Unity

May they be

brought to

complete unity to

let the world know

that you sent me

and have loved

them even as you

have loved me

John 17: 23

‘

‘

A PRAYER GUIDE

2

‘

WHAT WE’REALL ABOUT

Cover image © iStockphoto | andrea laurita

So this is who we are called to be – God’s peopleuniting in mission, catalysing the Church to jointaction, to the glory of God.

With a staff team spread across England, Wales,Northern Ireland and Scotland the Alliance consists of 30 denominations, 3300 local churches, 725organisations and 24 000 individual members. We’re all the Evangelical Alliance.

And as we come together in God’s service, we startto see amazing things happen. I want to share just afew of them with you in this prayer guide, toencourage and inspire you to join us in prayer for theincredible, transformative work of the Church webelong to.

With thanks and appreciation

Steve Clifford

General Director

Unity is the core value of the

Evangelical Alliance, because it

was Jesus’ heart for his people;

the single focus of that

impassioned last prayer for us

before his crucifixion:

May they be brought tocomplete unity to let theworld know that Yousent me.

IS…

‘

3

It’s nearly 400 years since the King James

Bible began to radically impact the English

language and the culture of Britain. Yet

according to a survey run by Bible Society,

only 35 per cent of Christians today claim to

read the Bible daily.

So began Biblefresh, calling Christians back to a freshexperience of the Bible in 2011, the anniversary of thismost famous of English translations. This campaign is vital– a unique opportunity to come together to remindourselves, and others, of the immense transforming powerof the Bible for our generation.

So far more than 50 agencies and denominations arepartnering with the Alliance on Biblefresh – all we neednow is for you to get involved!

Greg Haslam, Senior Minister, Westminster Chapel, says:

‘Biblefresh will let the Bible loose again in the minds ofboth rooky novices and jaded old hands. Light the fuse andGod's dynamite should do the rest! Masses of people willbe enchanted to rediscover the big picture of the Bible'sworld-shaking worldview and become agents forwidespread conversion and massive cultural change in ournation, just as previous generations experienced this too.’

Watch the Evangelical Alliance website for your chanceto participate by contributing a photo of yourself sharinghow the Bible has changed your world.

FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE BIBLEIS…

• For Biblefresh meetings taking place with churchleaders around the country from January to March2010. Pray that many leaders will attend and that Godwill speak to them, encourage them and prepare themfor all that he has in store for 2011.

• For momentum to build as news about Biblefreshspreads.

• For wisdom for Biblefresh leaders, drawn from anumber of organisations, that they would be led byGod and be of one mind in all their planning.

• That the church and nation will be changed throughGod’s word.

www.biblefresh.com

Partners include: Authentic Media, Baptist Union, Bible Reading Fellowship, Bible Society Centre for Biblical Literacy & Communication, Christianity

Magazine, Churches for All, Cliff College, CPO, CRE, CWR, Damaris Emerging Culture, Evangelical Alliance, Evangelical Alliance NorthernIreland, Evangelical Alliance Scotland, Evangelical Alliance Wales, Friends and Heroes, Friends International, Girls' Brigade, Global Action,

Good Book Company, HarperCollins, Hodder & Stoughton, ICC, IVP, Keswick Ministries, LICC, Living Leadership, London School ofTheology, Methodist Church, Moorlands College, Nationwide Christian Trust, New Horizon, NTCG, Partake Ministries, Precept MinistriesUK, Prospects, Scottish Bible Society, Scripture Union, Scripture Union Scotland, SGM Lifewords, Share Jesus International, Spring

Harvest, St John's College, Durham, St John's College, Nottingham, Summer Madness, Torch Trust, UCB, Walk through the Bible, WycliffeBible Translators, Youthwork Magazine

The Gweini report beinghanded over by the GweiniTeam to Dr Brian Gibbons,Welsh Assembly GovernmentMinister for Social Justice andLocal Government (l-r: JulianRichards, President of Gweini;Elfed Godding, Chairman ofGweini & EA National Directorfor Wales; John M EvansResearch Director of Gweini;Dr Brian Gibbons AM WelshAssembly GovernmentMinister for Social Justice andLocal Government

4

We’ve always known the Church is at the

heart of our communities, but working

together in Wales enables us to be more

effective at serving – and to show the

government just how valuable the churches

really are.

Gweini, The Council for the Christian Voluntary Sector inWales, is an Evangelical Alliance initiative aiming torepresent the Church to all levels of government, informchurches about funding and best practice and networkchurches locally and nationally.

The Gweini report in 2008, which showed that faithcommunities contribute the equivalent of £100 million tothe Welsh economy, was described by First Minister forWales Rhodri Morgan as of “great importance” forfostering better understanding and awareness of faiths andcultures in Wales.

Dr Dan Boucher, Director of Public Affairs for CARE says:‘Gweini provides a means whereby different Christian bodiesin Wales can work together to be salt and light. They achievethis by providing welfare services in a way that would bequite impossible if the different organisations sought to dothings by themselves. It has lifted the Christian VoluntarySector in Wales from a place of relative obscurity to a placeof growing influence. It’s great to see what God does whenChristians work together in truth and love!’

• For the Gweini team as they help church leaders setup a local Gweini in each Local Authority in Wales.This will help provide a primary line of communicationbetween the Local Authority and churches, focusingon community issues.

www.gweini.org.uk

TRANSFORMING OUR COMMUNITIESIS…

Partners include:Evangelical Alliance Wales, Tearfund, CARE, Bethlehem Church Life Centre Cefn Cribwr, Housing Justice,

Danescourt Christian Fellowship and Prospects.

5

Partners include:Abaana Ministries, AIM International, Arab World Ministries, Asterias Organisation, Belfast Bible College, Bible Society, Careforce,Christian Vocations, ECM, Exodus, Feba, Friends International, Frontiers Ireland Habitat for Humanity NI, Global Connections, IFES

Ireland, International Teams, Interserve Ireland, Latin Link, Leprosy Mission, LIFT, Logos Ministries, MAF, MECO, Mission Africa, OMFInternational, OMS International, Open Doors, Operation Mobilisation, PCI – BMO, PCI – BMI, People International, Samaritans Purse

International Relief, Sandes, SIM Ireland, Tearfund, UFM, WEC International, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Youth For Christ

Mission at the core of the Church in

Northern Ireland – that’s the aim of MissionAgencies Partnership (MAP), which brings

more than 40 different agencies, including

the Evangelical Alliance, to encourage

Christians to heed God’s mission mandate

to the Church.

And these agencies are discovering that working togetherhas benefits for their individual work as well as the greatergood of the Church.

Stephanie Angus, a youth worker from Wycliffe BibleTranslators, one of MAP’s member agencies, recently

spoke at a MAP Christian Union mission road show, held atQueen’s University.

John Hamilton, Mobilisation Director for Wycliffe,continues, ‘The next day Stephanie told me, "Afterwards,even though I wasn't talking about Wycliffe, four peoplecame to talk about how they might get involved in Bibletranslation. So hey! MAP works!"

‘That's why I'm happy for Stephanie to spend part of hertime working with MAP – it works because of the input theEvangelical Alliance Northern Ireland has provided. InWycliffe UK we want to work in partnership with otheragencies to promote God's mission to his world. As we dothat together with enthusiasm, people respond to God andhe leads individuals to us wanting to get involved withBible translation.’

• That churches throughout Northern Ireland would continueto catch MAP’s vision and recognise the importance ofworld mission in their own congregations.

www.mapmission.org

Pastor Martin from the Ndop Plain, North West Cameroon, reading thefirst ever Bible story written down in the Bamunka language during theCameroon Engage (Wycliffe) team visit in 2007. Photo © Cynthia Innes Stephanie Angus, a youth worker with Wycliffe Bible Translators

ENABLING MISSIONIS…

6

INSPIRING YOUNGER LEADERS

Whether it’s inspiring them to fight injusticeor equipping them for church leadership,uniting to harness the potential of ouryounger generations is an exciting task.

Just Generation is seeing the Evangelical Alliance Scotlandpartner to draw together young adults from across the nation,focusing on the biblical call to tackle injustice.

Elaine Duncan, chief executive of the Scottish Bible Societysays: ‘The theme of justice is one that comes up time andagain within the Bible. It is great to see young peopleengaging with issues of justice… based on a strong beliefthat the Bible speaks deeply into these areas.’

And the Evangelical Alliance Wales initiative,New Generation Leaders (NGL), is working toenable local churches to equip a youngergeneration of leaders in Wales by conveningconferences for aspiring leaders andmentoring workshops for existing leaders.

Andy Hughes of Urban Saints in Wales says: ‘Together we areable to reach a wider network of church leaders and youngpeople to release a new generation of Christians into service,mission and church life. Evangelical Alliance’s leadership andco-ordination of this partnership is invaluable!’

Delegates worshipping at the recent Just Generation Conference in Scotland

www.justgeneration.org www.eauk.org/wales/ngl

• For Just Generation, that more young adults would beinspired to pursue the biblical call for justice and thatlocal networks would spring up across the nation wherepeople can share resources, ideas and stories.

• For the NGL planning team as they prepare a resourceDVD to help local churches mentor younger leaders andprepare for a conference in April 2010.

IS…

Partners include:Evangelical Alliance Scotland, CARE, International JusticeMission, Scottish Bible Society, Tearfund and the LeprosyMission Scotland

Partners include:Evangelical Alliance Wales, Urban Saints, YWAM,Going Public and Ignite Cymru

7

Mike Pilavachi of Soul Survivor was the keynote speaker at CouncilSeptember 2009

Council represents our diverse membership to act as thesource of consensus and guidance on all matters related tothe overall direction of the Alliance.

Through various forums throughout the year, Councilmembers seek to hear God’s voice as they determinesignificant matters of policy and theological understandingwithin the movement and as they ensure the Alliance’spublic representation of evangelical interests and concernsis consistent and credible.

Steve Clifford, General Director of the Evangelical Alliancesays, ‘As an Alliance we are committed to provokingconversation on the important issues facing the Churchand society. The Council provides us with a space to listento God and one another – with participants from manywalks of life, right across the evangelical spectrum.’

• For the 81 Council members as they juggle the majorresponsibilities of their day jobs with their involvementas ambassadors for the Evangelical Alliance.

• For wisdom in choosing and prioritising the topics tobe discussed at Council and for fruitful outcomes fromthe meetings.

• For wisdom in the selection process as new Councilmembers are selected to join in 2010.

Council members are drawn from:The Girls Brigade, Bible Society, Morden Baptist Church, People, Excellence and Culture, Restore, Scottish Bible Society, World

Prayer Centre, LICC, Urban Saints, Care, Tearfund, Share Jesus International, Theos Think Tank, Manchester Network, Labour Party,Stewardship, Elim Pentecostal Churches, University of St Andrews, Icthus Christian Fellowship, Central Baptist Church, Youth forChrist, Global Connections, New Community Church, GEAR, CPAS, Pedro Emmanuel Solicitors, University of Durham, Church Army,

Friends International, The Salvation Army, Scripture Union, CWR, Vineyard Churches, Soul Survivor

Combining deep-thinkers, Godly-influencers frombusiness and politics, and senior leaders from acrossthe spectrum of our churches, the Evangelical AllianceCouncil grapples with the issues facing Evangelicalismtoday in order to serve you.

GATHERING THE WISDOM OF THE ELDERS IS…

8

The Theology and Public Policy AdvisoryCommission (TAPPAC) promotes grace andtruth by helping the Alliance respond to arange of controversial issues affectingevangelical unity.

This influential panel exists to provide advice and supportto the Alliance on a wide range of public policy andtheological issues. It helps to inform, shape and guide thework and messaging we provide and at the same time tomaintain a balanced view on a range of issues.

Paul Woolley, Director of Theos says: ‘TAPPAC bringstogether some outstanding theologians to reflect on thechallenges and opportunities confronting today’s culture.The breadth of perspectives and experience around thetable enables TAPPAC to make a real contribution andreflects the Alliance’s commitment to building unity.’

Representatives are drawn from some of the following:Theological colleges including Regents and Moorlands,theologians from Universities including St Andrews andAberdeen and organisations including Theos Think Tank,Bible Society, CMF, CARE, Lapido Media and Tearfund

LISTENING SO WE CAN SPEAK AS ONEIS…

• That TAPPAC will be able to advise and respond withwisdom and sensitivity as they seek to support thepublic policy and theological work of the Alliance.

Dr Justin Thacker of TAPPAC delivers aplenary address at a World EvangelicalAlliance meeting.

9

• For the Network’s ongoing dialogue with Membersof Parliament through the biannual breakfastmeetings and the Labour Party Conference in 2010.

• For 'Fresh Thinking', on February 10, an annualevent which brings together church leaders,organisation directors, and strategic thinkers to lookat Greater Manchester from a fresh perspective.

• For new LEFs planning on launching in various citiesaround the UK.

www.network-ea.org.uk

Manchester LEF includes:Over 100 churches and organisations covering all of Manchester, Bolton, Wigan, Rochdale, Thameside, Bury, Heywood and

Middleton, Oldham, Salford, Stockport and Trafford. Organisations include, among many others, Ambassadors in Sport, FriendsInternational, City Light Trust, IMAGE, Manchester City Mission, Open Hands International, The Mustard Tree and Word of Life.

Congregation at the church service organised by CCF, ManchesterNetwork and other partners for the Conservative PartyConference in October. Photo © Cate Thornton

Patsy McKie (Mothers against Violence) interviewed by Rev PeterHorlock at the church service organised by CCF, Network Manchesterand other partners for the Conservative Party Conference in October.Photo © Cate Thornton

See www.eauk.org/about/getinvolved/local-networks.cfm for a list of LEFs around the country.

WORKING TOGETHER LOCALLY IS…

In cities and regions across the UK, LocalEvangelical Fellowships (LEFs) unite thechurch in its call to mission, seeing God’swork in their local areas.

The Manchester Network, one of 21 LEFs around thecountry, exists to connect like-minded people in Manchesterwho have a passion for serving their local communities.Through prayer and unity they passionately believe they canachieve more together for the welfare of the city than eachchurch working on its own.

Network was a key part of the steering group working withchurch leaders and the Conservative Christian Fellowship(CCF) to organise a church service during the OctoberConservative Party Conference in Manchester.

The Conservative party chairman, who is not a CCF member,said: ‘It was an honour and pleasure to take part in such apositive and uplifting service, and to hear about the fantasticwork the churches are doing in the local community.’

10

INFLUENCING OUR CULTURE IS…

From politics to the arts, Christians can bringan incisive contribution to some of the mostinfluential areas of our culture, with anincredible potential for social change.

The Forum for Change is part of a long-term strategy tomobilise the Church in influencing the key change drivers inour culture, bringing together people from the fields ofeducation, politics, the media and the arts, business, sportsand the professions.

Together, with the local Church, we are asking the question:'What would a society influenced by the Christian faith andworldview look like?'

• For guidance as the Forum for Change cluster hostsinspire their peers to live out their faith in their vocations.

• For strategic relationships to form across the differentfields dealt with by Forum for Change.

www.eauk.org/forumforchange

Partners include:Ambassadors in Sport, Association of Christian Teachers, Tell it in Colour, Bible Society, Christian Media Service Birmingham,

Bradford Media Hub, Bristol Media Hub, Business Matters Edinburgh, Cambridgeshire Churches Media Trust, Cardiff Media Hub,CARE, Christian Schools’ Trust, Christian Socialist Movement, Christians in Parliament, Christians in Politics, Church and MediaNetwork, Conservative Christian Fellowship, Dundee for Christ, Festive, Glasgow Media Hub, Jubilee Centre, Liberal DemocratsChristian Forum, New Testament Church of God, Network Norwich, Oasis Manchester, Scripture Union, SPEAK, The Girls' BrigadeEngland and Wales, The Independent Schools Christian Alliance, The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, RomanceAcademy, The Stapleford Centre, theMediaNet, Theos, Together for Transformation – Liverpool, Transformational Business

Network.

Dr Trevor Cooling, Education Cluster Host says, ‘Teachers areon the front line of Christian ministry and, behind parents,are the single greatest influence on children. Forum forChange provides an exciting opportunity for those of usactive in education to catalyse each other's work so thatChristian teachers are even more effective Gospel-shapersof society.’

11

CARING FOR CHRISTIANS IN OTHERPARTS OF THE WORLD

IS…

Partners include:Council of Zimbabwean Christian Leaders UK, Tearfund, World Vision, The Peace Alliance, African Enterprise,

Global Connections and Newfrontiers

Our Love Zim campaign aims to bring God’shealing to a broken people in Zimbabwe atthis crucial moment in history with thesupport of a coalition of UK organisationsand churches already working in and forZimbabwe.

Launched on Valentine’s Day 2009 as a new unitygovernment was sworn in to Zimbabwe, Love Zimchallenges the British Church to pray for God’s blessing onZimbabwe as they face economic and humanitarian crises.

Qobo Mayisa, Director of the Council of ZimbabweChristian Leaders UK, says: ‘Love Zim is a clarion call tomobilise prayer for Zimbabwe and those Christiansworking in and for Zimbabwe. Only Christ can offer truereconciliation and peace, as a divided and damaged peoplebegin to rebuild their country.'

• For a united Church in Zimbabwe as this is the first step to wider reconciliation within the nation.

• For God’s protection over partners working inZimbabwe, for their freedom of speech and forGod’s blessing over their work in government and communities.

www.lovezim.org

The Alliance’s unique position as anumbrella organisation enables us to pulltogether organisations and experts tocampaign on some of the major issuesfacing our society.

Our Life Beyond Debt campaign uses Biblical valuesaround money, poverty and injustice to respond to thecurrent economic crisis.

Life Beyond Debt operates on three levels: bringingtogether resources from a specialised group of Christianagencies committed to help prepare the Church to respondto those in need; implementing a Debt Advisory Group toexamine what policy answers the Bible may have inresponse to the recession; and encouraging personaldiscipleship to help us to examine the spiritual hold moneyhas on our lives.

Hazel Blears MP, former Communities Secretary, said at thelaunch of Life Beyond Debt: ‘Religious charities deserve tobe recognised for their astonishing work. By making acommitment to offer the practical advice about familybudgeting and debt management, the churches and groupshere today can make a great difference to theirneighbourhoods.’

• That churches are able to use the Life Beyond Debtresources to show God’s love to those affected bythe recession.

• For the Debt Advisory Group, especially report authorProf Philip Davis, as they complete theirrecommendations for the report.

• That more churches and individuals take on thediscipleship challenge of Simplify to spend less andgive more.

www.lifebeyonddebt.org

CAMPAIGNING ON TODAY’S BIG ISSUES IS…

The Alliance’s General Director Steve Clifford and his wife Annshopping for bargains at their local market as they undertake tolive on £5 a day on the Simplify campaign

Hazel Blears, former Communities Secretary at the launch of theAlliance’s Life Beyond Debt Campaign

Partners include:Credit Action, Christians Against Poverty, Community Money Advice, Stewardship, Church Action on Poverty, Kingdom Bank, Church of

England: A Matter of Life & Debt, Livability, Salvation Army, Care for the Family and Jubilee Centre