A D I G I TA L M A G A Z I N E T O I N S P I R E Y O U R F A I T H
Faith in Action
Mobilising Compassion
The Vulnerability of Masculinity
JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING
CBNEUROPE.COM
ISSUE 68
08
DIANA’S STORY
14
MOBILISING COMPASSION
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All images by CBN Europe exept Unsplash: olivier-mesnage, Simon Berger, Images by freepik: pikisuperstar, rawpixel.com
CONTENT
Digital REACH 04. Why Has the REACH Magazine Gone Digital?
Editor’s Note 06. Our Editor welcomes you to our first digital magazine Diana’s Story 08. Discovering Hidden Talents Faith in Action 12. The Calm Before the Storm Mobilising Compassion 14. Morocco Disaster Relief
The Vulnerability of Masculinity 16. How modern culture is affecting the men of today PO Box 700 Hereford, HR1 9EW, UK 0300 561 0700 (UK) 01513 3738 (ROI) +44 207 101 7045 (International) WhatsApp
07833 993 924 CBNEUROPE.COM
@CBNEUROPE
iTestify 18. Freed from Addiction and Prostitution
Director Download 20. A personal ministry update from our Director, Mark
Prayer Impact 22. Ministering to our world through the power of prayer Broadcasting 24. How to Watch Our Shows
The Family App 25. Unlocking the wealth of features available to your family CBNE Social Media 26. How to Stay in Touch
REACH is a free digital magazine produced by CBN Europe to inspire, inform and strengthen your relationship with God. We partner with individuals, churches and organisations, sharing the message of hope in Jesus Christ, provide humanitarian relief and reduce poverty. It is our vision to share the Gospel in a relevant way to all generations and see people walk in their true potential with God.
4 | WHY DIGITAL?
O
VER THE PAST 65+ EDITIONS, THE REACH MAGAZINE HAS SERVED AS AN INVALUABLE TOOL TO INFORM, INSPIRE, AND ENGAGE PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT OUR CHARITY AND MINISTRY PROJECTS. While we aim to continue this tradition, we believe it is time to make some essential changes. FIRSTLY, the printing process significantly contributes to our carbon footprint. Each time we print the magazine, we consume valuable resources and generate emissions that harm our environment. As a ministry that seeks to promote stewardship of God’s creation, it is essential for us to minimise our ecological impact. SECONDLY, the cost of printing and mailing the magazine has been steadily increasing. As businesses respond to rising costs of living, we find ourselves facing higher printing expenses. This financial burden not only affects our ability to allocate resources effectively but also hinders our capacity to invest in other impactful ministry initiatives. Therefore, we are excited to announce that, starting with the edition you are reading, the REACH magazine will
WHY
HAS TH MAGAZ E REACH INE GO NE
DIGITAL ?
transition to a DIGITAL FORMAT. Through this digital transformation, we can not only reduce our carbon footprint but also allocate our resources more efficiently towards furthering our ministry’s mission and impact which is to make Jesus known, help to inspire and equip disciples and through our humanitarian projects be the hands and feet of Jesus across the UK, Europe & beyond, To receive your free digital magazine every quarter, or to get updates on any of our stories and ministry projects, click here to sign up today!
HAPPY READING!
WHY DIGITAL? | 5
HELLO,
A
ND WELCOME TO OUR 68TH EDITION OF THE REACH MAGAZINE! WE ARE DELIGHTED TO BRING YOU THIS EDITION COMPLETELY DIGITALLY. In this edition we will talk about the theme that Jesus Changes Everything. Personally, I can also attest to the fact that Jesus does indeed change everything. I was saved from depression and struggles with my mind at the age of 22 in very powerful and impacting student service at my local church at the time. If you are a follower of Jesus, I’m sure that you can agree with this statement. We have impact stories, testimonies and video interviews all testifying to the fact that, when Jesus enters the picture, everything has changed. May I particularly draw your attention to the article entitled ‘The Vulnerability of Masculinity’. This is an insightful conversation between 3 men of God who can profess that, with Jesus, vulnerability and masculinity can complement each other. In our culture, being vulnerable or showing any kind of struggle or weakness as a man specifically, can be very challenging. In this powerful interview we uncover why that is, what it looks like and how we can battle the status quo to achieve a much healthier expression of masculinity.
EDITORIAL | 7
If you are reading this edition of the REACH magazine and you do not consider yourself a Christian, please know that we are praying for you. We long for you to have this changed-forthe-better experience of life and to know the One who loves you like no other. Check out our iTestify story on page 25. Each story shares of how Jesus has changed everything. His presence, His salvation, His kindness has truly led each individual to a place of repentance, change and purpose. Whether you are a believer, or not, as you make your way through this edition of the magazine, I pray that you get a sense of the hope that Jesus can bring you. Whether that be through our impact stories, testimonies or by tuning into one of our tv shows, know that Jesus loves, knows you and will never give up on you. Have a blessed October, we look forward to seeing you in December for our end-of-year special of the REACH magazine., Charmain Hibberd Editor-In-Chief
8 | ORPHAN’S PROMISE
ORPHAN’S PROMISE | 9
Diana’s Story
HOME WAS NOT A HAPPY PLACE FOR 17-YEAR-OLD DIANA. HER MUM ALWAYS TRIED TO DO HER BEST TO RAISE HER ON HER OWN. BUT THINGS WERE VERY DIFFICULT, AND LIFE HAD BEGUN TO TAKE ITS TOLL ON DIANA’S MENTAL HEALTH. A friend started noticing that Diana had become increasingly withdrawn and isolated. She had stopped communicating with her peers and had slipped into depression. But in all of this, God was working behind the scenes. Diana’s friend was part of our Orphan’s Promise training centre in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, and had been attending some classes. She thought the welcoming environment would help Diana with
her mental well-being and give her an opportunity to find extra support. Diana started to engage with the team at the centre, and it was clear that she was a very capable young woman. Despite that, her confidence was very low, and she did not believe she could achieve anything. Over time, Diana began to share her dream of finding a job but was fearful that she didn’t have any skills
10 | ORPHAN’S PROMISE
or qualifications to succeed. The centre provides a variety of vocational training courses, including barista training. When Diana found out that this was being offered, she jumped at the chance to learn. Even though Diana wanted to take the class, she still had to deal with much anxiety from years of doubting her ability to succeed. Through mentorship, Diana began to discover her talents and abilities, as well as the potential that God had placed inside her. She continued to persevere through the challenges she faced and worked diligently to complete her barista training certification.
Now that Diana has completed the course, she has found employment at a local coffee shop! “I’m so grateful that you helped me believe in my own strength, because all my life I’ve only heard that I don’t know and can’t do anything,” Diana shared. “It’s cool that the centre taught me how to make coffee correctly and helped me get a job.” Thanks to the support of Orphan’s Promise, Diana has been equipped for a future she could only dream of. Not only can she have a future of more than just getting by, but one where she can truly thrive.
ORPHAN’S PROMISE | 11
“I’m so grateful that you helped me believe in my own strength, because all my life I’ve only heard that I don’t know and can’t do anything.”
MORE STORIES For more stories like Diana’s, or for more information on the work of CBN’s Orphan’s Promise, PLEASE CLICK HERE
FAITH IN ACTION:
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
I
t can be easy to think that cartoons are simply entertainment but as Boran’s story below shows, Superbook is helping to create a deep, individual faith in children. As our episodes are translated into more languages, and distribution in countries across Europe increases, our prayer is that children in every country of the world will have access to hear the life-giving hope that can be found in Jesus alone.
Our Superbook robot Gizmo is travelling around the UK, Europe and beyond on a big adventure; visiting with his friends and highlighting the impact that Superbook is having on children, adults and families alike. To find out more about Boran’s story and how he faced a really scary situation around him click the video Gizmo prepared for you.
SUPERBOOK | 13
watch Boran’s story
Superbook continues to make a bridge into the lives of families all around the world, in times of peace and times of disaster, allowing children and parents to learn about the love of God for themselves, with Operation Blessing right on hand to partner with Gizmo in those times of deep need. You can find out more about our mission to see every child, everywhere hear the Gospel in their own language by heading to SUPERBOOK.UK.
14 | OPERATION BLESSING
COMPASSION IN ACTION FOR REMOTE MOROCCAN VILLAGERS
M
OROCCO – Operation Blessing is visiting remote Moroccan villagers with assistance in hand for families who are suffering after a devastating earthquake destroyed their communities. The roads to these far-flung locations are very hard to travel, so help hadn’t reached these families yet—that is, until friends like you stepped in. TRANSPORTING SUPPLIES FOR REMOTE MOROCCAN VILLAGERS So our team assisted villages in one area that took several hours to reach with supplies from our base of operations. In order to even arrive there with aid, our staff had to get creative. We loaded up food, clean water, and other critical supplies on donkeys, because it’s the only way to reach them.
OPERATION BLESSING | 15 Now, those basic necessities are making a tremendous difference in the daily lives of men, women, and children who have struggled since their homes were ruined. Diego Traverso of Operation Blessing addressed some of the people who were suffering and shared the sentiments of all of our partners. He said, “We feel your pain. But we want to let you know that you are not alone. You are very important to us.”
THANKS TO YOU And this is all thanks to friends like you. Without the prayers and donations of compassionate humanitarians, we couldn’t reach people with compassion and support. You can make a difference in the lives of Morocco earthquake survivors by working together with us in the region. Your hands of compassion can show them God’s love.
VISIT CBNEUROPE.COM/HELPMOROCCO today to give towards the cause.
16 | FEATURED
THE VULNERABILITY OF MASCULINITY
IN A WORLD WHERE BEING A MAN CAN BE CONFUSING, CHALLENGING AND A STRUGGLE, WE OPEN-UP THE CONVERSATION AROUND TOXIC MASCULINITY.
nmutuA D N U O R G K C A B
HOPE LINE If you have been affected by any of the conversation covered today, please call our Hope Line - we would love to stand with you in prayer. For more information visit CBNEUROPE.COM/PRAYER.
Listen or watch as three Christian men openup about how they are learning to be ok with vulnerability in a culture where it can sometimes be considered weakness This conversation is deep, rich and insightful - grab a drink, find a seat and dive into this thought-provoking interview on the vulnerability of masculinity.
18 | iTESTIFY
TRUDY’S STORY
FREE FROM ADDICTION AND PROSTITUTION AT THE AGE OF 5 TRUDY FIRST EXPERIENCED SEXUAL ABUSE. THIS CONTINUED OVER THE YEARS AND LED TRUDY TO FEEL STUCK AND FEARFUL. THE TRAUMA OF THAT IMPACTED HER GREATLY AND SHE BELIEVED THE LIE THAT IT WAS HER FAULT AND SHE HAD DONE SOMETHING TO DESERVE IT. After a failed suicide attempt, she went into care and got involved with the wrong crowd, but they accepted her as she was. Soon she was using soft drugs and shoplifting to cover the costs. This led her to working the streets. She had 32 failed attempts to give up drugs. She had lost all hope. Whilst at a Christian rehab she attended a talk about God’s love. He said Jesus died a criminal’s death. She knew she was a criminal and Jesus willingly took the punishment upon himself for her wrongs. She wanted that fresh start.
She returned to the rehab and within a month she was using again but she couldn’t get high. Someone gave her The Father’s Love Letter. She sensed God was saying “I’ve seen all you’ve done but I love you”. She was aware of all she had done wrong and the hurt she had caused others. It was then that she prayed to Jesus saying sorry and asked him to come into her life, clean her up and help her to follow him. She felt a peace come in. She didn’t desire to use again. That day she was set completely free by Jesus. She has never been tempted with drugs since. Jesus totally restored her life.
VISIT iTESTIFY.CO.UK If you would like to hear more stories of transformation
D O W N LOA D I N G . . .
Dear friends, AS WE ENTER AUTUMN, WE TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS. We thank the God of the Harvest for His faithfulness, His provision, His wisdom and guidance as we continue to sow seeds through CBN’s ministry across Europe. CBN’s family of ministries is growing stronger year by year – as we build united together for His glory. Our main aim is to share hope in Jesus to the nations, to see people of all walks of life know Jesus as their personal Saviour and become disciples. Seasons change and we must prepare for what is ahead. As it is in the natural, so it is with the things of God. Every day we meet with our team to study the Bible, to pray and to allow God to work in us and through us. As a leadership team, we
seek the Lord and His direction for CBN for the years to come. As disasters are on the increase (earthquakes, floods, wildfires, war) we must prepare. In this short video I share the latest updates of our ministry in Europe. Thank you for watching and for being part of CBN’s life changing ministry! Mark Dijkens Regional Director
DIRECTOR DOWNLOAD | 21
C B N E U R O P E U P DAT E
In this short video I share the latest updates of our ministry in Europe.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE PRAYER
22 | PRAYER IMPACT
please visit: CBNEUROPE.COM/PRAYER
PRAYER IMPACT TO GET INVOLVED WITH PRAYER FOR THE CBN EUROPE MINISTRY, READ ON TO DISCOVER GLOBAL, REGIONAL, NATIONAL AND MINISTRY PRAYER POINTS YOU CAN STAND WITH US ON. GLOBAL Israel: Please join us as we pray for the victims of terrorist attack in Israel.
o• Pray for the individuals affected by the recent attacks. For healing, comfort and hope.
o• Pray for those on the ground doing
all they can to help. Pray for safety, energy and protection.
o• Pray for the perpetrators. Pray that their
hearts will be softened and that they will realise the extent of the damage and hurt that they are causing.
Morocco: Please continue to stand with us as we pray for the Moroccan victims of the earthquake recently.
o• Pray for those who have lost homes,
businesses and provision due to the earthquake. Pray for hope, peace and for them to know that they are not in this alone.
o• Pray for the teams in Morocco who are working tirelessly to rebuild the communities affected. Pray for strength, morale and rest.
PRAYER IMPACT | 23
REGIONAL
MINISTRY
Ukraine: Please continue to stand with the people of Ukraine as they continue to navigate this war.
Hope Line: Please pray for our newly restructured Hope Line in the UK.
o• Pray for those weary of the ongoing
war, who have lost hope and are in need of comfort. Pray for rest, peace and faith.
o• Pray for the followers of Jesus in
Ukraine. For churches and teams who are working hard to meet the needs presented by those in their communities.
o• Pray for the work of CBN Europe in
o• Pray for the individuals who have
joined the team. For wisdom, understanding and discernment.
o• Pray for Sarah, our Hope Line manager
as she leads the team in the UK. Pray for insight, strategy and strength.
o• Pray for our callers, particularly those
who are in desperate need of a move of God in their circumstances. Pray for hope, healing and provision.
Ukraine. Pray for ongoing generosity, compassion and strength.
NATIONAL Government: Please pray for our UK government and those in positions of leadership and influence.
o• Pray for the individuals who are
involved in supporting those affected by the ongoing cost of living crisis. Pray for strategy, wisdom and sensitivity.
o• Pray for those who have the power to
make key decisions in policy as to how the financial structure of our country is managed. Pray for insight, vision and understanding.
To watch a powerful creative video of The Lord’s Prayer, please click here.
24 |
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TPI is an energetic programme that spotlights the voices of Africans and people of African descent around the world.
Superbook teaches timeless truths through the Bible-based adventures of two time-travelling children and their robot friend.
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