God gives me courage.
Recently, I prayed for a dear friend named Mary, a fellow choir member who was gravely ill. The day after I prayed, she called me “woman of God” and told me she felt new life in her body. Sadly, she passed away weeks later, but I believe God gave her that moment of peace.
Then there was another friend, Lorraine, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. I prayed over her, told her God would heal her,
and encouraged her to ask for another scan before surgery. When she did, the doctors found no trace of cancer. She texted me to say: “Marcia, I’m healed!”
KTF: Incredible testimonies. Have there been other times when your faith was tested?
ML: Oh yes. After my healing, I thought my biggest test was behind me, but life brings other storms. I married at 41, believing it was forever, but 15 years later I found myself facing divorce due to my husband’s infidelity. I felt crushed. I remember crying out: “God, what have I done to deserve this?”
For a long time, all I could do was weep before God. But years later, He answered me – with restoration. I married a wonderful man of God, someone who truly complements me. That experience taught me that even in heartbreak, God’s plans are good.
KTF: You’ve led choirs for many years. When did that journey begin?
ML: I joined my first choir at 19 and later became the director of the Beechcroft New Testament Assembly Choir in Tooting, where I served for more than 20 years. Music was my way of expressing gratitude to God for sparing my life. Leading choirs allowed me to see how gospel music can transform people –sometimes more than a sermon can.
KTF: You now lead the Faithworks Gospel Choir, which came out of the Premier Gospel Choir. Tell me about that.
ML: When Premier Gospel could no longer fund the choir, the members didn’t want to disband. They asked me to continue leading them, and that’s how Faithworks Choir was born – 16 years ago now. I financed much of it
myself, but it was worth it. The choir became a family, a place of healing and growth. I don’t just teach notes and harmony; I mentor, pray and support members through personal struggles. It’s like a spiritual hospital where music is the medicine and God is the Healer.
KTF: You’ve sung across the world. Which moments stand out most for you?
ML: Singing for Queen Elizabeth II was the highlight of my musical career. After our performance, she came up, shook my hand, and said: “How do you do what you do? I was watching your feet and arms – you’re full of energy!” I told her: “Your Majesty, I’m nervous before I begin, but once I start, the Spirit of God takes over.”
We’ve also sung in Portugal, Los Angeles, Miami, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Barbados and reached the finals of BBC Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year twice.
KTF: What keeps you passionate about leading choirs after all these years?
ML: Seeing people’s faces when the music touches them. Many come to me after a concert in tears, saying: “I’m not usually emotional, but I couldn’t stop crying.”
Gospel music enriches lives and creates an atmosphere where faith can grow. It reminds me of Psalm 16:11 – ‘In His presence there is fullness of joy.’ Every rehearsal and every performance is a chance to share that joy.
KTF: You’ve lived through miracles, loss and renewal. What message do you hope your life communicates to others who are struggling?
ML: Never give up. When everything seems hopeless, keep believing. If God could heal me of terminal cancer, He can heal you. Healing begins with faith. It’s not just about someone praying for you; it’s about you believing that God can and will move in your situation.
Faith is a partnership between you and God. You pray, you believe, and then you let God do what only He can do. His healing isn’t external – it starts in the heart of the believer. God’s love is constant. He’s not detached from our pain; He’s right there in the middle of it.
KTF: Finally, as Christmas and the New Year approach, how will you be celebrating?
ML: With my family, as always. Christmas is about love, gratitude, and remembering the birth of Jesus – the ultimate expression of God’s love. It’s also a time to reflect on how far He’s brought me. I shouldn’t be here today, but by His grace, I am. So, I’ll celebrate with songs of praise, laughter with loved ones, and thankfulness for life itself. Miracles still happen.
Keep The Faith turns the spotlight on some social media channels that will keep you informed, uplifted and empowered during the Christmas season and beyond
With more and more people turning away from terrestrial TV and tuning instead to the thousands of channels on social media for their news, entertainment and education, Keep The Faith has compiled a list of YouTube channels and podcasts for you to check out over the Christmas season.
The Beat by Allen Parr
If you lack Bible knowledge, want a biblical perspective on what’s happening in the world and church, or a deep dive into a controversial scriptural issue, check out The Beat by Allen Parr. This master’s graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary has a passion to expound the Word of God with others. Since launching his YouTube channel, The Beat, in 2015, he has uploaded 1,100 videos and has covered topics such as tithing, End Times, sexuality, pop culture, false Bible teachers and more. Aside from making YouTube videos, Parr is also an author, speaker and founder of Let’s Equip – a website which creates courses designed to increase biblical literacy and encourage spiritual growth.
Visit www.allenparr.com
Micah McLean Talks
This video podcast features interviews with business owners, gospel artists and public figures and is conducted by Black British Christian Micah McLean, who was featured in the 2024 Keep The Faith list of Young Christians of Influence. His interviews with leading business owners have proven particularly popular and his podcast has been mentioned in national media publications, including the Daily Mail. Launched in 2020, the channel contains over 940 interviews with people like Sir Alan Sugar, presenter on BBC TV’s The Apprentice, gospel artist Kirk Franklin, and Ann Hegerty of ITV’s The Chase
Follow on Instagram @micahmcleantalks
If you want to watch a YouTube channel that has a focus on interviewing predominantly British Christians and Brits making an impact, do a search for Conversations with Haych Presented by DJ Haych, interviewees have included CalledOut Music, Muyiwa, Poetess Jess, Imrhan and American comedian Kev On Stage. The channel also includes album reviews and barber shop conversations with predominantly British subjects.
Visit www.djhaych.com
Courtney Daniella Boateng and Renée Kapuku copresent popular podcast To My Sisters, which touches on all aspects of life impacting women, such as relationships, work, leisure and Christian living. These two influential women have cultivated this podcast as part of the To My Sisters movement, which also comprises of events, workshops and public speaking. Topics covered in recent YouTube shows include ‘Why are Christian Husbands Embarrassing Their Wives Online?’, ‘Finding Yourself After Being There For Everyone Else’, and ‘The Gospel of Feel-Good: Has SelfHealing Replaced Holiness?’
Visit www.tomysisters.com
In his native US, this Christian YouTuber is Jason Wilson, founder of the Cave of Adullam
Transformational Training Academy (CATTA), which provides martial arts training for African American boys and helps them overcome negative emotions so they grow up into successful men. His podcasts have a focus on men’s issues with subjects including ‘When Your Wife Becomes Your Mother’, ‘When Helping Others Hurts You’, ‘Save Yourself’, ‘How to Respond When Your Son Goes Silent’ and ‘Millionaire Mindset: What They Don’t Tell You’.
Visit www.mrjasonwilson.com
Pastor Well Podcast with Hershael York
Being a church leader comes with its own unique issues and problems, and the Pastor Well podcast, presented by Baptist minister Hershael York, provides solutions to some of the scenarios a pastor will encounter. His podcasts are interesting, insightful and full of answers to questions a pastor might have or scenarios he might encounter. Topics covered include ‘Bringing Men into the Church’, ‘Being With Those on Their Deathbed’, ‘Working Through Pastoral Envy’ and ‘Raising Funds for Capital Projects’.
The podcast is on the Southern Seminary Channel, @SouthernSeminary
Come See Podcast with Dami Okeke Christians experience various challenges and experiences prior to giving their lives to Jesus – and afterwards too. The Come See podcast, presented by Dami Okeke, provides a platform for ordinary men and women, and a few well-known individuals within the Black Christian space, to share their stories and spiritual journey. Individuals featured include people talking about being healed from cancer, overcoming marital challenges, starting a business, giving up a promiscuous lifestyle, trusting God, and unbelief.
Watch www.youtube.com/@ComeSeePodcast
Shirley Anstis provides some guidelines on how carers and those who work in caring professions can put themselves first over Christmas and beyond
Caring for others has long been at the heart of faith. Whether you are a carer, foster parent, welfare officer, pastor, therapist or nurse, you will know what it feels like to be responsible for the care of another person. It is a beautiful thing to be able to care for others, but it can also be a strain on the carer.
But what toll does caring take on the carer? Carers can be looking after people physically, socially, mentally and emotionally. They can experience exhaustion, compassion fatigue, burnout and illness.
Many carers lose themselves in the caring role and forget to look after themselves. Self-care is when we take time to care for ourselves. It is not indulgent, and it is very necessary. Self-care is recognising our human frailty and valuing the life we’ve been given.
If you are a carer, here are some ways you can show yourself some self-care:
Have clear boundaries
This means deciding what spaces you need in your life and what you might do to look after yourself. Maybe it’s about giving yourself permission to say no to things you don’t want to do. Perhaps it’s switching off your phone. Protected or scheduled time can then be used to do self-care activities that leave you feeling looked after.
Sleep is so important for our health and well-being, yet we do not prioritise it enough. Our modern way of living keeps us exposed to too much artificial light and technology, negatively affecting our sleep. There is also a lot of anxiety in our world, so we often find it hard to switch off. We need to follow all the
best advice available on how to get good restful sleep.
Be creative
Increasing our creativity also helps us to stay well. It is about expressing yourself through your creations. For some, it might be making music, baking a cake, or painting a shed. For me, this includes journalling, photography, painting, and sometimes writing poetry. These activities help me to de-stress. What does creativity mean to you?
Our human bodies are restored by time in nature. Even when we can’t see or feel the sun, standing on grass under the sky is beneficial for our bodies. Being in nature helps to calm us. This could be anywhere – from a tiny garden to a large public park. Being outside at least once a day helps to improve the quality of our sleep too.
What we read, watch, and listen to will affect our minds. Are you taking in information that gives you hope, or does it increase worry? Do you lose hours, with no awareness of how you spent the time? Personally, I find that learning new things expands my life to include surprising things. You might decide to take one hour a week to attend a foreign language, art or drama class, for instance.
Sometimes when we’re looking after people, we forget about caring for our own bodies. Eating healthy food helps to nourish our bodies. Exercise or movement also help to keep us well. Exercise could be walking, dancing, Pilates, swimming, biking or running. Any exercise is better than none.
Faith, music, culture can all be seen as part of soul care. We can support this aspect of our well-being through prayer, meditation and mindfulness. We could also practise gratitude/thanksgiving which has been shown to increase our well-being.
So often as carers we can feel that we must do it alone. Asking for help when needed shows both vulnerability and strength. As a parent to a special child, my husband and I have had to be open to many people in our network to get the help we need for our son. You may also need to ask for help for yourself to make your life less stressful.
As we approach the busyness of the holiday season and begin to think of the year ahead, we can include self-care so that we remain well and are able to show up for others. Perhaps we can also organise to support those in our community who find themselves taking on this incredible role.
BY MARCIA DIXON MBE
The great thing about the Christmas and New Year season is that it gives us all (except church leaders and emergency workers) an opportunity to press pause, stop work – even if just for a day – to relax, chill and give thanks to God for life and for the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Being able to take a breather – amidst watching TV re-runs, visiting friends, opening gifts, attending the sales, and the Christmas and watchnight services – means we can carve out time to think, reflect and plan.
Our thoughts may be tinged with grief, as we think about loved ones who have passed; or feelings of pride for reaching personal milestones; failure for not reaching them; or sadness at letting ourselves or others down. However, as Christians, no matter what our year has been like, the festive season is a great time to meditate on the Christmas Story which changed the world.
When the virgin Mary gave birth to Christ, an angel shared details of this historical moment with humble shepherds, stating: “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” After sharing the news, Luke writes: ‘Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests”’ (see Luke 2:10–14).
Jesus was born to bring hope, to bridge the gulf between God and humanity, and to enable people to enjoy a right relationship with God. His birth, subsequent death and resurrection have achieved these things.
It’s evident – ever since the birth of the
Church – that one of the great outcomes that happens when people decide to follow Christ is that they experience (or should do) character transformation and exhibit qualities, such as kindness, love, peace, joy, goodness and more.
It’s also evident that the Spirit of Christ permeates the world at Christmas time – it’s the only reason I can think for the overflow of kindness, love, goodness and charitable acts that occur across the world during this period.
So, before we start our Christmas celebrations – or, in my words, enter the season where we pause – in the words of John Wesley, let’s aim to ‘Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
In all the ways you can
In all the places you can
At all the times you can
To all the people you can
As long as ever you can.’
Promise yourself that, during 2026, you are going to talk to yourself in the same way you would to a friend, colleague or someone you love.
Don’t beat yourself up or hate any negative traits you may have. You're human, not perfect. However, make it a habit to bring your negative attributes to God and ask Him to help you overcome them. This is a prayer He’ll answer.
More importantly, speak positive things to yourself. Tell yourself you're loved by God and that He sent His Son to die for you. Remind yourself that you are made in God’s image and that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Remember that no situation you find yourself in life is too difficult to deal with, because if you have faith, all things are possible.
And, lastly, never forget that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Amen
It’s my hope that, in 2026, wider society takes more action to tackle the longstanding issue of fatherlessness.
Research confirms what Scripture says about fathers: they are intrinsic to the healthy development of children, especially boys. Research also highlights that poverty, poor educational attainment, and fatherlessness are deadly combinations and a major contributory factor to criminality.
Thank God there are a growing number of men talking about fatherlessness and other issues that affect them, but more needs to be said and done.
My question is: ‘Where are the church-based male mentoring programmes for young boys and teenagers – especially those who have no relationship with their fathers?’ And if churches can’t run them, are they partnering with or supporting organisations that do run these types of initiatives?
Such initiatives work. There are many young men experiencing success in their education and career due to being mentored and being given the opportunity to be in inspirational environments so they can get an idea of what’s possible. Such activities need to be done on a wider scale.
It’s important we do all we can to help lay a solid foundation from which our young people can thrive. Positive male fathering/mentoring will help to do that.
Church leader Dr Joe Aldred explains the theological and cultural reasons that led him to step down as bishop in the Pentecostal denomination he joined at 11
Born, brought up and inducted into church life in the rural community of Top Mountain, St Catherine, Jamaica, during the 1950s and 60s before emigrating to England, I never imagined I would become a bishop in the denomination that has been my family church in Jamaica and in England. Now, after decades of ministry in this USA-based Pentecostal denomination, I have resigned as bishop. I can no longer, with spiritual or intellectual integrity, defend the faith as taught by my denomination.
I arrived at this conclusion over 30 years ago and pivoted from pastor and bishop to pursue a career in intercultural ecumenism and education, but hesitated because I did not want to disappoint those I cared for, whom I had met through the church.
My earliest intellectual and spiritual challenges within the denomination began to surface as I matured. I realised my denomination is similar to other Pentecostal denominations, with roots in the Holiness Pentecostal movement of the 19th century, emerging in the Deep South of the United States. I have become increasingly aware of disturbing theological and doctrinal peculiarities, particularly regarding pneumatology and the way the Holy Spirit is evidenced in the lives of believers. As the years went by, my holding the office of bishop became untenable, as I felt increasingly unable to offer apologetics for several areas of my denomination’s teachings and practices. I categorise my concerns under three headings: theological/doctrinal, ecclesiological, and cultural.
Theologically/doctrinally, my denomination’s teachings are rooted in the perspectives of its white Holiness/Pentecostal pioneers. Bad doctrines, taught catechistically by a denomination, have real-life impact upon its members, usually empowering leaders, while disempowering and harming lay people. Doctrines – such as a three-fold salvific formula (justification, sanctification and glorification); insistence on tongues as ‘initial evidence’ of Holy Spirit baptism; strictures about women’s attire and ministry; jewellery; tithing; divine healing; et al. – in my experience have been limiting and, at times, injurious.
Ecclesiologically, the denomination functions as a blending of congregational and episcopal systems, but with interpretative authority overwhelmingly centralised in the USA. The General Assembly, which has always convened in the United States for over 150 years, is led by an American overseer – now (more sensitively) renamed ‘International Presiding Bishop’. Because the denomination places great emphasis on outward displays of holiness and spirituality, it inadvertently neglects the deeper, more meaningful attributes of faith and God’s grace that should be supported by sound liturgy.
Culturally, my denomination’s identity is heavily influenced by American culture, extending a kind of neo-colonial dominance that overlays its manifestations worldwide. As someone proud of my African heritage, shaped by experiences in Jamaica, the Caribbean, and the UK, I struggle with my church functioning as an American ecclesial British outpost. I have concluded that only full national autonomy within the denomination can suffice.
As the Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 5:1, ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free’, church should therefore nurture our sense of liberation, not act as a tool of constraint or, worse, as an instrument of spiritual or cultural oppression. Sadly, I have come to see that my denomination’s theology, ecclesial structure, and
culture together amount to a systemic thwarting of the spiritual lives of its lay members. Those who survive have had to discover alternative sources of spiritual sustenance, besides that offered by the denomination.
Since I pivoted, back in 1996, I have undertaken further studies, culminating in a PhD from Sheffield University; become involved in both secular and Christian broadcasting; written and edited nine books, numerous chapters and articles; as well as engaging in public advocacy and theology. Like other organisations, churches must choose whether to move forward or to retreat nostalgically towards a perceived golden past. In my observation, my denomination has increasingly become tethered to this regressive trajectory. I have no desire to be a defender and promoter of such retreat. Counterintuitively, my denomination in the UK has excelled in areas such as social housing and property acquisition. This is thanks to the vision and tenacity of the Black-led UK leadership – and may be a pointer towards a better future.
My hope is that my church in the UK and elsewhere can discover the theological/doctrinal, ecclesial and cultural autonomy it needs to chart a course better suited to the flourishing of its people and the nations in which it ministers. For now, I remain grateful for the ways my journey has shaped me, but aware that true spiritual growth sometimes requires letting go of titles and positions to embrace a more authentic self and calling. In laying down the title of bishop, my place now as a lay member in my
Former pastor and bishop, retired ecumenist, broadcaster, writer and speaker
Marcia Dixon MBE encourages Britain’s Black-majority churches (BMCs) to start documenting their history to leave a legacy and inspire future generations
There are two main reasons why we know about the characters and events in Scripture: people were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write about them, and God thought their stories were worth telling.
Stories – defined by dictionary.com as ‘a narrative, either true or fictitious, in prose or verse, designed to interest, amuse or instruct the hearer or reader’ – remain a powerful tool to connect with others. That’s why the Arts, essentially a medium through which stories can be told, remain so popular today.
Stories provide us with opportunities to understand, sympathise, empathise or be enlightened by the experiences of others. And this is true whether the stories are autobiographical (where someone writes about their life or shares the story of a business, organisation or movement they founded) or biographical (where someone writes about the life of someone else, their organisation, or a fictional story).
Jesus’ parables were short, fictitious stories He told to illustrate a religious principle or to deepen people’s understanding of God, and they have endured for centuries. Why? Because people are able to connect deeply with the scenarios depicted. And they are memorable too.
The story of how the Black Church in Britain came to be is an amazing story. It’s a movement that provided a spiritual sanctuary and community for Caribbean migrants when they settled in the UK between the 1950s and 1970s.
Our churches have developed and evolved over the years, and the migration of the Christians from African countries since the
1980s has added a new and exciting dimension to the Black Church experience.
There’s no doubt the Black Church community has impacted British society in various ways. These include musically, influencing worship styles as well as secular music; providing the foundation for Britain’s growing Black middle class; motivating people to start their own businesses; and serving as inspiration for Britain’s wider Christian movement.
The impact of the Black Church has been major, and our stories need to be told.
I don’t know if anyone has noticed, but soon there won’t be any pioneers of the Black Church movement left here in Britain –leaders as well as members – as they are being called home to glory.
This is why it's important for churches – both individual congregations and national denominations – to properly document their stories of how they came to be; their key achievements; their work of changing lives through preaching the Gospel; and their acts of service in the community.
When a church records its story, it serves as a written proof of that church's legacy and history that future generations can read. It will also serve as inspiration for others, as they read about the individuals who played major roles in establishing churches.
There are so many ways stories about our churches can be recorded. They can be written and published in a book, magazine or brochure format. They can be recorded on video, shared in a podcast, and/or documented via a photo exhibition.
During 2026, I want to challenge church
leaders and congregations to start writing and documenting your stories. Your members will be inspired by them, the wider community will welcome them, and future generations will learn from them.
The time to write the story of your church is now.
Thankfully some books have already been published. Here are a few of them.
Flourishing in Babylon: Black British Agency and Self-Determination by Dr Joe Aldred, 2024
The Black Church in the 21st Century by Dr Joe Aldred and Keno Ogbo, 2010
How to Make Gospel Music Work for You by Roy Francis, 2021
Windrush and the Black Pentecostal Church in Britain by Roy Francis, 2024 Forward March by Rev Dr Oliver Lyseight (founder of the New Testament Church of God UK) and George Garwood, 1995
Bethel Begins: The Beginnings of Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic by Nicholas Myers, 2022
From an Acorn to an Oak Tree: The History of the New Testament Assembly by Richard Reddie, 2012
Look What the Lord Has Done!: An Exploration of Black Faith in Britain by Mark Sturge, 2005
Publisher/Editor, Keep The Faith; Founder of MD PR www.marciadixonpr.co.uk
Revd Wale Hudson-Roberts looks at the rise of Christian Nationalism and the Far Right and at some ways the Church can counter negativity towards immigrant communities
Surprise, surprise. More than 110,000 people took to the streets of London recently in protest for “free speech”, “real democracy”, and “peaceful disobedience”.
Crowds aligned themselves with Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – better known as Tommy Robinson – in what may have been one of the largest far-right demonstrations in England’s history. From across the country, marchers travelled to London for what was billed as a “Festival of Free Speech”.
And surprise, surprise again: Elon Musk appeared via video link, warning of the “rapid erosion” of Britain, before calling for the dissolution of Parliament.
Should we really be surprised by these supposed “surprises”? I think not.
Long before the rise of Trump, Farage, and Le Pen, immigrants and Muslims were scapegoated. Across large parts of Europe and America, Muslims have long been framed as threats to national security. This most recent wave of xenophobia cannot be viewed in isolation from the draconian immigration policies once championed by Theresa May.
I recall May’s 2012 Telegraph interview, in which she spoke of the Conservative Party’s aim to reduce immigration “by tens of thousands,” adding that she wanted to create a “really hostile environment” for illegal immigrants in the UK. Not long after, the Home Office sent vans across London bearing the now-infamous message beside a pair of handcuffs: “In the UK illegally? Go home or face arrest.”
That “hostile environment” soon hardened into a hostile society – fertile ground for figures
like Tommy Robinson, Donald Trump, and Charlie Kirk to portray themselves as the defenders of Christian nationalism.
My point is this: long before Trump’s forceful promotion of Christian nationalism, Britain had already been shifting from a culture of “tolerance” to one of intolerance, both religiously and racially. Christian nationalism has weaponised that transition, globalising it and rebranding it as white supremacy. While I can’t say I’m surprised by the inexorable rise of Christian nationalism seen in the Unite the Kingdom march on September 13th, I am deeply disturbed by its speed and intensity.
Some Christian denominations have eventually condemned far-right movements in Britain – and rightly so. Yet it remains unclear why so many churches were slow to challenge the insidious rhetoric of “protecting the rights of natives” over “non-natives”, all in the name of preserving an “exclusive cultural identity”. The parable of the Good Samaritan – even two millennia later – still speaks powerfully to the relationship between “natives” and “foreigners”.
The parable is one of Jesus’ own interpretations of love. Love, in this sense, is not about being a neighbour to others but about becoming a neighbour to others. Christians are not merely called to “like” the foreigner but to love the othered.
The story carries profound theological insight. The Samaritan – the foreigner – is the one who proves himself a neighbour, showing that neighbourliness must never discriminate. It transcends national boundaries and challenges us to receive love from those we might fear or despise.
Every human being, created in the image
of God, is a neighbour. This truth is embodied in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, whose love extended to all, regardless of race, religion, or status. The parable challenges Christians to practise an expansive, sacrificial love – a love that does, not merely describes. It is love in action. It’s no accident that Luke concludes with the word “do” rather than merely “believe.”
There are no surprises in Luke’s parable. It is a rebuke to those arrogant enough to love only people who look like them, and a command – not an invitation – to love all, including those who resemble the Samaritan and those who do not. Perhaps, then, the latter stand a better chance of “inheriting eternal life”.
So no, I’m not surprised by the rise of Christian nationalism. The social and political conditions have made it almost inevitable. What does surprise me, however, is the growing number of Christians – from both the Global South and Global North – who lend their support to a theology promoted by the likes of Kirk, Trump and Robinson. Their misuse of Scripture, especially on matters of race, gender, and human rights, is both alarming and dangerous.
For now, this issue remains the talk of the town. Let’s hope that the voices calling for justice and compassion remain steadfast and do not fade – as so many did in the months following the tragic murder of George Floyd.
For most teachers, few moments compare to the feeling at the end of the last day of term. The lights are switched off, the whiteboard cleaned, and a collective exhale ripples through the corridors. It’s the kind of relief and pleasure that only those who have spent weeks managing lessons, assessments and behaviour can truly understand.
Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions, yet it can also be physically and emotionally draining. The satisfaction of helping children grow and succeed often sits alongside the exhaustion of long hours, constant demands, and limited resources. For those, like me, who have spent years in the classroom, the rhythm of intensity followed by momentary rest is deeply familiar.
As a former primary school teacher, with 25 years of experience in inner-city schools, I understand this cycle intimately. My book, Exhale: Devotional Readings for Inner-City Teachers in a Challenging School Year, was born out of my own experience of the pressures, joys, and faith-testing moments in teaching.
Exhale is designed as a devotional resource with a difference. Rather than being a daily reading guide, it’s a collection, written specifically for teachers to use during their school holidays – those rare windows of time when educators can pause, reflect and recharge.
Most of the readings draw on stories from my own teaching career, many of which mirror what teachers continue to face today: the relentless pace, the emotional toll, and the challenge of maintaining motivation. What sets Exhale apart is its spiritual perspective. It offers reflections rooted in faith, reminding readers that teaching is not only a profession
Teachers have a pivotal but stressful role educating young people. Louise Isaac shared insights on her contribution to the well-being of teachers: her devotional called Exhale
but, for many, a calling.
Throughout my career, I gradually learned to recognise God’s hand in my work. I began to see teaching as a ministry to children – one that extends far beyond lessons and targets. Consequently, God would give me His help to keep going through each new academic year – term by term.
The insights I share are grounded in the realities of the modern classroom, yet they point towards hope and endurance. For educators of faith, my message is clear: challenges will come, but with faith in God and perspective, they can be met with renewed strength.
Between the devotional readings are ‘self-care pages’. These offer practical prompts that encourage teachers to intentionally plan to look after their physical and mental well-being during the holidays. They are reminders that self-care isn’t self-indulgence; it’s essential. The pressures of teaching require intentional restoration.
The self-care prompts include: journalling reflections, practical activities, and other ‘be-kind-to-yourself’ suggestions – all designed to help teachers return to the next term physically and mentally refreshed.
Exhale speaks particularly to Christian educators working in city schools – environments where challenges are often magnified by social and economic factors. I understand this context well and therefore write from a place of empathy and shared experience.
Although retired, my message to colleagues still in the classroom is one of perseverance and faithfulness. You are the everyday heroes of education. You bring stability, compassion and light into children’s lives – often without
recognition, and without realising it! Exhale is my way of saying, “Keep going. You are seen, and your work matters.”
See your teaching not only as a job but as a lifelong vocation that leaves an enduring legacy. As people of faith, receive this gentle reminder that every lesson taught and every child supported carries spiritual as well as educational significance.
Faith in God has sustained me throughout my teaching years. It helped me approach difficult days with perspective, and gave me the resilience to continue whenever things felt impossible.
At its heart, Exhale is about renewal – finding breath, balance and meaning in a demanding profession. It’s an invitation for teachers to step back, rest and rediscover their sense of purpose before stepping into a new term.
As the school Christmas holidays ensue and teachers, you finally find a moment to pause, Exhale offers encouragement to breathe deeply, reflect with gratitude, and keep the faith in both your calling and your classroom.
People say our health is our wealth. Dr Jacky McLeod gives some pointers on how you can improve your health and get fit in 2026
As winter sets in, cold mornings and shorter days can make staying active and motivated a real challenge. It’s tempting to stay under the duvet, comfort eat, and let yourself go, but the good news is that a few simple habits can help you stay healthy, boost your mood, and power you through to spring!
Short days and low sunlight cause your body to produce more melatonin and less serotonin, giving you that sleepy feeling, with low energy and low mood. An effective therapy is to intentionally open your blinds or curtains wide each morning, to maximise the light and brighten up your days.
We know that physical activity benefits health in a multitude of ways, providing a natural boost to energy levels. In practice, though, how do you achieve the recommended 30 minutes a day, five days a week, to maintain that feeling of wellness throughout the winter? For some, dancing along to your Top 10 playlist Monday to Friday could make it happen! For others, it’s choosing to walk more. A brisk walk can help reduce stress, improve sleep, and stave off that tendency for winter weight gain! A practical way to take a longer walk each week might be to complete laps of your local park, shopping centre, indoor market or art gallery. To help you stay committed through winter months, try making it social, invite a friend, or join a line dance group, Zumba or gym class for a season. More daylight and activity will give you a necessary energy boost in winter and help improve your quality of sleep.
Great food is key to winter wellness and, generally, the more natural the food, the better it is for you. It’s no accident that the array of foods we can choose from, come in all colours of the rainbow, so in 2026, give your meals three key things: more colour, more variety and more natural high-energy foods – like whole-grains, pulses, nuts or seeds – to provide your body with the diverse range of nutrients, minerals and vitamins it needs.
A healthy start is guaranteed with a porridge, whether cornmeal, banana, green plantain or whole-grain oats; add flavour and warmth with spices – like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg or cardamom – and a topping of dried fruit for natural sweetness. Quicker ways to help power-up your day include toasted whole-grain or brown bread, with avocado or nut butter, or simpler still, a medley of berries, fruit and real Greek yoghurt.
Liven up your lunch or dinner with a colourful range of vegetables – beets, carrots and turnips are nutritious sources of beta-carotene and vitamins C and A, which boost your immune system, protecting you from colds and flu. Sweetcorn, okra and cauliflower are rich in fibre, nutrients, minerals and antioxidants that support heart health, and leafy greens like callaloo, spinach, broccoli or kale boost your immunity and help fight fatigue. Add a handful of beans or lentils to your dishes to give you a fat-free, fibre rich boost, helping you feel fuller for longer, whilst naturally regulating your sugar.
Snacking is almost inevitable, so why not snack well, on a nutritious mix of unsalted nuts and berries or fruit, or raw vegetables like sugar snap peas, veggie-sticks of carrot, pepper, celery or cucumber, or even home-made air-
fried chips from plantain, cassava or breadfruit?
Stay warm and revitalised with plenty of refreshing hot drinks, like herbal tea using mint, lemon or ginger. Even mild dehydration can cause fatigue, so drinking plenty of water is crucial for maintaining energy levels.
Black is beautiful! Your melanin-rich skin protects you from harmful ultraviolet rays, but this also means that when the sun is scarce, insufficient vitamin D is processed to protect your bone and muscle health. So, all adults should take at least 400 (10 μg/mcg) vitamin D supplements daily all year round to avoid deficiency.
Vegetarians and vegans are likely to need further supplements, as it is hard to consume the necessary range of essential nutrients from a strictly plant-based diet. It is worth considering regularly taking fortified foods or supplements containing vitamin B12, iodine, selenium, calcium and iron.
If ‘winter tiredness’ affects your everyday life, it may be worth getting a check-up to find out whether low iron, thyroid, peri-menopausal or seasonal affective disorder may be a factor. You can request a relevant blood test from your GP practice or make an appointment with a member of your local health care team. If you are on regular medication, make the time to book your yearly check-up, to discuss your well-being, monitor your long-term condition, ensure it is well-managed, and agree any necessary adjustments to your care plan.
Start well in 2026. Light up your days, move more, power up on nutritious food, add vitamin D... and book that health check, if necessary!
GP, strategic leader and educator
Dr T Ayodele Ajayi shares how to develop healthy habits that will transform your behaviour and mindset in 2026 so you can reach your goals
One of the most transformational quotes I’ve ever heard is this: “The secret to your future is hidden in your daily habits.”
That statement aligns with both Scripture and science. Research shows that 80–95% of our daily actions are on autopilot; our brains conserve energy by repeating familiar routines. It’s a no-brainer – literally. Yet forming or breaking habits is far from easy.
This is the time of year many of us lament the gym membership gone unused, the diet abandoned, the prayer meetings skipped, the unwritten book, or the ministry dream still on paper. But, take heart – lasting transformation is possible. Both biblical truth and brain science give us a blueprint for change.
Here are 10 powerful, practical and prayerful principles – rooted in Scripture and supported by science – to help you form habits of excellence in 2026.
1. PAIR THE NEW WITH THE PROVEN New habits stick best when paired with existing ones. Listen to an edifying podcast or an audio Bible during your regular walk or treadmill time. Science calls this ‘habit stacking’. Scripture models this principle: ‘Line upon line, precept upon precept’ (Isaiah 28:10). Build on what’s already there.
2. POST POWERFUL PROMPTS
Habits thrive on cues and reminders. When I kept my vitamins on the kitchen table, I took them daily; once they were tucked away, I forgot. Visual cues drive consistency. God Himself endorsed visibility: 'Write the vision and make it plain' (Habakkuk 2:2). Keep your goals in sight – literally.
3. PROGRESS IN THE PETITE
Shrink your habits into small, achievable steps. ‘Do not despise these small beginnings’ (Zechariah 4:10). Neuroscience confirms that the brain prefers incremental change. Instead of reading a whole chapter nightly, start with a page. Instead of a 3K run, walk the block. Small steps create sustainable momentum.
4. PROVIDE PROMPT PLEASURE
The brain’s reward chemical – dopamine –loves immediate reinforcement. Celebrate small wins. Watch a favourite show after finishing your to-do list, or enjoy a cup of tea after prayer time. Even Scripture supports fair reward: ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain’ (Deuteronomy 25:4). Reward right behaviour.
5. PRACTISE POSITIVE REPLACEMENT
It’s easier to substitute than to stop. When I deleted an entertainment app and replaced it with a professional one, productivity soared. Swap your sweet cravings for fruit, or late-night scrolling for Scripture reading. ‘Put off your old self... and put on the new’ (Ephesians 4:22–24).
6. PLAN AND PREPARE PATHWAYS
Engineer your environment. Make good habits easy, and bad ones hard. Keep water on your desk. Silence your phone during focused work. Jesus taught: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41), so set up systems that strengthen your spirit’s intentions.
7. PERSIST WITH PURPOSE
Follow the law of diminishing intent – the longer you delay, the less likely you’ll act. James 1:25 reminds us that blessing follows consistent doing, not hearing alone. Apply the ‘two-day rule’: never skip your new habit for more than one day. A short walk beats none at all. Consistency beats perfection.
8. PROCLAIM A POWERFUL IDENTITY
Habits align with identity. ‘As a man thinks in his heart, so is he’ (Proverbs 23:7). Instead of saying, “I’m always late,” declare, “I’m punctual and prepared.” Your brain listens to your self-talk and adjusts your behaviour accordingly. Identity precedes action – see yourself as the person God says you are.
9. PAIR PAIN WITH PLEASURE
Trick your brain into enjoying difficult habits by linking them to something you love. Pray while walking, listen to worship while cleaning,
or study Scripture over your morning coffee. This ‘temptation bundling’ trains your brain to associate discipline with delight. ‘Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart’ (Psalm 37:4).
10. PURSUE PROGRESS PUBLICLY
What gets tracked gets transformed. Use a journal, app or accountability group to monitor progress. Years ago, I publicly declared my intent to quit sugar – it worked. ‘Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise’ (Proverbs 13:20). Accountability accelerates growth. Even Jesus sent the disciples out two by two (Mark 6:7) – transformation thrives in partnership.
And don’t forget your most faithful accountability partner – the Holy Spirit, who empowers and reminds you of all truth (John 14:26). Invite Him into your habits and let His grace turn discipline into delight.
You don’t need a new year to become a new you – but there’s no better time to start. Every habit you form is a seed toward the future God envisions for you.
As Romans 12:2 reminds us: ‘Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’ Let this be the year you live that transformation – one holy, healthy habit at a time.
Here’s to your best, most brilliant year yet – 2026!
DR T AYODELE AJAYI
Carol Stewart shares how you can achieve your goals in the New Year
Every January, people across the world set goals and make New Year’s resolutions, full of hope and enthusiasm for what lies ahead. But, by February or March, many have given up.
Through my work as an executive and leadership coach, I’ve seen some common reasons why people don’t follow through on their goals. Here are seven of them, with my suggestions on what you can do differently to make 2026 one of purpose, faith and fulfilment.
When your goals are not connected to a deeper purpose, motivation can soon fade. People often chase goals based on what they think they should want, e.g. money, recognition or status, rather than intrinsically motivating goals that align with their God-given values.
When your goals flow from purpose, rather than extrinsic motivators, they are more motivating, making it more likely you will achieve them.
2. PURSUING SOMEONE ELSE’S GOAL
Sometimes, we chase ambitions that belong to someone else – a parent, partner or workplace expectation – rather than following what God has placed in our heart.
Even if a goal is set externally, you can still find alignment by connecting it to your values. For instance, if your organisation wants to increase sales and your value is service, focus on how you can serve customers better as you meet that target.
Whose goal is it really? Is it yours or someone else’s expectation of you?
Vague goals, like “I want to get fit” or “I want to grow my business”, sound good but lack clarity. Be specific. What does success look like? Is it losing 10 pounds, getting 20 new clients, a new product or service launch, a change of career, a promotion, or something else?
Set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-framed) and focus on what you want to achieve, not what you want to avoid. Doing this can be more empowering. Make your goals challenging but not too difficult, and certainly not too easy.
When a goal feels too big, fear takes over. We panic, procrastinate, or give up altogether. If you’re overwhelmed, break down your goal into smaller steps. One of my coaching clients wanted to make major life changes but felt anxious about the scale of it. By focusing on just the first three months instead of the whole year, she felt calmer and more confident about what she needed to do.
Remember, small, consistent steps lead to lasting progress.
5.
At the start of a new year, motivation runs high, but for many, the inner critic soon whispers: “I can’t do this. I’m not good enough.” Our thoughts shape our feelings, and our
feelings shape our actions. When self-doubt sets in, replace it with faith-based truth. Challenge negative, unhelpful thoughts with evidence and Scripture. Confidence grows through faith in action and self-belief.
We live in a world of constant noise and distractions with email, social media, and other notifications all vying for our attention. Microsoft did a study amongst employees and found it took an average of 15 minutes to get back into the flow of things every time they stopped to respond to a notification. Imagine how much time this adds up over the course of a day!
Temptation is the mother of procrastination, so turn off notifications and distractions while working on your goals so you protect your focus. And don’t go chasing shiny objects.
7.
Progress isn’t always quick or easy. When results are slow or tasks feel tedious, it’s easy to lose motivation. Celebrating the small wins along the way will help you to stay motivated. Make working towards your goals fun and enjoyable. Get accountability and get a coach, mentor and a prayer partner. And, if you slip, don’t beat yourself up. Refocus and get back on track.
When your goals are rooted in faith, aligned with your values, are intrinsically motivating, and pursued with consistency, you won’t just achieve them, you’ll grow spiritually and emotionally along the way.
Finally, as we enter 2026, remember, ‘Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand’ (Proverbs 19:21 ESV).
Award-winning executive, career and leadership coach, speaker, trainer and founder of aboundingsolutions.com
Idon’t know about you, but it feels to me as if it were only yesterday that we were exchanging the good wishes: “Have a prosperous New Year!” But, after a tumultuous few years – a tumultuous few decades even – I’m beginning to ask: what exactly is prosperity?
Various dictionary definitions link prosperity to its most literal meaning: i.e. a state of being successful which is also linked to money. The Cambridge Dictionary states it most directly as being ‘the state of being successful and having a lot of money’.
Now, I wouldn’t mind having a lot of money and, if any of you readers wish to give me a sizeable late Christmas gift to kickstart my prosperity in 2026, I will not refuse it! But perhaps it is time to reassess the prosperity mantra as we start our journey into 2026. I decided to get some help with this by talking to some friends. Based on their views, here are a few areas we may want to focus on when seeking prosperity in 2026.
1) Prioritise your physical and mental health. I have heard it said many times this year that the majority of us seem to wear busyness as a badge of honour. Often, because we are so busy, we end up depending too much on ready meals, which is invariably junk food; we don’t get adequate rest; we don’t exercise; and we fail to build leisure into our lives. This takes a toll on our physical and mental health when stress hormones build up in our bodies. We may not be able to banish busy schedules, but we can mitigate them by learning to say no to some things. Think of it this way: if we ruin our physical and mental health through self-neglect, on account of
Joy Roxborough explores what it means to be prosperous, and shares steps you can take to make 2026 a prosperous one
busyness, we will eventually be unable to maintain those furious hamster-wheel schedules anyway. So, in 2026, may we all prosper and be in health (3 John 1:2) and speak it over our l oved ones.
2) Keep relationships alive. My mini survey highlighted the importance of good relationships as a key aspect of prosperity. Prosperity in this area includes having one person you can call anytime and know that person will help you. Your need could be as simple as having the person pray for you or with you, and having the person pray immediately. In order to have such people in our lives, we must actively cultivate good friendships, since we are not going to be willing to reach out for help to people we hardly know. Neither will they be willing to make themselves available beyond narrow limits to people they hardly know. The Bible tells us that if we want to have friends, then we need to be friendly ourselves (Proverbs 18:24 KJV).
Relationships with people around us are crucial, but even more important is our relationship with God. Respondents to my mini survey said prosperity began with focusing on our spiritual well-being through our relationship with Jesus; being grounded in God’s grace for making wise choices; and focusing on spiritual growth, as well as church and family unity.
So, let’s make our relationships top priority as we seek prosperity in 2026, without failing to nurture horizontal relationships with each other or our vertical relationship with God.
3) Pursue love, joy and peace. Galatians 5:22 says it all. Constituting parts of the fruit
of the Spirit, love, joy and peace come from developing our relationship with God. So, as we adhere to the idea of nurturing our relationship with God, further benefits –starting with love, joy and peace – are likely to be afforded us. The Bible says we are to expect trouble in this world (John 16:33) but, when all is said and done, I am sure we want our lives to prosper with the blessings of love, joy and peace – even in the midst of troubles. In 2026, let’s focus on loving others and loving ourselves (Matthew 22:39); being joyful (Psalm 5:11) and being peaceful within ourselves (Philippians 4:4–7) and with others (Hebrews 12:14 and Romans 12:18).
4) Fulfil personal ambitions. One respondent suggested that prosperity is the fulfilment of personal ambitions that may have been lying dormant, possibly through lack of confidence, fear and doubts. Prosperity involves moving out of one’s comfort zone and venturing out in faith, confidence and conviction to achieve whatever that ambition is. It could be writing a book; learning a new skill; starting a business; pursuing a degree or a college course; learning to drive; going on an expedition; going out to meet new people.
If we then get money on top, count it a bonus.
JOY ROXBOROUGH
Creative industry professional, writer and entrepreneur joyroxborough@yahoo.com
Business owner and author Nicola Millington shares why younger and older generations can work together in 2026 to navigate the online world purposefully, respectfully and humanely
When I was first asked to consider how we should approach social media in 2026, my instinct was one of empowerment. I wanted to write a clarion call, reminding us that the power to shape our digital spaces is firmly in our hands. Yet, upon reflection, that perspective alone feels incomplete. It fails to fully appreciate how deeply entwined our very existence has become with the digital realm.
We live in a world of seamless transitions: scan a QR code here, click a link there, transfer cash instantly, prove you are human with a single click... the list goes on. This digital landscape is a modern-day marketplace, a town square and a private study, a place of profound connection and jarring disconnection, of curated joy and amplified angst. More than a tool, it is an evolution of our existence, and we must navigate it with a wisdom that transcends the platform itself.
Consider the humble landline. If you were a child of the 70s, 80s, or 90s, you likely remember your home phone number with a clarity that surprises you today. It was a fixed point, a literal connection to a physical place and the people within it. Today, connection is an innocuous act we perform without thinking: a single tap to redial, a voice command to a smart speaker. This convenience, however, can be a subtle entry point for a deeper disconnection in human-to-human relationships. The ritual is lost, and with it, a layer of intentionality.
We stand at a unique crossroads – a juxtaposition between the analogue and the
digital that is both jarring and instructive. For those of us who remember a world before the internet’s ubiquity, we carry a crucial, holistic inheritance. We possess the mental map of a slower, more deliberate pace of communication. We understand the physical weight of a handwritten letter to a pen pal or family member, and the financial patience and discipline required before instant transfers. And, perhaps most importantly, we hold a spiritual memory of silence, of solitude that isn’t loneliness, and of a presence that doesn’t require digital validation.
This is not a lament for a bygone era, but a recognition of a critical resource. The pre-00s generations are not digital dinosaurs; they are custodians of a ‘different’ wisdom. They can teach the art of listening – not just waiting to speak – which is the bedrock of any meaningful debate, online or off. They can model the discipline of disconnecting to reconnect with the self and the sacred, a vital practice for mental well-being in an age of endless noise. They understand that a ‘profile’ should never be confused with a ‘purpose’.
So, as we look towards 2026, my one, practical takeaway is this: bridging the intergenerational gap is the key to safeguarding the mental and spiritual well-being of the next generation. The challenge is not for the young to simply teach the old about new apps and AI operatives, nor for the old to simply warn the young of digital dangers. The imperative is to create a dialogue, a true exchange of gifts. Let the younger generation share their digital fluency, their innate understanding of
this new world. But let the older generation offer the user manual for the human soul within it. Let us talk about how to argue with grace, ensuring our digital debates are more like iron sharpening iron, than crossing swords and causing wounds. Let us discuss how to promote our work and share our lives without building a personal altar to our own ego. Let us remember every ‘like’ is a form of social currency that we should spend as wisely as we would any other resource.
Our digital future does not have to be a lonely one. By building bridges across the generations, we can infuse our online interactions with the depth, wisdom and intentionality that has always guided us in our offline lives. The goal for 2026 is not to log off, but to log on with a renewed sense of collective purpose and spiritual grounding.
INTERGENERATIONAL BRIDGE-BUILDING EXERCISE: Sit with someone from a different generation. Share one digital habit you find draining and one analogue ritual you find life-giving. Actively listen and commit to trying one of their shared practices.
NICOLA
Founder of FP Comms and author of SWIPE
Joseph Vambe challenges Christians to have faith, show love, and stand for justice, recognising that sight alone isn’t always the most reliable guide to take action
There’s a powerful line in Hebrews 11:1 that says: ‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’ We know it by heart. We preach it. We sing about it. But have we really lived it out – especially when it comes to the suffering of others in the world we can’t see?
As Christians, we are called to live by faith, not by sight. And yet, when it comes to issues like hunger, poverty, climate change or persecution in the developing world, many of us seem to do the opposite. We wait until we see the suffering before we act. But, if faith is about the unseen, why do we allow what we see – or fail to see – to determine when and how we show love and justice?
Love and justice beyond borders
At the heart of our Christian faith is love – not the sentimental kind that ends with warm words and worship songs, but the radical kind that transforms the world. It’s the kind of love Jesus modelled when He reached out to the marginalised, healed the broken, and gave His life for those who could never repay Him.
This love has no borders. It does not stop at our postcode, our city, or even our continent. It calls us to care for our neighbours whether they live next door in Peckham or across the sea in Port-au-Prince.
We also believe in justice – not as a political slogan, but as a divine command. ‘What does the Lord require of you?’ asks Micah 6:8, ‘To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.’ Justice is part of God’s very character, and when we act justly, we reflect God’s nature in the world.
But here’s the uncomfortable question: What are we doing to make these beliefs real? If our love and justice end where our sight ends, are we really embodying the Gospel we profess?
The trouble with sight
I grew up in Elephant and Castle, South London. Back then, there was a subway – an underground tunnel people used to get cross a busy roundabout safely. We’d often walk through it on our way to church. In winter, the subway was always cold, and homeless people would sit along the walls, begging for money.
As a child, I felt such compassion. I’d tug on my mum’s coat and beg her to give me some coins to help. One Sunday, she did. On our way back from church, we saw the same man who had been begging – walking away, clean-shaven, in different clothes. He wasn’t homeless at all. I was shocked.
Now, don’t get me wrong – we should give to those in need. Most people who beg on our streets today genuinely need help. But that experience taught me something: seeing can be deceptive. Sight alone isn’t always the most reliable guide for compassion.
And that lesson has never left me.
When
Recently, the devastation of Hurricane Melissa across the Caribbean has moved many of us to act. We’ve seen the images – homes destroyed, families displaced, churches turned to rubble. And, as Christians, we’ve responded. We’ve given. We’ve prayed. We’ve shared fundraisers. That’s what love does.
But even here, our sight can deceive us. Authorities in Jamaica recently warned of fraudulent websites pretending to raise money for hurricane victims – scams designed to exploit people’s compassion. Once again, we see how our sight can be manipulated, how easy it is to act on what appears before our eyes without always seeking what’s true.
So, if sight is unreliable, and faith is the
‘evidence of things not seen’, then surely our call to love and justice cannot depend on what we see, but on what we believe
'Let’s campaign and pray, not because the crisis has been trending online, but because our faith tells us that love, justice and hope belong to everyone.'
Faith that acts
True faith moves us to act before we see. It compels us to stand up for those we may never meet – the farmer in Malawi, whose crops have failed because of drought; the mother in Gaza searching for clean water; the young Christian in Pakistan facing persecution for their faith.
This is not abstract theology; it’s the call of discipleship. It’s what it means to follow the Jesus who said: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
In 2026, let us be a Church that refuses to be guided by sight alone. Let’s give, not because we’ve seen the pictures, but because we know the need is real. Let’s campaign and pray, not because the crisis has been trending online, but because our faith tells us that love, justice and hope belong to everyone
We serve a God who acts before the evidence is visible – and who loved us before we even knew His Name. So let us love others in the same way: by faith, not by sight.
Transformational coach and church leader Lola Owolabi shares insights on how to coach yourself in 2026, so you can maximise your potential and reach your goals
The Bible tells us: ‘As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.’ Those words have always resonated deeply with me. They remind us that the life we live begins in the mind – in our thoughts, beliefs and willingness to act. Socrates, the great philosopher, once said: “A life not examined is a life not worth living,” and there is truly no better time for reflection and self-examination than at the close of one year and the dawn of another.
As we draw the curtain on 2025 and prepare to step boldly into 2026, I want to invite you to pause and take stock. Look back at your year – not with judgment, but with
honesty and curiosity. What did you achieve? What fell through the cracks? What dreams did you write on your vision board that are still awaiting your attention?
You could have Tony Robbins as your coach, or the most incredible mentor in the world cheering you on, but if you don’t decide to move, nothing will change. You are, ultimately, your own most outstanding coach.
I’ve spent almost 20 years as a professional coach – with two postgraduate degrees in coaching – and one thing I’ve learnt time and again is this: coaching isn’t about giving people the answers. It is about helping people uncover the answers that already lie within them. You already have what you need inside of you. Sometimes, you need to listen a little more closely to that inner voice – the one that knows you best.
Nobody knows your story like you do. Nobody understands the pain, the effort, the silent battles you have fought, or the victories you’ve quietly celebrated, and that is why nobody can coach you quite like you can.
Now, of course, that does not mean we don’t need others; accountability, perspective and encouragement are valuable. Lasting change always begins from within, and even the best coach can’t help you move forward if you’re not ready to take the first step. So, as we step into 2026, I want to encourage you to start thinking like your own coach. Ask yourself powerful questions. Challenge your own excuses. Celebrate your progress. Be honest about your blind spots.
Encourage yourself when things get tough. In every form of coaching – whether it’s positive psychology, cognitive behavioural coaching, or performance coaching – everything starts with the mind. So, what’s going on in your mind?
Is it filled with bright ideas, faith and a can-do spirit? Or is it cluttered with self-doubt and fear? Are you cultivating a growth mindset, one that says: “Even if I fall, I’ll get back up”? Remember, the Bible says: ‘A righteous man may fall seven times and rise again’ (Proverbs 24:16). That’s what a growth mindset looks like in action. A fixed mindset, on the other hand, says: “What’s the point? I failed once, so I’ll never try again,” but that’s not you, not if you’re reading this.
As you head into 2026, remember this powerful truth: You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You have the greatest Coach of all, the Lord Jesus Himself, cheering you on from heaven and reminding you daily that you can
So why stay stuck? Why keep wallowing in the mud of past failures or missed opportunities? It’s time to go back to basics, to believe again, to dream again, to take action.
This New Year, commit to being your own life coach.
Reflect, plan, pray, act and keep growing. Listen to your inner wisdom, stay accountable to your higher calling, and remember that the power to transform your life in 2026 is already within you.
You’ve got this, and with God on your side, you truly can do all things.
LOLA OWOLABI
Discover how London City Mission (LCM) worked alongside one church training members how to evangelise and how the congregation grew
Kenny worships with his family almost every week at Rye Lane Chapel in Peckham. “I seem to be telling everybody about the Lord these days,” says Kenny. “The only way I can put it is, I’m listening to a new song. And it’s a really good song... My life has changed, and I want everyone to sing the same song.”
But it hasn’t always been like this. Kenny’s journey started when LCM missionary Michael and church member Winston knocked on a stranger's door to share the gospel.
Last year, Winston and Michael visited the home of a young woman named Ruby and opened up a conversation about faith. After an hour discussing her belief in reincarnation and gently defending the reliability of the Bible, they invited her to church.
Ruby came that Sunday with her best friend, Georgina. A few weeks later, the Holy Spirit worked in their hearts, and they both committed to follow Jesus. But the story doesn’t end there.
share the same gospel that saved them when they attended his training course at Rye Lane. Newly confident, Georgina began sharing the good news with her family and friends.
faith, started coming to church. He committed his life to the Lord and was baptised this year. Her brother, Brandon, witnessing the change in his sister and father, also decided to follow Jesus and was baptised. Brandon’s partner, Annalisa, was among 15 people who professed their faith and were baptised recently.
says Pastor Phil Woolley. “In recent months,
more than thirty people became Christians and have been baptised at Rye Lane Chapel.”
About 15,000 people call Peckham home. 51% say they are Christians, 25% have no religion, and 14% come from a Muslim background (2021 Census).
“Many people in Peckham have not heard the gospel. Others had a faith background and have walked away. All need the saving message of Jesus Christ,” says Michael.
“As evangelists, it’s our job to mobilise churches to join God’s mission. It is amazing to see how God uses us as a catalyst for his greater plan. He is sovereign and it is His work we are doing.”
It’s been an enormous help having London City Mission in the life of the church, according to Phil.
“We just love the way that LCM has regrouped and how they come in as a team. They’re coming to support, to train, to disciple, to raise people up and send them out,” he says.
For Winston, sharing Jesus with strangers wasn’t always easy. “I was a Christian for about 12 years before I met Michael. But I had a fear of approaching someone to talk about Jesus or knocking on a door,” he admits.
When Rye Lane Chapel became a ministry
developed a confidence to talk to people in a relational way about Jesus,” says Michael. “It’s been so encouraging to see them go from listening in on my conversations to the person who takes the lead in developing friendly gospel conversations.”
Like many other church leaders, Phil longs to see God’s Spirit at work in London, especially in Peckham.
“We want to see this church full and then some. Not because of numbers but because of lives touched. We want to see people come to know the Lord Jesus, come to the cross, be born again and be discipled. That’s really our heart,” Phil says.
- KENNY "I'M
London City Mission helps churches reach those unlikely to hear the gospel by training everyday Christians to share Jesus through care, connection, and courageous witness. This Christmas, as we celebrate the hope of Christ, will you help spread the good news of Jesus in London by partnering with London City Mission with a donation of £8 or more? Your donation will help missionaries continue this work - training believers, supporting churches, and helping more people encounter
To donate, please visit our website by visiting lcm.org.uk/doorstep
Financial adviser and coach Natasha Smith shares insights on how to improve your finances – with Scriptures to help you on your journey to financial health
Imagine December 2026: your debts are paid; your savings are growing; and you’re giving generously. This isn’t a dream; it’s an achievable vision. When you know where you want to go, you can reverse engineer your steps and create a real plan.
Write down the vision for your finances and make it plain (Habakkuk 2:2) or, if you prefer, create a vision board. Place it where you will see it daily. ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for... ’ (Hebrews 11:1). When your goals are always in sight, your habits will align with your vision and belief.
Why Jesus spoke about money
Money is a major cause of stress. Jesus addressed this directly in Matthew 6:25 – ‘“Do not worry about your life... what you will eat or drink... or what you will wear.”’ His solution: ‘“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”’ (Matthew 6:33). When you are following God's will and applying godly wisdom to your finances, worry becomes peace.
BUILD YOUR FOUNDATION FIRST
Clear out the mess: Start by facing what’s in front of you. Open those letters, check those accounts, see the real numbers. You cannot build financial health on confusion. Once you clear the mess, you will feel lighter and more certain.
Know your numbers: Track monthly income and expenses: your essential outgoings, debts, savings and non-essentials. Write down every debt. You can use a budgeting app, notebook, or any other method that works for you. Find out your disposable income – the gap between your income and expenses. This is your seed. Do you plant it or spend it? Discover ways to multiply your seed unless you’re using it to repay debt.
THE 8 HABITS FOR FINANCIAL HEALTH
1. Stewardship before spending: ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it’ (Psalm 24:1).
Before spending money or using credit, ask: “Is this aligned with my purpose?” Use the monthly Manna Check-In: what’s received, given, and serving a godly purpose. Using God’s gifts to create more is stewardship, not greed.
2. Save with purpose, not fear: Joseph saved grain during Egypt’s prosperity to prepare for the famine (Genesis 41). Saving is readiness, not fear. Even £20 a month compounds over time. Automate your savings with your payday. Saving regularly is a habit worth having.
3. Give generously, even when money’s tight: ‘“Give, and it will be given to you”’ (Luke 6:38). Generosity is more than money; it is also your time, words and love. Set a giving goal for the year 2026 that will stretch your faith a little. Giving invites blessings.
4. Live within your means (with joy): ‘Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have’ (Hebrews 13:5). Living within your means creates inner peace, not depravation. Try a no-spending month, exchanging shopping trips for shared experiences instead. Contentment rises when you stop comparing yourself to others.
5. Get wisdom and seek counsel: ‘Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed’ (Proverbs 15:22). Don’t figure everything out alone. Get advice from a financial coach, mentor, or a money-wise person. You don’t have to be the smartest one, just be willing to learn.
6. Review regularly – no hiding: ‘The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty’ (Proverbs 21:5). Make financial check-ins routine – the first Saturday morning
of each month works well. Review spending, evaluate progress, watch your efforts compound. Face your finances regularly, they’ll scare you less, and what you track improves.
7. Build streams, not stress: ‘Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle’ (Ecclesiastes 11:6). Use your talents to increase your income. Try that side idea or skill you have been hiding. Make money from what you do, teach what you know, or provide a service that makes you happy. When you produce, you increase. When you only consume, you decrease.
8. Keep God at the centre: ‘“Seek first His Kingdom...’” (Matthew 6:33). Integrate God into your financial decisions. Budget with prayer. Ask God for wisdom, self-control and guidance. Present your financial plans to Him. Little becomes much when God is the One who gives life to what you build.
Your path to prosperity
Real prosperity isn’t just about what you have or earn, but the peace you possess, the purpose you follow, and the provision overflowing to others. Start small. Stay consistent. Trust God to increase what you manage well.
Let 2026 be the year your finances grow through faith, wisdom and action.
NATASHA SMITH
Most church leaders and ministry teams know the feeling all too well: serving faithfully, pouring out week after week, yet sensing there is more God wants to do: more depth, more unity, more time in His presence. But between Sunday services, pastoral care, work commitments, family responsibilities, and the fast rhythm of life, space for extended worship, prayer and genuine connection can quietly slip away.
It can happen so gradually that many churches don’t even realise they are running on empty. They are committed, passionate, and dedicated but rarely unhurried. Rarely uninterrupted. Rarely together long enough to truly listen to God as a family of believers. That’s exactly where one ministry group found themselves. They sensed God whispering come away with Me. They had never planned a residential retreat before. It felt new, unfamiliar, and easy to delay. Yet they recognised that sometimes the greatest step of obedience is simply making space for God to move.
So, in faith, they booked a Christian residential retreat at The Hayes Conference Centre in Derbyshire and gathered their group, unsure what would happen; only certain that God was inviting them to pause.
The turning point
The transformation began the moment they arrived. Walking into the main meeting hall for the first time, the team stopped and prayed. There was no rush, no noise, no competing demands. In their words:
“From the moment we stepped in, we knew God was here. We prayed for thirty minutes before the event even began. We could feel that God had chosen this place for us.”
That first prayer set the tone for the entire weekend. With everyday pressures left behind, worship flowed without watching the clock, conversations stretched long into the evening, and hearts began to open in ways that simply don’t happen in the usual routine of church life.
One young man stood with tears in his eyes, a pastor’s son who had not attended church in fifteen years. He said he had never experienced God’s presence like this before. That moment
alone would have been enough to justify the retreat. But it was only one of many breakthroughs. Walls fell. Faith deepened. Hungry hearts encountered God. They left not because the programme ended, but because the weekend did. The work God started could have continued for days.
The solution behind the experience
This powerful weekend took place at The Hayes, a venue run by Christian Conference Trust which is an organisation created exclusively to serve Christian groups. Christian Conference Trust owns three dedicated Christian conference centres: The Hayes in Derbyshire, High Leigh in Hertfordshire and Highgate House in Northamptonshire. This is where churches, charities and ministries gather to pray, learn, worship, and reconnect with God and one another. Their mission is simple yet profound: to provide a safe place where God’s people can meet, seek Him, and leave refreshed and more on fire for Jesus.
Unlike general conference venues, every Christian Conference Trust location is designed around Christian ministry. Meeting halls are prepared for worship. The atmosphere is peaceful and prayer-filled. Catering allows guests to focus on fellowship, not logistics.
There is time, space, and support for reflection, teaching, and worship. The team understands ministry life because they serve it daily. One leader from the retreat put it this way:
“Being away here forces you out of your comfort zone and into an atmosphere where Christ is at the centre of everything.”
From modern accommodation and beautiful grounds ideal for prayer walks, to flexible meeting rooms, excellent catering and environments that respect Christian rhythms and cultural expressions, every detail exists to make Christ-centred conferences possible.
The impact of a Christian conference
For the ministry group in this story, the retreat did far more than offer a break; it unlocked something lasting. They returned home with renewed hunger for God, stronger unity, and hearts re-centred on mission. Testimonies continued long after the weekend ended. Conversations remained deeper. Worship felt freer. Faith grew stronger.
This experience is not unique. For decades, churches across the UK have left Christian Conference Trust venues changed, clearer in vision, stronger in fellowship, and more spiritually alive. Some return ready to launch new ministries. Others return praying for revival in their communities. Many return simply refreshed, grateful, and closer to each other and to God.
For any church or ministry seeking deeper unity, fresh vision, or space to hear God clearly once again, a Christian conference can be a turning point. Sometimes, all that is needed is time away in a place set apart for God’s people.
Take the next step
What could time away do for your church or ministry team?
To explore their venues or receive a tailored quote visit cct.org.uk or call 0300 111 4444
Verona White shares some hairstyle and hair care tips for the festive season
The Christmas and New Year season is the perfect time to sparkle – not just in your wardrobe, but in your hair too. Whether you’re rocking your natural textured hair, experimenting with bold colour, or switching things up with a sleek wig or voluminous weave, this festive season calls for looks that make a statement.
Here is a guide to achieving that headturning holiday style, along with a list of some of the UK’s top salons to help you achieve your dream look.
1. Natural textured hair: Let it shine There’s something truly beautiful about embracing your natural texture during the festive season. Natural curls, coils and kinks carry a unique kind of glamour that no one else can replicate. This Christmas, moisture and definition should be your best friends. Try twist-outs or braid-outs for a soft, bouncy texture that frames your face beautifully. For an elevated party look, go for a defined high puff or a sleek low bun with laid edges. Add festive touches by accessorising with sparkly hairpins, gold cuffs, or pearl-adorned clips to complement your outfit.
For those in the Bristol area, check out Purely Natural – a top-rated salon known for stunning locs, twists and natural textured styles that celebrate Black hair in its purest form.
2. Wigs: Instant glamour and endless possibilities
When you’re short on time but still want to look your absolute best, wigs are your festive best friend. From luxurious waves to sleek straight bobs, wigs offer the versatility to change your look from Christmas dinner to the New Year’s countdown with ease.
For a classic yet glamorous option, try a body wave lace front wig in a rich chocolate or caramel tone. The soft waves bring a touch of Hollywood glam – perfect for those sparkling holiday parties. Feeling bold? Go for a blonde, auburn or ombré wig to add a
pop of festive colour.
If you’re in the Birmingham area, make sure to visit Samantha Golding at SG Hair, a stylist renowned for her premium custom wigs, flawless lace installs, and creative colour work. Her festive wig transformations are nothing short of red-carpet ready.
3. Weaves: Volume, length and luxury
The holidays are your chance to go big, bold and beautiful – and weaves are perfect for achieving that glamorous, show-stopping look. Whether you prefer wavy, straight or curly textures, a weave allows you to add volume, colour and length, while keeping your natural hair protected.
This Christmas, the soft glam weave is trending. Think big, soft curls with a centre part and a glossy finish. Use a large barrel curler to create loose waves, then brush through for that effortless bounce.
For New Year’s Eve, switch to deep waves or water wave textures for that sultry, red-carpet appeal. Add festive highlights, like honey blonde, copper or burgundy streaks to give your weave multi-dimensional shine.
If you’re in Kent or Luton, there are brilliant stylists who specialise in weave installations and colour work. Book early, as festive appointments fill up fast!
4. Crochet styles: Low-maintenance holiday magic
If you’re looking for a stylish, budget-friendly and low-maintenance option, crochet styles are the go-to choice this season. Crochet braids are perfect for the busy holiday period – they’re quick to install, long-lasting, and incredibly versatile.
Opt for tight curls or kinky afro crochet styles for Christmas to highlight your natural beauty. Then, as you move into the New Year, switch things up with wavy bohemian crochet curls in shades of brown or burgundy for a soft, romantic vibe.
You can even dress up your crochet braids
with metallic thread, gold cuffs or festive beads for that extra touch of sparkle.
5. Colour and accessories:
The finishing touches
No festive hairstyle is complete without colour and a touch of glamour. This season, warm hues like chestnut brown, honey blonde, auburn and copper are trending and flatter almost every skin tone. If you’re ready to make a bold statement, try burgundy, deep plum, or even a vibrant red – perfect for the season of celebration.
If you’re hesitant to commit, try coloured wigs or clip-in extensions to experiment safely. Accessories are your secret weapon this season. Think gold hair cuffs, crystal clips, pearl pins, and rhinestone bands. They instantly elevate any look. For New Year’s Eve, go all out with metallic hair tinsel, glitter roots, or a statement headpiece for that show-stopping moment when the clocks strike midnight.
6. Final tips for holiday hair perfection
• Protect your hairline under wigs and weaves with a silk or satin scarf while sleeping.
• Keep your scalp clean and moisturised, especially during colder months.
• Book early with your stylist or salon – Christmas and New Year appointments fill up fast!
• Be confident and have fun. Your hair is your crown, and this season it deserves to shine.
This Christmas and New Year, let your hair tell your story because, no matter your style, confidence will always be your best accessory.
Vanessa Grossett provides some guidelines and advice for authors who want to make the transition into publishing other authors
With self-publishing now leading the way, especially within the Black community, more authors are now becoming publishers.
Not only are they are publishing their own books, but they are also publishing other writers and starting their own imprints.
I believe this will increase more in 2026, especially with Black authors now taking matters into their own hands.
You may be a self-published author, and now you know the publishing process you may be thinking of giving other writers a chance.
Before you do, here are three main things to consider before you set up your own publishing company.
What type of publisher do you want to be?
You may just want to publish any writer’s book that comes to you, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, and also teach them about the publishing process. If that is the case, you could consider becoming a book coach, which requires far less operational processes.
If you really want to be like a traditional publishing house, catering for underrepresented authors, then you will need to come to the realisation that you won’t accept every author that approaches you.
You’ll need to think about collaborating with distribution companies, making contact with bookstores, along with raising capital, finding investors, marketing, logistics, contracts, and staffing. You will be running a whole other business.
Are you going to co-publish? This means
charging authors for some of the production costs, and you cover the rest. These things need to be well thought out, which is why you would need a business plan.
Priorities and genres: If you want to run a publishing company, you most likely won’t have the time to focus solely on your own manuscript, as you will need to focus on the other authors as well. This is where priorities come in, balancing your own work as well as others’.
If you have not got the capital yet for staff, you will mainly have to do most of the initial stages of reading manuscripts, editing, and even the cover design yourself.
Also, what genres are you going to publish? If you are going to co-publish, then you most likely will publish every genre. But if not, then you may want to consider establishing your publishing company for a specific genre and audience. It would be ideal if you are already writing for that genre and have your own experience.
Why do you want to venture into publishing?
Yes, progress still needs to be made within the publishing industry in terms of representation and leadership – especially in the UK – but is that your reason to start a publishing company? As with all businesses, you need to think about your purpose and reason.
If it is just to give underrepresented authors a chance, that is a good reason, but you don’t have to set up a whole publishing company for that. As mentioned previously, you can actually be a book consultant/coach and show and tell them how to get published.
As a literary manager, I am glad the Black community is taking matters into its own hands
and starting to venture into owning publishing houses. If we want to see change, sometimes we need to be the change the world needs to see, in order for things to be accomplished.
I don’t just see this being in books, but in films as well. Nowadays, there are lots of opportunities out there for people to be independent and succeed.
Will it put literary managers out of business? No, in fact literary managers like me can still pitch to independent publishers. The change needs to happen.
With more underrepresented writers setting up their own companies, there will be a wider scope for ethnic minorities in leadership publishing roles, as board members or executive committees, which is basically non-existent within Britain’s traditional publishing houses.
To me, this is revolutionary for the Black community in the UK. We are finally following the example of our American counterparts and creating the opportunities that work for us, and we are united in doing this.
If you really want to set up a publishing company as an author, go for it, and don’t sell yourself short. Just remember that you will be running a whole other business.
If you want to know the basics of being an author and of the publishing industry, I have written a book, An Author’s Quick Guide to Publishing, which is now available on Amazon.
Happy writing.
Dr Joan Myers OBE is the CEO of an international charity, founded after she obeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit. She spoke to Keep The Faith about the charity’s work; how being obedient to God has impacted her life; and her plans for the future
In April 2002, while serving as an evangelist in her London church, Dr Joan Myers OBE travelled to Nakuru, Kenya, to preach at an open-air crusade. She had no idea that a single encounter there would lead to the founding of what is now the Rehoboth Community Building Organisation (RCBO) – a charity that has supported the education and well-being of children and their families across two decades.
What began as a moment of spiritual prompting has grown into a ministry of education, healthcare, empowerment and hope.
During the crusade at Pondamali Market Square, whilst Joan was preaching, she sensed God speaking to her. She recalled: “He said, ‘Everyone knows I love them, but I want you to demonstrate my love in action.’” she recalls. At that moment, she felt God draw her attention to a tiny girl, standing among hundreds of children. “He said, ‘Bless that girl, and by blessing her, all the children in the village will be blessed.’”
After the service, Joan was invited to the Pastor’s home and watched a video recording of the outreach. She saw the little girl again. She asked the pastor if he knew her. He said no and was told she was unlikely to see the child again. However, Joan insisted: “If God told me to bless her, then I will see her.”
On the final Sunday of her visit, the girl appeared in the morning service church with her mother. Joan told her to come back to the afternoon service and, through an interpreter, Joan explained what God had told her, and announced – much to her own surprise – that she would pay for the girl’s education and uniform for the next ten years. “I didn’t know how I’d afford it! I’d maxed out my credit card and was overdrawn,” she laughs now. “But I just kept speaking what God told me.”
The little girl’s name was Sharon. She lived with her family in a one-room mud house in a slum outside Nakuru. Sponsoring her education required transporting her daily to the area’s best private school – a journey that even damaged the school bus when it
ventured into the slums. Joan paid every fee, trusting God would provide.
Within a year of sponsoring Sharon, Joan received an unexpected promotion and, in April 2003, she became the first and only nurse consultant for Community Children’s Nursing in the entire United Kingdom.
Her salary increased dramatically. She was able to buy a new car and purchase her first home. Her employer also paid 75% of her master’s degree fees. “I knew it was connected,” she says. “The Bible says, ‘He who gives to the poor lends to the Lord, and the Lord will reward him.’ I saw that unfold in my own life.”
In 2005, after completing her master’s degree, Joan returned to Kenya. While visiting the local church, she again sensed God speaking clearly: “Build.”
Originally, she envisioned a children’s home, health centre and church. Over time, in line with evolving local guidance, this shifted to a nursery school, health centre, and strengthened partnership with the church community.
Over 23 years, Joan and her supporters have helped more than 25 children – and, by extension, their families – through education, food, clothing, medical support and mentorship. “If you pick up one child, you pick up the whole family,” she says. “I didn’t realise that at first.”
Her first sponsored child, Sharon, fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse. Sharon’s brother Kevin, sponsored by a friend of Joan’s, became a lawyer and later helped secure land for the foundation’s future buildings before tragically passing away in 2022. His legacy continues through the Kevin Olu Scholarship, which now supports young people studying law. Other children Joan has supported have become teachers and community workers. Several now live abroad, including one family that recently relocated to the United States. Working across cultures – without
speaking the local language – presented major challenges. Some attempted to take advantage of her financially.
“I had to learn quickly how things work,” she explains. “Sometimes people ask for more than they need because they know you’ll give it. I had to grow in wisdom.”
Purchasing land for the foundation took years, as sellers inflated prices upon hearing her British accent. Eventually, thanks to Kevin and his brother working discreetly with a local advocate, the land was secured in 2019. The day before Joan arrived to sign the papers, Sharon’s mother – who had been battling cancer – passed away. Before dying, she asked whether the papers had been signed, desperate to see the ongoing work secured.
“I’ve named the nursery school Melda’s House in her honour,” Joan says.
In 2019, Joan organised a large open-air outreach and medical mission on the newly acquired land. Clothes, food and healthcare services were provided to the community. She returned in 2022, despite the heartbreak of losing Kevin, and saw many young people give their lives to Christ at his celebration of life service.
She cherishes the small, God-orchestrated moments too – such as the time she carried an Oxford Dictionary to Kenya without knowing who it was for. On her last day, she handed it to a worshipping teenager, unaware that he had been sent home from school until he could return with an Oxford Dictionary. “You couldn’t script that,” she says. “Only God could arrange it.”
Joan has been a Christian for 40 years, giving her life to Christ on 22 December 1985. Although she attended Sunday school as a child, she initially found church boring.
Everything changed after witnessing her mother’s spontaneous baptism and encountering persistent nudges from God –including strangers offering tracts and conversations that stirred her heart.
She began attending a Christian Union meeting during her paediatric nursing training. After hearing a message about the difference between who we were and who we are in Christ, she went home and prayed: “If everything in the Bible is true, help me to believe it.”
Scripture “came alive”, leading her to fully commit her life to Jesus. Ordained as an evangelist in 1991 and later as a pastor in 2017, she now describes herself as an “evangelistic pastor”, especially when ministering in Kenya.
In addition to her charitable work, Joan runs a consultancy providing mentoring, coaching and leadership development for nurses from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Her ARISE and AAA (Arising, Ascending, Advancing) programmes have helped many gain confidence and progress into senior roles. In 2023, her ARISE programme won the Equality and Diversity Champion of the Year Award.
In 2024, Joan published Inspiring Hope and Wisdom, which reached number three on Amazon during its launch week. She has since spoken at multiple churches and conferences, selling hundreds of copies. All proceeds support the foundation’s building project in Kenya.
RCBO is now focused on constructing the nursery school, health centre and future community hub on the land acquired in 2019. Fundraising is under way through events, sales of books, jewellery and other items, and the generosity of supporters.
“For years, every spare penny went to school fees,” she says. “Now that most of the children are grown, it’s time to build.”
To anyone feeling called to make a difference but unsure where to begin, Joan’s message is simple: “Start by dedicating your life to God. Listen for His voice and obey –even when it seems impossible. It’s in the ordinary steps of obedience that God does extraordinary things.”
Visit www.rcbo.org.uk
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