New Life August 2010 issue 198

NEW LIFEAUGUST 2010 • Issue 198 40p GOOD NEWS STORIES www.newlife.co.uk

FORGIVEN!THE TERRORIST wHO STabbEd my SON

A former top cop whose son was murdered by a terrorist has spoken of how he has forgiven the killer.

Robin Oake heard on the Ten O’clock News that his son, Stephen, had been fatally stabbed during a police raid.

He then broke the terrible news to his wife, Chris, in a phone call.

Stephen Oake, a young detective, and a father of three, was stabbed to death while on an anti-terror raid in Manchester in 2003.

Like his father, he was a devout Christian. Speaking recently, Robin, told a packed church in Norwich: “Re-venge imprisons us, but forgiveness

sets us free.” The grieving father was quickly on the scene of the tragedy, where a TV reporter asked him how he felt about his son’s killer.

Fighting back tears, he replied: “I forgive him,” adding that only God could give him the strength to do so.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair was among the 1,000 strong con-gregation that attended Stephen’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral.

movingSince then, Robin Oake has writ-

ten a moving book called ‘Father, Forgive’ and has seen many people across the UK discover afresh the power of forgiveness in the face of

extreme personal pressures. Robin and his wife, Chris, a former nurse, believe that with God’s help, the miracle of forgiveness is possible in every situation: “It is part of the healing process. For us, it has removed the bitterness and anger that we might have had.”

Recalling his heroic son, who was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal, Robin told his audience: “I thank God for Steve. All the good memories of childhood, the dif-ference the Lord Jesus made in his life, his great marriage to Lesley and their three super kids; his abilities in music, his humour, his expertise as a police officer. I thank God he taught us so much.”

MEET THE REV WHO WAS ONCE AN ARMED ROBBER

ADVENTUROUS youth worker Mark Pugh and five pals will ride the length of Great Britain — in a tuk-tuk!

The team will ride in the three-wheeled vehicle for six days, in an effort to raise a minimum of £20,000 to enhance the work of youth organisa-tion Serious4God.

The feat — from September 27 until October 2 — will see the team travel from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

Mark said: “It will be uncomfort-able, cold and we’re really praying for safety on the roads! A tuk-tuk has the potential of getting up to 45-50mph, but I think every bone in our body would be shaking if we did that kind of speed!

“I’ve found that if I think about things too long I just won’t do them, and this is one of those things that I’ve had to announce publicly before counting the cost afterwards! On a se-rious note, we hope churches will join with us to help us raise our target.”

Visit www.serious4god.co.uk for details on how to sponsor Mark.

Mark tuk up challenge to raise funds!

FORGIVING... Robin Oake and Stephen, inset

by Joanne Cash

TEACHERS TO QUITFOR THEDESERT!

DON’T MISS THE FULL AMAZING STORY... PAGE 2

PAGE 4

THREEMENDOUS... Mark Pugh with the tuk-tuk

PAGE 4

MY BIG BROTHERJOHNNY,

US & GODSON

extreme personal pressures. Robin and his wife, Chris, a former nurse, believe that with God’s help, the miracle of forgiveness is possible in every situation: “It is part of the healing process. For us, it has removed the bitterness and anger

Recalling his heroic son, who was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal, Robin told his audience: “I thank God for Steve. All the good memories of childhood, the difference the Lord Jesus made in his life, his great marriage to Lesley and their three super kids; his abilities in music, his humour, his expertise as a police officer. I thank God he

FORGIVEN! by Joanne Cash

SONextreme personal pressures. Robin and his wife, Chris, a former nurse, believe that with God’s help, the miracle of forgiveness is possible in every situation: “It is part of the healing process. For us, it has removed the bitterness and anger

Recalling his heroic son, who was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal, Robin told his audience: “I thank God for Steve. All the good memories of childhood, the dif-ference the Lord Jesus made in his life, his great marriage to Lesley and their three super kids; his abilities in music, his humour, his expertise as a police officer. I thank God he

by Joanne Cash

FULL STORY ON PAGE 3

NEW LIFEwww.newlife.co.uk


TEACHERS



TEACHERS TEACHERS

DON’T MISS THE FULL AMAZING STORY... PAGE 2

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk2 • Issue 198 NEW LIFENEW LIFE

Former armed robber: Jesus stole my heart!

A NORWICH Christian charity is giving vulnerable women a step up to a normal life.

The group offers a daily meal, help with legal issues, housing ben-efits and even a Bible study.

Called STEP — Standing Together Encouraging People — it is based at New Hope Christian Centre.

Many of the women who use the service face extreme difficulties on a daily basis around issues of pov-erty, abuse, violence, homelessness, substance misuse, marginalisation and prejudices.

Sarah George, manager of STEP, said many of the women are explor-ing what it is to be a Christian and are finding their own relationship with Christ gives them the strength to face the inevitable challenges they face.

She added: “Our Bible studies are great fun.”

HOMELESS people in Reading have been given a boost after taking part in a series of creative arts work-shops.

The Christian group, Pilgrim Hearts Trust, ran a series of projects at their Berkshire based drop-in centre.

The centre provides food, clothes and showers and offers referrals to legal and housing advice organisa-tions. Over the past 12 weeks it also offered arts workshops with the aim of giving hope to the homeless.

Elaine Chalmers-Brown, Project Manager for the Pilgrim Hearts Trust, explained: “Some homeless people have battled with addiction and their children have been taken into care. Many are rootless, not homeless, but they walk the streets with a sense of restlessness.”

It is only a short bridge providing a gentle stroll into the heart of the historic City of York.

But for Matt Martinson, 35, Lendal Bridge represents a journey between two lives that could hardly be further apart.

One centred around armed robbery, drug addiction, unre-lenting violence and misery.

The second has its roots in forgiveness, change and an answer to prayer from a loving God who never gives up.

Matt Martinson recently crossed Lendel Bridge to be-come the Reverend Matt Mar-tinson, an ordained vicar in the Church of England.

As he did so, he paused for a moment to recall the other Matt – armed robber and drug addict – who lived, or rather existed, on a rat-infested barge on the banks below.

“It’s amazing to think I used to live in a boat under that bridge,” he smiles.

“It wasn’t anything fancy, just a boat, but it was a roof over my head. But eventually that went, and I ended up sleep-ing rough in York.”

Matt’s story starts in his traumatic childhood at the hands, and often fists, of an alcoholic father who also had

a bad drug habit.“My father used to knock me

about. Inevitably, that has an effect on you, and I joined the army to get away,” he said.

As his own violent lifestyle spiralled out of control, Matt believed it wouldn’t be long before the violence caught up with him and he’d be killed. In fact, he had already tried to kill himself, but failed.

In the mess that was his life, Matt turned to God. Although he didn’t go to church and doubted whether God even existed, Matt made a simple prayer, which was also a pact.

caughtHe said: “I made a deal with

God. I said to him, ‘If you get me caught alive, I will bow my knee to you.’”

Shortly after he prayed, Matt held up a Post Office at gunpoint. It was 1995 and he was caught and then he experienced a miracle – in a police cell.

“God got me caught alive,” he laughs. “I was put in a police cell up in Carlisle, and instead of being interviewed straight away, I was left in the cell on my own. That’s where I heard God speak to me – not audibly

– but inside. He said, ‘make a choice.’ And I knew then that that was one of those eternity moments, and I had to choose whether I was going to accept God or not.”

Matt was given 11 years. Prison was tough, but a prison chaplain at the Wolds, in East Yorkshire, David Casswell, took him under his wing and he eventually served just four years before being paroled.

After coming out of prison, Matt went to live with another chaplain and continued his spiritual journey, ending up at Bridlington where he met his future wife Haley in church.

Matt and Hayley have been married for ten years and have a nine-year-old son, Seth.

“I was really excited about my ordination, but it’s taken a long way to get here,” he says.

“When I crossed over Lendal Bridge on my way from the train station I thought about when I lived in a boat under that bridge. It shows that no matter what you’ve done or how useless you think you are, God sees you. He knows you by name.”

The Rev David Mann, the York diocesan adviser on voca-tions, said: “Matt’s story shows how God can change a person’s life.”

The Rev Matt Martinson’s life was very different until he found Christ

CHURCHES are making a big effort on the big day to welcome wedding guests.

Ministers have been told to smile more and children should be allowed to stand on the pews

to get a better look. The Church of England has sent out help cards to every parish which also contain a prayer guests can say for the happy couple.

Called Seven Heavenly Ways

To Welcome, the cards also give details about Sunday services.

Church leaders say they want to reach the estimated 135,000 guests who will attend weddings this year.

It’s seventh heaven for wedding guests

by James Hastings

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Project helps the homeless

Charity gives women hope

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk Issue 198 • 3NEW LIFENEW LIFE

FEAR OF CRASH A CASH CONVERTER!She has the same deep eyes and raw, gravel voice as her famous brother.

Joanne Cash also shared the drug and alcohol addictions which blighted the life of big brother, Johnny.

And she has revealed that record producers insisted Johnny didn’t use his talent to worship God – because they feared it would “ruin his image”.

It was while the pair were on a private jet, that Joanne discovered the same God that Johnny regularly talked to her about, and of which he sang with such passion on numer-ous gospel albums.

That day changed Joanne’s life forever – and gave her a new hope in the midst of a life crippled by sadness and suffering.

“Johnny had rented an airplane to fly us down to south Arkansas for a Cash family reunion and on the way back we ran into a terrible hailstorm,” she explains.

“I really thought the plane would go down. I cried out to God in the midst of that hailstorm saying ‘If you give me this day, I’ll give you all the days of the rest of my life.’

“Johnny and I knew without a doubt that God had saved our lives that day, because he had plans for all of us.”

That was Saturday, October 17, 1980. The following day, Joanne walked into a church near the family home and told the pastor: “I’ve come here today to find Je-sus, because I promised him that I would.

“I felt the Holy Spirit come over my body and deliver me. I was to-tally set free of drugs and alcohol and I’ve been free ever since.”

When the award-winning film, Walk The Line, hit cinemas a few

years ago, Joanne watched it with tears in her eyes. It not only accu-rately told the story of the rise to fame of her brother, Johnny, it also revealed the Cash family’s strug-gles and troubles growing up dirt poor in wartime America.

It was a strongly Christian fam-ily with music and hard work at its centre. One heartbreaking scene in the movie was the day her other brother, Jack, died horribly in a sawmill accident. He was just 14.

That early t rauma scarred Joanne’s life through her teenage years. Fearing God was angry with her, she sought refuge in drugs and alcohol which temporarily dulled the pain.

Somehow she found herself in a disastrous marriage which ended with her becoming a single mother with three small children. During these difficult years, Johnny, who fought his own demons, would talk to his little sister about Jesus and how he loved her for who she was. But Joanne continued to feel unworthy, until that day she went on a bumpy plane r ide which changed her life.

Joa n ne sm i les when she says John-ny never gave up on God when he strug-gled with his addic-tions and temper.

“He got into drugs because the human body can’t take the fast-pace sched-ule they had him on. He first did those drugs innocently, not know-ing what he was taking and what a terrible road they would put him on.

It was by the grace of God that Johnny survived all those many

times he took so many drugs,” she says. “He came back to the Lord in 1972. Johnny had his ups and downs, but he loved Jesus with all of his heart.”

Joanne sang gospel hymns with her brother who had always wanted to use his talent to worship God,

but was talked out of it by record producers who claimed it might ruin his image. She still tours the world performing gospel songs, and leads the worship music at the famous Cowboy Church in Nash-ville, where her husband, Harry, is the pastor.

CASH CONVERTER!years ago, Joanne watched it with tears in her eyes. It not only accu-rately told the story of the rise to fame of her brother, Johnny, it also revealed the Cash family’s strug-gles and troubles growing up dirt

It was a strongly Christian fam-ily with music and hard work at its centre. One heartbreaking scene in the movie was the day her other brother, Jack, died horribly in a sawmill accident. He was just 14.sawmill accident. He was just 14.

That early t rauma scarred Joanne’s life through her teenage years. Fearing God was angry with her, she sought refuge in drugs and alcohol which temporarily dulled

Somehow she found herself in a disastrous marriage which ended with her becoming a single mother with three small children. During these difficult years, Johnny, who fought his own demons, would talk to his little sister about Jesus and how he loved her for who she was. But Joanne continued to feel unworthy, until that day she went on a bumpy plane r ide which changed

Joa n ne sm i les when she says John-ny never gave up on God when he strug-gled with his addic

“He got into drugs because the human body can’t take the fast-pace sched- times he took so many drugs,” she

sawmill accident. He was just 14.That early t rauma scarred That early t rauma scarred

Joanne’s life through her teenage years. Fearing God was angry with her, she sought refuge in drugs and alcohol which temporarily dulled

Somehow she found herself in a disastrous marriage which ended with her becoming a single mother with three small children. During these difficult years, Johnny, who fought his own demons, would talk to his little sister about Jesus and how he loved her for who she was. But Joanne continued to feel unworthy, until that day she went on a bumpy plane r ide which changed

gled with his addic-

“He got into drugs

That early t rauma scarred Joanne’s life through her teenage years. Fearing God was angry with her, she sought refuge in drugs and alcohol which temporarily dulled

Somehow she found herself in a disastrous marriage which ended with her becoming a single mother with three small children. During these difficult years, Johnny, who fought his own demons, would talk to his little sister about Jesus and how he loved her for who she

LEGENDARY SINGER’S SISTER TELLS OF FAITH

by James Hastings

AN MP stabbed in a horrific at-tack has said the power of prayer helped him recover.

Stepehen Timms was stabbed twice in the stomach by a 21-year-old woman who has been charged with attempted murder.

attackThe East London MP, a former

Labour Cabinet minister, urged Christians to always pray for their MPs.

“Since the attack, I’ve had liter-ally hundreds of messages from

people telling me they’re praying for me for a speedy recovery. I think that’s been hugely, hugely to my benefit and I’m very grateful for it,” said Mr Timms.

“Thanks to them for their ef-fort and commitment in prayer, I am well on the road to recovery. I think those prayers are being honoured and I’m very optimistic that in a month or two’s time I’ll be fine.”

Mr Timms spoke of the im-portance of churches praying for their local MPs.

“MPs play a big part in the life of their communities. For an MP to know that they have the sup-port of a local church in prayer is quite a big deal.

“From the point of view of the MP, including MPs who don’t pray or don’t themselves believe, knowing that a local church is supporting them in prayer is a really powerful thing.

“I hope churches will do it and let their local member of parlia-ment know that they are doing it as well.”

Stabbed MP says prayer helped him recover

NEW LIFE

NEWSFLASH

MUSIC star Alicia Keys “can’t wait” to become a mother – branding her pregnancy “a gift from God”.

The 29-year-old is expecting her first child with producer fiance Swizz Beatz later this year.

She told a UK newspaper: “I can’t wait to become a mum. No question. It’s the most beautiful gift in the world. Truly a gift from God.”

ONE of the world's biggest names in pop music has launched a search for a new star – in church.

Universal Music represents sing-ers such as Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey.

Now it hopes to find a number one talent in a parish somewhere in Britain with the offer to record an album of the nation’s favourite hymns.

Mark Wilkinson, general man-ager of Universal’s prestigious Decca Records division, said he wanted to discover “God’s answer to Glee”.

The award-winning TV series, fo-cuses on the trials and tribulations of forming a community choir from a group of unknowns. It has become one of America’s most-watched shows.

Added Mark: “The chosen choir will make an album of the nation’s favourite hymns – hymns that have been sung across the land, through-out the ages.

“Hymn singing is in the nation’s DNA; this is what you can call real soul music, music that can inspire, uplift, and unite people like no other music can.

“So many people’s first experi-ence of music is in their local church or community choir, an invaluable introduction that has been shared by such varied stars as Britney Spears, Kevin Costner, Dudley Moore, Tina Turner and Snoop Dogg.”

The chosen choir will not only record an album for Universal but also perform at The Royal Albert Hall in London and be declared Britain’s Favourite Choir.

A BAPTIST pastor is using small talk to chat about the big Bible issues.

The Rev Richard Littledale has started a Twitter scripture study.Anyone can join the discussion from their laptop or mobile phones.

Mr Littledale, who writes in the Baptist Times, says he got the idea from a book club on the social net-work site.

“I thought, we must be able to do this with the Bible,” he said. “It’s ideal for someone who’s too busy to attend a house group, but could eas-ily send a tweet from their iPhone.”

Follow Chatbible at http://twitter.com/Chatbible

That’s tweet!Stephen Timms MP

Music giant in hunt for a new star

THERE may still be more than five months to Christmas, but church leaders have their latest ad campaign all wrapped up.

An ultrasound scan of Jesus in the womb – complete with a halo – has been chosen as the new poster image by ChurchAds.net.

The ecumenical group hope to show the poster

in hundreds of bus shelters across the country from the beginning of December.

Previous campaigns have been praised for putting Christ back into Christmas.

The startling image, with the words “He’s on his way” will continue with the ongoing campaign line of “Christmas Starts with Christ”. Chairman

of ChurchAds.net, Francis Goodwin said: “This is the kind of thing proud parents-to-be show their friends and family – passing round the scan of the baby, or even pinning it up in the office.

“Our poster reflects this new way of announc-ing the news of a new arrival and places the birth of Christ in an ultra-contemporary context.”

Church leaders already set for Christmas campaign

IT’S been made into a Hollywood blockbuster and can be downloaded on a mobile.

Now a German publisher has turned the Bible into a magazine – and it’s flying off the shelves of the country’s newsagents.

The Bible magazine has become popular with commuters on the Berlin underground and shoppers in Munich malls. Its creator, Oliver Wurm from Hamburg, hopes to pro-duce an English edition.

He said: “The traditional Bible is not really very user-friendly.”

Bible a mag

SAVED FROM DEATH... Joanne Cash and, below, brother Johnny.

4 • Issue 198 NEW LIFENEW LIFE LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

WORLD NEWSROUND-UP

WORLD NEWSWORLD NEWSWORLD NEWSWORLD NEWS

WEST AFRICA — The Methodist Re-lief and Development Fund (MRDF) has launched an urgent appeal for West Africa as millions of people face chronic food shortages.

The aid agency said poor rainfall and failed harvests in the Sahel region of West Africa have left 10 million people vulnerable to severe hunger.

Niger, the poorest country in the world according to the United Nations, has been worst hit, with almost 60 per cent of the population facing hunger this year.

More than 1.5 million children are at risk of becoming malnourished unless urgent action is taken.

MRDF has a lready a l located £20,000 to the crisis-hit countries, and is urging people to donate to its emergency appeal so that it can reach more vulnerable people in Niger and other affected countries including Mali, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.

Donations to MRDF can be made via www.mrdf.org.uk, or by calling 020 7224 4814 to give by debit or credit card.

Bid to help food crisis

Church backs new president

Mission trip’s up for grabs

teachers leave jobs for desert academy

Holly Casso, Christina Casso and Jay Casso pray at a special service about the oil spill in a church in Louisiana. Inset, the battle to contain the oil

IT’S had concrete, steel rods and even gold balls pushed inside.

Now politicians have called for prayer in a bid to stop the huge BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The burst pipe is spewing mil-lions of barrels a day into the sea off the cost of Louisiana.

After numerous failed attempts to halt the spillage, the Louisiana

State Senate held a day of prayer and asked people to keep pray-ing.

The senate unanimously voted for a ‘Statewide Day of Prayer for Louisiana and the population and region surrounding the Gulf of Mexico’.

Republican member of the State Senate Robert Adley, said: “In

times of great distress and need, we, the people of this land, have always turned to private, public, and corporate prayer.

A Statewide Day of Prayer pro-vides each of us with a powerful opportunity to humble ourselves before Almighty God.

“The citizens of Louisiana are urged to pray for a solution to this

crisis, each according to his or her own faith, to pray for God’s contin-ued guidance and protection, and to join in the observance of a day of prayer, seeking God’s blessings upon both our state and nation.”

Former presidential running mate, Sarah Palin, encouraged Americans on her Twitter page to take up the call to prayer.

Prayer ‘next solution’ to oil spill dilemma

TEACHERS Jenny and David Robinson are top of the class when it comes to helping others.

The couple are giving up their se-cure jobs in Norwich for the desert of Tanzania.

The music teachers will help run a school called Haven Of Peace Academy in Dar es Salaam.

They will spend two years work-ing in one of the world’s poorest countries where many children go without any education.

Jenny, who teaches music at New-ton Flotman Primary where David is also the headteacher, says they are more surprised than anyone over the move.

But she says God has told the couple who attend Witard Road Baptist Church, this is what they should do.

“For some people this may sound an exciting adventure, but it has to be said that we are fairly unadven-turous and rather ordinary people really,” she smiled.

“This is not an ‘us’ thing to do. We saw the advert, started a road of discovery and six months down the road are now set to start at the school in September this year, with David going first for two weeks this month.

“This is not a salaried position, although they do give an allowance,

and we need to learn a trust in God in a way that we have never had to before.”

The couple have been life-long Christians working on outreaches in Norwich and attending weekly Bible classes.

But they felt God was calling them to go to Tanzania – and were given many ‘signs’ by family, friends and members of their church, where David is one of the leaders.

Added Jenny: “There have been so many events, verses, links to peo-ple and so on, apart from our skills fitting the exact requirements of the school we are going to work at.

“Earlier this year, we went out to the school for its 15-year anniver-sary, to meet the wonderful people at the school and to be interviewed for the posts. In many ways we were

almost expecting it to show us why God couldn’t possibly be calling us to do this.

“We thought, ‘Why us? Why Tan-zania?’ As the week progressed it seemed that more and more things were coming together and the biggest worry was that God could actually be saying, ‘Yes, I want you here.’”

The couple are now praying for a tenant to look after their house as well as asking others to pray for the success of their trip.

“We really want God to use us in the place that he is taking us to. We pray that the skills that we have to offer will bless the work of God there.

“We do pray that he will in-crease our faith and provide for our needs.”

couple to help poor tanzanian children David and Jenny

A COLLEGE drop-out turned pas-tor who only went to church to meet a girl, says Christians can learn from gangleaders.

Efrain Figueroa grew up in New York’s tough Bronx district where he joined a gang as a youngster.

He says gang bosses give young people important roles whi le churches only let them pass round the collection plate.

Efrain, now senior pastor at Glad Tidings Assembly of God church in the Bronx, says churches should copy the gangs and let teenagers take charge.

“This is no time for passive youth ministry,” he said. “Youth are being empowered in gangs and dying in the streets, yet many churches are giving teens nothing more to do than the role of passing the offering plates.”

He called on churches to swap their usual summer countryside holiday camps to tough areas.

Pastor says we can learn from gangs

NIGERIA – A Christian missions organisation is giving away a free mission trip.

Christ for All Nations, led by leg-endary German preacher Reinhard Bonnke, has witnessed more than 50million people convert to Chris-tianity in the last decade at huge Gospel campaigns in Africa.

Now the ministry is giving two UK residents the chance to join them – for free!

The winners will receive an all ex-penses paid trip to join Bonnke and his team at a campaign in Nigeria in November.

“This competition wil l bring enthusiasm, inspiration and great blessing to many who think that they could join us on the trip. It will be a mind-blowing experience for anyone who wins the competition.”

To enter the free mission trip competition, visit www.cfan.org.

COLOMBIA – The new President of Colombia, Dr Juan Manual Santos was overwhelmingly elected with strong support from one of the world’s fastest growing churches.

During his campaign Santos at-tended campaign meetings hosted by Misión Carismática Internac-ional (MCI), with more than 200,000 members.

MCI founder Pastor Cesar Castel-lanos said: “Dr Santos, you have been loyal. When someone is waiting with patience, God rewards them.

“God’s hand was on your life throughout the time you were a Minister of Defence. The hand of God has supported everyth ing you’ve done and will continue to support you.

“Thank you for not anticipating events, thank you for waiting, be-cause in his time you will receive the reward. May God bless you.”

Issue 198 • 5LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk NEW LIFENEW LIFE

by Matthew Murray

A CHURCH cancelled its Sunday services – so worshippers could help in the community instead.

Fifty worshippers from Hart Plain Church near Waterlooville, Hampshire, spent their Sunday washing people’s cars, handing out bacon sandwiches, clear-ing litter and helping homeless people.

It was part of the church’s Faith Into Action programme, which also involved a series of

Bible studies and sermons de-signed to encourage churchgoers make a difference in their local community.

The volunteers packed 60 shoeboxes for soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan as well as 50 care kits containing toiletries for people admitted overnight at the Queen Alexandra Hospital unexpectedly.

Another 100 similar parcels were put together for homeless

people. Half were sent to St Simon’s Church, Southsea, and half to the Two Saints hostel in Portsmouth, both of which work with homeless people.

Vicar Tim Jessiman, said: “People often see the church as a place where people do volunteer to do good things, but this was different because we approached various organisations and asked them what they would like us to do for them.”

CHURCH’S COMMUNITY SPIRITA CHURCH cancelled its Sunday services – so worshippers could help in the community instead.

Fifty worshippers from Hart Plain Church near Waterlooville, Hampshire, spent their Sunday washing people’s cars, handing out bacon sandwiches, clearing litter and helping homeless people.

It was part of the church’s Faith Into Action programme, which also involved a series of

CHURCH’S COMMUNITY SPIRIT

first class!

A privAte Christian school is to open its doors to up to 60 pupils next month.

The New Life Academy, based in Hull, will initially teach pupils aged five to nine, giving them a strong Christian education.

The man behind the vision is Jarrod Cooper, who leads New Life Church in the city.

He said: “I first saw a school like this in South Africa in 1996. It was a school of 250 kids. The atmosphere there was brilliant, I had never been into a school where I sensed the presence of God like this.

“The pupils were well behaved, respectful and there was a real sense of God in the place. I walked around with tears in my eyes and I knew then that’s what I wanted for my kids and for this generation.”

Jarrod revealed that pupils would be taught using the ACE curricu-lum, which focuses on individual learning, where pupils can learn at their own pace. It is hoped they will eventually be able to teach children of all ages.

“The core of our curriculum, called ACE, is a system I have seen in various parts of the world and is based around individual learning.

“Rather than everyone moving on at the same pace, regardless of whether they have understood or not, pupils will move at their own pace,” Jarrod continued.

“They will be taught in their own individual desk area and a teacher will go around giving individual help.”

Workbooks will cover all the core subjects including English, maths

and science, and pupils will be set daily goals, according to ability.

Jarrod added: “They will learn to be self-motivated. If a child is bril-liant at maths then they can race ahead and take their exams, perhaps aged 14.”

And while the school is academic and will strive to gain top grades for pupils, Jarrod says it won’t compro-mise on Christian teaching, and is 100 per cent “a Christian school”.

He said: “This is unashamedly a Christian school. It’s not going to be an intense religious church as we are a very natural, contemporary church. People who aren’t Christians find it very easy to talk to us and come into our building because we are normal. This is what we want to portray in the school.

“The Bible is woven into every-thing we do, and there’s a lot of emphasis on character, kindness and servant heartedness, right from

a little five-year-old kid. And while there has been slight opposition from secularists and humanists after the new school was featured in local media, Jarrod is confident this is the right thing to do.

“Historically the church has led the way in medicine, science and education – we are the world lead-ers! If you look at education in this nation, often church still does it the best way and people respect that.

“I know of schools like the one we are starting where Muslims are sending their children because they get a moral education.

“It isn’t a disjointed thing from society but it’s saying that there are rights and wrongs. Should the church be involved? Absolutely yes!”

New Life Academy has initially appointed two staff members, along with a host of volunteers.

For more information, see www.newlifeacademy.co.uk.

cHristiaN scHOOl sEt tO OPEN DOOrs fOr first tiME

A TOWN once described as the “most godless in Britain” has seen a new church throw open its doors.

Last year, a survey on church attendance across the UK showed fewer people in the town of Telford, Shropshire, considered themselves to be Christian than anywhere else.

But Bishop Mark Rylands said Telford didn’t deserve its “most god-less” label as he opened the River Community Church.

The congregation has been meet-ing for the past 18 months in venues ranging from a pub to a local branch of Costa Coffee. Over one hundred people now meet weekly in a school and community centre.

hopeBishop Mark said: “There are

lovely signs of growth, of new life and of real care here in Telford.

“There are one or two golden bits and I would say the River Community Church is a breath of fresh air and a real sign of hope for the community of Lawley.

“We are also going to start a new church in Priorslee soon so there will be new ways of discovering who Jesus is and how to live his life.

“There are lots of churches open-ing all the time across the world. It is true that some churches are closing, but we want to open churches where people are.”

PORN addicts are only a phone call away from helping to beat their habit.

They can now dial up to download a free programme that lists the sites they’ve surfed.

Users choose a friend who receives the same browsing history from the app called X3watch.

The device has been launched by Christian anti-porn group, XXX-Church.com.

Founder Craig gross said: “Un-like filters that just block specific websites altogether, X3watch was designed to give users the freedom and power to show their friends, parents and spouses that they can be held accountable and make good choices.”

New church in ‘godless’ British town

Mobile help to beat porn

A VICAR is toasting success because he says his church in a British village pub has become a hit.

The Rev James Whysall said the service at the Cross Keys, Woolstone, Milton Keynes, was an unconvention-al way of getting people involved with the church. Weekly services alternate between the church and the pub.

Toast success

Robert Parker cleans a car as part of the initiative

FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL... Jarrod Cooper next to an advert for the New Life Academy, which is due to open in Hull next month

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk6 • Issue 198NEW LIFENEW LIFE

Issue 198 • 7NEW LIFENEW LIFE

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

Admit that you have done wrongThe Bible says, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).

Believe that Jesus died so that you can be forgiven, and ask God to forgive you‘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 con-fess 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 wayJesus 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.

B

C

A

WORKING TOGeTheR TO BRING you The GOOd NeWS


FOR EVERY READERDAILY INSPIRATIONAL BOOKcall 0845 6040401 or log on to www.ucb.co.uk

FREE

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 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.

OuR reporter Becky Barlow witnessed first hand the incredible impact that the Donovan’s story has on young offenders at Thorn Cross Prison in Warrington.As 30 young lads aged 16 to 19 shuffled into the small chapel at an outreach event, it was hard to imagine what would happen next.

As Ray and Vi went to the front to tell their story you could have heard a pin drop.

An obviously emotional Vi broke down a couple of times but she spoke with remarkable dignity and poise about forgiveness.

The prisoners were visibly moved when Ray told them: “We do this because we love you.”

Then, as the Donovans asked who would like to make a com-mitment to Jesus, all but two of the prisoners – who were already Christians – went to the front and said the sinners’ Prayer out loud.

What followed was an incred-ible time of prayer and rejoicing.

The Governor said: “To listen to a story like that was so powerful. I’ve never seen anything like it and I’ve worked in a Liverpool prison for 20 years.”

Mick Povall, head of reducing re-offending said: “I was shaking listening to Ray and Vi’s story. I’m in awe of the people being able to come in here and share with the prisoners in such a loving way and then to say that they forgive them. If I lost my son I don’t think I’d be able to go and do that.”

A prisoner said: “I thought it was really good. I’m in here for selling drugs and from hearing their story it helps me to under-stand the effects of my crime and that I do have victims.”

stephen Hawkins, regional co-ordinator of Prison Fellowship, said: “It’s an amazing testimony. It’s so powerful.

“People hear Ray and Vi’s mes-sage of love and forgiveness and hope and God’s grace. It helps them to know that they have a sec-ond chance in life and helps them to understand forgiveness.

“The men on the course finish with an NVQ in taking responsibil-ity because sycamore is run by Christians. There’s a lot of love there.

“Zaccheus [in the Bible] is a classic example of restorative justice. The question comes up a lot why do you forgive? And that’s our chance to say, because God’s forgiven me.”

Why we forgave Why we forgave Why we forgave Why we forgave Why we forgave Why we forgave our son’s killersour son’s killersour son’s killersour son’s killersour son’s killersour son’s killersour son’s killersour son’s killersour son’s killersour son’s killersour son’s killersour son’s killers

REMARKABLE COUPLE NOW VISIT PRISONS TO TELL INMATES ABOUT FORGIVENESS

A COuPLE whose son was beaten to death reveal how their Christian faith has enabled them not only to forgive his killers, but go into prisons talking to young offenders about forgiveness.

RAY and Vi Donovan’s world was changed forever by a knock at

the door at 1.30am. It was every parent’s worst nightmare.

Faced by the police telling them their son was in hospital, the Donovans’ world fell apart when their 18-year-old son Chris died, victim of a vicious, unprovoked as-sault by a group of youths high on drink and drugs.

Fast forward nine years and you will now find the brave couple speaking to prisoners in young offenders’ institutes and adult prisons up and down the coun-try about forgiveness.

This incredible journey of grace is only possible because Ray and Vi are Christians and it is the love of Jesus that enables them to forgive others.

The Bank Holiday weekend in May 2001 had started like any other.

Ray remembered: “At 1.30am, Saturday morning, the doorbell rang and the police came in and said that Chris had been in a fight. They drove us to the hospital touching 100mph. When we got there Chris was in surgery so they showed us to a private room.”

As the anxious parents sat waiting for news, Chris’s brother Phillip was able to tell them what had happened.

“Between sobs he told us that they were on their way to a friend’s house when they came across a gang of about 14 boys and girls,” said Ray.

“As they got nearer to the gang they opened up to let them through but as Phillip went through, one of the boys punched him in the face for no reason and broke his nose. He collapsed to the floor and two lads started to kick him in the head and face.

“Chris went to save him, but three oth-er boys pushed him into the main road, which was a four-lane A-road. A witness saw them stamp and kick him in his head as Chris curled up like a foetus.”

DEVASTATEDPhillip went on to tell his devastated

parents how, as he came round, he saw a car coming over the hill which ran over Chris, dragging him 40 feet down the road. The driver later said in court that she thought it was a bundle of rags in the road.

Stunned by this revelation, the Dono-van’s night was about to get a lot worse.

Vi continued: “At 3.30am, the doctors came and told us that Chris had died. I ran out of the door. I felt like it was a dream. It’s the sort of thing that happens to other people. I was so angry.”

The Donovans’ Christian faith was to be put to the test.

Vi explained: “We hung around the hos-pital for hours. We got in the car and Ray said to me, ‘Vi as Christians, you know we’re going to have to forgive the boys who mur-dered Chris’

“I exploded and started swearing that God was asking too much. I resolved I’d do without God before I forgave them. I was full of such rage that I wanted to kill those guys.”

But when the Donovans went to church the next day, the rage was lifted and Vi turned to her faith in God as she dealt with the loss of her son.

When they were called to identify Chris, the coroner told them she would have to re-move Christopher’s brain so that they could establish the cause of death, which would

take 16 weeks. Ray turned to the coroner and said: “That’s not my son in there – he is safe in heaven and no one can harm him any more.”

Vi added: “It was so great for us to know that that wasn’t Christopher and that he was in heaven – because at the age of 15 Chris gave his life to the Lord. I don’t know what parents do without that conviction.”

After an excruciating four-month wait, the results came back that it was indeed the kicking from the youths that had caused Chris’s death and not from the car running over him.

The date for the trial was set at the Old Bai-ley and the Donovans set about dealing with their worst fear – facing Chris’s killers.

Ray said: “It took a year to come to court. We were dreading it. They were laughing in

the dock, right in our faces. It was God that kept us in control.

“We just prayed. It was the only peace we had. The case lasted six weeks. I’ll never forget when a witness demonstrated how the lads had stamped on Chris’s head.”

GUILTYThree gang members were found guilty

of Chris’s murder. Steven Andrews, 21, was given life with a minimum sentence of nine years; Ryan Seymour was given life with a minimum of 10 years; and a 16-year-old, who we can’t name, was given life with a minimum

of six years. The Donovans were able to turn to their Christian faith to deal with their feel-ings towards their son’s killers.

Vi said: “Will them doing life bring Chris back? What we would like to see is their lives changed and for them to be able to go out and do something good for the community.

“We want to see them rehabilitated so they don’t come out and do that to someone else.

“People ask us how we can forgive? But when you become Christians like us and not born into the faith, you realise how much you’ve been forgiven, so how can we not?”

And now Ray and Vi can be found in pris-

ons up and down the country sharing their story and talking to prisoners about forgive-ness on a restorative justice programme, Sycamore Tree, run by Christian group Prison Fellowship.

Ray laughed: “If you’d have told me nine years ago that I’d be going into prisons talking about forgiveness and hugging the inmates, I’d probably have punched you!”

VIcTImSSycamore Tree is based on the story of Zac-

cheus from the Bible and how meeting Jesus turned around his life.

“It’s about restorative justice and getting people to think about their victims. Week three of the course is when a victim of crime comes and tells their story,” added Ray. “It’s run by Prison Fellowship. It’s about forgiving

themselves and some of them even meet Jesus along the way. They then get an NVQ Level One or Two. The prisoners can’t understand why we would want to go and speak to them – why we drive for hours – but we tell them it’s because we think they are worth it.”

And the Donovans were eventually able to tell Christopher’s killers that they forgave them too.

Vi said: “We wrote to Christopher’s killers saying we forgave them, but one wrote back saying he couldn’t forgive himself.”

As well as their prison work, Ray and Vi have launched Forgiveness Ministries which sees them talking in churches about forgive-ness.

● For more details about Ray and Vi’s ministry, visit www.forgivenessministries.org

by Becky Barlow

We just prayed. It was the only peace we had. The case lasted six weeks❛ ❜

We are giving away 20 free copies of ‘Forgiveness: Making Sense of it’ by John Phillips. To get your free copy, e-mail [email protected] and quote ‘New Life Newspaper’.

There’s a lot of love for them!

Book giveaway

HEARTS FULL OF FORGIVENESS... Vi and Ray Donovan ready to go into a prison to talk to inmates. Above, their son Chris who was killed after being kicked in the head when a gang attacked him

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk6 • Issue 198NEW LIFENEW LIFE

Issue 198 • 7NEW LIFENEW LIFE

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

Admit that you have done wrongThe Bible says, ‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).

Believe that Jesus died so that you can be forgiven, and ask God to forgive you‘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 con-fess 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 wayJesus 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.

B

C

A

WORKING TOGeTheR TO BRING you The GOOd NeWS


FOR EVERY READERDAILY INSPIRATIONAL BOOKcall 0845 6040401 or log on to www.ucb.co.uk

FREE

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 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.

OuR reporter Becky Barlow witnessed first hand the incredible impact that the Donovan’s story has on young offenders at Thorn Cross Prison in Warrington.As 30 young lads aged 16 to 19 shuffled into the small chapel at an outreach event, it was hard to imagine what would happen next.

As Ray and Vi went to the front to tell their story you could have heard a pin drop.

An obviously emotional Vi broke down a couple of times but she spoke with remarkable dignity and poise about forgiveness.

The prisoners were visibly moved when Ray told them: “We do this because we love you.”

Then, as the Donovans asked who would like to make a com-mitment to Jesus, all but two of the prisoners – who were already Christians – went to the front and said the sinners’ Prayer out loud.

What followed was an incred-ible time of prayer and rejoicing.

The Governor said: “To listen to a story like that was so powerful. I’ve never seen anything like it and I’ve worked in a Liverpool prison for 20 years.”

Mick Povall, head of reducing re-offending said: “I was shaking listening to Ray and Vi’s story. I’m in awe of the people being able to come in here and share with the prisoners in such a loving way and then to say that they forgive them. If I lost my son I don’t think I’d be able to go and do that.”

A prisoner said: “I thought it was really good. I’m in here for selling drugs and from hearing their story it helps me to under-stand the effects of my crime and that I do have victims.”

stephen Hawkins, regional co-ordinator of Prison Fellowship, said: “It’s an amazing testimony. It’s so powerful.

“People hear Ray and Vi’s mes-sage of love and forgiveness and hope and God’s grace. It helps them to know that they have a sec-ond chance in life and helps them to understand forgiveness.

“The men on the course finish with an NVQ in taking responsibil-ity because sycamore is run by Christians. There’s a lot of love there.

“Zaccheus [in the Bible] is a classic example of restorative justice. The question comes up a lot why do you forgive? And that’s our chance to say, because God’s forgiven me.”

Why we forgave Why we forgave Why we forgave Why we forgave Why we forgave Why we forgave Why we forgave Why we forgave Why we forgave our son’s killersour son’s killersour son’s killersour son’s killersour son’s killersour son’s killers

REMARKABLE COUPLE NOW VISIT PRISONS TO TELL INMATES ABOUT FORGIVENESS

A COuPLE whose son was beaten to death reveal how their Christian faith has enabled them not only to forgive his killers, but go into prisons talking to young offenders about forgiveness.

RAY and Vi Donovan’s world was changed forever by a knock at

the door at 1.30am. It was every parent’s worst nightmare.

Faced by the police telling them their son was in hospital, the Donovans’ world fell apart when their 18-year-old son Chris died, victim of a vicious, unprovoked as-sault by a group of youths high on drink and drugs.

Fast forward nine years and you will now find the brave couple speaking to prisoners in young offenders’ institutes and adult prisons up and down the coun-try about forgiveness.

This incredible journey of grace is only possible because Ray and Vi are Christians and it is the love of Jesus that enables them to forgive others.

The Bank Holiday weekend in May 2001 had started like any other.

Ray remembered: “At 1.30am, Saturday morning, the doorbell rang and the police came in and said that Chris had been in a fight. They drove us to the hospital touching 100mph. When we got there Chris was in surgery so they showed us to a private room.”

As the anxious parents sat waiting for news, Chris’s brother Phillip was able to tell them what had happened.

“Between sobs he told us that they were on their way to a friend’s house when they came across a gang of about 14 boys and girls,” said Ray.

“As they got nearer to the gang they opened up to let them through but as Phillip went through, one of the boys punched him in the face for no reason and broke his nose. He collapsed to the floor and two lads started to kick him in the head and face.

“Chris went to save him, but three oth-er boys pushed him into the main road, which was a four-lane A-road. A witness saw them stamp and kick him in his head as Chris curled up like a foetus.”

DEVASTATEDPhillip went on to tell his devastated

parents how, as he came round, he saw a car coming over the hill which ran over Chris, dragging him 40 feet down the road. The driver later said in court that she thought it was a bundle of rags in the road.

Stunned by this revelation, the Dono-van’s night was about to get a lot worse.

Vi continued: “At 3.30am, the doctors came and told us that Chris had died. I ran out of the door. I felt like it was a dream. It’s the sort of thing that happens to other people. I was so angry.”

The Donovans’ Christian faith was to be put to the test.

Vi explained: “We hung around the hos-pital for hours. We got in the car and Ray said to me, ‘Vi as Christians, you know we’re going to have to forgive the boys who mur-dered Chris’

“I exploded and started swearing that God was asking too much. I resolved I’d do without God before I forgave them. I was full of such rage that I wanted to kill those guys.”

But when the Donovans went to church the next day, the rage was lifted and Vi turned to her faith in God as she dealt with the loss of her son.

When they were called to identify Chris, the coroner told them she would have to re-move Christopher’s brain so that they could establish the cause of death, which would

take 16 weeks. Ray turned to the coroner and said: “That’s not my son in there – he is safe in heaven and no one can harm him any more.”

Vi added: “It was so great for us to know that that wasn’t Christopher and that he was in heaven – because at the age of 15 Chris gave his life to the Lord. I don’t know what parents do without that conviction.”

After an excruciating four-month wait, the results came back that it was indeed the kicking from the youths that had caused Chris’s death and not from the car running over him.

The date for the trial was set at the Old Bai-ley and the Donovans set about dealing with their worst fear – facing Chris’s killers.

Ray said: “It took a year to come to court. We were dreading it. They were laughing in

the dock, right in our faces. It was God that kept us in control.

“We just prayed. It was the only peace we had. The case lasted six weeks. I’ll never forget when a witness demonstrated how the lads had stamped on Chris’s head.”

GUILTYThree gang members were found guilty

of Chris’s murder. Steven Andrews, 21, was given life with a minimum sentence of nine years; Ryan Seymour was given life with a minimum of 10 years; and a 16-year-old, who we can’t name, was given life with a minimum

of six years. The Donovans were able to turn to their Christian faith to deal with their feel-ings towards their son’s killers.

Vi said: “Will them doing life bring Chris back? What we would like to see is their lives changed and for them to be able to go out and do something good for the community.

“We want to see them rehabilitated so they don’t come out and do that to someone else.

“People ask us how we can forgive? But when you become Christians like us and not born into the faith, you realise how much you’ve been forgiven, so how can we not?”

And now Ray and Vi can be found in pris-

ons up and down the country sharing their story and talking to prisoners about forgive-ness on a restorative justice programme, Sycamore Tree, run by Christian group Prison Fellowship.

Ray laughed: “If you’d have told me nine years ago that I’d be going into prisons talking about forgiveness and hugging the inmates, I’d probably have punched you!”

VIcTImSSycamore Tree is based on the story of Zac-

cheus from the Bible and how meeting Jesus turned around his life.

“It’s about restorative justice and getting people to think about their victims. Week three of the course is when a victim of crime comes and tells their story,” added Ray. “It’s run by Prison Fellowship. It’s about forgiving

themselves and some of them even meet Jesus along the way. They then get an NVQ Level One or Two. The prisoners can’t understand why we would want to go and speak to them – why we drive for hours – but we tell them it’s because we think they are worth it.”

And the Donovans were eventually able to tell Christopher’s killers that they forgave them too.

Vi said: “We wrote to Christopher’s killers saying we forgave them, but one wrote back saying he couldn’t forgive himself.”

As well as their prison work, Ray and Vi have launched Forgiveness Ministries which sees them talking in churches about forgive-ness.

● For more details about Ray and Vi’s ministry, visit www.forgivenessministries.org

by Becky Barlow

We just prayed. It was the only peace we had. The case lasted six weeks❛ of six years. The Donovans were able to turn ❜

We are giving away 20 free copies of ‘Forgiveness: Making Sense of it’ by John Phillips. To get your free copy, e-mail [email protected] and quote ‘New Life Newspaper’.

There’s a lot of love for them!

Book giveaway

HEARTS FULL OF FORGIVENESS... Vi and Ray Donovan ready to go into a prison to talk to inmates. Above, their son Chris who was killed after being kicked in the head when a gang attacked him

Issue 198 8 LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

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COMMENTAll is not lost...

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.

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NEW LIFENEW LIFE

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

RAY and Vi Donovan were just a normal couple. They were parents whose children were doing well for themsevles.

And then their world was rocked. A gang of thugs had decided that, for no reason, they would give their son Chris such a beating, he would be left fighting for his life.

Anxious hours followed until the news they feared most was revealed to them. Their son’s head injuries were so severe, he had been unable to win his battle.

The anger that followed is totally understandable. And Vi’s rage made her want to take revenge on the cowardly bunch who had beaten her son.

But despite that fury, Vi was a Christian and felt deep down that revenge would solve nothing. It certainly woudn’t bring Chris back.

The couple decided to follow the teachings of Jesus and forgive those killers – and to help prisoners learn that lesson.

There are many who would say that such an act was crazy, and showed weakness. But to find forgiveness against someone who has taken the life of someone you love is the bravest thing to do.

Jesus taught forgiveness because he knew that not harbouring anger and revenge makes people stronger rather than bitter and angry.

And he also said that his Father and ours had shown the way by forgiving us all, and by allowing Christ, his only son, to take the consequences for all our sins.

You may feel at a loss in life, or sorrowful about something you’ve done. If so, then now’s the time to do something about it. Turn to God, accept Jesus and accept that your sins have been forgiven. It sounds easy, and it is.

But believe it and your life will never be the same again.

BIBLE QUOTE OF THE MONTH“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.” Revelation 21:4

Sudoku Crossword clues

Solutions on the right

Across1. Male relative (6)3. Gem (4)7. Chart (3)9. Sagacious (7)10. Challenge (4)11. Relating to bears (6)13. Accolade (6)14. Children (4)17. Long flag (7)18. The night before (3)19. Extinct bird (4)20. Choice (6)

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PUZZLE CORNER

by James Hastings

Young urged to be generous

God’s-eye view!An artist has created a God given view of some of the key scenes from the Bible.

James Dive uses Google Earth to show how Moses parting the Red Sea and Jesus’ crucifixion look like from space.

Other biblical events including Noah’s ark and the Garden of Eden are pictured in breathtaking 3D detail.

James, 31, from Sydney, Australia, spent three months on the painstaking task which gives a whole new outlook on familiar stories.

TECHNOLOGYJames, who is a member of Sydney

based art collective The Glue Society, said: “We like to disorientate audiences a little with all our work.

“And with this piece we felt technol-ogy now allows events to be visualised and made to appear dramatically real. As a method of representation satel-lite photography is so trusted, it has been interesting to mess with that trust.”

Among the startling series of images is Moses parting the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross and escape the pursuing Egyptian army.

Another picture shows Noah’s Ark resting on the top of the mountains of Ararat.

Adam and Eve can be seen resting in the Garden of Eden be-fore being banished after going against God’s wishes and eating fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

The fina l image sees Je-sus crucified on a cross and

hanging between two convicted thieves, also on crosses.

James said: “Luckily for me Google Earth was a great re-search tool.

“I had to find a hill for Jesus, a garden for Eden and a rocky mountain top surrounded by water for the ark.

“However, it wasn’t that easy to find, so some images are a Frankenstein of a couple of sat-ellite images.

“For instance the Moses piece uses parts of Niagara Falls, deserts and the Red Sea. But there are true elements such as

the Red Sea in the Moses piece.” He added: “Before replicating satellite imagery I had to learn the rules of the medium.

“For instance how shadows reveal height, how the imagery distorts when closer in and how colour varies between seasons and heights.

“I found as many satellite images of the boats as I could floating on the ocean in order to learn as much as possible when putting together the ark.”

Using a pencil and paper he drew the elements he wanted to be included, such as Jesus on the

cross and the ark, and contacted a 3D modelling studio to recre-ate his designs.

He then spent four weeks working with the designers and combining the backdrops with the 3D elements.

He said: “The reaction has been fantastic. The images were recently exhibited in Chicago and were regarded by critics as the highlight of the show.

“I’m aiming to create more images using the technology, but this time relating to mytho-logical occurrences and major historical events.”

HOW GREAT THOU ART... James’s artistic interpretation of scenes from the Bible. Clockwise from top left, The Crucifixion, the Garden of Eden, Noah’s Ark on the mountains of Ararat and the parting of the Red Sea

YOUNG people are being asked to be gener-ous by a new church website.

They can sign up to tackle racist behav-iour or challenge churches to be more teen friendly.

The website, called Generous, has been set up by the Methodist Children and Youth Team.

It is described as an interactive body designed to maximise the impact of young people’s influence on the Methodist Church

in Britain. Every young person who signs up and joins the debate becomes an activist and voice for social change.

Pete Brady, Methodist Youth President, said: “Generous offers the chance for young people to share things that affect them on a daily basis in their lives and churches.

“I’m excited about how this will increase youth participation across the country”

Check out Generous at http://methodist.generous.org.uk/

LEADING figures from business, sport, reli-gion and local government have joined forces to pray for their city of Stoke.

The first civic prayer breakfast saw Port Vale chairman Bill Bratt come together with Lord Mayor Jean Bowers.

Those taking part were asked to submit a prayer goal that would benefit the city.

Event organiser Lloyd Cooke said he hoped the breakfast would become a regular occurrence.

City in prayer

ARTIST USES GOOGLE TO RECREATE BIBLE SCENES

10 Issue 198 LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

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ALTRINCHAM The Upper Room Christian Fellowship, The Downs. Sunday services 10.45am and 6.30pm. Enquiries: 0161 282 6676. (CA09)

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READING Assemblies of God Christian Centre (Mount Zion). Sundays 11am and 6.30pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays 7.30pm. Enquiries Tel: 01252 872 754. (AC01)

L I G H T H O U S E ( E L Y , CAMBRIDGESHIRE) A loving, growing, praying family church. Sunday celebration 10.30am & 6.00pm. Enquiries phone: 01353 662 228. Email: [email protected]. Webwww.l ighthouse-ely.org.uk. Also Christian Bookshop 01353 667 004. (DU35)

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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)

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)

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,[email protected] or [email protected]. (CA52)

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LEICESTER Narborough Road Christian Fellowship. Meet at The Brite Centre, Braunstone Avenue. Services: Sunday 10.30am. Tel: 0116 2891 395 or 0116 2897 804. All welcome. (AB25)

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CHATTERIS FenLi fe Chr ist ian Church. Sunday 10.30am and 6.30pm. King Edward Centre, Railway Lane,CHATTERIS . 01480 385001 . www.fenlife.org.uk (EQ51)

SAFFRON WALDEN , New Life Church. Shire Hill. Sundays 10.30am & 6.30pm. For details call Pastor R Ellalasingham on 01799 506045 email: [email protected] (FR19)

LEICESTER Apostolic Church New Life Centre, Sanvey Lane, Aylestone, Leicester LE2 8NF. Main services: Sunday 10.30am worship, Bible ministry and Communion. Wednesday 8pm Bible study and prayer. Pastor Richard Forman telephone 0116 275 2582 everyone welcome. (CW05)

BURY ST EDMUNDS, Suffolk. 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)

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1JULY – SEPTEMBER 2010July – September 2010

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July – September 2010

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heroesheroes of ofthethe faithfaith

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Issue 198 • 11 NEW LIFENEW LIFELOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk

Dan Walker went from finding church boring to making faith an important part of his lifemaking faith an important

I’D THROW DARTS ATRIVAL TEAM’S FANS...

FORMER FOOTY HOOLIGAN TALKS OF HIS CHANGE OF HEART

● Continued from Back Pageand boozing. He was hooked on cocaine for ten years, helped along with a taste for steroids with a sideline in good-looking women who flocked around the well-toned power lifters.

One day, Emma told him about a Christian counsellor she knew who could help him. Arthur admits he was interested in the counselling but

not the Christian part. I expected a religious sermon but the way this guy spoke about Jesus knocked me over,” says Arthur.

peace“I felt an incredible sense of peace

and joy and love, like nothing I’d experienced before.

“We had a number of conversa-tions and I grew hungry for more.

Suddenly, I knew Jesus was real and that he wasn’t just some guy who lived thousands of years ago.

“He is alive today and I could have a personal relationship with him. I accepted Jesus and my life changed.”

That was 1993. Arthur and his wife Jackie renewed their marriage vows and both were baptised.

The couple then moved to Corn-

wall where they attend a church. Arthur travels the country with

Tough Talk, visiting prisons and doing street evangelism – telling his own testimony and lifting weights most people would be scared even to look at.

Arthur and the guys take their power lifting very seriously. But they are forever thankful of the day they found real power – in Jesus.

EVERTON winger Steven Pi-enaar has a new favourite football chant – an African gospel hymn.

The Premiership star, who was a regular in South Africa’s World Cup side, says he always prays before he plays.

South Africa stunned the football world with a dramatic draw against South American giants Mexico in the first ever World Cup game played on African soil.

Pienaar revealed his team-mates turned to an ancient African hymn for inspiration.

“We came out singing, which is our normal routine,” smiled Steven.

“We sing a traditional song related to God, an African gos-pel song. We know he is going to help us on the pitch and it lifts us before the game.

“I always pray before a game – I ask God to protect me, to help us to victory and help our performance. On the pitch, we prayed as a team.”

Steven revealed the singing started even before the team reached the stadium, which was crammed with 90,000 fans, with another 90,000 watching the game on giant screens outside.

“The noise was terrific. On our way to the ground we could see wave after wave of yellow shirts. Our physio, Godfried, got us all singing songs on the coach to ease the tension and take the pressure off.”

Finding Christ is a weight off powerlifter’s mind

A FORMER football hooligan has swapped the football terraces for a different stand – a church pew.

Paul Mayston, 51, from Wigan, spent his early 20s involved in football violence before he be-came a Christian 17 years ago.

He said: “I used to say I would live and die for football, but now I would live and die for Jesus.”

The dad-of-three discovered his passion for football at the age of 17.

He recalled: “I started going and watching Leeds United. It was being part of something – a sense of belonging.

“I found just being a general football supporter wasn’t enough. I wanted to be part of a gang and be somebody.”

What started out as a normal hobby soon developed into some-thing more dangerous.

Paul explained: “I remember once coming home from watching Leeds on the train and I got so much enjoyment from smashing the train up.

“I really hated the other team. I wouldn’t think twice about climb-ing onto the other fans and fight-ing. I was arrested quite a few times. It was like I was addicted – I had to have my fix every week.

“Once I’d gone to the game and we’d won, I felt great. Going to the matches, I started drinking a lot more. To go to a game I would drink a whole bottle of Martini just to get psyched up.

“I would take darts to the match and throw them into the other people.”

But when his first marriage broke down, he turned to what had helped him as a chi ld – church.

He remembered: “Whenever I had a problem you would always find me in the back of a church. To me, they were the people that could help.

“Looking back now, I was just waiting for someone to tell me the true gospel – that Jesus was the answer. He came and died for my sins so that I could be saved.”

And when his brother became a Christian something really chal-lenged Paul: “One day he said to me, ‘Why worship 11 people on a football field?’

“Two weeks later I was at the football, singing along and I real-ised that these are just men.

“I ended up going to church in Wigan and they told me about praying from the heart, not the

head. I felt this warmth and this love and this peace as they ex-plained about Jesus. I became a Christian.”

Paul married again to Debbie and they attend Westhoughton Pentecostal Church.

Now Paul can enjoy football as a hobby.

He said: “The team I used to support down south was Yeovil

Town. A couple of weeks after I’d been thinking about going back, I found out that they were playing near me so I went to watch them.

“It’s a real family club and I’ve been able to tell people my story on the terraces, about how God has changed me. Now I can just enjoy a game of football. I can even be in the same place as the opposing fans and talk to them.”

by Becky BarlowPienaar’s on song with Africa hymn

TOP stopper Vincent Enyeama says he owes his dazzling World Cup per-formance to the “help of God”.

The Nigerian goalkeeper, pictured below, is tipped to join the English

Premiership after his stunning show in South Africa.

His sensational saves stopped Ar-gentinian superstar, Lionel Messi, add-ing to his World Cup tally – and won him

the Man of the Match award.And referring to Maradona’s con-

troversial Hand of God goal against England, Vincent – a devout Chris-tian – said: “I stopped Messi with the help of God.”

‘Help of God’ was a boost!

CHANGED MAN... Paul

Mayston

THAT’S HYMN... Steven Pienaar

Issue 198 • 12 NEW LIFENEW LIFE

Published by New Life Publishing Company, PO Box 777, Nottingham NG11 6ZZ. Tel 0115 824 0777. Printed by Yorkshire Web, Barnsley. Tel 01226 734410. New Life Newspaper is printed on 100% recycled paper.

LocaL contact detaiLs:

BARNES CONVERSION... Baggies winger

Giles Barnes, who is a believer

TURN TO PAGE 11


BARNES CONVERSION... Baggies winger

Giles Barnes, who is a believer

A WEIGHT OFF!

If you met Arthur White walking along a dark street, you’d probably want to cross the road.

With his huge frame and smart suit, he looks like he has just strayed off the set of the latest Godfather movie.

If Arthur looks like a power lifter and bodybuilding champion rolled into one, that’s because he is.

As a World Champion Power-lifter, his 26-year record for lifting 857 and three quarter pounds remains unbroken.

In addition, he holds nine Brit-ish titles, six European titles and four world titles.

But while Arthur is always happy to talk about bodybuilding, don’t be surprised if he strays on to his favourite topic – Jesus. For

years, this one time East End gang-ster knew nothing about Jesus or the Bible. He only went to church for the funerals of his gangster friends, shot dead or stabbed in bitter territorial feuds.

Then one day, Arthur’s 14-year-old daughter, Emma, told him about a new youth club she had joined, at a nearby church. It was a conversation that changed his life.

“I’d probably be dead or lying drugged up somewhere, an old has-been living on his drunken memories if it hadn’t been for Emma,” says Arthur.

“She brought me to know Jesus through her prayers and patience and forgiveness.”

Today, Arthur is one of the trustees of a remarkable Christian

ministry called Tough Talk. Its members are an assorted collec-tion of former bouncers, debt collectors, criminals, drug dealers and gangsters.

Arthur admits he carried a gun, and knew how to use it. He also favoured a knife and if those failed, well there was nothing like smashing a few noses with his sledgehammer of a fist.

“I always loved physical ex-ercise and started power lifting when I was just fourteen,” he says.

“I had no Christian background and relied on my own wits and strength to get ahead. If people got in my way, I’d knock them down without a second thought. I was very violent.”

In the high-pressure world of power lifting, Arthur encountered a twilight world of drug taking ● Continued on Page 11

HOW RECORD POWERLIFTER WENT FROM GUNS TO GRACE

NEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFENEW LIFE

SPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORTSPORT

by James Hastings

I THREW DARTS AT

RIVAL FANSAMAZING STORY OF A CHANGED MAN... P11

Issue 198 • 12 NEW LIFE

PIENAAR SHOWS HE’S ON SONG

WITH HYMN

Published by New Life Publishing Company, PO Box 777, Nottingham NG11 6ZZ. Tel 0115 824 0777. Printed by Yorkshire Web, Barnsley. Tel 01226 734410. New Life Newspaper is printed on 100% recycled paper.


WOrLd Cup hero rory Fallon has revealed the secret to min-now nation New Zealand’s suc-cess – faith in Jesus Christ.

The Kiwis – playing in only their second World Cup – failed to qualify from the group stages. But they drew all of their group games, going unbeaten, and even managed an impressive draw with World Champs Italy.

Fallon, the team’s striker who scored the winner to take them to the finals, revealed how scorer Winston reid prayed before he scored the team’s equalising last-minute goal in the opening game.

He said: “Winston said he prayed before he went to bed and he said he never believed in it and then he played and he scored a goal – that is the power of prayer.

“I believe in Jesus Christ and I know that my faith comes from him. God really opened the door for me to play in the World Cup and I’m thankful to him for this amazing op-portunity.”

Fallon knows the secret of Cup success

GIVING PRAISE...

Rory Fallon

ALL WHITE NOW...record breaking

powerlifter Arthur White

New Life August 2010 issue 198

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