New Life December 2011

NEW LIFE

DECEMBER 2011 • Issue 214 40p

GOOD NEWS STORIES

A very joyful Christmas to all our readers and advertisers

Churches in carol record bid attempt CHURCHES across the country are aiming for a record Christmas this year. They hope 15,000 people will join in the world’s biggest ever carol concert. The aim is to sing favourites such as Silent Night and Away in The Manger for 15 minutes to beat the current record. The super seasonal singsong is part of a drive by Premier Christian Radio to put Christ back into Christmas.

campaign Other events include a UK-wide poster and newspaper campaign as well as a special nativity scene posted on Twitter and Facebook. Churches can sign up for the carol concert, which takes place on December 18, at www.christmasstarts.com

PRAISE... one of the windows

Toyshops win window praise A CHAIN of toyshops has won praise from shoppers – because their windows feature a nativity scene. Stores belonging to The Entertainer have found customers have made a special effort to thank shop staff for remembering the meaning of Christmas. ● Full story – Page 3

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How star wrestler grappled with life

SEE CENTRE PAGES

ARCHBISHOP BLASTS ‘WINTERVALS’

COOL RECEPTION... Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu doesn’t want to see Christmas replaced by ‘wintervals’

by Matthew Murray PRO POSA L S to replac e Christmas with a politically correct name such as “winterval” have been branded as “rubbish” by a senior church official. T he ou t spoke n A rch bishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, blasted the anti-Christian suggestions, which he claims surface every December. He said: “We should be proud of the role Christian values have in Britain. “With growing bureaucracy and growing political correctness, it is easy to become disheartened or discouraged from expressing our views openly – but there is a lot of nonsense talked about how people feel about Christianity in this country. “Every year someone will mention the idea of Winterval and how we should wish each other ‘seasons greetings’ instead of ‘Happy Christmas’ ● Continued on Page 2

hands off christmas

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• Issue 214

Archbishop left cold by ‘wintervals’ ● Continued from Page 1 – because they fell talking about a Christian festival will offend sections of our society. What rubbish! I have never met someone who has been offended by Christmas festivities. “British people are known for their sense of justice, fair play and helping those in genuine need – our Christian heritage is integral to that. True Christianity reflects the magnanimity we see in Jesus, such that strangers and aliens are welcomed as equals. “We should never forget this. Let people see in your actions, not just in your words, how God is influencing your life – that is the best way to change misplaced opinions of Christianity within society.” Dr Senta mu, who ha i ls from Uganda, was speaking to Direction magazine, the official publication of the Elim Pentecostal Church. Also in the interview, he urged Brits to put their faith in Christ.

DIGNITY He said: “We have a living God. We have someone that we can rely upon who is there in our everyday lives and is beside us in all we do. “Also, whatever we do wrong, we can always ask for forgiveness and be forgiven. I find that a great encouragement. “Christianity is not an escapist religion. Jesus didn’t dodge the sharp edge of being human – he shows us how to live on earth as well as offering the hope of heaven. “It involves facing up to the reality, both of human depravity and of human dignity. “In Christ there is the potential and the reality of a new creation – a whole new world.” ● See Comment on Page 9

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A RUBBISH TIME!

Libert y Christian Centre in Horwich partnered with Bolton Council in their Love Bolton, Hate Litter campaign, filling 20

bags of litter. Church volunteers cleared up the rubbish on a S a turday morning ove r t he summer.

faith helped woman after husband died Widow tells of Boxing Day tragedy in book

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STRONG FAITH... Lilieth and John Wade with their son Johneal

A WOMAN whose husband suddenly died on Boxing Day two years ago has written a book about how her Christian faith helped her overcome grief. Lilieth Wade’s life was shattered when her 45-yea r-old husband, John, died of a heart attack, leaving her to raise their son Johneal, 14, on her own. But where many would have cr u mbled fol low i ng such a tragedy, Lilieth’s strong Christian beliefs has brought her through. She now runs Bedfordshire Bereavement Support to help others who have lost loved ones. She has also put her experience into print with the launch of her book Until Death Do Us Part. She told New Life: “I couldn’t have made it through the past few months without my faith. Whatever God does, he knows what he is doing. ‘It still doesn’t lessen the pain, but just knowing that there’s someone there who is looking over you and is there with you always – that helps a whole lot. “I questioned God when John first died. I told him, ‘We were good together, we were happy together; how could you take him away from me?’ “But I still believe that God is sovereign. He is in control

no matter what. I’ve always believed in the Christian message – that all things work together for good to those who love God. I know that we are called according to his purpose.”

pain John, a gospel singer, was preparing for a quiet Christmas with the family when he complained of pain. “John sat down with the remote and said he was going to watch TV,” Lilieth recalled. “Then he touched his head and started groaning. At first

my son thought he was messing around but then we rang an ambulance. We came back and started to pray for him and cuddled each other. By the time the ambulance came we thought he’d be fine, but he stopped breathing so they started resuscitating him. They r ushed h i m to t he hospital, but when I got there they showed me to the relative’s room before telling me that he’d died.” ● Lilieth’s book is available from www.liliethwade.co.uk

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TOY SHOP NATIVITY SCENE A BIG HIT

WINDOW’S HEAVEN! MOSHI Monsters and Nerf Blasters may be at the top of Santa’s present list this year. But one of Britain’s best-known toy shops says its most popular item is a paper mache nativity set. Gary Grant, founder and owner of The Entertainer toy chain, says the traditional scenes are not only putting Christ back into Christmas – they are also pulling in the shoppers. “The figures are quite simple and plain, and we give them a prominent position in our window displays,” he explains. “The feedback from our customers, as well as passers-by, is amazing. We receive Christmas cards from people thanking us for remembering what Christmas is all about. “Pa rents a nd g ra ndpa rents bring small children to gaze at the baby Jesus. I suppose our shops may be the only place where you can still see nativity scenes in a public place, as most official festive lights do not include them any more.” Gary, 53, and his wife, Cath – both Christians – started The Entertainer back in 1981 with just one small shop. Today, there are more than 60 branches throughout the UK. The couple are determined that their faith should not just be kept for

Issue 214 • NEW LIFE 3 NEW LIFE

FUN DAY... last year’s bash

Knees-up a treat for homeless STABLE ENVIRONMENT... a window display at one of The Entertainer shops, owned by Gary Grant, above

Shoppers flock to see display Sunday, and it is central to their business and personal lives. That means they give away ten per cent of all profits, choose not to open on Sundays and refuse to sell Halloween items or Harry Potter figures and books. Gary added: “We have run an Alpha course for staff at work which was completely volu nta r y a nd proved popular. In addition, we support local charities with giveaways worth thousands of pounds, and over 25 per cent of our workforce has signed up for a monthly

payroll giving scheme, donating to a charity of their choice. “While Christmas is the busiest time of the year for the toy industry, we still remain closed on Sundays. We operate like this, not because we are successful, but because operating like this makes us successful.” Gary was 33 when he was invited to a men’s breakfast talk at a local church. Before that, he describes himself as ‘a very vocal non-believer’, who only went to church for wed-

dings and funerals. “The speaker talked about how Jesus was interested in each one of us. That included our day-to-day lives, even our jobs. I never heard that at RE lessons in school, where we were taught that God was a judge and was distant,” he said. A nd what does Ga r y t h i n k about the other popular figure who is prominent in shops at this time of year? “At The Entertainer, we love Santa, but even he knows Jesus comes first.”

A C H R I S T M A S b a s h w it h 10 0 guests will take place in Bristol this month. Crisis Centre Ministries (CCM) will hold the party for the city’s homeless population, who will be given Christmas gifts, as well as a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Spokesman Jonathan Swithinbank said: “We give out presents and practical things like toiletries. “Our clients are with us throughout the year, but at Christmas it’s good for them to see that they have an organisation that really cares about them. “We show them the love of Jesus.” Bristol Christian Derek Groves formed CCM 27 yea rs ago after becoming concerned at the lack of support for drug addicts and homeless people. The organisation has flourished since then, having 300 volunteers on its books who last year dished out an amazing 80,000 hot meals.

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£70k to help A GREAT WAY TO SPEND YOUR FESTIVE HOLS rescue kids GENEROUS Christians have donated a whopping £70,000 to help rescue women and children from the sex industry. The offering was taken at the RiverCamp Conference, an outdoor event held in Evesham over the summer.

overwhelmed The cash was donated to the Freedom Project, an initiative run by the Elim Pentecostal Church. Elim spokesperson Chris Jones said he and everyone in his team were overwhelmed by the generosity of the believers at RiverCamp, which was attended by more than 2,000 people.

Bible giving hope to lads

THE Bible is helping change the lives of thousands of street kids in Ethiopia. The Lighthouse Boys Home provides shelter, food and training to abandoned or orphaned youngsters. It has now teamed up with The Bible Society in the UK to provide the boys with copies of the Bible as well as audio books. A spokesman for The Lighthouse said: “The Bible gives these young people hope for the future. The children are able to understand the Word of God and get hope in God.”

Christmas... it’s a time for church! Have you considered going to church but are not quite sure it’s for you? These top ten tips from James Hastings might well convince you that visiting a Christmas service could change your life

SOME people only step through the doors of a church when it’s a wedding or funeral. But church is a great way to spend Christmas – honestly!

➊ Church is easy to find. The Wise

Men had to travel far by reading the stars, but with the Yellow Pages and a decent sat nav, you’ve no excuse.

➋ The supermarkets have been blasting out Mr Blobby’s Jingle Bell Rock since mid-October. Come to the carol service and check out the gems you never hear at the checkout, like What Child Is This and O Holy Night. ➌

A FIRST... Toby Mac

Toby set for album first CHRISTI A N recording artist TobyMac has released his first ever Christmas album. The 46-yea r-old, for merly of DC Talk, has put his own hip-hop spin on festive favourites such as O Come all Ye Faithful and Mary’s Boy Child. Toby, from Virginia, USA, said: “It’s difficult at first to imagine some of these songs with a modern beat, but I think Christmas is about celebration.”

Hairdresser a cut above

ASHLEY Lamason proved there are fringe benefits when when it comes to sharing your faith! The American hairdresser recently spent two months in Moldova where she gave 250 haircuts free of charge to locals who she then shared the gospel with. She said: “On one occasion I gave three sisters haircuts. One of them was so fussy that her sister heard the gospel and accepted Christ into her life before I was done! “My vision is to open a hair salon where people can have haircuts, drink tea and browse the Bible.”

A lbert Ca mus sa id the best revenge on intellectuals is to be mad ly happy. So go to a c h i ldren’s Christmas service and have fun. That’ll really annoy Richard Dawkins!

➍ Candlelight on stained glass; the

child in the manger; friends greeting friends with a kiss. The church pew at Christmas is the one place you can sit with your relatives and not want to fight!

CHRISTMAS CRACKING... people at church for Christmas in the 1950s – and they didn’t even have to listen to St Rangling-the-Tune on morning TV! Inset: Aled Jones

➎ Credit cards maxed out? Wallet

➐ A church on Christmas Eve is as quiet as a shopping mall on Christmas morning. Rest, reflect and renew in the Christ child.

worn out? Church is free – even the mince pies and coffee afterwards.

➏ Try the morning service. That way, you’ll avoid Aled Jones warbling at St Rangling-the-Tune on morning TV, but still get home in time to catch the Rolf Harris Ani-

mal Hospital Festive Special!

➑

Chuckle as the minister works a Christmas cracker joke into his sermon: “Last week I phoned the spiritual leader of Tibet. This morn-

ing a strange looking animal with a long neck arrived in the post. Then I realised I’d phoned dial-a-lama.”

➒ Thank God for the best Christmas gift – nothing. There was a crash on the motorway when your loved one was driving, but nothing happened to them. The winter flu hit town but nothing came to your door. Redundancies at work,

ASK THE VICAR

I have just finished an Alpha course, what would you recommend I do next? There are lots of things you can do. The first thing is to find a church. If you did the course at a church, then find out more about it. Once you do, have a chat with the minister. Then find yourself some Christian friends. Churches can seem to be a daunting place, but give it time and you’ll find Christian friends there. Don’t forget to read your Bible and pray. Then you need to ask someone about baptism. Above all, enjoy your new life in Christ! What is a ‘born-again Christian?’ In the Bible, Jesus said that unless you are born again you cannot see the kingdom of God. When we are born to our natural parents, we experience a physical birth, but when we accept Jesus

but nothing in your department. Thanks for nothing, God.

➓ For centuries, men have tried to

reach up to God. They sacrificed animals and sat on mountains. Then, 2,000 years ago, love came down in the shape of a little baby. That same Jesus reaches out to you this Christmas. You’re invited! See you there!

YOUR FAITH QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What’s the next course of action? as Lord of our lives, we have a spiritual beginning – a new start as we turn our backs on our old life. We become ‘new creations’, according to the Bible, and are born again! I am single and hate Christmas as it makes me feel so alone. What should I do? The Bible describes the Holy Spirit as a comforter, so if you don’t have a husband or wife, or even many friends, God can give you an inner joy and peace that cannot be found anywhere else! However, God also said that it isn’t good for man to be alone, so get out there and try to make friends. Church is a great place to meet people, so why not

pop along? Who knows, you might just find that special someone! There seems to be lots of different versions of the Bible – which one should I read? Let me just say there is only one original Bible, but it was written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. What you are referring to are English translations, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. I recommend the New International Version, which is clear and written in modern English, making it easy to read and understand. It’s also used by many churches in the UK today.

GOT A QUESTION YOU WANT ANSWERING? WRITE TO ASK THE VICAR, NEW LIFE, NEW LIFE PUBLISHING, PO BOX 777, NOTTINGHAM, NG11 6ZZ. EMAIL: editorial@newlife.co.uk

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Issue 214

SHEVET ACHIM UK Changing lives one heart at a time…….

Set up in 2008, registered charity Shevet Achim UK is dedicated to changing lives in The Middle East, one heart at a time. Its primary objective is to raise public awareness of the work of Jerusalem-based Shevet Achim, a community of volunteers tasked and envisioned to saving the lives of Arab children with congenital heart defects by arranging for them to receive corrective treatment at advanced medical centres in Israel. Currently, the majority of children helped through Shevet Achim come from Gaza and Iraq. Working with Save a Child’s Heart, a team of specialists and surgeons based in Israel who raise funds to cover much of the hospital treatment and who often offer their skills free of charge, Shevet Achim has access to highly specialised cardiac expertise, enabling them to bring Arab childrenin need of such care to the hospital units staffed by some of Israel’s finest paediatriccardiologists and medical personnel. One of Shevet Achim UK’s principal goalsis to inform people about the resulting “good news’’ of bridges of reconciliation being built between Arab and Jewthrough what Shevet Achim is niting rothers for ife managing to do in Israel, enabling activemoves towards reconciliation. It isa joy and privilege ……. to encourage more understanding betweenthe two groups of people, as well as to inform the British publicabout the wonderful benefits and blessings of mending heartsphysically at the same time as changing hearts - and minds - inthis otherwise very tense region of the world. The Shevet Achim team in Israel actively seek out those children with severeheart problems, facilitate the cross-border communications andprovide support and care for the families, often being ‘on call’ 24 hours a day. Together with the doctors they work alongside, the Shevet Achim community’s main aim is to serve their neighbours.

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‘ShevetAchim’, is taken from Psalm 133:How good and how pleasant for brothers dwelling togetherin unity...For there the LORD commanded the blessing - life forevermore. Shevet Achim UK’s main objectivesare promoting this unique and amazing work inthe United Kingdom and inviting people to sponsor in part, or intotal, the costs of bringing Gazan and Iraqi children with major heart defects into Israel for life-saving treatment.Please visit this ministry at www.shevet.org and read the wonderfulstories of Arab children who have been helped to lead full livesby Israeli medical teams. Please also obtain further information by calling 01633 401201 or by writing to either the postal or e-mail address below. For North East England, please call 01287 650323 and for the North West, please call 01524 752624. Shevet Achim UK • PO Box 84 • Caldicot NP26 3WS • Tel. 01633 401201 • uk@shevet.org

Operation Christmas Love Last year we spent Christmas in absolute darkness. But you ca me like a light in the darkness of our lives. With your generous support, Mission Without Borders will distribute over 30,000 Operation Christmas Love boxes across Eastern Europe to some of the poorest people. Each box brings light into darkness; hope to the hopeless; food to the hungry; and love to the unloved. For the recipients, Operation Christmas Love will change their Christmas, and maybe their life.

This Christmas you can deliver love in a box with Mission Without Borders. Each box costs £16 to pack and distribute. It contains flour, oil, rice, pasta, coffee/ tea, tinned meat and vegetables, sweets, jam and biscuits. To help everyone celebrate, there are also treats and a copy of the Christmas story.

Donate on-line, by phone, post, or text LOVE25 £2/£5/£10 to 70070 to donate now.

Love changes lives

CARE HOME MANAGER – Brighton After years of dedicated service, our Brighton care home manager is relocating with her family to another part of the country. She leaves behind a friendly team and an attractive, well run home. Now we are looking for the person God has in mind for the job of home manager. The home in Egremont place, Brighton, is famous for its loving family atmosphere, and Christian ethos. It is home to thirty-ﬁve older Christians; 21 in residential care and 15 in sheltered housing. It has been extensively refurbished and redecorated, and is a happy place to live and work. If you feel God is calling you, you will: ● Be a committed Christian, able to lead devotional times ● Have management or supervisory experience in a care setting ● Have good communication skills, able to interact empathetically with residents and relatives, as well as with local authority and regulatory bodies Could this be for you? You will be making a vital difference in the lives of the older people God has entrusted to our care. You will be well supported by our head ofﬁce team as well as the home’s own well trained personnel. PLEASE CONTACT: Pilgrim Homes, 175 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2AL Tel: 0300 303 1400 Fax: 0300 303 1415 Email: hr@pilgrimsfriend.org.uk

www.pilgrimsfriend.org.uk Mission Without Borders Mission Without Borders 175 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2AG t 020 7940 1370 e info_uk@mwbi.org w www.mwbuk.org Mission Without Borders is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England no: 1065601. Registered charity no: 270659.

Pilgrim Homes is part of Pilgrims’ Friend Society

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tune in New Life works in partnership with UCB (United Christian Broadcasters) who are now broadcasting nationally on DAB radio. For great Christian music, discussion, chat, regular news bulletins and lots of fun, UCB is great, contemporary radio for the whole family. Listen on DAB radio across the UK or online at www.ucbmedia.co.uk

explore christianity We’re also working with Alpha, the course that allows people to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thoughtprovoking 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 B Believe be forgiven, and ask God to forgive you The Bible says, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).

‘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).

C 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

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lifestyle led wwf star to cheat on missus before becoming christian You can go to church your whole life and still go to hell, says Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase, whose worldwide fame and fortune left him empty. Becky Barlow met the legendary wrestler who swapped brawling for the Bible

SUBMISSION... Ted DiBiase as the Million Dollar Man . Main picture: Ted is inducted into the WW E Hall of Fame in April this year

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ed DiBiase and his wife Melanie will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this Christmas – but things could have been oh so different.

The Million Dollar Man, as Ted was known in WWF wrestling circles, shot to worldwide fame and popularity in the 1980s. But with the lush lifestyle came dangerous temptations, and Ted’s life was shattered when his wife discovered he had been cheating on her. Depressed, heartbroken and wondering if his life could ever turn around, Ted only felt true peace when he found God. And having swapped wrestling for worshipping and brawling for the Bible, the Million Dollar Man now travels the world telling others of his faith. And there’s no better time to share his message than at Christmas, he says. “Today I have an unbelievable relationship with my wife, who is my best and closest friend. That’s not to say that we didn’t go through a fire, but as she began to see me move into the Bible, become the spiritual leader in the home and see my priorities shift from my career to my family, that’s when it all came back.

crazy “As a Christian, Christmas means celebrating the greatest gift mankind was ever given – Jesus Christ. It means spending time with family and friends. It means going out of my way, above and beyond what I normally do, to give to others. This is the greatest gift I can give my Saviour in remembrance of what he gave me.” Ted, 57, spent a fortnight touring Scotland for Christian organisation Youth Alive in September when he shared his story with thousands of school kids. Life today is a complete contrast to the crazy career he used to have. Raised as a Catholic in Miami, he had an awareness of God from an early age, but after winning a scholarship to college at the age of 18, something else became more important. “Pride and ego took over,” he said. “It was like I said to God, ‘I appreciate your help but I can take it from here.’” By the age of 26, Ted had a child by a failed marriage and had tied the knot again – to Melanie – on New Years Eve, 1981. His new wife was a Christian, so dragged Ted off to church. He said: “It was the first time that I heard about eternity and the difference between heaven and hell. The challenge was moving what I knew about Jesus Christ from my head to my heart. “That day I shed some tears and prayed some prayers, but there was no fruit in my life. I didn’t move into the Bible – wrestling and my career were still my gods along with pride and

Ted and his wife Mel

Ted shares his testimony

Wrestler grappled with life until he found faith in God

ego. I believed that I wanted what the gospel offered, but my actions were saying that I wanted it on my terms, not God’s. There was no real relationship with God so there was still a void in my life that I was trying to fill. Despite my extreme success and my great children, I wasn’t satisfied.”

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y 1987, Ted was one of the top stars in the WWF, but with fame and fortune came women and parties – pleasures that Ted took full advantage of. He said: “God had allowed me to climb to the top – my life was made into action figures and I wrestled in front of 80,000 people. Yet, I was still not satisfied. I was trying to fill this void in my life, like so many others have done in the entertainment world. I would go out and party all night with

a beautiful woman on each arm.” One morning he phoned his wife from a hotel, only to be told that she knew he had committed adultery and that he no longer had a home to go back to. “The next phone call that I made was to a guy that I now realise God had placed in my life,” said Ted. “He’d never pressured me or got religious on me – he just showed me the character of Jesus Christ.”

devastating On the drive home, Ted’s friend told him that Jesus teaches that the truth sets you free. As Ted faced the devastating fact that he could lose his family, he started to do some soul searching. He said: “God allowed me to see who I really was at that moment. As

I looked in the mirror in the car I saw a man who had put at risk the stability of a loving wife as well as the stability of my children – all for the sake of stroking my ego. It wasn’t a pretty sight. “I prayed t hat prayer t hat I’d prayed all those years before, that I was sorry for my sins, but the difference was that this time I finally came to the point where I was tired of it all – I didn’t want to do this again. “I prayed to Jesus, ‘I’ve tried to do it my way and it doesn’t work so please come on board this ship and take the helm and take it where you want to go.’

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y friend said, ‘Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Prince of Glory, who came and lived on earth for 33 years and died on the cross for

you, has heard your prayer.’ “I was overwhelmed with just how big God is and his love for me – that despite what I’d done he still loved me so much that he sent his only Son to die for me on the cross. For the first time I felt gratitude.” Ted went home to his wife and came clean about everything, safe in the knowledge that no matter what happened he had a newfound faith in Christ.

cried Two days later, Ted stood up in front of a meeting of 1,500 young people at his local church – as well as his wife – and told his story. “I cried like a baby,” he said. “The thing that had controlled my life for so long had been pride and ego, so for me to go up there in front of all those

kids was a big deal. When my wife saw this she came to me and said, ‘I can’t promise anything, but from what I’ve just seen I want to believe, and because of God’s voice in my heart, I’m going to give you a chance that you don’t deserve.’ “Based upon my confession I was flabbergasted that she’d attempt to even try! That day she showed me Christlike love.” That was in March 1992, and immediately Ted started to change his priorities.

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rom that moment on I walked away from fame and what the world has to offer and what I got in return was far greater,” he said. “I started reading my Bible and became the spiritual leader in our home. A lot of people remember my last match,

they can remember what I wore, what moves I made and who won, they know everything about me, but they don’t know me. In many ways that is how we as Christians can be – we know everything about God, but we don’t know him. “People go forward all the time during altar calls – they may even break down and cry and they think that’s it, they’re in.

pray “But that’s not it – if you don’t walk away and bear fruit then all you have done is pray over your sins. “The proof is in the fruit. Genuine Christianity is not religion, but it’s relationship. You can go to church your whole life and practice religion and still go to hell. Today I have a peace in my heart that I never had

before I was a Christian. That doesn’t mean that I don’t make mistakes, but I have a peace that carries me through. I wouldn’t trade that for wealth or anything. So many of my friends who have continued down the path that I was on have lost their lives or their families. I am so thankful that God saved me.” Ted enjoyed his Scottish tour so much that he is already planning to return. “It helped to open the doors between the schools and the churches,” he said. “It’s been wonderful and I’m already making plans to come back again next year.” ● Look out for more from the Million Dollar Man in an exciting sports column that starts in New Life next month.

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explore christianity We’re also working with Alpha, the course that allows people to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed setting over ten thoughtprovoking 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

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The ABC of how you can become a Christian...

A Admit that you have done wrong that Jesus died so that you can B Believe be forgiven, and ask God to forgive you The Bible says, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).

‘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).

C 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.

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Issue 214 •

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

lifestyle led wwf star to cheat on missus before becoming christian You can go to church your whole life and still go to hell, says Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase, whose worldwide fame and fortune left him empty. Becky Barlow met the legendary wrestler who swapped brawling for the Bible

SUBMISSION... Ted DiBiase as the Million Dollar Man . Main picture: Ted is inducted into the WW E Hall of Fame in April this year

T

ed DiBiase and his wife Melanie will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary this Christmas – but things could have been oh so different.

The Million Dollar Man, as Ted was known in WWF wrestling circles, shot to worldwide fame and popularity in the 1980s. But with the lush lifestyle came dangerous temptations, and Ted’s life was shattered when his wife discovered he had been cheating on her. Depressed, heartbroken and wondering if his life could ever turn around, Ted only felt true peace when he found God. And having swapped wrestling for worshipping and brawling for the Bible, the Million Dollar Man now travels the world telling others of his faith. And there’s no better time to share his message than at Christmas, he says. “Today I have an unbelievable relationship with my wife, who is my best and closest friend. That’s not to say that we didn’t go through a fire, but as she began to see me move into the Bible, become the spiritual leader in the home and see my priorities shift from my career to my family, that’s when it all came back.

crazy “As a Christian, Christmas means celebrating the greatest gift mankind was ever given – Jesus Christ. It means spending time with family and friends. It means going out of my way, above and beyond what I normally do, to give to others. This is the greatest gift I can give my Saviour in remembrance of what he gave me.” Ted, 57, spent a fortnight touring Scotland for Christian organisation Youth Alive in September when he shared his story with thousands of school kids. Life today is a complete contrast to the crazy career he used to have. Raised as a Catholic in Miami, he had an awareness of God from an early age, but after winning a scholarship to college at the age of 18, something else became more important. “Pride and ego took over,” he said. “It was like I said to God, ‘I appreciate your help but I can take it from here.’” By the age of 26, Ted had a child by a failed marriage and had tied the knot again – to Melanie – on New Years Eve, 1981. His new wife was a Christian, so dragged Ted off to church. He said: “It was the first time that I heard about eternity and the difference between heaven and hell. The challenge was moving what I knew about Jesus Christ from my head to my heart. “That day I shed some tears and prayed some prayers, but there was no fruit in my life. I didn’t move into the Bible – wrestling and my career were still my gods along with pride and

Ted and his wife Mel

Ted shares his testimony

Wrestler grappled with life until he found faith in God

ego. I believed that I wanted what the gospel offered, but my actions were saying that I wanted it on my terms, not God’s. There was no real relationship with God so there was still a void in my life that I was trying to fill. Despite my extreme success and my great children, I wasn’t satisfied.”

B

y 1987, Ted was one of the top stars in the WWF, but with fame and fortune came women and parties – pleasures that Ted took full advantage of. He said: “God had allowed me to climb to the top – my life was made into action figures and I wrestled in front of 80,000 people. Yet, I was still not satisfied. I was trying to fill this void in my life, like so many others have done in the entertainment world. I would go out and party all night with

a beautiful woman on each arm.” One morning he phoned his wife from a hotel, only to be told that she knew he had committed adultery and that he no longer had a home to go back to. “The next phone call that I made was to a guy that I now realise God had placed in my life,” said Ted. “He’d never pressured me or got religious on me – he just showed me the character of Jesus Christ.”

devastating On the drive home, Ted’s friend told him that Jesus teaches that the truth sets you free. As Ted faced the devastating fact that he could lose his family, he started to do some soul searching. He said: “God allowed me to see who I really was at that moment. As

I looked in the mirror in the car I saw a man who had put at risk the stability of a loving wife as well as the stability of my children – all for the sake of stroking my ego. It wasn’t a pretty sight. “I prayed t hat prayer t hat I’d prayed all those years before, that I was sorry for my sins, but the difference was that this time I finally came to the point where I was tired of it all – I didn’t want to do this again. “I prayed to Jesus, ‘I’ve tried to do it my way and it doesn’t work so please come on board this ship and take the helm and take it where you want to go.’

M

y friend said, ‘Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Prince of Glory, who came and lived on earth for 33 years and died on the cross for

you, has heard your prayer.’ “I was overwhelmed with just how big God is and his love for me – that despite what I’d done he still loved me so much that he sent his only Son to die for me on the cross. For the first time I felt gratitude.” Ted went home to his wife and came clean about everything, safe in the knowledge that no matter what happened he had a newfound faith in Christ.

cried Two days later, Ted stood up in front of a meeting of 1,500 young people at his local church – as well as his wife – and told his story. “I cried like a baby,” he said. “The thing that had controlled my life for so long had been pride and ego, so for me to go up there in front of all those

kids was a big deal. When my wife saw this she came to me and said, ‘I can’t promise anything, but from what I’ve just seen I want to believe, and because of God’s voice in my heart, I’m going to give you a chance that you don’t deserve.’ “Based upon my confession I was flabbergasted that she’d attempt to even try! That day she showed me Christlike love.” That was in March 1992, and immediately Ted started to change his priorities.

F

rom that moment on I walked away from fame and what the world has to offer and what I got in return was far greater,” he said. “I started reading my Bible and became the spiritual leader in our home. A lot of people remember my last match,

they can remember what I wore, what moves I made and who won, they know everything about me, but they don’t know me. In many ways that is how we as Christians can be – we know everything about God, but we don’t know him. “People go forward all the time during altar calls – they may even break down and cry and they think that’s it, they’re in.

pray “But that’s not it – if you don’t walk away and bear fruit then all you have done is pray over your sins. “The proof is in the fruit. Genuine Christianity is not religion, but it’s relationship. You can go to church your whole life and practice religion and still go to hell. Today I have a peace in my heart that I never had

before I was a Christian. That doesn’t mean that I don’t make mistakes, but I have a peace that carries me through. I wouldn’t trade that for wealth or anything. So many of my friends who have continued down the path that I was on have lost their lives or their families. I am so thankful that God saved me.” Ted enjoyed his Scottish tour so much that he is already planning to return. “It helped to open the doors between the schools and the churches,” he said. “It’s been wonderful and I’m already making plans to come back again next year.” ● Look out for more from the Million Dollar Man in an exciting sports column that starts in New Life next month.

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RETFORD Retford New Life Church Centre, 26-32 Bridgegate, Retford, Notts. Sunday Morning meeting 10.30am With Children’s church Sunday Evening 6.30pm. Everyone welcome. Contact 01777 711377. www.newliferetford.org.uk (CA36) 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 Visit: www.nlpc.co.uk (DL73) SHANKLIN Isle of Wight, Living Waters Fellowship, 29, Victoria Avenue.Sundays 2.30pm (Service). Thursdays 10.30am (Prayer) Celebration of Yearly Feasts [See Newsletter for current details]Enquiries & Monthly Newsletter (01983) 863683, livingwaters.iw@btinternet.com or livingwaters.iw@gmail.com (CA52) WEMBLEY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Pentecostal church close to Wembley Stadium. Sattavis Patidar Centre, HA9 9PG. Sunday 3 pm 4pm and 5pm till 7-30pm. Pastor George 07886 923 237 (GF41) WESTHOUGHTON PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, Westhoughton, Bolton BL5 3EF Sunday Services 10.30am and 6.30pm More information: www. westhoughton.org Telephone: 01942 375433 (GF35) WHITBY New Life Church, Green Lane Centre, YO11 1JF. We meet every Sunday at 15:00pm, you can be sure of a warm welcome. (CT04) His Place Community Church Christian Centre

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NEW YEAR RANG IN MY NEW LIFE! FOR many people, New Year resolutions mean going on a diet or joining the gym.

But for Denis Kigongo Victor, it meant nothing short of gaining a completely new life. While family and friends were partying as the bells chimed midnight, Denis fell to his knees and cried out to God. Denis, 37, who now lives in Taunton, Somerset, remembers the moment he gave his old life to God and got a new one in return. At the time, he was a young man living in a small village in Eastern Uganda. “I was 19, but even at that age I knew I was wasting my life,” he said.

DRINKING “I was always getting into trouble, usually after drin king too much and just messing around. I didn’t have any ambitions and never gave much thought to my future.” As the fireworks crackled outside his bedroom window, Denis rose to his feet with a sense of joy and peace that he had never known before. Growing up poor as one of 11 children in rural Uganda, life was hard for Denis. At school, he got involved with a bad crowd and soon he

HELPING OTHERS... Denis Kigongo and the clinic he set up in his home country, Uganda was spending his days drinking and roaming the streets with his gang. It was then that Denis met a woman missionary called Pat. Unlike the religious people he was familiar with, Denis felt able to relate to Pat. She encouraged the teenager to go to church and much to h is su r pr ise he enjoyed the service. “I started to love praying and reading the Bible. It was as if God was guiding me and giving me direction.” When he saw an advert in a magazine for a Christian youth

course in England, Denis decided to apply. He felt it was nothing short of a miracle when a letter arrived a few weeks later inviting him to come to the UK. Now based in Britain, Denis has returned to Uganda to open a clinic where villagers can receive basic healthcare that they can’t afford to pay for.

VOLUNTARY And last year he led a voluntary group of 12 dentists from Ply mouth who prov ided free treatment. Whether working with local youth in Taunton or helping out

at the clinic in Africa, Denis says he owes everything to that New Year’s Eve when he called out to God. “I run African drum classes where I teach you ng people about rhythm and beat. I tell them how the whole universe is pulsating to a natural rhythm that was set going by God. “It needs a Creator, the same Creator who heard me over the noise and party ing one New Year’s Eve and changed my life forever.” For more info on the clinic in Uganda or to make a donation, go to www.suubiclinic.co.uk

Btw, let me tell you about Jesus Drama of the Olympics a conversation starter. Phil Timson, Youth Director for HOPE, said: “What better way is there to get out of our comfort zone and build up confidence together than getting on our mobiles for Jesus and using them to Textify?”

FOUR leading Christian theatre groups have produced d ra mas to help chu rches make the most of the 2012 Olympics. Saltmine, Lantern Arts, Riding Lights and Act4 will link up with Olympic outr eac h orga n i sat ion Mor e Than Gold to help spread

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NEW LIFE

Issue 214 • NEW LIFE 9

MAN SET UP UGANDA HEALTH CLINIC

TEENAGERS are being encouraged to use their smart phones to tell their mates about Jesus. Textify, run by the Christian organisation HOPE, urges youngsters to pray for three pals and ask each of them a question about God as

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

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the gospel at the Games. More Than Gold’s CEO David Wilson said: “We hope churches will host at least one of these productions and take them to schools and young people as well. “This is one more way they can use the Games to engage with their communities.”

COMMENT

Why Christmas? THE Archbishop of York is right to demand that local authorities and other organisations keep the name under which we celebrate Jesus’ birth as Christmas. The word ‘winterval’ was made up by a council desperate to celebrate Christmas, but without using the word that has lasted for hundreds of years. Of course, we would be the first to admit that Jesus never asked us to mark his birth. And no one can be certain of exactly what day he was born on. But the fact is that for hundreds of years Christians around the world have chosen to celebrate the birth of the Son of God on December 25 and have called is ‘Christmas’ – the word simply meaning a celebration of Christ’s birth. The Bible says that when Jesus was born angels appeared to a group of shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.” The angels also told them they were bringing “good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” And that’s something we definitely need today. It’s easy to think that fame and fortune will make you happy, but just ask champion wrestler Ted DiBiase, the ‘Million Dollar Man’. It was only when Ted repented of his sins and asked Jesus into his life that he found the peace and strength he needed to turn his life the right way up. See p6 to read the story. Christmas is important to Ted because that is when we celebrate that Jesus came down to be born of a virgin, and to suffer and die for the sins of the whole world so that we can be set free. And then to rise from the grave so that every one of us can find a new life in him, and a great hope for the future. We think that is worth celebrating, and hope you do too.

BIBLE QUOTE OF THE MONTH “The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” – which means “God with us.” Matthew 1:23 Editor: Peter Wreford Advertising: Barry Wilson

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FOOTY CRAZY JON SPREADS WORD AROUND GLOBE

fan’s big IDEA IS a raw-ring success!

Issue 214 •

NEW LIFE NEW LIFE

11

INFLUENCE... John Motson

Christian influence on Motty

FAN-TASTIC... Jon Burns

VETERAN football commentator John Motson says that his Christian upbringing has had a “big influence” on his life. BBC legend Motty was brought up in a Methodist church, going twice on Sundays as a youngster. He said: “My father became a minister before I was born and served for 40 years. “He was also a mission worker in East London. I continued to be a member (of the Methodist Church) for a long time and still visit the local parish. The Christian standards, I would hope, are still there.”

Korea lads Volunteers talk sport and help community projects have belief FOOTBALL fanatic Jon Burns uses his passion for England to share his faith throughout the world.

● Continued on Page 11 I think. Questions such as where I came from, where I’m going, what to do about my sins, and everything else I worried about as a high school student have been answered by God. “One of the biggest fears anyone faces is the fear of death. That was certainly true for me. But now that I know where I’m going after I die I am free, not only of the fear of death, but from death itself! “In this way, the Lord has dramatically changed all of my thoughts – my entire life!”

The devout England fan, who travels the globe cheering on the Th ree L ions, ta kes fellow supporters to big tournaments, running soccer schools and outreach projects along the way. Jon, founder of Christian charity Lionsraw, said: “I found some friends to partner with and Lionsraw was born. We took 150 men and women to Durban during the World Cup. “Over the course of the twoweek trip we ran seven soccer schools for over 1,000 Zulu kids and constructed four desperately needed buildings for those affected by the AIDS epidemic. It’s a call to action for football fans all over the world. For years I was involved in the charity sector with churches, youth outreach and some sport projects.

Bid to bowl people over A CHRISTIAN cricket coach is set to spread the gospel to poor communities in Nepal. Sri Lankan Chuli Scarfe, who lives in North London, will teach cricket to underprivileged girls. Chuli, who is representing Christian Sports Fellowship on the trip, said: “Many of them come from very poor areas with no opportunity to do sports. I’m praying that God will build confidence and enhance their self esteem.”

hobby “I also had a hobby on the side, wh ic h wa s fol low i ng E ng la nd around the world watching football. “In 2004 those two worlds collided when I realised that there was a purpose in my hobby – which was to mobilise an army of football fans to do something useful in the world while they were on tour following England about.” Lionsraw, which featured on Match of the Day last year during the World Cup, is taking teams to Poland for next summer’s European Championship and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Jon added: “We’ve already got 50 lads signed up for Poland next year,

RAW TALENT... Volunteers and some of the children who they met at the football projects and we’re going to be working in schools in Warsaw. We’re also looking ahead to Brazil in 2014, where we’re aiming to take 500 guys to work on four separate building projects and 28 soccer academies. We invite guys who bring their

friends. It’s the most effective thing I’ve ever done. “There isn’t a fan movement like this in the world. Imagine the power of one million football fans giving ten hours each to serve others – that’s what we hope to achieve

by 2020. We find that when guys go away and are involved in things like this they come home and make a difference in their home communities too.” ● Visit www.lionsraw.org for more information.

Zambia trip

RETIRED footballer Bruce Dyer has returned from his first mission trip to Zambia. Dyer, who l ives i n Sheffield, preached in prisons and churches during the two-week trip, seeing ma ny pr isone rs become C h r istians.

FAN’S IDEA IS A RAW-RING SUCCESS... SEE PAGE 11

NEW LIFE MOTTY TELLS OF INFLUENCE ON HIS LIFE

SPORT

COUNTRY’S FOOTBALLERS’ STRONG FAITH

Stars make Korea choice! ARSENAL’S new forward Park Chu Young is increasing his fan-base at the Emirates Stadium.

But the main reason why Young, who is also the captain of South Korea’s national team, says he plays football is to tell people about Jesus. The dedicated Christian – who also writes “Jesus Christ” whenever he signs an autograph – said: “The first and main reason why I play football is to evangelise people. It would make me happy if just one person became interested in Christianity because of me.” And you won’t find 26-yearold Park – who is a genius on and off the pitch with an IQ of 150 – cartwheeling after scoring a goal because he prefers to get down on his knees and pray. However, during his time at AS Monaco, the

FAITH... Lee Young Pyo rest of the team decided to dive on Park – likened to David Beckham for his dead-ball skills – when he scored a goal, and left him with a knee injury! Park is not the only Christian on the South Korea team. Former Spurs left-back Lee Young Pyo is also keen to talk about his faith. He

said: “I became a Christian in 2001. Before that, to be honest, the idea of God was a fairy story to me. I thought that believing in God was just for strange people. “Growing up in Korea, I was heavily influenced by Buddhism, and if I had chosen a religion then, I probably would have become a Buddhist. Then some friends of mine told me about God. Still, I was not sure whether I really believed God existed. If he did, I felt he needed to reveal himself to me. “Over time, I became quite eager to find an answer to this question. Then one day God revealed himself to me exactly as I had requested. I was amazed! After that, I began to learn more about Christ, and I came to know him more and more. “Since then, everything in my life changed, especially the way ● Continued on Page 11

SEE PAGE 11

PASTOR... Richard Rufus

PARK LIFE... Park Chu Young

I swapped pitches for the pulpit HE captained England’s Under 21s and played alongside the likes of David Beckham and Nicky Butt, making almost 300 appearances in an impressive career with Charlton Athletic. But centre-half Richard Rufus, who had to retire through a knee injury, says the biggest achievement in his life was when he became a Christian. Rufus, 36, has since swapped the pitch for the pulpit and is now a youth pastor in London. He said: “It was an honour for me to be playing for England Under 21s, let alone being captain. You definitely need God because money and fortune is not the be all and end all of life. “There is a Scripture in the Bible that says if you can gain the whole world and lose yourself, what does it profit you? And that is something that touched me just before I got saved, and it is something I hold onto right now. “We need God, as he gives you that peace, security and abundant life.”

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