NEW LIFE JULY 2008
Issue 173
40p
GOOD NEWS STORIES
WE’RE
Bring ing h o
www.newlife.co.uk
pe bac k to B
B AC K
ING
ritain
i’m not anGry stolen Goods at man who handed over blinded me in amnesty FFull ull amaZinG amaZZin ama inG G story pa paG paGe Ge 6
Find ind out what was le leF leFt Ft in the ‘‘sin sin bins bins’... ’... pa paG paGe Ge 3
A RIGHT ROYAL HONOUR FOR VOLUNTEERS – PAGE 2
mum’s faith unshaken after son’s horrific accident
prayers will help my boy INJURED... Lee Gilmour
A MOTHER who is leading a daily vigil at the bedside of her son has told how she believes prayer will help him regain consciousness.
Ann Gilmour’s unshakeable faith has been admired by people in her home town of Middlesbrough, where she has urged people to pray for son Lee. The popular 21-year-old has been unconscious in hospital for five months after a BMX bike accident left him with a fractured skull.
BRAVELY But his mum believes he will recover if people pray for Lee – and bravely opened her heart to the media to focus attention on her son’s plight. Lee was in Newcastle, Tyneside, on his way to visit pals at the city’s university when the freak accident happened in February. The 6ft 3ins apprentice plumber was performing a stunt on his BMX bike when
The Archbishop of York skydives with instructor Lance Cpl Lee Reid
by Matthew Murray
he flipped over the handlebars and landed heavily on his head. He was initially taken to Newcastle General Hospital, where he stayed until April, before switching to the Hawthorns neurological rehabilitation centre in Peterlee, County Durham. Mum Ann said: “When I got the first call to tell me what had happened, I had no idea how severe it was. We were told the next 24 hours would be crucial, then the next 48 - now they don’t know what he will be like until he wakes up.” Ann, who attends Zetland Park Methodist Church, Redcar, says her faith, and the prayers of others, are a major comfort. She added: “We’re a Christian family and I feel it can help. People all over the country have been praying for him. “I’m often asked ‘can we do anything?’ Continued on Page 5
Photo by Lance Cpl Steve Candlish, courtesy of the Red Devils. www.reddevilsonline.com
archbishop puts trust in a devil! THe Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, has jumped 13,000ft out of a plane to raise money for families of soldiers injured in Afghanistan. It was Dr Sentamu’s second attempt at the parachute jump with the Red Devils display team. His first was cancelled last
month because of bad weather. He said: “I was praying like anybody’s business up there. It was an amazing experience.” The tandem skydive took place at RAF Langar, near Nottingham. Dr Sentamu said he had skydived because he felt it was important to value the lives of soldiers.
2 – New Life Newspaper – Issue 173
uk news round-up
LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk
VOLUNTEERS RECOGNISED FOR COMMUNITY WORK Pryr alrts
cn b snt 2 ur fone
Demand on poverty rise
TEXT alerts that highlight the current needs for prayer a re be i ng se nt to mobi le phones after a new service was launched. Mobile phone service provider Ecumen has developed the scheme in partnership with Welsh Christian charity, Prayer in Action. About 60,000 Christians will be initially offered the service, made up of existing Prayer in Action supporters and Ecumen customers. And it is anticipated that this figure could mushroom in the next couple of years.
MORE needs to be done to reduce the number of children living below the poverty line in the UK, a charity has said. Church Action on Poverty (CAP) said it is “disappointed” w ith new statistics issued by the Government recently show i ng that the nu mber of children living below the poverty line has increased for a second year running. The increase in the number of children living in poverty from 2.8 million in 2006 to 2.9 million in 2007 comes in spite of the Government’s target to halve child poverty by 2010. A spokesman said: “Much more commitment and investment are needed if we are ever to reach the target.”
CONCERN
Talking shop
A CARBON reduction scheme enabling people to reduce t he i r e m ission s a nd he lp poor communities suffering the worst effects of climate change has been launched by Christian charity Tearfund.
helpers’ right royal honour!
Send me more...
NEW LIFE
BULK ORDERS Prices inc. UK delivery Order
Cost
25
£10 (40p each)
50
£15 (30p each)
100
£26 (26p each)
200
£48 (24p each)
400
£88 (22p each)
600
£120 (20p each)
1,000
£200 (20p each)
3,000
£540 (18p each)
5,000
£850 (17p each)
SUBSCRIBE Please send me .............
• Only £10 for 12 issues
copies of the .................
• Free delivery direct to your door
issue for £ ....................
• Inspiring stories of faith
MONTH
Please send me ............. copies as a regular monthly order LARGER QUANTITIES AND LOCALISED ISSUES AVAILABLE. PLEASE ASK FOR DETAILS
169
Going green
ROYAL ICING ON THE CAKE... some of the volunteers who met Prince Charles at the special reception
173
SHOPPERS in the heart of the commercial district of Bristol will soon be getting the message. A team of evangelists from Open Air Campaigners are focusing on the area during the summer and autumn to talk to people about their faith.
• Just a brilliant newspaper! £10 for 1 year (12 issues) UK. £18 for 2 years (24 issues) UK. £25 for 3 years (36 issues) UK.
DELIVERY
Name: .......................................................................................... Address: ..................................................................................... .......................................................................................................
Tel: ............................................................................................... Email: ......................................................................................... PAYMENT
I enclose a cheque / postal order payable to New Life Please charge my Visa / Mastercard / Switch / Solo / Maestro Please send your card number, expiry date, issue number (if applicable), security code (last 3 digits on reverse) and the registered name and address (if different) on a separate sheet. Payments will appear on your statement as World Pay.
Please send with an invoice payable on 30 days net credit terms (not available for individual subscriptions) New Life Publishing would like to keep you updated with details of our products and special offers. If you would prefer not to hear from us, please tick this box.
Tel: 0115 921 7280 Email: info@newlifepublishing.co.uk Web: www.newlife.co.uk Or return this form to: New Life Publishing, PO Box 777, Nottingham NG11 6ZZ
VoLunTeers who worked together to spread a million hours of kindness earlier this year have had their efforts recognised – by royalty! Hundreds of people across the country have been taking part in the Hope08 initiative, which is helping boost community spirit through various events. The church-based scheme has seen volunteers get together to tidy up their local areas and improve their communities through events such as huge, free parties. One of the initiatives set up by Hope08 organisers was to spread a million hours of kindness, which culminated e ncou rag i ng to hea r how in a variety of activities init seems to have str uck a cluding donating blood and chord. organising arts and crafts “It’s wonderful to witness events for local people. the fact that so many denomiAnd their efforts have now nations are working together been recognised by Prince a nd ove rcom i ng possible Charles, who hosted a recep- suspicion – you are helping to tion for a number of those overcome all that, and display people who have been workthat kind of witness which is ing in their local areas as part so incredibly valuable.” of Hope08. A nu mber of delegates More than 80 people inwho attended a re pa rt of volved in the project were the Hope08 i n Hu l l tea m. invited by Prince Charles to Volunteers in the Yorkshire attend a reception last month city have been helping 13- to at Clarence House so he could 19-year-olds access educafind out more about the initiation, training and employtive and thank them for their ment, and have organ ised efforts. clubs for elderly people and He said: “I was fascinated refugees. to hear about how Hope08 Chairman of Hope08 in started and what a marvelHull, Bob Duerden, said: “It lous response it has received was a very good day that was all over this country. It’s so most encouraging.”
What a refreshing change NIGHTCLUBBERS are to be served water, tea and biscuits as part of a project set up to lend a helping hand to revellers. The refreshment stall is one of many projects being
organised by church members in St Albans, Herts, as part of Hope08. Organisers are now calling for volunteers to help projects including serving meals to the homeless.
The service will harness the prayer efforts of tens of thousands of people on issues of particular concern, such as terrorism, homelessness, euthanasia and debt. Erik Fok, Ecumen’s head of sales and marketing, said: “Within the next two to three years, this service will be offered to about 500,000 Christians. With a world in turmoil, it’s amazing to think that we could soon have half a million people in the UK alone, joining in focused prayer on an issue of national concern. This will be a force for positive change in our nation.”
Debt help is on offer PEOPLE who have been hit by the so-called credit crunch will be able to receive free help to tackle debt problems. More than 500 churches have offered their services through Christian charity, Stewardship. The churches, drawn from a r o u n d t h e c o u nt r y a n d across denominations, have signed up to the Red2black ca mpa ig n, wh ic h a i m s to show how churches “can help neighbours in debt”. Those registered with the campaign are helping those with debt in their own congregations and the wider community through education and practical action.
NEW LIFE EFFORTS to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS are starting to show positive results, the Church of Scotland is to tell their General Assembly. Church leaders will say deaths and illnesses have dramatically decreased in the West.
NEWSFLASH
Sister act! TWO sisters have been orda i ned as Deacons i n the Church of England. Rachel Rosborough, 32, and Ellie Clack, 27, have been studying for ordination at St Joh n’s College i n Notti ngham. Rachel was ordained in Gloucester on June 29, while Ellie became a deacon the following day in Leamington Spa.
LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk
Issue 173 – New Life Newspaper – 3
YOUR No1 NEW LIFE’S A SOARAWAY SUCCESS IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS YOU’VE HELPED US DISTRIBUTE MORE THAN 170,000 COPIES OF YOUR FAVOURITE GOOD NEWS PAPER – THANK YOU
NEW LIFE MAY 2008
Issue 171
40p
GOOD NEWS BRINGING YOU THE
WE’R E BAC KING
Bringin
g hope back
www.newlife.co.uk
to Britain
NEW LIFE JUNE 2008
Issue 172
40p
GOOD NEWS STORIES
WIN WIN WIN
WE ’RE
Brin
ging
www.newlife.co .uk
hope
back
BACK
ING
to Brita in
SIR CLIFF’S PLUS ... THE OLYMPIC
SKY SPORT: Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu
A ‘LEAP OF FAITH’ SET TO HIGHLIGHT SOLDIERS’ PLIGHT
those who return cial support. And for of York will make the support can be as wounded heroes, THE daring Archbishop support for British and then not nearly a long time coming, a “leap of faith” to show enough.” soldiers in Afghanistan. i l l ju mp from leaping out of an w Dr Sentamu will be Dr Joh n Senta mu Regiment’s near Nottingaircraft over RAF Langer, with business12,500ft with the Parachute raise money for the ham, on May 27, in tandem Red Devils team to killed or injured while man Guy Brudenell. families of soldiers Red Devils hope to Dr Sentamu and the serving with 3 Para. in sponsorship “The armed servDr Sentamu, 58, said: raise more than £50,000 charity, which make enormous Trust for the Afghanistan ices and their families Unfortunately, and their families in sacrifices on our behalf. have lost loved helps paratroopers who or death. the event of injury many of the families given enough finanbeing not are ones
DAD’S FAITH STRONG AFTER
DAUGHTER’S MURDER
SHE’S IN NEW LIFE – REACHING OUT TO EVERY HOME IN BRITAIN HEAVEN
EXCLUSIVE
by Matthew Murray
THE brutal murder of Tania Nicol has not weakened her father’s faith.
exclusive an In interview with New Life Jim Duell has revealed he believes his daughter is now in heaven. FULL STORY – P2
Hannah Montana star tells all about the man in her life PAGE 3
I confessed to burglaries but wasn’t sent to jail PAGE 7
I WAS LEFT FOR DEAD SWIMMER LOOKING FOR
DIVE-INE INTERVENTION
BRUTALLY BEATEN... Jacques Lapergue who was attacked by a mob during a visit to Zambia
...But I want to forgive my
A BUSINESSMAN left for dead after being beaten by a mob in Zambia has revealed that he wants to meet his attackers... to FORGIVE them. Jacques
attackers
Stripped naked and humiliated in front more than 40 locals of because when I prayed out loud the attacks would Made to walk on stones increase.” After being in dragged across the village But despite the sickening bare feet and having alcohol thrown attack, which left him needing treatment Laperg ue, from Brad rescued the barely-consciouson his body, police ford, was Mr Lapergue. pounced on after he care unit, Mr Lapergue at the town’s intensive His injuries were so found prayed throughout severe that he was in the village of Chipata, a corpse in a street ordeal. his to an intensive Zambia. care unit at the town’s taken A baying mob brutally He said: “I told them hospital – and handcuffed beat the stained-glass that Jesus was coming to the bed by police factory boss thinking soon and they just who wrongly suspected he was connected to attacked me. They him of murder. death. the tried strangle me, and at After being released one point, one of them to from hospital, Mr LaThe Christian missionary told pergue was flung me I was going to die that night. told New Life how into a Zambian jail, he was: and spent a week in a prison cell with 80 inmates. Beaten beyond recognition, NAKED But the plucky missionary temporarily losing the sight in one eye decided to use “Despite them shouting his imprisonment and beating me, I had to talk about his no fear and remained Christian faith. He said: calm. I prayed in silence “My first night in jail Continued on Page the 2
– BACK PAGE
Hope from horror of genocide
A VICTIM of the Rwandan genocide that saw 800,000 murdered in cold blood has told how she was battered and buried alive. Fr ida Gashu mba ma escape from a shallow naged to she and her family were grave after attacked by Hutu militias. She went through the horror of watching her mother being beheaded and the rest of her family being brutally killed by the evil regime. Frida was left wandering homeless until she was found by a Christian woman, who then led her to Christ. She tells her harrowing story in Chosen to Die, Destined to Live. And in the book she explains how she has learned to forgive the people who took the lives of her family. She said: “I needed to step out in faith, believing that he [God] would do the rest. “I decided to begin with [forgiving] the man who had killed my father.” READ ABOUT FRIDA’S ORDEAL IN HER OWN WORDS – Page 6
Jimmy mum’s not bitter vow
BITTERNESS and anger will not be allowed to destroy the tragic teenager Jimmy family of Mizen, his mother has said. Jimmy, who died in an alleged street attack, said the faith of the family was keepi n g t he m goi n g after the death of t h e 16 -y e a r - o l d in Lee, south-east London. Margaret Mizen said: “God is with is and in our family.” Mrs Mizen also Jimmy Mizen urged people not to blame the family of the suspect in Jimmy’s killing. FULL STORY – Page 3
£2,500 CASH PART OF ‘HAUL’ LEFT DURING AMNESTY I forgive men who murdered my son
THOU SHALT BIN WHAT YOU STOLE MORE than £2,500 of stolen cash was handed over as part of an amnesty in the North East of England.
Ron Bannister collects one of the amnesty bins.
The wad of money was left in a “sin bin” during the ten-week evangelism event which ended last month. Bins were left outside marquees during meetings at sites in Tyneside and Teesside. As well as the cash, other “loot” was ditched by people who had been left with a guilty conscience after taking various items. Among the haul of guilty goods was a library book from Edinburgh University, which was due back in 1984, a valuable ring and a typewriter. The amazing amnesty was part of the Just 10 series, which is touring the nation to show how the Ten Commandments are still relevant to today’s modern world. Evangelist Canon J John has been leading the meetings, and called for people to give up the goods they had stolen. The 49-year-old said: “We steal by being dishonest, by defrauding others, including the taxman, and by defaulting by not returning what we borrow.” Organisers have spent two nights a week in the North East for the past two months in Gateshead and Stockton-on-Tees.
Picture courtesy of Newcastle Evening Chronicle
guilt And the Just 10 mission has seen many people turn their lives around after hearing J John preach at the meetings. He said: “We’ve seen some amazing things as people have been faced with the reality of God’s values. We’ve seen relationships enriched and marriages renewed. “The region has a strong Christian heritage dating back centuries and you can sense people’s receptivity for God in the canvas cathedrals as we call them!” People attending the meetings have been given the chance to free themselves of guilt by dropping stolen goods into amnesty bins. A spokesman for the organisers said: “We have had a lot of things left in the bins, such as hotel towels, a silver teaspoon, CDs and even a bar of Dairy Milk. “We will endeavour to find the original owners, then we will return the goods to them. Anything we can’t reunite with its owner that can be sold, will be sold, and every penny of the proceeds will be given to local charities.” Just 10 attendant Ron Bannister was one of the
team responsible for the bins as those leaving the sermon deposited their dishonest gains. The 75-year-old grandfather-of-four, of Park Drive, Whickham, Gateshead, said: “I think the amnesty bins are a really good idea, but I was shocked by some of the things people put in there. “I didn’t think we’d see a typewriter in there,
or a library book overdue by 24 years. You expect to see smaller things like hotel towels and CDs. It means people have been able to get things off their consciences if they have no way of returning something to the owner but they want to do something practical to make amends.” See www.newlife.co.uk for details about the Ten Commandments
TV PUNDIT SET TO qUIT FOR THEOLOGY DEGREE Gavin Peacock
TV football pundit Gavin Peacock will quit his role with the BBC to pursue a career in the church at the conclusion of this summer’s Euro 2008 finals. The former Chelsea and Newcastle midfielder is emigrating to Canada later this year to begin a three-year Masters
degree in Divinity at Ambrose Seminary. The 40-year-old will then decide whether to become a pastor, vicar or minister at the end of his studies. Since last September, Peacock has been studying for a BA in Theology at a college in Cambridge. The TV pundit, who is a regular
on Football Focus and Match of the Day 2, has been a Christian since he was 19 and has combined his religious studies during his footballing career. At QPR, Peacock hosted a Bible study group for footballers. He recently combined his role with hosting Songs of Praise.
THE mother of a schoolboy shot dead when he was mistaken for his brother has publicly forgiven the two men who killed him. Devout Christian Shakira Dosunmu wept as Mohammed Sannoh and Abdi Omar Noor were convicted of gunning down son Michael. The pair were jailed for life for the murder of 15-year-old Michael, with minimum terms of 30 years. Outside the Old Bailey, Mrs Dosun mu sa id: “I k now what they did was very bad. But I don’t have grudges. “I k now t he y are so stupid and should not have done wh at t hey d id . I h ave for given them from FORGIVING... the bottom of my Michael heart — and one Dosunmu’s day they will come mum Shakira. to their senses.” Below, Michael Churchgoer M ichael was i n bed in the family home in Peckham, south-east London, when Sannoh, 19, and Noor, 22, burst into the room and sprayed h i m w ith bu l lets as he slept. The Old Bailey heard how the pair had carefully planned the execution of Michael’s brother, Hakeem, and thought that he was lying in bed. Michael died almost instantly when one of the bullets passed through his heart, the court was told. Michael’s father Rasak said his son had dreamed of being an architect or church minister, adding: “Michael was a lovely boy. He was level-headed and the type of boy every parent would want to have.”
Brown in faith talks PRIME Minister Gordon Brown has launched a new consultation and dialogue involving the Labour Party and church leaders. The move came at a reception held at No. 10 Downing Street, London, in June. Called “Believing for a Better Britain”, the collaborators in the process say it is designed to enable Labour to hear the concerns of people in faith communities. A spokesman for the Christian Socialist Movement said: “This consultation marks a new phase in Labour’s engagement with churches.”
4 – New Life Newspaper – Issue 173
WORLD NEWS ROUND-UP
On his bike for hospital USA - A pastor is riding a bike thousands of miles – from Maine to California – to raise money for a women’s and children’s hospital in Mali. Bruce Overstreet, of North Country Alliance Church in Plattsburgh, New York, will cycle almost 3,500 miles to help mothers and babies in Mali. He explained that while one out of every four children in Mali die before reaching the age of five, and one out of out every ten women die in childbirth, The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA)’s Koutiala Hospital for Women and Children in Mali had been saving innumerable lives. “Whether you pledge a penny, a dollar, or any other amount, you have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of many women and children throughout Mali,” he explained. Pastor Overstreet predicts it will take him ten weeks to complete his journey.
Help flows to quake area chINA – safe water is being taken to the survivors of the earthquake in China’s sichuan province by Christians. They have rallied to help as the country’s rulers turn their attention to long-term reconstruction of the area, which was devastated following the quake in May. A water resource team of engineers and technicians is in the badly affected city of Chengdu, where they are installing and operating 12 water purification systems. six water purification systems were requested by charity samaritan’s Purse and flown from Charlotte in North Carolina in May along with $1million in relief supplies to Chengdu. six additional systems were sent out last month.
Apostle film to hit screens
INDIA – A movie on the life and ministry of biblical Apostle “doubting” Thomas is set to hit India’s silver screen next year. Thomas is believed to have landed at Palayoor port in Kerala in 52AD, where he established seven churches. It is believed that he was martyred in 72AD in Mylapore. According to reports, the two-and-half-hour film will be produced by the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore with a budget of around £5m.
Let us all pray for terrorists USA – Christians are being urged to ‘adopt’ a terrorist to pray for them. The Colorado-based ministry Adopt a Terrorist for Prayer (ATFP) said that prayer could be used as a counter-offensive strategy to fight terrorism.
LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk
The world’s ‘first’ church is uncovered ArCHAeOLOgIsTs have unearthed what they claim is the world’s first church, dating back almost 2,000 years. And they have revealed it is possible the church was in existence at the time Christ lived! The head of Jordan’s rihab Centre for Archaeological studies, Abdul Qader al-Husan, said: “We have uncovered what we believe to be the first church in the world, dating from 33AD to 70AD.”
sheltered He said it was uncovered under st georgeous Church, which itself dates back to 230AD, in rihab in northern Jordan near the syrian border. “We have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians – the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ,” Husan said. The picture shows archaelogists working under st georgeous Church.
i’ve changed my name to ‘in god’ NAME CHANGE... In God We Trust aka Steve Kreuscher
A School bus driver and amateur artist has legally changed his name to “In God We Trust”.
steve Kreuscher’s first name was changed to “In god”, while his last name was changed to “We Trust” after a county circuit judge approved the move. The man from Zion, Chicago, said the new name symbolised the help god gave him during tough times and that he would use his new name as a moniker for his artwork. In god told reporters: “I feel great. It’s just like, yes! I have been praying for this. I didn’t want anything to mess this up. god
MAN’S MOVE AFTER ‘HARD TIMES’ has brought me through some very hard times. I feel this is a way to honour god and immortalise that phrase.” In god added that the new name represented his devotion to god on a greater level than “steve Kreuscher” did.
sIGN The process to change his name took roughly three months, he said. Throughout the course of his name change, In god said he was looking for a sign from god that would let him know
it was a good idea. He claimed that he received the sign one day while adding up the expenses for the name change, which came out to roughly $600. “I didn’t want to use my own money because things are tight,” said the father of four. “Three weeks later, I got my [tax] rebate cheque for $600.” Changing his name to something so out of the ordinary is bound to get mixed reactions from people, he added. “I’m not out to offend anybody. People can call me something different.”
Stitch in time saves lives Log on to Aid discussion ABDUCTeD and abused young women in Northern Uganda are getting a new start in life. Thanks to a charity in the UK, the women are being trained in sewing skills and are also being given counselling after their ordeal. The Teso Development Trust, a Christian relief and
development charity, has helped fund the programme to help the women. It has also helped resettle hundreds of people attacked by sudanese insurgents. Dave Watts, the charity’s administrator, recently visited the area and said he was delighted to see the new programme had started.
INTerNATIONAL charity Christian Aid has launched a social networking website for users to get involved in global issues. The first “user-generated” project of its kind, Ctrl.Alt. shift lets young people work together to fight against global poverty and social injustice. Users can sign up for
petitions, upload content and drive the agenda by coming up with their own ideas for campaigns, sharing ideas and inspiring each other. Katrin Owusu, head of Youth Marketing and Innovations at Christian Aid, said: “The key mission is to bring about the democratisation of charity.”
Water a relief for Niger folk ALMOsT 2,000 people in Baourou, Niger, are to receive fresh water thanks to a lifesaving scheme. Wells are now being provided for 1,898 people, as part of a Church World servicesponsored Water for Life / Water for All project in Niger. Village women and children are responsible for fetching household water, along with other domestic duties. They walk miles each day in search of water that may be polluted and carry waterborne diseases. It has been reported that permanent water points that provide quality water will improve nutrition, especially for children. It can also encourage the creation of income generating activities, such as irrigated village gardens. A spokesman said: “This will assist in reducing the famine that chronically exists in this part of Niger.”
Hunt is on for star trekkers! PeOPLe are being offered the chance to trek through mountains and desert terrain to raise cash to help some of the world’s most vulnerable. siloam Christian Ministries has just launched its sinai Desert Challenge, a fundraising initiative. UK Director richard Norton said: “We warmly invite people to take up this challenge.” The event takes place April 18–25, 2009. For details, visit www.siloam.org.uk.
LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk
Issue 173 – New Life Newspaper – 5
Please pray for my son Continued from Page 1 and I just ask people to pray for Lee.” Ann, who has now learned how to do basic physio, said of the accident: “If Lee was going out on a bike ride, he would always wear a helmet, but this was just a daft, one-off thing – having a laugh with his mates w ithout th in k ing about the consequences. “His dad Charles has always said that Lee has a heart of gold studded with diamonds, and he’s right. He’s just a delightful lad. Everyone who knows him loves him.”
Your full-service solicitors...
STRONG
Not losing hope... Ann Gilmour. Picture courtesy
of Evening Gazette, Teesside
She added: “You could easily just curl up and cry but what good would that do? I need to be strong for Lee. Until he comes round, we don’t really know how it has affected him, but I don’t think too far ahead. I just want him to wake up and be Lee again.”
EX-ALCOHOLIC GOES BACK TO OLD CHURCH
ROVER’S RETURN! A LONELY alcoholic who slept rough after being disowned by his family has told how welcoming church members changed his life.
...serving you and your church for quarter of a century
by Derek Green
have a drink. I had to have a drink before I went to work. Then I took cans of drink with me to work, and was gasping for more in the Terry Beesley believed society had rejected evening.” him after booze had wrecked his life. He was But his relentless boozing pushed Lisa’s so hooked on drinking that he even took cans patience to the limit, and she moved out of of lager to work! their home. Terry explained: “I knew nobody would find It was at this time that Terry’s life fell apart. me because nobody was looking for me.” He quickly went downhill and started sleepThe 42-year-old, who described his childing rough. His whole existence depended on hood i n L iver pool as “fa i rly alcohol. He was a physical wreck average”, got w rapped up i n and weighed only six stone. “the wrong crowd” when he left With the death of his mother school at the age of 11. and his family disowning him, “It was not long before we Terry was desperate. were trying magic mushrooms Terry one day found himself and experiencing the thrills of outside Sefton Christian Fellowdrugs,” he explained. ship, which he had attended as a But a fte r hea r i ng fr ie nds child, and decided to go in… once describe a heroin trip, Terry he found the door because he was decided he wanted to try it. He so drunk he struggled to find it! said: “I was on a government “I was amazed,” said Terry. scheme and was getting £23 a “The people welcomed me in and week, so I turned to crime to feed I began to feel wanted.” Terry Beesley the habit.” He returned a few times and After being caught red-handed several disrupted the services because he was so times, the wayward Terry had to serve three drunk, but the worshippers inside still showed short prison sentences. love and concern. But they were enough to convince the As a result, Terry decided to become more Liverpudlian that he should give his habit involved and to become a Christian. the boot. After turning his back on booze, Terry’s However, Terry’s decision only led him to life transformed. Former girlfriend Lisa acbecome hooked on to an even more addictive cepted him back into her life and the couple drug – alcohol. married. They have a son and are expecting At first, Terry’s life appeared to be back on their second child. track and he secured a job as a painter and Now Terry spends a lot of his time talking decorator. Even his love life was blossoming to people in similar circumstances on the after he started to date single mum Lisa. streets of Liverpool. Terry said: “I was a happy alcoholic. I was He added: “I just want to tell the world how always friendly and happy as long as I could Jesus has transformed my life.”
St James Court, Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1BT Tel: 01332 291431 Fax: 01332 254180 21-22 Burns Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 8AA Tel: 0115 9324101 Fax: 0115 9446302 Both offices Tel: 08450 555 111
www.robinsons-solicitors.co.uk
LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk
6 – New Life Newspaper – Issue 173
NEW LIFE www.newlife.co.uk
WORKING TOGeTheR TO BRING you The GOOd NeWS THROUGHOUT 2008, a campaign by Christians will be spreading hope through community projects and social action schemes. From cleaning up a longneglected park, to organising community events, to spreading the Gospel via a wide selection of media, Hope08 will involve Christians demonstrating the love of God in the UK. Churches will be joining together in a way that hasn’t been done before. Anglicans, Methodists, Pentecostals, Baptists and others will put aside their differences to work together for the greater good of the country. And the ‘hope’ is that people who are not yet believers will gain a deeper understanding of the love that was preached by Jesus – and experience that love for themselves.
tune in In 2008, New Life will be working with Christian media organisation United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) to spread the Word. UCB broadcast to virtually all major UK cities on dAB digital radio and you can also listen via digital satellite and online. UCB radio is perfect for anyone who has an interest in news, features, music and interviews from a faith perspective.
explore ChristiAnity We’re also working with Alpha, the course that allows people to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions. The courses are free and are usually run in the evening, and include a meal or refreshments. To find a course near you, see www.alpha.org
Find A ChurCh We’re also working with Find a Church, who run a brilliant website listing the details of more than 42,000 UK Christian churches. Simply tap in your postcode for help to find a great church in your area.
the BiBle mAtters The Gideons are well known for their work distributing Bibles to schools, hospitals, hotels etc. If you want Jesus to make himself real in your life, and don’t have a Bible, The Gideons will be happy to provide you with a Testament completely free of charge.
The ABC of how you can become a Christian...
A Admit that you have done wrong that Jesus died so that you can be forgiven, and ask God to forgive you B Believe The Bible says, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).
C
‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16); ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us’ (1 John 1:9).
Commit yourself to living God’s way Jesus said, ‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12). Log on to www.lookingforgod.com for more help.
FREE
FOR EVERY READER DAILY INSPIRATIONAL BOOK call 0845 6040401 or log on to www.ucb.co.uk
Issue 173 – New Life Newspaper – 7
I’ve no anger for man who blinded me. It’s given me the vision to help others Blinded by a plastic bullet as he walked home from school at the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Richard Moore cheated death. But instead of getting angry with the soldier who shot him, he decided to turn his experience into something positive by helping other children caught up in crossfire. And 36 years after being shot, he finally met the soldier who fired that fateful shot to let him know that he has forgiven him. James Hastings reports
T
HE last thing in the world Richard Moore saw before he went blind was part of his primary school wall.
Minutes later, he was lying unconscious on a table in the canteen where a teacher had hurriedly carried his lifeless body. Ambulance staff tried desperately to bring him round. A rubber bullet, fired by a British soldier, had hit Richard on the nose. He was just ten years old, and had been running out of Rosemount Primary in Derry to rush home for tea. Over the next few weeks, doctors feared Richard might die from his injuries. Then they thought he would survive but be permanently brain damaged. A month after the shooting in Derry’s infamous Craigend estate, a specialist broke the terrible news to his parents – their son would be blind for the rest of his life. “People often ask how I felt hearing that news,” said Richard, now 46. “Well, when you’re just ten, you don’t think about your future education or a job or the future in general so I accepted the fact reasonably well. At first, I thought I just couldn’t see because of the bandages over my eyes. When I realised it was permanent, the hardest part was the fact I would never see my mammy’s and daddy’s faces again. “That was the one thing that saddened me.” It was May 4, 1972, at the height of Northern Ireland’s Troubles, when Richard’s life changed for ever. Thirty-six years later, he would come face to face with the man who fired the gun.
ARMED One of 12 children from a devout Christian family, Richard Moore was used to danger and sectarianism. His uncle Gerard, his mother’s brother, was shot and killed on Bloody Sunday. Richard’s school lay at the end of the Craigend Estate, a no-go area for the police and army, who had set up a heavily armed sentry point in the street where he lived. Tension was a daily occurrence. “My mammy and daddy were not political in the least,” explained Richard. “But they were loving, caring and taught us to pray and go to church. We loved playing outside after school but at any sign of trouble, they’d bring us in.” Richard remembers nothing about being hit by the bullet which maimed him. Young people on the estate would regularly taunt the soldiers and throw bricks at the army post. But that day, he was simply a little boy doing what millions of youngsters do – going home from school. With the love and support of his family, as well as his own determination, Richard
Left: Richard in Ethiopia during a visit to the charity he founded, Children in Crossfire Above: Richard meets the Dalai Lama
refused to allow his blindness to hold him back. He was a natural born businessman and entrepreneur. By his 21st birthday, he owned two pubs in the centre of Derry with plans to expand. His faith remained strong and he laughs at the suggestion that he should feel angry with God for what happened. “When I look at my situation, I see a family of 12 children growing up in poverty, in a violent part of the world. One day, one of those children is blinded in a terrible tragedy. “What keeps that family together and stay i ng above thei r ci rcumstances? Its prayer, the power of prayer. My mammy and daddy prayed I’d get my sight back. I didn’t, but a miracle did happen.
T
he miracle was turning something negative into something positive. I didn’t get my sight back, but I did get a new vision. “I could have gone on building a business empire but God told me I was to do something else. He wanted me to help other children caught up in violence who didn’t have the loving, supportive family I had. “I got special help with education. I had hot and cold water in the house. I had food on the table. In many parts of the world, children are affected by terrible violence but do not have the many blessings that I did. So I decided to sell the business and set up my charity, Children in Crossfire, to help these other kids.” Founded in 1996, Children in Crossfire works with a vibrant web of collaborating agencies, to eradicate poverty and provide
opportunities in some of the world’s most troubled countries. The charity supports local initiatives that improve the daily lives for people through initiatives such as improved health facilities, or clean water supplies. “At the heart of our commitment to tackle poverty is the belief that it is within local communities that the most effective and sustainable development initiatives are to be found,” said Richard. “Children in Crossfire responds to community needs, so we are involved in a wide range of initiatives. In each country we focus on the areas where we can make a difference, for instance, agr ic u lt u re a nd food securit y, emergency rel ief, hu ma n rights, or water a nd env i ronmental sanitation.” The charity has been a d r iv i n g for ce for justice in Columbia, one of the most violent countries in the world where people are subject to gross violations of human rights. For decades they have endured a brutal civil conflict involving guerrilla, paramilitary groups and drug cartels. “The lack of opportunities for young people means that it also has a high rate of adolescents running away from home to join the illegal armed groups. Children in Crossfire has a multi-faceted programme that includes work on human rights and
‘I wanted
to tell him that I bore no grudge’
peace education, the environment, income generation, gender equality, non-formal education and community development,” said Richard. “Key target groups are people displaced by the conflict and the rural population, and in particular women, young people and children.” Apart from feeling driven to help children living with violence, Richard had always felt driven in another area: to meet the man who pulled the trigger that blinded him. In the year 2000, he made initial inquiries. This led to him discovering the soldier was Scottish. Over the next few years, Richard discovered his name was Charles, now a retired major. “For as long as I could remember, I’d wanted to meet the soldier,” explained Richard. “Finally, I was able to send him a letter and he wrote back agreeing to see me.”
R
ichard explained how he had long forgiven the soldier for that terrible day. He was also anxious not to make him feel guilty. “I didn’t even want to talk much about the incident,” he added. “I was no longer living there, I’d moved on and I didn’t want to drag Charles back there. Besides, forcing him to examine in detail what happened that day would not change the fact that I was blind. I just wanted to tell him that I bore no grudge, that I had honestly forgiven him. I wanted a formal ending. I would be happy to leave it at that.” A meeting was arranged at a hotel in Edinburgh. It was 36 years since a little boy
crossed his school playground and into the fire of a British soldier‘s gun. “Charles told me he was sorry. He said he never woke that morning with the intention of going out to shoot a child. He wished he could turn the clock back and often thought about me,” explained Richard. “His memory that day was of youngsters throwing stones and a crowd gathering so he decided to fire a rubber bullet in the hope of dispersing the crowd. He never even saw me.” Richard talked about his life. He was now married with two daughters. He had run a successful business and founded a charity helping children living with violence. He was a huge Beatles fan.
FREEDOM It was a remarkable example of forgiveness in action, over tea and sandwiches. “Forgiveness is a gift that you give to yourself,” added Richard. “If you harbour unforgiveness and anger, all that does is put a lock on yourself, not the other person. By forgiving, I have found freedom. Forgiveness may not change the past, but it does change the future. “Forgiveness is at the heart of my faith, and faith is not something I keep for Sundays. It is part of my everyday life. It directs me to forgive Charles, it directs me to help others in this country and in other countries. “All I can say to people is what I have done. I cannot speak for others who have suffered terrible things. “I know forgiveness works. I am at peace and have a joy in my heart.”
On wing and a prayer... TWO men who prayed when t he i r pla ne’s e ng i ne fa i led landed next to a “Jesus is Lord” sign! Pilot Owen Wilson and passenger Grant Stubbs started praying when they started to fall out of the sky after their microlight ran out of fuel. But after escaping from the plane unharmed, they thanked God for divine intervention. The pair explained that as they fell to earth, Mr Wilson screa med at h is passenger: “Pray… just pray!” Mr Stubbs, who was taken on the flight as a birthday treat, said: “When you’re in a microlight and crash, you usually die. My friend and I are both Christians, so our reaction in a life-threatening situation was to ask for God’s help.” The pair were flying from New Zealand’s Marlborough Sounds district in the t woseater plane. Mr Wilson desperately searched for a safe landing area to glide to, and saw a strip of land. He was able to touch down without either man receiving a scratch. As the men clambered from the plane they saw a 20ft-tall sign which read: Jesus is Lord. The property they landed next to is owned by a Christian couple, who run a lodge, which explained the sign. Mr Stubbs said: “When we saw it, we both burst out laughing!”
LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk
6 – New Life Newspaper – Issue 173
NEW LIFE www.newlife.co.uk
WORKING TOGeTheR TO BRING you The GOOd NeWS THROUGHOUT 2008, a campaign by Christians will be spreading hope through community projects and social action schemes. From cleaning up a longneglected park, to organising community events, to spreading the Gospel via a wide selection of media, Hope08 will involve Christians demonstrating the love of God in the UK. Churches will be joining together in a way that hasn’t been done before. Anglicans, Methodists, Pentecostals, Baptists and others will put aside their differences to work together for the greater good of the country. And the ‘hope’ is that people who are not yet believers will gain a deeper understanding of the love that was preached by Jesus – and experience that love for themselves.
tune in In 2008, New Life will be working with Christian media organisation United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) to spread the Word. UCB broadcast to virtually all major UK cities on dAB digital radio and you can also listen via digital satellite and online. UCB radio is perfect for anyone who has an interest in news, features, music and interviews from a faith perspective.
explore ChristiAnity We’re also working with Alpha, the course that allows people to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions. The courses are free and are usually run in the evening, and include a meal or refreshments. To find a course near you, see www.alpha.org
Find A ChurCh We’re also working with Find a Church, who run a brilliant website listing the details of more than 42,000 UK Christian churches. Simply tap in your postcode for help to find a great church in your area.
the BiBle mAtters The Gideons are well known for their work distributing Bibles to schools, hospitals, hotels etc. If you want Jesus to make himself real in your life, and don’t have a Bible, The Gideons will be happy to provide you with a Testament completely free of charge.
The ABC of how you can become a Christian...
A Admit that you have done wrong that Jesus died so that you can be forgiven, and ask God to forgive you B Believe The Bible says, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).
C
‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16); ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us’ (1 John 1:9).
Commit yourself to living God’s way Jesus said, ‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12). Log on to www.lookingforgod.com for more help.
FREE
FOR EVERY READER DAILY INSPIRATIONAL BOOK call 0845 6040401 or log on to www.ucb.co.uk
Issue 173 – New Life Newspaper – 7
I’ve no anger for man who blinded me. It’s given me the vision to help others Blinded by a plastic bullet as he walked home from school at the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Richard Moore cheated death. But instead of getting angry with the soldier who shot him, he decided to turn his experience into something positive by helping other children caught up in crossfire. And 36 years after being shot, he finally met the soldier who fired that fateful shot to let him know that he has forgiven him. James Hastings reports
T
HE last thing in the world Richard Moore saw before he went blind was part of his primary school wall.
Minutes later, he was lying unconscious on a table in the canteen where a teacher had hurriedly carried his lifeless body. Ambulance staff tried desperately to bring him round. A rubber bullet, fired by a British soldier, had hit Richard on the nose. He was just ten years old, and had been running out of Rosemount Primary in Derry to rush home for tea. Over the next few weeks, doctors feared Richard might die from his injuries. Then they thought he would survive but be permanently brain damaged. A month after the shooting in Derry’s infamous Craigend estate, a specialist broke the terrible news to his parents – their son would be blind for the rest of his life. “People often ask how I felt hearing that news,” said Richard, now 46. “Well, when you’re just ten, you don’t think about your future education or a job or the future in general so I accepted the fact reasonably well. At first, I thought I just couldn’t see because of the bandages over my eyes. When I realised it was permanent, the hardest part was the fact I would never see my mammy’s and daddy’s faces again. “That was the one thing that saddened me.” It was May 4, 1972, at the height of Northern Ireland’s Troubles, when Richard’s life changed for ever. Thirty-six years later, he would come face to face with the man who fired the gun.
ARMED One of 12 children from a devout Christian family, Richard Moore was used to danger and sectarianism. His uncle Gerard, his mother’s brother, was shot and killed on Bloody Sunday. Richard’s school lay at the end of the Craigend Estate, a no-go area for the police and army, who had set up a heavily armed sentry point in the street where he lived. Tension was a daily occurrence. “My mammy and daddy were not political in the least,” explained Richard. “But they were loving, caring and taught us to pray and go to church. We loved playing outside after school but at any sign of trouble, they’d bring us in.” Richard remembers nothing about being hit by the bullet which maimed him. Young people on the estate would regularly taunt the soldiers and throw bricks at the army post. But that day, he was simply a little boy doing what millions of youngsters do – going home from school. With the love and support of his family, as well as his own determination, Richard
Left: Richard in Ethiopia during a visit to the charity he founded, Children in Crossfire Above: Richard meets the Dalai Lama
refused to allow his blindness to hold him back. He was a natural born businessman and entrepreneur. By his 21st birthday, he owned two pubs in the centre of Derry with plans to expand. His faith remained strong and he laughs at the suggestion that he should feel angry with God for what happened. “When I look at my situation, I see a family of 12 children growing up in poverty, in a violent part of the world. One day, one of those children is blinded in a terrible tragedy. “What keeps that family together and stay i ng above thei r ci rcumstances? Its prayer, the power of prayer. My mammy and daddy prayed I’d get my sight back. I didn’t, but a miracle did happen.
T
he miracle was turning something negative into something positive. I didn’t get my sight back, but I did get a new vision. “I could have gone on building a business empire but God told me I was to do something else. He wanted me to help other children caught up in violence who didn’t have the loving, supportive family I had. “I got special help with education. I had hot and cold water in the house. I had food on the table. In many parts of the world, children are affected by terrible violence but do not have the many blessings that I did. So I decided to sell the business and set up my charity, Children in Crossfire, to help these other kids.” Founded in 1996, Children in Crossfire works with a vibrant web of collaborating agencies, to eradicate poverty and provide
opportunities in some of the world’s most troubled countries. The charity supports local initiatives that improve the daily lives for people through initiatives such as improved health facilities, or clean water supplies. “At the heart of our commitment to tackle poverty is the belief that it is within local communities that the most effective and sustainable development initiatives are to be found,” said Richard. “Children in Crossfire responds to community needs, so we are involved in a wide range of initiatives. In each country we focus on the areas where we can make a difference, for instance, agr ic u lt u re a nd food securit y, emergency rel ief, hu ma n rights, or water a nd env i ronmental sanitation.” The charity has been a d r iv i n g for ce for justice in Columbia, one of the most violent countries in the world where people are subject to gross violations of human rights. For decades they have endured a brutal civil conflict involving guerrilla, paramilitary groups and drug cartels. “The lack of opportunities for young people means that it also has a high rate of adolescents running away from home to join the illegal armed groups. Children in Crossfire has a multi-faceted programme that includes work on human rights and
‘I wanted
to tell him that I bore no grudge’
peace education, the environment, income generation, gender equality, non-formal education and community development,” said Richard. “Key target groups are people displaced by the conflict and the rural population, and in particular women, young people and children.” Apart from feeling driven to help children living with violence, Richard had always felt driven in another area: to meet the man who pulled the trigger that blinded him. In the year 2000, he made initial inquiries. This led to him discovering the soldier was Scottish. Over the next few years, Richard discovered his name was Charles, now a retired major. “For as long as I could remember, I’d wanted to meet the soldier,” explained Richard. “Finally, I was able to send him a letter and he wrote back agreeing to see me.”
R
ichard explained how he had long forgiven the soldier for that terrible day. He was also anxious not to make him feel guilty. “I didn’t even want to talk much about the incident,” he added. “I was no longer living there, I’d moved on and I didn’t want to drag Charles back there. Besides, forcing him to examine in detail what happened that day would not change the fact that I was blind. I just wanted to tell him that I bore no grudge, that I had honestly forgiven him. I wanted a formal ending. I would be happy to leave it at that.” A meeting was arranged at a hotel in Edinburgh. It was 36 years since a little boy
crossed his school playground and into the fire of a British soldier‘s gun. “Charles told me he was sorry. He said he never woke that morning with the intention of going out to shoot a child. He wished he could turn the clock back and often thought about me,” explained Richard. “His memory that day was of youngsters throwing stones and a crowd gathering so he decided to fire a rubber bullet in the hope of dispersing the crowd. He never even saw me.” Richard talked about his life. He was now married with two daughters. He had run a successful business and founded a charity helping children living with violence. He was a huge Beatles fan.
FREEDOM It was a remarkable example of forgiveness in action, over tea and sandwiches. “Forgiveness is a gift that you give to yourself,” added Richard. “If you harbour unforgiveness and anger, all that does is put a lock on yourself, not the other person. By forgiving, I have found freedom. Forgiveness may not change the past, but it does change the future. “Forgiveness is at the heart of my faith, and faith is not something I keep for Sundays. It is part of my everyday life. It directs me to forgive Charles, it directs me to help others in this country and in other countries. “All I can say to people is what I have done. I cannot speak for others who have suffered terrible things. “I know forgiveness works. I am at peace and have a joy in my heart.”
On wing and a prayer... TWO men who prayed when t he i r pla ne’s e ng i ne fa i led landed next to a “Jesus is Lord” sign! Pilot Owen Wilson and passenger Grant Stubbs started praying when they started to fall out of the sky after their microlight ran out of fuel. But after escaping from the plane unharmed, they thanked God for divine intervention. The pair explained that as they fell to earth, Mr Wilson screa med at h is passenger: “Pray… just pray!” Mr Stubbs, who was taken on the flight as a birthday treat, said: “When you’re in a microlight and crash, you usually die. My friend and I are both Christians, so our reaction in a life-threatening situation was to ask for God’s help.” The pair were flying from New Zealand’s Marlborough Sounds district in the t woseater plane. Mr Wilson desperately searched for a safe landing area to glide to, and saw a strip of land. He was able to touch down without either man receiving a scratch. As the men clambered from the plane they saw a 20ft-tall sign which read: Jesus is Lord. The property they landed next to is owned by a Christian couple, who run a lodge, which explained the sign. Mr Stubbs said: “When we saw it, we both burst out laughing!”
8 – New Life Newspaper – Issue 173
new life classifieds post: New Life Newspaper, PO Box 777, Nottingham, NG11 6ZZ tel: 0115 921 7280 email: ads@newlifepublishing.co.uk web: www.newlife.co.uk
– INSURANCE –
Excellent policies for: Churches – Christian Organisations Charities – Minibuses – Trustees Indemnity Bookshops – House Buildings & Contents – Cars All our staff are committed Christians whose aim is to find you the best policy for your needs
W. Brian Wilson & Son
3 Portland Grove, Heaton Moor, Stockport SK4 4AA
Telephone: 0161 432 2407 Email: insurance@wbwilson.co.uk Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
(CV26)
holidays B rac k le s h a m B ay W e s t Sussex Self-catering chalets. Well appointed, sleep 4-6. Outdoor pool, close to pebble/wet sand beach. Other properties UK and abroad. 0845 644 0717. www.windrushholidays.com enquiries@windrushholidays.com (EI34) C A R M A R T H E N SH I R E , n e a r Llanelli. Beautifully appointed and equipped bungalow. Outstanding coastal views. 2 ensuite bedrooms. Sleeps max 7. Tel 01554 758876. www.gowerview.co.uk (EI58)
USA FLORIDA (ORLANDO) 6 bedroom villa (lake View) quiet neighb ourho o d. 15mins f rom attractions/golf/shopping. Warm y e a r r o u n d c l i m a t e . Co n t a c t 028427 38 559. Also accomodation Spain/N Ireland. See web www.christiancoastalapartments. (EJ10) com
(CJ11)
Kernow Trek Lodge Mawgan Porth. Bed And Breakfast from £25.50 pppn. On the beautifull North Cornwall Coast. Families and Groups Welcome. www.kernowtrek.co.uk 01637 860437 (FS94) LANCASTER - LITTLE ACORNS Homely B&B. In pretty riverside village close M6 Junction 34. Ideal North/South Stop over. Tel: Alison 01524 811 408 (EJ33) LLANDUDNO. Beth Eden Christian Guest house with superb views overlooking sea and Snowdonia mountains. We welcome individuals, families and groups of up to 30. Times of fellowship and bible ministry. www.betheden. co.uk 01492 877057 betheden@ btinternet.co.uk (CJ13)
Beulah Friendship Bureau, PO Box 17, Basildon, Essex SS15 5JN (CV39)
JARROD COOPERS Music, Free Resources, Television Listings, Online Radio, Books, Missions, Worship Courses, Conferences, Articles, Webshop, Podcasts, Sheet Music, www.daysofwonder.org.uk (CG65)
publications GOING FOR BROKE ON JESUS True moving story of how Jesus turned beer bottles into furniture.
(FN03)
(DZ62)
A NeW Door – retreAt Holiday in Spain with Purpose. Bring your life back into order with a lifestyle coach. Put in Joy where it should be in your life. Call 0121 748 4351. email: m567plan@hotmail.com and see the holy spirit work in your life. (FO18) Retired aidworker (ex Oxfam engineer) experienced Africa/Middle East / S.America ;available short missions 4 to 6 weeks; surveys / investigations / needs assessments. mail@dmcmullan.com (EV52) s in g er - s on g writer . Evangelist - Des Pilling. New album ‘King of kings’ 13 worship songs £6.50. Also 1-day course on evangelism reaching your community. 07787 513235 - Des www.despillingministries.co.uk (FR50) Single? Christian Friendship Fellowship (established 1976) has much to offer. Full details info@cf-f.co.uk, www.c-f-f.co.uk or 01302 711007 (CS06)
www.healingschoolonline.org Tel 01908 501 643
Authorized suppliers of fair-trade products Coffee equipment to purchase or lease Supplys churches, conference centers, hotels, health clubs, cafes, events
for free brochure
vacancies enjoy a second incom e , new career challenge or pension top-up with established UK company. Flexible h o u r s . Fo r f r e e i n f o r m a t i o n call 08000 40 79 81 (24hrs) or www.income-opportunity.info
Write for details: Bâsar Blessings, PO BOX 5937, Bournemouth BH6 4WY or visit www.basar-blessings.org
‘The ‘The Venture’ Venture’
The story of the vision given to me concerning spring water from Wales with a touch of Welsh gold, where the royal wedding rings come from. A venture of faith into the unknown, a prophetic insight. ‘The Venture’ is now available by mail order from:
REDLANDS CHRISTIAN RESIDENTIAL HOME Single/ double rooms. Large garden, qualified staff, activities programme and fellowship. For details write or ring Redlands (J), Rock Hill, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG18 2JP Tel: 01623 621042 Fax: 01623 (CU59) 429710.
Cyril Jones Ministries:Tel: 01341 423281 www.livingwatersprings.co.uk (EW87) (EW87)
A bible m aga zine of unique i nterest
Stories of Bible personalities and happenings, sidelights on Bible history and archaeology, important aspects of the Christian faith. The Bible outlook on current events and social habits, for views of the future – optimism of the Bible. 24 pages – published bi-monthly – sent free for six months on request to:
Bible Fellowship Union Dept N, 4 Manor Gardens, Barnstone, Nottingham NG13 9JL
publishing
SAMPLES ON REQUEST
Quality chairs & tables Compare our prices
Floor plans available free of charge
Contact: Angela Gorton Tel/fax: 01745 859 223 Mob: 07970 661135
(FP72)
(EI58)
G O D - I N S P I R E D B U S I N E SS OPPORTUNITY Worldwide team include Paul J. Meyer - mentor to Zig Ziglar & John. C. Maxwell!! Improve your health & your wealth. Contact Margaret on 07803 388211 (EW48)
E: angelicafurniture@btinternet.com W: www.angelicachurchfurniture.co.uk
Successful businessperson looking for 3 working partners! To work part time from home, alongside & without compromising family commitments or current career. If you have a managerial, sales, supervisory, marketing or recruitment background, or, want to develop a great income – this opportunity could be for you. If you are honest with integrity call Tom on 01823 431710. (FR45) Career opportunities with
New Life Publishing
MINIBUS SALES Speak to Colin Baker. Southampton (023) 8078 3820. Nationwide delivery. Established in 1977. (CQ30)
It is easier than you think to understand the Book of Revelation!
personal
LOOK & LISTEN MULTIMEDIA Specialists for Churches High quality - low budget Song software- Screens Laptops – Install - Hire Tel: 01895 624 774 Email: info@llmedia.com (CR67) Web: www.llmedia.com
Learn at home. Practical and informative. 9 Months course. £15 Monthly.
0118 986 8786 www.kingdomcoffee.co.uk
HOME INFORMATION PA C KS P e r s o n a l , p o r t a b l e HIP with free online ad from www.My-HIP-Plus.co.uk email: enquiries@my-hip -plus.co.uk . Highgrove Property Search Agency (FF90) 01588 672881
www.going4broke.co.uk
‘The Venture’
DOOR STICKERS offered free, “No Visits by Jehovah’s Witnesses Please”. Send stamped addressed envelope to: The Help Jesus Ministry, 20 Maycock Avenue, Kimberworth (DO91) Park, Rotherham, S61 3BQ
Healing School
Coffee with a conscience
Dunamis Gallery. Original and affordable abstract art by the Christian artist Alan Freeman. For viewing and sales see www. (FP97) alanfreeman.org.uk.
£7.50 p&p free. Tel: 01978-290297
is now available by Then mail order from: ISLE OF ARRAN Farm special? join friendsfirst Cyril Jones Ministries accommodation. 3 bedrooms plus to meet other single Christians 01341 423281 spa bathroom, sleeping 8. Private Tel: whatever your age/marital status. www.livingwatersprings.co.uk trout-fishing, alpacas, sea views. Caring + offline = successful. Call (EW87) 01770 700488 www.arranalpaca. 0121 427 1286 or 0207 100 1220 co.uk (EQ47) today. www.friends1st.co.uk (EG76)
For more details, send a large SAE to:
SPANISH VILLA for rent on the Costa Blanca coast. For more details visit our website www. morairarentals.co.uk or call Sheena on 01481 248221. (FM27)
The story of patible thesvision Com . Single and CZECH REPUBLIC Large flat near given to me concerning Ch r is t i a n? Wewater w i from l l h e l p yo u Petrovice village on the German spring find / Polish borders. Protected scenic Wales withlove and arrange a touch of your first gold, where0151 the 327 6229 region. tel 08444 620 620 followedWelsh meeting. Phone wedding rings come from. by 00420 487 521 115 (2p/min)royal www.mycompatibles.com (EL48) A venture of faith into the unknown, (FM97) a prophetic Venture’ L oo kinsight. in g ‘The for s o m eone
i s rael , m editerranean , Europe, UK ‘weekend breaks’. All excellent value (ATOL 3669); brochure Lifetime Christian Holidays, PO Box 55, Newport, NP19 8X T. Tel: 01633 277167 Email: info@lifetime-holidays.co.uk
For born again Christians of all ages and denominations, Beulah offers introductions to find that special friend or marriage partner you have been looking for.
PEACE , PERFECT PEACE . Attractive bungalows (Sleeps 2-6) pool, gardens, glorious panoramic rural views, idyllic looking. Near Looe. Tel 01503 272 570 www.catherinepark.co.uk (CJ07)
Christian Singles Holidays & Breaks. Bible reading & prayer, great fellowship, many locations, meet new friends. Grace Singles. Tel: 01492 531779 www.gracesingles. co.uk/holidays.php (FB85) Colwyn Bay. The Haven Christian Guest House close to sea. Ensuite rooms.Car parking. Tel: 01492 531779 www.graceholidays.co.uk/ haven/ (FB85)
BEULAH
Looking for a life partner?
sales & services
(EJ64)
financial
LOVELY ARDENNES region of Belguim: Christian B&B (from £19) plus self catering apartment. w w w. pierresb lanches .com email: info@pierresblanches.com Tel: 0032 843 87800 (FC02)
www.beulahfriendshipbureau.co.uk
(EW13)
DARWIN , CREATION , E VO LUTI O N? G e t inf o r m e d ! Books, DVDs, literature, seminars. Creation Resources Trust, PO Box 3237, Yeovil, BA22 7WD. 01935 850569. info@crt.org.uk www.crt.org.uk (EY56)
L O N D O N H A MM E R SM I T H Nice B&B. Comfortable, central, quiet family home. Direct line to all attractions, airports/Eurostar. Double/twin £50p.n. Single £36p.n. Children’s reductions. 020 7385 4904 www.thewaytostay.co.uk (EH35)
(CD15c)
creation
Advertising Sales Executive Competitive basic plus commission
training Pentecostal Bible School School of Christ International, 4 we ek (or par t there of ) residential cour s e, Lim erick , Ireland. For more information contact: +447855368515 or email: schoolofchristeuro@hotmail.com 㤵 (FO97) 㜵 HELP JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES FIND CHRIST. For free literature write to Freedom Ministries, 28 Church View, Killamarsh, Sheffield, ㈵ S21 2FA. (CU26) 㔀
New Life is looking for an enthusiastic and tenacious individual to develop the advertising content of a raft of UK Christian titles. A passion for the Gospel is essential along with the skills to create new business opportunities. Write with CV to: Peter Wreford, Managing Director, New Life Publishing Co, PO Box 777, Nottingham, NG11 6ZZ. Or email md@newlifepublishing.co.uk
wanted Church Furnishings Bought and sold. From chairs to pulpits. Call Chancellors on 01932 252 736, Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm. (CT75)
what’s on
Royal Rangers A YOUNG PERSON’S UNIFORMED ORGANISATION
DON’T IGNORE IT! 湥 眠 汩 晥 ⁰ 畢 汩 獨 楮 朠 慤 癥 牴 猠 ㈰ 〸
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 ㈸ ⁁ you 灲 楬 aware ′ 〰 㠠 of ㄶ your 㨱 㐺 ㄵ responsibility? are I can offer advice and support to ensure legal compliance (Midlands area). Mary Morrison MBIFM Tech IOSH MRM Safety T: 07972 762657 email: m-morrison@mrmsafety.co.uk www.mrmsafety.co.uk (EY87)
A G E S
3
-
1 8
For information, phone: Daytime: 0161 339 4819 Evening: 0161 338 5392 Children and young people’s work – what is your church doing? Building friendships Opening new doors Fun & achievement Exciting programme Learning new skills REACH, TEACH, AND KEEP BOYS & GIRLS FOR JESUS
www.royalrangers.org.uk
Advertise in
New Life from as little as £8.
Get your business seen by tens of thousands of readers across the UK.
0115 921 7280 ads@newlifepublishing.co.uk
LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk
Team to help HIV orphans NINE church members are to embark on a mercy mission to South Africa to try to help in the fight against the HIV and AIdS epidemic. The team from Norwich Central Baptist Church will fly to Johannesburg next month to work alongside the Baptist Convention of South Africa. The team will be linked with a church community in South Africa and will be working with HIV/AIdS orphans. The virus has become a massive problem in the country, and is believed to have infected more than five million people. The team, all of different ages, hope to be able to use their skills in South Africa to make a difference to children living in the shadow of HIV/ AIdS who have suffered the loss of one or both parents. dave Gallop, one of the tea m, sa id: “Ever y one of us has different tech n ical skills. “For instance, some are good w ith computers a nd others are medically minded, so we have got a really good team together.”
Read it... and reap! EVERY single line of the Bible was read in an epic charity stunt to help cancer sufferers. Rotarians and volunteers from St Thomas’s Church in Stourbridge took part in the three-day marathon. The sponsored readathon helped raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Churchgoers and Rotary members took it in turns to read 20 -m i nute seg ments each throughout the day and night; with the first reader, the Bishop of Worcester - the Rt Rev dr John Inge – kicking things off. Rotary member david Collins said: “We hope to raise a substantial amount of money t h rough sponsorsh ip a nd other donations.”
Issue 173 – New Life Newspaper – 9
ERNEST, 75, GETS TO GRIPS WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY
Silver surfer’s website a hit! by Matthew Murray SELF-confessed computer novice Ernest Anderson may be 75, but he is getting to grips with new technology and producing a successful website. Retired minister Ernest’s site is now gett i ng a rema rkable 80 visits a day – and has been translated into more than ten languages. Ernest launched the site at the end of 2006, not knowing what to expect. But figures reveal that over two years his website has received a grand total of 16,000 hits. Such is the popularity, special software had to be used to translate the site, and it is now available in several languages, STILL LEARNING... including Arabic and Chinese. Ernest has received comments from users as far afield as Tanzania, Pakistan and India. He said: “Ten years ago I could hardly turn a computer on but now it’s one of the thrusts of my latter life. It has become a worldwide outreach. “It’s mind-blowing what has happened. If you type my name into Google I come to the top! People have been in touch with me saying what an excellent contribution it’s making to Christendom.
TRANSLATE “I had someone from Pakistan wanting to translate the whole site from Urdu to Punjabi. We can’t do that one just yet, but with a bit of finance might be able to.” The site contains devotional Bible studies from various contributors, while Ernest himself adds a short sermon each morning. Ernest is using years of sermon notes for website
material. He added: “One day at a conference in the 1960s, I made a vow to God that I would go to the church every morning at 6am and prepare a sermon outline. That has been my practice for more than 40 years. “When I came into this foreign computer world, I started to put these sermon outlines onto my computer and onto the website. “I have such a wealth of material from over the years, now I’m finally using it! “I’ve got stuff from Genesis to Revelation. When I retired in 1997 God told me that he’d put a good investment into my life, but that it was now time to give it away. It’s amazing that I’m able to draw from the vast reserves that I have. “I’m still not an expert typer but I’m becoming much faster! I work hard each morning to hear God speak and put that word on the website.” Visit the site at ernestanderson.wordpress.com
VOLUNTEERS TO HELP CITY CENTRE REVELLERS UNIFORMEd volunteers are to patrol Lancaster city centre offering help to worse-for-wear revellers. A team of Street Pastors is being assembled after the inter-denominational scheme, first pioneered in London five years ago, met with
success in other areas of the UK. In Lancaster, 15 local churchgoers have already volunteered for the project and will receive training before beginning work in August when they will initially patrol between 10pm and 4am on
Sudoku
Crossword clues
©krazydad.com 2005
AcROSS 1. Gesture of approval (6,2) 6. Clasp for a door (4) 8. Botch (6) 9. Dated (3,3) 10. Lascivious man (5) 11. Person who lives in seclusion (7) 13. Almost (6) 15. Tipsy (6) 17. Severe (7) 19. Condescend (5) 22. Plaid (6) 23. Most intimate (6) 24. Cushion round a wheel (4) 25. Patron (8)
either a Friday or Saturday. Sc he me co - ord i n ator Steve Bland said: “It is an example of the church being back on the streets helping people in need. We can make sure vulnerable people are safe when they leave clubs.”
Why it’s a gift... IF you’re reading this paper, then you probably received it through your door, or you may be reading it in a public place where it was left for everyone to pick up. Whatever the circumstances, it was a gift from a church, group of churches or a Christian organisation in your area. You may have preferred not to have been given the paper, but we would like to think you’ll receive it in the same grace as it was given. But why do churches choose to distribute New Life, you may ask? Well, it’s because the people within those churches believe they have good news to share with everyone. And they would rather do it in a way that allows you to explore that news at your leisure, rather than knocking on your door. Volunteers within those churches do a fantastic job collecting the copies and distributing them to you. With their help, more than 170,000 copies were distributed in the past three months. In April, New Life smashed its monthly record as 88,000 copies were handed out. Without our distributors, New Life would not be able to reach every home in Britain. To all our distributors, we say ThANk YOu for all you have done in the past, and we look forward to working together in the future. And if you are a new reader, please take time to read some incredible stories. Even if you just do the puzzles on this page, we’d like to think New Life has provided some entertainment.
Woman of courage BRAVE mum Ann Gilmour hasn’t lost faith, even though the son she loves is battling to regain consciousness af ter a freak accident. Most people in her situation would never want to give up hope if one of their children was so poorly. But Mrs Gilmour has gone beyond hope and believes that through prayer her son, Lee, will make a recovery. We join her in that prayer and also pray that her courage and strength will be an inspiration for those in a similar position. Editor: Peter Wreford Accounts: Helen Wreford Circulation: Simon Schembri Advertising: Barry Wilson
Editorial office: New Life Publishing Co, PO Box 777, Nottingham NG11 6ZZ, UK Email: editor@newlifepublishing.co.uk Telephone: 0115 921 7285 Website: www.newlife.co.uk
PUZZLE CORNER
Solutions on Page 11
Ernest Anderson at his computer
COMMENT
DOWN 2. Charge made for hauling (7) 3. Humid (5) 4. Ooze (4) 5. That which a person owns (8) 6. Nestled together (7) 7. Sea mammals (5) 12. Sanitary (8) 14. Rose shaped ornament (7) 16. Quick visual inspection (4-3) 18. Not hesitant (5) 2 0 . C h a r a c te r i s t i c rhythm (5) 21. Sets of equipment (4)
We welcome your letters and comments regarding any of the issues raised within these pages. Write to the Editor at the above address. Back copies: previous issues are available while stocks last, at cover price plus £1.00 handling charge, inc. p&p, per order.
New Life newspaper is printed on 100% recycled paper
NExT MONTh MEET THE GUN-TOTING HARDMAN WHO ADMITS HE WAS JUST A BROKEN LITTLE BOY DON’T MISS IT Available from July 21 To bring you the best stories, this article may be subject to change
LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk
10 – New Life Newspaper – Issue 173
WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? WANT TO EXPLORE CHRISTIANITY, BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE TO TURN? KEEP THIS PAGE TO HELP YOU FIND A NEW DIRECTION IN LIFE... Log on to
ALTRINCHAM The Upper Room Christian Fellowship, The Downs. Sunday services 10.45am and 6.30pm. Enquiries: 0161 282 6676. (CA09) ARMTHORPE Armthorpe New Life Church (Nr Doncaster), Community Centre, Church Lane. Family Service 11am, Children’s Sunday Club 11.30am, Outreach meeting 6-7pm. Warm welcome to all. Enquiries Tel: 01226 752 296. (AT90) ASHFORD Ashford Christian Fellowship Worship Centre, 23 Tufton Street. Sundays: 9.30-11am (inc. children’s facilities) & 11.30-1pm (no children’s facilities). Last Sunday each month: Healing & Miracles service: 6.30pm. Enquiries: 01233 334007. (CF57)
BEDFORD
(ER53)
Great Barford Word of Life Church
meet Sunday 10.30 at the Village Hall, Fishers Close. Enquiries: Pastor John Best
01234 871475
BIRMINGHAM Bromford Bridge Church Centre (AoG), Bromford Drive. Sundays 10.45am and 6pm. Minister Peter Minto. Tel: 0121 313 2004. (AG30) BURY S T ED M U N D S , Su ffo lk. The Christian Resource Centre (a Pentecostal church). Oakes Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP32 6PX. www. crcministries.co.uk 01284 761000. Service times: Sunday 10.30am and 6.30pm. All the family will be made very welcome. (EQ05) CANTERBURY Trinity Community Church. Meetings Sundays 10.45am at St Stephen’s Junior School, Hales Place, Canterbury. Tel: 01227 459 785. (CA06)
EDENTHORPE, near Doncaster Edenthorpe Pentecostal church, Edenthorpe Community Centre, Cedric Road. Sundays 10.30am & 6.00pm. Children’s Good News club Wednesday 4.30pm to 5.45pm. 4U Children school year 6-9 Fridays 7.15pm. Warm welcome to all. Enquiries 01302 882738. (ER50)
Sundays 10.30 - 12 Pastor Simon Lawton
01270 663 798
www.newlifecentre.co.uk
(EI26)R
CROYDON
God turns up Sunday 11am.
His presence has been awesome. Come and be changed, uplifted, challenged and inspired. We are a multi-racial, family loving Church. See you Sunday. Croydon Community Church, Endeavour Hall, 273 Norbury Crescent, Norbury SW16. Pastor David Chapman: (CH20)
DARTFORD - EMMANUEL CHURCH EAST HILL Join us at 10:30am on Sundays. For further details: 01322 272649 or www.epcdartford.com (CL38)
(AY48)
(CA66)
March
LEYTON
Welcomes you Sundays 10.30am at Barclay School Canterbury Rd, London E10 www.gatewaychurch.org.uk Sharing Hope & Life
(FN61)
LIVERPOOL invites you to our services: 10.30am & 6.00pm Sunday (plus many other activities)
“A great place to be”
(EY24)
City Church, Jubilee Drive, Liverpool L7 3BA
LONG EATON Oasis Christian Centre, Derby Road. 10am & 6pm. Come and enjoy the dynamic worship and a warm welcome. God centred, Purpose driven, People empowering. Enquiries: Church Office 0115 9460463
ING YOU THE GOOD
TION FRO M
NEWS
www.newli
40p
BRINGING
GOOD YOU THE
2008
RETFORD Retford New Life Church Centre, 26-32 Bridgegate, Retford, Notts. Morning Meetings 9.30am & 11.30am. Children’s Church 9.30am & 11.30am. Sunday Evenings 6.30pm. Everyone welcome. Contact 01777 711377. (CA36) RIPON Worship and Rejoice with us at the New Life Assembly of God, Water Skellgate. 10.30am Sundays. Info or Prayer. Phone 01765 604379. (EY00) RUSHDEN Full Gospel Church. High Street South, Rushden. A family Church that loves God, each other and those in the community. Sundays 10.45am & 6pm. Enquiries telephone: 01933 418 002. (DC19) SAFFRON WALDEN, New Life Church. Shire Hill. Sundays 10.30am & 6.30pm. For details call Pastor R Ellalasingham on 01799 506045 email: mail@nlpc.co.uk (FR19) SALISBURY Assemblies of God Church. Meetings are now held at St Osmunds School, Carmelite Way on Sundays at 10.45am. Enquiries 01722 502046.www.theendlesslife.info (CR03) SHANKLIN Isle of Wight, Living Waters Fellowship, 29, Victoria Avenue. Sundays 2.30pm (Service). Wednesday Home Group 10.30am (Bible Study). Thursdays 10.30am (Prayer) 7.30pm Monthly also Saturdays 7.30pm Monthly (Intercessory Praise & Worship). Enquiries & Newsletter (01983) 863683, livingwaters.iw@btinternet.com or livingwaters.iw@gmail.com. (CA52) THIRSK Family Life Church, meetings Sunday 10.30am. Venue, Thirsk Rural Business Park, Askham Bryan Centre. For more detail phone Pastors Andy & Tracey Newlove on 07974 256 379 (FQ78)
RE
BA
CK
IN G
Bri tain
SEDGLE Y
NEWS
CH CH UR SE NDS TO NUR SE AND IL SWAZ
CA URCH IN TAL CH TECOS
EDITION
Y ERPHILL
AMED CRAZE BL UTH LATEST CK ON YO FOR ATTA
E EXCLUSIV Murray escaped by Matthew in AGER knifewill result A TEENinjury when ed a pain, which uel minor s. serious yobs stabb t. rs of Emman pea few stitche membe re have ex Mr wielding Other in his pockely attends BIBLEteenager regular held at Ch r ist ia n Centr incide nts,
group in d simila The r of rience an youth ian Centre said. a membe and a Christi Brown . this year, nuel Christ raped from , London Emma Earlier gation was having Brown mstow an Waltha pastor Dez God spared gang, before the congre s body in d by a And believe asked us not attacke over her evidence. has r, DNA the church acid thrown r injury. who he s, howeve to destroy the boy, from furthe ‘There had paseffort the danger s to name, New Life, e betwee n Despite admits he enjoys believe He told of troubl n. He ible were goingr Mr Brown a bit imposs in Londo been and theyfor anothe toring situations are some gangs, e for him that no to impact. e of my own God for reveng for him, I am not r went of for He added, ‘Becaus past, attack. know attacke instead ence and trouble . I touch ‘As the the Bible d experi in and by such youth my he stabbe lad. to the him fazedGod can reach change d the young he comes that just like ‘The boy week. I asked youth regulives, every ny at the It’s group has started with own life.’ his testimo a little shy. s and was ms to give The church in school t proble story.’ but he group remarkable lar work to comba nity. Their police quite a commu earned PAIN Brif served the their t has ng-old within Life projec . s who himsel www.new l awards William 17-year ing Spark2 Mr Brown,life.c severa ce as a to death, hop Doug was them senten ne e Senior bac pastor the victims s of a prison g someoo.uk k to lling the danger for stabbin g’. in the said counse Bri all about reakin teentainI have I still knows ‘heartb only answer crime. attack on the is that Gosknife known ‘The the a craze rs stab such things of the the He said of of power part has to face in the ager was g’, where attacke mean the Gospel believe a heart.’ as ‘juckin s but don’t pel. I believe to change injury. the skin their victim power serious pierce cause inflict they to , hoping Instead victim, of their
W E’
40p
BRINGING
FOR BISPAGE 5 HO
E Ursula to watch ’s husban d Jason as his both fought wife and had baby But his to survive. faith never and he saw wavere A l most both surviv d e. one yea couple believe r that both it was on, t he a miracl for life. won their e brave battle FULL STORY ... PAGE 8
YOU THE GOOD NEWS
P’S ST ORTF
ORD CH PAGE 2 RIS
RE
BA
C KI
NG
PAGE 3
TIAN AS SEMB
LY
LATEST CR FOR ATTA AZE BLAMED CK ON YO UTH
A TEEN serious AGER esca wieldinginjury when ped BIBLE yobs stabbknife- EXCLUSIVE by in ed
Matthew a The teenaghis pocket. Murray a Christ er regula rly attend minor Emma ian youth group s a few pain, which nuel Christ held Waltha stitche will result ian Centre at mstow s. in And pastor, London. in Ch Other memb ers of r ist the church Dez rience ia n Cent re Emma nuel believe Brown from the boy, d have s Brown simila r incide ex peto name,who he has God spared said. asked nts, Mr from furthe Earlier us not He told the congrethis year, New Life, r injury. been a memb a bit gation attacke of troubl ‘There had some gangs, was raped er of d by a acid throw gang, and for reveng and they e betwe en n over before having effort e for him were going attack to destro her body . for anothe in y DNA Despit ‘As the r Mr e eviden an ce. he stabbe attacker Brown the dangers, went for admits howev toring the young d the Bible er, he him, in enjoys Londo instead that lad. pasn. He ‘The of for no situati believ ons are group boy comes God to impos es to the every sible He addedimpact. to give week. youth his testim I asked , ‘Becau experi group him se of ence and ony but he fazed quite a was a at the youth past, my own by little remark that God such troubl I am not able story.’shy. It’s can reach e. I lives, just in and know PAIN own life.’ like he Mr Brown chang touch ed my , who himse The church a prison senten lar work lf served has started for stabbi ce as a 17-yea the police in schoo ng someo reguknows r-old ne to combals and with within knife all about the to death, crime. dange Spark2 their comm t proble ms rs of He said Life projec unity. them severa Their ager was the attack t l award has earned Senior as ‘juckin part of a on the teens. pastor g’, where craze known said counse their victim Doug attacke William lling the ‘heartb s inflict rs s reakin victim seriou but don’t meanstab g’. s was s injury. Instead to face‘The only answe of their , they pierce of such r I victim things have in the believe , hoping the skin is in the pel. I believe power that I still to cause of the power the to change Gospe l hasGosthe a heart.’
For further information or free sample copies of localised editions, telephone: 0115 921 7280 or email: info@newlifepublishing.co.uk
i CHURCHES TELEPHONE Assemblies of God: 0115 921 7272 Baptist Church: 01235 517700 Church of England (Anglican): 0207 898 1000 Elim: 01242 519904 Methodist Church: 0207 486 5502 United Reformed (URC): 020 7916 2020 WEBSITES www.findachurch.co.uk www.achurchnearyou.com www.aog.org.uk www.baptist.org.uk www.cofe.anglican.org www.elim.org.uk www.urc.org.uk
e bac k to
a The teenage pocket. w Murray a Christia r regularl minor Emman n youth groupy attends pain, a few stitcheswhich held Walthamuel Christia will result n Centre at stow, . in And pastor London in Ch Other membe . r ist the church rs of Dez riencedia n Cent re Emmanuel believes Brown from the boy, have Brown similar inciden ex peto name,who he has God spared said. asked from further ts, Mr Earlier us not He told this year, the congreg New Life, injury. been a membe a bit ation attacked of trouble‘There had some gangs, by a gang,was raped r of acid thrown and for revenge and they betwee n before were going having over her effort for him attack. to destroy Bringing back to Britain body in for another hope Despite an DNA evidenc ‘As the Mr attacke he stabbed Brown the dangers r went , howevee. admits toring for him, the young the Bible r, in Londonhe enjoys instead that paslife.co.uk . He believe ‘The boylad. of for no situatio ns are comes group .new God to www impossi s to the every impact. He added, to give ble week. youth his testimo I asked experie ‘Becaus group him e of my ny but he fazed nce and past, own quite a was a at the youth by little remark that God such troubleI am not able story.’shy. It’s can reach . I lives, just in and know PAIN own life.’ like he Mr Brown, change touch d my The church a prison who sentenc himself served lar work has started for stabbin e as the police in schools regug someona 17-year-old knows to combat and with within knife all about the e to death, crime. dangers Spark2Ltheir commu problem s He said of them ife project nity. Their ager was the attack several has earned awards Senior as ‘juckingpart of a on the teen. pastor said counsel ’, where craze known their victims Doug attacker William ling ‘heartbr inflict s s eaking’ the victims serious but don’t meanstab . was injury. Instead to face‘The only answer of their , they pierce of victim, believe such things I have in the hoping the skin is in the pel. I believe power that I still to cause of the power the to change Gospel hasGos3 the a heart.’
PAGE
3
BRAV
READING Assemblies of God Christian Centre (Mount Zion). Sundays 11am and 6.30pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.30pm. Enquiries Tel: 01252 872 754. (AC01)
hop
PAGE THE CHU 3 RCHES OF GORNA L AND
M PEN THE ELI
PAGE
A PREGN ANT woman left fightin who g said it was a for her life was she and miracl e that has her surviv ed theirpremature both baby ordeal Medica . l staff Ursu la had to Key wood’ deliver three month s s early daugh ter starte d after Ursula be i ng going into eclamp d ia g nosed a fit after sia. w it h pre The toxic condit on by ion and in h ig h blood is brought threat some cases press u re ening. can be life-
WAKEFIELD The King’s Church. R e a l Pe o p l e , R e a l L i f e , R e a l Answers. For more information contact Jonathan on: 07914137512 or www.kingschurchwakefield.blogspot. com (FF63)
uk
WE’RE BACKING
Mum an d baby ha d to battl e for lives
(DH80)
W E’
Bri ngi ng
fe.co.
MP GIV ES BA CK ING TO CH UR CH INI TIATIV E
LATEST CR FOR ATT AZE BLAMED ACK ON YOUTH
2008 who was has Issu ANT woman her life both e 169 A PREGN g for that left fightina miracle ture baby was said it her prema she andd their ordeal.to deliver survive l staff had daugh ter Medica wood’s Key after Ursula Ursu la s early a fit after into pre three month going w it h started d ia g nosed t be i ng sia. on is broughre eclamp conditi The toxic h blood pressu lifeh ig can be on by some cases and in ning. threate BRAV E Jason had d ’s husban and baby wife Ursula . as his to watch to survive wavered both foughtfaith never . But his both survive on, t he r saw and he one yea a miracle A l most it was battle believe brave couple won their that both 8 for life. ... PAGE FULL STORY
THE
GATEWAY CHURCH
BRING
d Mum an y had by bab e to battl es liv forMarch
MUSTARD SEED CHURCH
LEICESTER Apostolic Church New Life Centre, Sanvey Lane, Aylestone, Leicester LE2 8NF. Main services: Sunday 10.30am worship, Bible ministry and Communion. Tuesday 8pm Bible study and prayer. Pastor Richard Forman telephone 0116 275 2582 everyone welcome. (CW05)
40p
A TEEN seriou AGER escap s injury ed wielding when BIBLE yobs stabbknife- EXCLUSIVE in his by Matthe ed
N FOR EDITIO SPECIAL
HUDDERSFIELD Huddersfield Elim Church (across from the Bus Station) welcomes you. Sundays 10.30am at Greenhead College and 6.30pm at church in Springwood. Sunday Plus: Village Hall, Moor Lane, Honley, Huddersfield – 6pm every Sunday. For details Tel: 01484 428 046. (EB18)
LEICESTER Na r b o r o u g h R oad Christian Fellowship. Meet at Manor House, Neighbourhood Centre, Haddenham Road. Services: Sunday 10.30am. Tel: 0116 2891 395 or 0116 2897 804. All welcome. (AB25)
169
PAGE
E’RE HO W W A G M AK IN CE EN DIFF ER DA IN UG AN
(CF42)
(ES70)
Issue
3 SPECIA L EASTER EDI
SPECIAL
Tel: 020 8570 4265
2008
BRAVE
For information on other meetings phone Allan Smith 01634 264410
(EL62)
Many churches successfully use localised editions to promote their BIBLE SA own church and special STABBIN VES TEEN events. Others work together G VICTIM with local congregations to produce and deliver E localised editions to their F I L NEW whole town or city. When you order a minimum EEN T S of 1000 copies, for an E V A BIBLE S G VICTIM additional £300 we STABBIN can produce a special localised edition by NEW L IFE changing a page (or more) to your own news BUS DRIV ITER WAS THE HONOUR HAED PPIEST DA Y BY QUEE or to your advert. We OFNMY LIF E BIBLE SA also change the banner advert across the top STABBIN VES TEEN G VICTIM of the front page so that readers immediately know that the newspaper is local to them. You simply supply the text and pictures and we can design it for you. March
Ursula’s husban to watch d Jason as his both fought wife and had baby But his to survive faith never . and he saw wavered A l most both survive . one yea couple believe r that both it was on, t he a miracle for life. won their brave battle FULL STORY. 169 .. PAGE 8 Issue
Meet every Sunday 10.30am A warm welcome awaits you
www.liverpoolcitychurch.org
NEW L IFE
COMIC LEG END TO TAL K ABO UT LIFE OF FUN AND TRAGED Y
A PREGNA left fightinNT woman who g said it was a for her life was she and miracle has survive her premat that both d their ure baby ordeal. Medical staff had Ursu la Key wood’s to deliver three months daught started early after er Ursula be i ng going into eclamp d ia g nosed a fit after sia. w it h pre The toxic conditio on by n and in h ig h blood is brought threate some cases pressu re can be ning. life-
GILLINGHAM
Tel: 0151 2649995
CHurCHes Would you like your copies of New Life to contain your news?
Mum an d baby ha d to battl e for lives
(between Highfield Road & Derwent Way), Rainham
City Church
(AS88)
STOKE ON TRENT Apostolic Praise Centre,Carron St. Fenton. Invite you to join them on Sundays. 10.30am. Thursday 7.30pm. For further details contact Graeme 079 79 370 566 (FR14)
Main Hall
www.always.org.uk/mustard
Where God Changes Lives!
MAIDSTONE Grove Green Chr istian Fellowshi p w w w. grovegreenchristianfellowship.co.uk meetings Weavering Village Hall, Sundays at 10am. All are welcome.
Rainham School Girl’s
TW7 6AB (opp West Middlesex Hospital)
CREWE
SHEFFIELD Central Elim, Lee Croft, Campo Lane. Sunday services 11.00am. Visitors welcome. Enquiries Tel: 0114 272 2911. (EA95)
New Life Community Church
Meet Sundays 11am at Isleworth Town Primary School,
Fuller Drive
MAIDSTONE Welcome to Mangravet Church which meets at Grove Road (near Police HQ), Sundays 10.30am. Enquiries: 01622 664 940. (DP53)
ELY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP A loving, growing, praying family church. Sunday celebration 10.30am. Enquiries phone: 01353 662 228. Email: info@elychristianfellowship.org.uk. Web www.elychristianfellowship.org.uk. Also Christian Bookshop 01353 667 004. (DU35)
A satellite of Kensington Temple Pentecostal Church at Twickenham Road, Isleworth
New Life Community Church
0208 689 5187
DUNDEE Bethany Church, 4 Taylor’s Lane, Dundee. Sundays 3pm. Home groups Tuesdays 7.30pm. Thursdays Prayer and Bible Study 7.30pm. For info call 01382 611 848. (EQ93)
helpful INfORMATION www.newlife.co.uk
CoURSES www.alpha.org.uk (0845 644 7544) www.authenticwalk.com www.biblehelp.co.uk www.growinginchrist.com
infoRmation www.lookingforgod.com www.newchristian.org.uk www.ucb.co.uk www.faithstart.com Help on becoming a Christian: Write to Christian Enquiry Agency (NL), FREEPOST WC2947, South Croydon, CR2 8UZ. Email: www.rejesus.co.uk In need of prayer: Call UCB Prayerline on 0845 456 7729
whatever you are looking for, log on to
www.newlife.co.uk
LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk
I managed to Gera better life! Continued from Back Page father encouraged me to repent to the Lord, to accept Jesus Christ into my heart. “I did not know what repenting meant, so I asked Dad what that was. He told me that I should be sorry about my sins and that I should accept Jesus Christ as my Saviour.” Still Gera tried to combine churchgoing with his formed habits of gambling. But decision time was just around the corner. “One day I was sitting on a bench just outside one of the casinos and thought to myself, ‘What am I doing here?’ I stood up and never went into a casino again.” Instead, Gera returned to school, eventually leaving with good grades. And he returned to his previous great love – football. Gera recalled: “One day as I was going home from a game of football, with the ball in my hand, I started to pray. I said, ‘Help me, God, that I may become a good player.’
Issue 173 – New Life Newspaper – 11
HayDEN’S BOWLED OVEr By HIS faITH BAT’S THE WAY TO DO IT... Matthew Hayden
But if they knew what the star has behind him, they might be even more frightened. The opening batsman, known for his aggressive power at the crease, is a devout Christian and has revealed his real strength comes from God. He said: “When batting, I make this sign of the cross on my palm. I love doing that because when I make the cross across the middle I have a little saying that goes ‘Whatever happens today, it’s for you’. That’s part of what I do. I love that part of the day! “The sign of the cross is a very powerful symbol. To me, making that sign is a moment as euphoric as making a test 100. It’s just a general mark to say, in a really good time in my life, which I’m celebrating now, I remember you. “There are lots of other times in my life where it’s not so positive. But I’ll always start a prayer or a conversation with God with the same mark of respect. It’s not that I ever hear too much back, but in that gentle way, starting that conversation, and opening up my life to him really helps me.” Hayden, once a world record holder for the highest ever Test Match score of 380, admits the Christian life has its challenges. He said: “I think it’s very challenging to live as a Christian, in terms of modern-day society. I think it’s very difficult as a young adult, and I think I really struggled with that over a long period of time. “But I guess it’s in that struggle that I find the most benefit from it, and I guess Christ all those years ago was saying exactly the same thing. While I struggle with faith and how it’s presented, I understand that it’s just a great part of my life, which in all sorts of scenarios gives me great guidance.”
TALENT “I honestly told God that I wanted to become a successful player, that people can see that there is a way out of the mess that I was in, that there is hope for them too.” His career did take off. He overcame his problems and his talent took him to Ferencvaros, where he helped the nation’s biggest club to the league and cup double. I n 2004 he moved to A lbion, shortly after marrying Timea. He was an instant hit at The Hawthorns, fast becoming one of the club’s most popular figures. And he continues to count his faith as one of his prime inspirations. “Many say that they believe in God, and think that’s enough,” he said. “But the Bible says that faith without actions is dead. It is no use talking about faith when your actions contradict you.”
PUZZLE SOLUTIONS
Most bowlers fear Australia’s hard-hitting Matthew Hayden.
He’s the man for me says Jones YeOvIL Town left-back Nathan Jones isn’t ashamed to say he’s in love with another man. But Jones isn’t talking about a West Country colleague, the defender is referring to his faith in Jesus Christ – and happily admits he has a close relationship with God. The star said: “If you’ve lived 16 years with Christ then it’s impossible to turn away really. I feel amazingly blessed. Christ loves me and I can be a Christian and I can worship. It’s a big thing for me.” Nathan believes the grace of God has helped him survive many years as a professional footballer, saying his guidance has been useful in issues of temptation. He added: “It keeps you grounded. There’s a lot of temptations, a lot of pitfalls nowadays, especially for a sportsman – and I think through God’s guidance I’ve been able to steer clear of them.
PROTECTED “Through the hard times I’ve always had the stability of the Lord in my life and my family background has kept me on the straight and narrow. “Ninety-nine per cent of days I start off with prayer and reading, which is something that starts the day off well. I need that to start the day off. Now I’ve grown in the faith I believe I’m blessed and protected, and watched over.”
DO YOU HAVE A SPORTS STORY?
HERE I YEO... Nathan Jones
IT’S aN OLymPIc EffOrT ON DVD A DvD documentary has been released featuring past and present Christian Olympic athletes. It is hoped the 26-minute production will increase the knowledge of sports fanatics engrossed in this summer’s Beijing Olympics, and also show them there is more to life than athletics. The DvD features several stars, including three-time USA 200m outdoor champion Allyson Felix, and Indonesian badminton star Hendrawan. Hendrawan said: “Just like an old river, my popularity will automatically dry up. Jesus taught that there are more important things in this life. That is what I was looking for – not fame as a badminton player or popularity.”
rEaL SUPErGraN! LONDON marathon veteran Flora Frank, 68, combined powerwalking and jogging to finish in just under six hours. The great-grandmother, from edgware, London, completed her 17th marathon in total, raising £12,000 for charities. She said: “The atmosphere was electric and I am grateful to God that he gave me the energy to finish.”
Contact our sportsdesk on 0115 921 7285 or email editor@newlifepublishing.co.uk with your testimony and news
Issue 173 – New Life Newspaper – 12
NEW LIFE SPORT
www.newlife.co.uk
i had to gera Better life fulham’s new star planned career as a criminal
THINGS ARE LOOKING UP... Zoltan Gera celebrates a goal at his old club West Brom
FULHAM’S new midfielder Zoltan Gera has revealed how God saved him from a life of drugs, crime and gambling. Gera, who last month was signed by the south-west London outfit, was once a teenage tearaway – until God intervened and set him free. And it could be argued that the devout Christian is helping The Cottagers return to their roots – as the club began life as the Fulham St Andrew’s Church Sunday School team. It was founded by a group of worshippers in 1879, and the church in Greyhound Road still stands today… a mile away from Craven Cottage.
inside sport
there’s only Juan winner in my eyes! LIGHT welterweight Juan Lazcano may have lost the fight of his life to Ricky ‘hitman’ Hatton, but the Hispanic star knows who the real winner is. The 33-year-old lost on points to England’s best boxer, but says having faith in Jesus Christ is much more important than any boxing match. His fight previous to the Ricky Hatton Hatton match was another points defeat 15 months ago to Vivian Harris, but since then a different power has entered Juan’s life. He told reporters: “I know I am a little older. I turned 33 this year but it’s a symbolic, meaningful year for me being that my birthday fell on Easter Sunday. You’ll be like, ‘OK, so what?’ Well, I turned 33 and there was actually a resurrection within my being.
WONDERFUL “I am a spiritual individual; I believe in Jesus Christ, I believe in the power of the resurrection and I believe that power is within me. I will use that power to move forward and make the most of a wonderful opportunity.” “I’ve evolved not only as a person and I just think that more than anything, it’s a mental thing. I’m ready to enter the promised land.”
GANG The former West Bromwich Albion ace, who helped the Baggies secure Premiership status last season, recalled how he was persuaded into the local gang culture at the same time his parents divorced. He said: “They told us how good it was to smoke and to go wherever you pleased, with no one telling you what to do. “We started missing our lessons. I spent my breakfast money on casinos and started to miss my football training sessions as well.” Gera, who was then still playing for the Pecs Leather Factory team, admitted that the gang he was a part of would break windows for fun. He added: “I went to a casino where I met some guys. They asked me why I would not give drugs a try. First, just out of curiosity, I watched them do it. Then, I ended up doing it with them.” By the age of 16, Gera had all but given up hope of professional football, and although he believed in God, he was a million miles away from the faith that
BOXING CLEVER... Juan Lazcano
guides him today. He explained: “I planned to become a criminal, a real godfather, feared by all, who robs people and fights them every day. “I thought that accepting God’s existence would get me into heaven. “Like many people today I did not know what believing in God really meant. You need to do what he says.” But after being invited to church by his father, Gera suddenly found a serious belief in God. It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but the budding footballer knew he needed to repent of his sin and turn to God. He said: “Towards the end of the service my Continued on Page 11
what Bowls haYden oVer? page 11
LocaL contact detaiLs:
he’s the one for me saYs nathan page 11
Published by New Life Publishing Company, PO Box 777, Nottingham NG11 6ZZ. Tel 0115 921 7280. Printed by Yorkshire Web, Barnsley. Tel 01226 734410. New Life Newspaper is printed on 100% recycled paper.