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Marcia Dixon
Becky Wybrow
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WOULD LIKE TO THANK:
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It’s a pleasure to be back in the Editor’s seat, editing Keep The Faith - a magazine I love… and it’s the Black History Month (BHM) edition at that.
This year’s BHM comes at a time when Britain is undergoing a great shift and I hope this is reflected in this edition of Keep The Faith
A few days after new Prime Minister Liz Truss took office, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed, having served on the throne for 70 years.
People from across the country and abroad have celebrated her life and achievements, and her funeral is now the most watched funeral ever.
We have paid tribute to the life of Queen Elizabeth II, who declared and lived out her Christian faith to the nation and the world, and dedicated her life to serving others through her work.
Bishop Rosemarie Mallett, another woman of service, is our cover story. She made history by becoming the first Black woman to be appointed Bishop of Croydon. In this special interview, she talks about her life, her ordination, her ministry journey and her hopes for the future.
There’s no doubt, the Black Christian community stands on great shoulders. We have articles which tell the historic journeys and impact of two Black denominations, and another, where prominent Christian figures reveal those people, past and present, who have greatly inspired them.
Despite the progress Black people have made in British society, racism still exists, however. Leading psychiatrist, Dr T Ajayi, provides some tips on how to overcome mental and emotional racial trauma, whilst businesswoman Carol Stewart shares why Black History Month is always worth celebrating.
Keep The Faith recognises there is a practical component to life, so I hope you enjoy the new cooking column by vegan chef, Kirly-Sue, and the new health and fitness column by Olivia Williams.
There are also articles about weathering the financial storm by Shane Bowes, CEO of the Pentecostal Credit Union; coping with the menopause by Bukky Ayoade; book marketing by Vanessa Grossett, and much, much more.
Hope you enjoy Marcia Dixon
To discuss how Keep The Faith could work with you, request a media pack or book an advert, please contact Diverse Media Group. Call 0203 868 0664 or email advertising@diversemediagroup.co.uk
06 A life of service and leadership
By Esther Kuku
07 The passing of the Queen
By Rev Canon J.John
08 NCLF offer a tribute, condolences and prayer on Queen’s passing
08 Churches issue statement following police shooting of Chris Kaba
10 New NTCG leader sets out vision for the Church
10 Pastor’s view on tithing has changed
11 The history of Bibleway Churches UK
11 Gospel music community celebrates Joey Grant’s life
12 Bethel Begins - From Azusa Street to Handsworth (and beyond)
By Nicholas Myers
13 Don’t worry, God still runs ‘Your World’
By Milton B Allen with Ben Harrell
16 Diocese of Southwark makes history and appoints its first female bishop
By Sophia Jones
18 Who would ever hurt a cripple?
By Martins Agbonlahor
20 Overcoming barriers to invitation: Pursuing racial justice and unity
By Jason Roach
22 Black History is for life not just October
By Carol Stewart
23 Our Roots
By Tayo Fatunla
24 Who are their heroes?
By Teresa Allen
26 Recovery from racial trauma: A personal and community approach
By Dr T. Ayodele Ajayi
27 Let’s come together as one!
By Richard Reddie
28 Food 4 Thought
By Marcia Dixon MBE
30 All things bright and beautiful
By Dionne Gravesande
31 The necessity of Cross-Cultural Evangelism
By Rev Stephen Brooks
32 Lessons from living through a time of plague
By Gary Clayton
34 How to embrace life and enjoy good health during the menopause
By Bukky Ayoade
35 Steps to good health
By Olivia Williams
36 You still matter to me...
By Deborah Lassiter
38 Cook with Kirly-Sue
By Kirly-Sue
39 A wedding, tourism and God
By Tayo Fatunla
40 How to weather the storm during Britain’s UK financial crisis
By Shane Bowes
42 A refresher on marketing for authors
By Vanessa Grossett
43 Walking in the image of the Creator
By Joy Roxborough and Liz Ayanniyi
44 God’s passion for orphans
By Dr Robert Glover
46 Modern slavery - change is possible
By Adam Otoo
There are thousands of children in the UK currently waiting to be placed with foster carers or adoptive families. We aim to help as many of them as possible.
Barnardo’s believes in children regardless of their circumstances, gender, race, disability, or behaviour. Our purpose as a charity today is to transform the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children. We will support them, stand up for them and bring out the best in each and every child. We do this because we believe that every child deserves the best start in life and the chance to fulfil their potential.
In many areas of the UK there is a shortage of foster carers and adoptive parents with the same cultural or ethnic background as the children coming into care.
Black and minority ethnic children who are looked after can be further disadvantaged if their own cultural background is not promoted and nurtured. We believe all children have a right to enjoy their own culture,
practice their own religion and speak their own language. Here at Barnardo’s, we provide a service that recognises and values cultural and religious diversity during every stage of the process and beyond.
We are looking for loving, supportive individuals and families who are passionate about making a difference. If this is you, find out more about fostering and adopting with Barnardo’s today.
Search Barnardo’s fostering and adoption
Leadership is a choice, a decisionnot a rank. Some people are authorities, but they are not leaders People may do what they say, but they do not follow them.
Leadership is a lifelong commitment to dedication and service. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will forever be the epitome of all that it means to lead, serving her country for 70 years.
The Queen was born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, in Mayfair, London, on 21 April 1926. Few could have foreseen she would become monarch but, in December 1936, her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne to marry the twice-divorced American, Wallis Simpson.
Elizabeth’s father became King George VI and, at age 10, Lilibet (as she was known in the family) became heir to the throne.
Princess Elizabeth was in Kenya in 1952,
Credit: McCarthy’s PhotoWorks / Shutterstock.comrepresenting the ailing King, when Philip broke the news that her father had died. She immediately returned to London as the new Queen.
Elizabeth was crowned at Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953, aged 27. She then embarked upon a life devoted to service. This is true leadership: the selfless grace and humility through which she promised to serve her people.
She steered the monarchy through turbulent times, weathering the barrage of
public opinion and discourse following the divorces of three of her children; the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997, and much more. She remained calm and steadfast.
In many ways she led a dysfunctional family, with the highs and lows that any modern-day family might endure. Yet she remained a symbol of stability.
A devout, church-going Christian, she was a woman of unshakeable faith and took her position as Head of the Church of England incredibly seriously.
Her tenure as head of state spanned post-war austerity; the transition from empire to Commonwealth; the end of the Cold War, and the UK’s entry into and withdrawal from the European Union. Her reign spanned 15 Prime Ministers, from Winston Churchill to Liz Truss.
The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a moment of deep reflection for us to think about our values; our own personal commitment to service and caring for others. And a time for us to lead in a manner that demonstrates care, faithfulness and kindness to others.
We have always known that someday we would hear those words, but that certainty has not robbed them of either their sadness or their solemnity. In the sea of tributes now overwhelming us, how should we react?
Our first reaction should surely be appreciation. We need to reflect with gratitude on all that the Queen achieved for the nation and the Commonwealth. The reign of Queen Elizabeth II was certainly long, yet length of reign – like length of life – is no measure of greatness. The Queen’s accomplishment was not simply to reign for a long time, but to reign well. It is an achievement made even greater because she ruled in difficult times. She has been compared to both the first Queen Elizabeth and to Queen Victoria, yet, unlike them, it was not her lot to rule at a time of either national glory or imperial splendour. Our Queen Elizabeth came to power in a Britain still recovering from war. Her reign witnessed the end of the British Empire and the emergence of a new, confused Britain, increasingly adrift from its traditional values. During her reign, fashions in culture, art and manners came and went; kings, emperors, presidents and regimes flourished only to be swept away by time.
Yet, if the winds of change blew strongly, the Queen seemed unaffected by them. Whatever happened to the nation – economic turmoil, terrorist atrocity or political uncertainty – the Queen was there and the nation found comfort in that. In an age of uncertainty and confusion she came to embody what Britain stood for. For that solidity and stability in turbulent times we are grateful. It is salutary to read the words of the Queen’s coronation service and see all that, so long ago, she promised to defend for the nation and the Church. At the end of that long life, we can say with appreciation that she fulfilled her
vows and did what she promised. She kept the faith. We are doubtless called to lesser things, but may we keep our promises as well as she did hers.
but the title Majesty was totally appropriate for her. She was a little lady with a very big God. In the first of the Beatitudes Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” This was a woman who recognised that the only way to rule an earthly kingdom was to seek a heavenly one. Our circumstances may bear very little comparison with hers but the way she lived out her faith should inspire us all.
Our second reaction should be acknowledgement. Something worth dwelling on is that the Queen’s achievements came not from her genetics, her upbringing or her force of will, but from something more. She had a deep and authentic Christian faith, which she took seriously and sought to live out. It seems to me evident that the Queen recognised two things. The first was her own frailty and weakness. She had the gift - so often denied to the powerful - of being humble, and was wise enough to realise that to reign well required more than human skills and strength. The second thing she recognised was that to be monarch meant she needed God to give her strength. Only the foolish would see her life as a tale of unending privilege and overwhelming wealth. The reality is that, from the moment of her untimely accession to the throne, she served what was, in effect, a life sentence without hope of remission. True, she served it out in a gilded cage, but she also served it under the increasingly harsh spotlight of a curious and cruel world.
Physically, the Queen was a small woman,
Our third reaction should be that of assurance. With the Queen’s death, a dark shadow has fallen across our land and beyond. A landmark which we took for granted, but which gave us all our bearings, has fallen. In her quiet way, the Queen defined what it is to be British. Other nations may look to their flags or constitutions for their identity; Britain looks instead to its monarchy.
These are sad days but, as the Queen herself would no doubt have wished, those of us who are Christians can – should – lift our eyes upwards.
‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.’ (Psalm 46:1-3 NIV)
Twice in that psalm comes the reassuring refrain, ‘The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.’ It was then, and it is now.
Our world is shaken but our God stands firm. Queens and kings pass away; the eternal God does not.
“The Queen has died.”
“THIS WAS A WOMAN WHO RECOGNISED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO RULE AN EARTHLY KINGDOM WAS TO SEEK A HEAVENLY ONE.”
The Black Church community joined the nation in paying tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Her funeral was held on September 19. The National Church Leaders Forum (NCLF), which serves as a Black Christian voice, issued a statement on her passing, stating, “The Black Christian community has always had the greatest respect for the Queen due to her faith, her fortitude and her commitment in serving this nation and the Commonwealth.”
The Black Christian community will be praying for the Royal Family at this difficult time of personal and national bereavement. We continue to ask God to comfort and strengthen them following the Queen’s funeral and as they come to terms with their loss.
When HRH Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne in 1952, she told the nation, “I declare
before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.”
Throughout her life, HRH Queen Elizabeth II remained true to that declaration and has been a champion for the Christian faith she espoused through her personal witness and selfless service.
The Racial Justice Advocacy Forum - which draws its membership from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, Baptists Together, Methodist Church, United Reformed Church, Quakers, Sam Sharpe Project, Churches Together in England, Ascension Trust, Evangelical Alliance, National Church Leaders Forum, Movement for Justice and Reconciliation, Christian Aid, and the Salvation Army - issued a statement following the shooting of Chris Kaba in south London on 5 September 2022:
“Churches and faith-based organisations have appealed for compassion and justice for a wounded community in the wake of the Metropolitan Police-related shooting of Chris Kaba in Kirkstall Gardens, Streatham Hill, south London on 5 September 2022.
Since that date, members of the Racial Justice Advocacy Forum (RJAF), National
During her time on the throne, she met with 15 elected British Prime Ministers and welcomed the Heads of State of many nations around the world, including Barack Obama, the first Black President of the United States, and Nelson Mandela, the first elected Black President of South Africa following his release from prison for campaigning for an end to apartheid.
The Black Christian community in Britain are aware of the difficult history shared between their ancestors and the British monarchy - the effects of which are still with us today - and we look forward to the reign of King Charles III and the focus he will bring to our life together in Britain, the Caribbean, Africa and around the world as people all created in the image and likeness of God.
May Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Rest in Eternal Peace. God bless the King. May he serve in the spirit of his mother.
Church Leaders Forum, Evangelical Alliance, Ascension Trust and London Baptist Association have been meeting to hear the concerns of the bereaved family and the wider community, offering pastoral support in their grief, and solidarity in their search for answers. Chris, who was a well-known musician, was soon to become a first-time father, which only adds to the tragedy.
The RJAF is calling for prayers for the Kaba family, for Chris’ friends and the wider community. They are remembering in particular the many young people who are hurting and fearful, and the parents who are concerned for their welfare at this time.
They are also appealing to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for a timely investigation to help restore confidence and reduce the rising tensions in the area.
Credit: Alessia Pierdomenico / Shutterstock.com
BishopClaion Grandison took over the role from Bishop Donald Bolt on September 1st, 2022, to serve a four-year tenure. He now provides leadership to an organisation that has 110 congregations, 30 church plants and 30 cross-cultural churches spread across the UK.
On his first day in office, Bishop Grandison issued a vision statement containing his aims for his time in office. The statement was widely shared within NTCG and to the wider community.
Bishop Grandison wants NTCG to be “a relevant, relational church, reimagining God at work in our communities and nation.”
To achieve this the church will be
“Networking Strategically, by collaborating across our church and forming strategic alliances; enhancing training provision for its young people and ministers; doing justice for its members; growing the church and serving the community.”
The NTCG is one of the UK’s historic Black Pentecostal denominations founded by the Windrush Generation. It will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2023.
Bishop Grandison, 56, was born in London and grew up in Jamaica after his parents migrated back there. He became a Christian at 14 and attended NTCG in Kingston.
He has extensive experience of public ministry. From 2000-2003 he served as
NTCG’s Regional Youth and Christian Education Director across the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Guadeloupe, St Kitts and Nevis. Upon his return to the UK, he became pastor of Woolwich NTCG (Chrisma), and pioneered several initiatives which included a Mentoring Leadership Programme (MLP); Floretta’s Kids, providing meals for families during school holidays and weekends; a homeless kitchen, and a hardship fund during COVID. Bishop Grandison has a degree in theology from Spurgeon’s College.
The NTCG is a member of the Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee, USA, a diverse global family, with more than 7 million members in approximately 185 nations.
A recent study – entitled Revisiting the Tithe & Offering, by leading research company, Barna Group – has found that only a minority of US pastors believe Christians should tithe (give 10% of their income to the church).
The question of whether a Christian should tithe – a biblical practice encouraged in the Old Testament – has, over the years, caused major discussion amongst lay members and church leaders.
Just recently, high profile TV pastor, Creflo Dollar, announced he had been teaching wrongly about tithing.
The study found that whilst most pastors don’t see giving outside the church as tithing, 70% felt that tithing doesn’t have to be financial. When asked how much of a person’s income would be an acceptable tithe, only 33% were in favour of the traditional 10%.
Twenty-one per cent of pastors couldn’t say what percentage of their income a Christian should give, but suggested it should be “considered sacrificial”, and 20% of pastors surveyed said Christians should give as much as they are willing.
One of Britain’s leading Black Pentecostal denominations, the New Testament Church of God UK (NTCG), has a new leader.
There will be a screening of the history of a Caribbean Apostolic church movement in Britain, known as Bibleway Churches UK, for Black History Month in October. It features Pastor Peter Nembhard from the ARC Church in London and pays tribute to Bishop Leon Edgar White, the father of Pastor Mike White of the Tab London.
The Caribbean Apostolic Church provided medication to the Caribbean community in the 1960s and ‘70s at a time when they were contained in the workplace. It countered the humiliating experience of racism that they confronted in employment, housing and education. Whereas they were constrained and restricted in low paid menial jobs, they were liberated in the church which made them feel good about themselves.
Their chances of promotion and career progression in secular work were limited. But in the Caribbean Apostolic Church, they were given their dignity back by being elevated to higher office. The Caribbean Church provided a release from some of the hostile environments generated by a climate of racism in society.
Documentary Director, Jason Young, says: “Jamaica has the highest ratio of churches to people in the world. Christianity is integrated into Jamaican culture, which is where race and faith intersect. You cannot tell Black history in Britain without telling the history of Caribbean churches in Britain. Most people in the Black community and most of the achievements in the Caribbean community have come through or out of the Caribbean Church. Most successful Black people have sought prayers from the church or pastoral support from the church to get them on their feet. This documentary is British history told from a Caribbean Christian perspective.”
He goes on to say: “We interviewed over 20 people to record their history of the Caribbean contribution to British history. Some of their struggles and experiences of daily macro-aggressions of prejudice had lived on in their minds for decades and had impacted their mental health. As we interviewed some of them, we discovered that a few had an internalised pathology of surviving the trauma of racism in the 1960s and ‘70s, choosing not to speak about it to anyone as a form of a survival strategy. Many of them would have suffered poor mental health leading to a breakdown had it not been for the Caribbean Apostolic Church, which provided medicine through pastoral care and support. It brought a sense of mental balance and perspective that gave them a sense of dignity.
“The overrepresentation of Caribbean people in the mental health system in the UK is a result of the racial trauma they experienced which contributed to their breakdown. By telling their story through this documentary, they were able to liberate themselves from their past.”
The screening of The History of Bibleway Churches UK will take place on Saturday 15th October at 5pm. You can set a reminder by subscribing to Gospel Temple’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ZNRidxWCcfE.
Britain’s gospel music community has been mourning and celebrating the life of Christian guitarist, Joey Grant, who recently died from cancer.
This popular guitarist worked with artists from the world of gospel, pop and theatre, including Lady Gaga, Melanie C, Stormzy and Tinie Tempah.
Joey also played for Afrobeat star, WizKid, who paid tribute to the musician on his Instagram page with a picture captioned, “RIP Joey, thank you for sharing your light with me.”
People from all over the UK packed out his funeral, held at the COGIC headquarters in Luton on September 6. Tributes to Joey were also posted on social media, some of which are featured below:
“Yesterday we spent the whole day saying goodbye to a beautiful soul. The service was absolutely amazing... I called you ‘son’, you called me ‘Auntie’, even though we’re not related by blood. Your infectious smile lit up the room, always full of jokes. Sleep tight my precious son, Joey Grant. Your legacy lives on, you will be truly missed.”
“Today, a legendary contributor to planet Earth will be laid to rest. Beyond playing music, he was an inspiration and icon, trailblazing a path for many musos. May God deposit peace, grace and mercy to the family, and all who were moved by his melodies. #RIPJoeyGrant.”
“An amazing young man taken from us too early, but he leaves a great legacy!”
Joey Grant is survived by his wife, two children, parents, two siblings and his extended family.
Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic UK has a long and illustrious history as one of the oldest and largest Black-majority churches in Britain. The organisation was spearheaded by Bishop Sydney A Dunn and others in 1955.
The organisation flourished from hosting meetings in a Handsworth bedroom to over 40 assemblies in the UK, a ministry whose missions have extended into Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, becoming the only denomination founded by the Windrush Generation to build a conference facility, the 2,500-seater Bethel Convention Centre based in the West Midlands.
a prophetic word that Dunn would be a great man in the Gospel, and she was to train him for ministry.
Dunn quickly rose in the ministry. Aged barely 30 he was consecrated as Deputy Bishop in the Shiloh Apostolic Church of Jamaica. However, spotting the love of his life, Chloe, he turned his sights to the UK for economic betterment. Little did he know God would use this for the spiritual betterment of the Windrush Generation.
supplementary schools to the Bethel School of Biblical Studies, food banks, elderly care, and other ministries.
For example, during the recent pandemic the church ran a counselling hotline and daily prayer calls for the church and the community. Today, branches of Bethel can be found across the UK, from Trowbridge to Suffolk, and from Southampton to Manchester. Bethel celebrated its 65th anniversary and Holy Convocation in August.
Bethel’s beginnings can be traced back to the Apostolic Faith Movement - a group of Holiness Christians seeking to restore the church back to its New Testament roots. This led to eruptions of the power of God globally - most notably at Azusa Street in Los Angeles - between 1906 and 1909. As souls hungered for God, more truth of His Word was revealed. Missionaries brought the Apostolic message to Jamaica in 1919, and from here churches were established. This is how a young, 17-year-old Sydney Dunn came to be saved. Whenever he was filled with the Spirit, he spoke with tongues from midday to 7pm in the evening and received a powerful vision of God. His pastor, Christine Walsh, one of the first female Bishops in Jamaica, received
Arriving in the UK in 1955 and connecting with likeminded brethren, Dunn started to hold services in a bedroom. This progressed to a school room, and eventually 2 Gibson Road in Birmingham was initially rented and then purchased with God’s help. For example, Barclays put a deposit into the church’s account without a signature or security to support the purchase, which was unheard of for Black people in Britain at the time. As the church grew, the Lord revealed to Herman Darius Brown in the late 1950s that baptism was to be done by invoking the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result, Brown left the New Testament Church of God, which he had also helped establish in the UK, to join Dunn and Bethel.
Bethel’s other pioneering bishops include Martin H Simmonds, who may be the first Black leader in Britain to lead a White-majority church in the1950s and 1960s, based in Ipswich, Suffolk. Dunn, Brown and Simmonds, together with Gerald Edmund and Arnold Miller, comprised Bethel’s first board of bishops. The ministry has impacted the UK through its community work, from
As the church continues to move forward, a new board of bishops, led by Presiding Bishop Dexter Edmund (who, incidentally, is the grandson of Bishop Christine Walsh), is committed to building on and continuing the legacy of the pioneers, who with the help of God, turned little into much.
A complete account of Bethel’s origins can be found in Bethel Begins, available on Amazon worldwide.
Nicholas Myers is author of Bethel Begins, Assistant Pastor at The Well, and Lecturer at Bethel School of Biblical Studies. He also runs a strategic marketing consultancy, Lovable, advising Christian brands.
Nicholas Myers gives insight into the history of Black UK Pentecostal denomination, Bethel United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic UK
more for me, Than You’ve done for the trees, So, why would I even doubt it?’
McReynolds speaks life into any situation through his new song, ‘Your World’. His music continues to defy worry, doubt and fear by emphasising the importance of trusting God. Jonathan wants us to shift the focus from what we can’t control to the One who controls everything. ‘Your World’ gives listeners a melody we can dance to, letting our problems know they will never be bigger than our Father. After all, God still runs your world so all you must do is trust Him.
‘The lilies ain’t worried ’bout it, And the birds ain’t chirpin’ ’bout it.’
Jonathan paints a picture for us that originates from Matthew 6:25, 26 and 28: “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?... So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin.”
This word emphasises the importance of not living in a state of worry. Jonathan captures this moment from the very beginning of his song. As an added measure, Jonathan takes us back down memory lane by reminding usof all that God has done for us. ‘And You’ve done
Jonathan quickly points out that this world is His, meaning that God is in control. Doubt may try to creep up on us, but His plan was already in place before we realised we had a
problem. Jonathan invites us to embrace the facts; walk by faith; pray to our Father and watch Him work.
‘This is Your world, I’m just living in it, I’m just walking through it, Knowing that You’re with me, This is Your world, I’m just living in it, I’m just praying through it.’
With all God’s creations and mighty works, Jonathan wants you to remember that He loves you. ‘The world hasn’t stopped turning, And the sun hasn’t stopped burning, You make the universe expand, Just because You can, But I know You’re more concerned about me.’
Fear will sometimes move us into panic mode, and we either make plans to mitigate or simply make plans to premeditate a desired result. Jonathan encourages us to seek the Kingdom of God. ‘Hold up every single one of my own plans, See, I’d rather have Your heart, So I’ll put ’em in Your hands.’
Jonathan reassures us the world is in God’s hands and He is with you. And since God is with us, we do not need to fear the outcome. ‘Worry can’t add another minute to my life, Before I started You charted out the finish line.
Jonathan McReynolds’ new song, ‘Your World’, has a clear message: when life gets you down, take a moment to look up. “I just believe He’ll take care of the rest. Just trust Him.”
Join us this CAP Sunday on a journey from lament to hope, enabling your congregation to reflect on and respond to UK poverty
Host a free and adaptable CAP Sunday service, complete with moving storytelling, an inspiring Bible-based talk and much more. Pass this advert to your church leader or find out more at capuk.org/capsunday22
As the cost of living soars across the UK, God is calling on the Church to respondis authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct
Living shouldn’t cost everything, but for millions it does. Many are falling into debt because their money simply isn’t stretching far enough to cover their basic needs.
As the cost of living crisis worsens, debt help charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is seeing a rise in the number and prevalence of people seeking support. People are being forced to go without essentials – 47% of CAP clients have said that debt meant they sacrificed meals, 45% went without heating, and 24% couldn’t afford to light their home.
CAP has also identified increases in people feeling isolated, depressed, anxious and even suicidal because of debt and money worries. 36% of CAP clients said they had attempted or considered suicide as a way out of debt before seeking help.
Beyond the statistics, on a daily basis CAP works with individuals and families who are trapped in the cage of debt and poverty, who feel there is no way out. These are people like Sharon, a single mum who, after years of domestic abuse, found herself in serious debt and was struggling to provide for herself and her kids. She said,
‘I didn’t have any money. There was also debt from my mother’s funeral’. ‘Health problems created a lot of stress for me. I was having a nervous breakdown, I was under a lot of pressure, and in a lot of debt. I was getting loads of calls, loads of bailiffs. I wasn’t eating. I wouldn’t open the curtains, I always lived in the dark. I was all on my own, I thought that there was no hope.’
As Christians, we know there is always hope. Even during the storm of debt and poverty, there is help available.
Congregations across the UK have been taking action by running food banks, soup kitchens and loads more initiatives for those struggling to stay afloat, bringing hope amidst the storm of debt and poverty.
Through a suggestion by Sharon’s counsellor, she contacted Christians Against Poverty for help.
‘Since I called CAP, my life has been going up and up. I had an appointment with Katherine and Carol [local CAP Debt Centre team members]. I cast all my paperwork on them – I had three big shopping bags full.
Katherine took it all away. After, I had no letters, there were no more calls. Through CAP, I’ve now become debt free.’
Beyond the practical support that they’re providing, churches are in a position to welcome people into a community. CAP supports hundreds of local churches to run money management courses, job clubs and a free, face-to-face, friendly debt help service. This holistic support not only addresses people’s immediate needs, but it also gives people a sense of belonging.
The cost of living crisis is expected to hit people hard this winter, with energy bills set to rise again in October. If you are in debt, it’s best to seek help before things potentially become even more difficult.
Sharon joined her local church while receiving help.
‘They invited me to church and as soon as I walked in, I thought, “This is where I belong”. I wasn’t a Christian before, but I’ve now been baptised. Walking through those church doors and meeting so many lovely people was amazing. Working with CAP has turned my life around.’
‘I’ve now become a CAP Befriender. I help out at the drop-in on a Tuesday – which I thought I would never do! Once every three weeks I do a talk at the drop-in, telling people how God has changed my life. I feel so happy and alive!’
CAP also offers an opportunity for people to pray for those who are struggling. On Sunday 16 October, churches across the country will host a free CAP Sunday service. This will be a time to hear from Syd, another CAP client who, like Sharon, has been able to journey from debt to a place of hope, and reflect and listen to God as he calls us to take positive action. CAP is welcoming any church to get involved. All the free resources that you need can be found on their website alongside information on how to book a free guest speaker for your service.
For more information on CAP’s free debt help and other free services visit capuk.org.
To find out more about how your church can host a CAP Sunday service visitcapuk.org/capsunday.
If you’re struggling with the cost of living, moneyhelper.org.uk is a great place to discover free, non-judgemental support and advice that’s available.
The Diocese of Southwark has a new bishop. On 3rd May 2022, Downing Street announced that Her Majesty The Queen had approved the appointment of the Venerable Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Archdeacon of Croydon, as Bishop of Croydon, succeeding the Rt Rev Jonathan Clark, who left the Diocese in March. Bishop Rosemarie is the first female bishop in the Diocese and the second Barbadian Bishop of Croydon - the first being the Rt Rev Wilfred Wood, who served as bishop from 1985 to 2003. He was the first Black bishop in the Church of England.
Speaking on the day of the announcement, she said, “I am thankful to God for the honour and privilege of serving as the next Bishop of Croydon. I love the diversity of this area geographically, ethnically and culturally. I will serve the Episcopal Area of Croydon and East Surrey and the people with great pride, and do my very best to make God’s Word and His love known, while championing social justice causes across the area for people of all ages.”
The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Rev Christopher Chessun, added, “I am very grateful to all those who have worked with me to ensure that the appointment of the next Bishop of Croydon has gone forward swiftly. I am delighted that the Venerable Dr Rosemarie Mallett will be joining the Episcopal Team as
Bishop for the gloriously diverse Croydon Episcopal Area which stretches well beyond the M25. It has been a joy to see Rosemarie flourish as Archdeacon of Croydon with her passion for building community cohesion as well as championing racial and social justice. I have asked her to continue to focus on these as a bishop, confident that Rosemarie will be a great blessing to the parishes and people of the Croydon Episcopal Area and wider Diocese.”
The Diocese of Southwark serves 2.8 million people in the 16 Local Authorities of South London and East Surrey through 356 places
of worship and 104 church schools, educating over 37,000 young people. The Croydon Episcopal Area is one of three areas in the Diocese (the others being Kingston and Woolwich). It covers the boroughs of Croydon, Sutton and the district of Tandridge, the vast majority of Reigate and Banstead district, and parts of the borough of Bromley and Mole Valley District. It stretches from Upper Norwood in the north to Gatwick in the south, and from West Wickham in the east to Worcester Park in the west.
The Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, said, “I am absolutely delighted to offer, on behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, hearty congratulations to the Venerable Dr Rosemarie Mallett on her appointment as Bishop of Croydon. Whenever a Barbadian excels anywhere in this world it brings joy to us all, and the fact that Bishop Mallett, the first woman to hold this high office, is following in the footsteps of another Barbadian, the Right Reverend Wilfred Wood, who distinguished himself as the first Black Bishop of Croydon, makes this latest achievement even more commendable.”
Bishop Rosemarie was consecrated on Friday 24th June, at Southwark Cathedral which was decorated with flowers reflecting her Caribbean roots. During Communion, singer and theatre actress, Rachel John, sang a medley of well-known hymns and gospel songs.
The service was attended by family, friends and parishioners from the Diocese and across the country, including clergy, bishops, and local and international dignitaries.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby, tweeted, “The grace and goodness of God was so visible at Rosemarie Mallett’s consecration as Bishop of Croydon at Southwark Cathedral today. Praying for Bishop Rosemarie and the wonderful communities she serves.”
“The service was spiritually uplifting and joy-filled. I feel completely humbled and privileged to be called to serve God as a bishop in His Church and to lead His people as we work to build the Kingdom in Croydon and everywhere. I am looking forward to getting to know more of the churches and church schools and para-church projects in the whole Episcopal Area, and to offer my support to their mission and ministry,” said Bishop Rosemarie.
In a moving and powerful sermon, the Rev Prebendary Sandra McCalla, Chaplain to the Bishop of London, said, “Today, you answer this onerous yet joyful call to serve not just you but the whole body of witnesses, including those who have travelled across seas and continents to come and see what the Lord has done.”
She continued, “Those who have been excluded, maligned, ignored and underestimated, and those who have had to jump through every hoop that others have not. Those who were denied the right to an education. Enslaved, whipped and beaten. Torn from their homelands and people, and yet they are here within the heavenly cloud of witnesses to say ‘Lord, Your chief pastors and shepherds are beginning to reflect the flock they serve. Your Church is becoming truly what You intend it to be - a house of prayer.”
Finally, she charged Bishop Rosemarie saying, “So soldier on my sister, and be the person God has created you to be in this space and at this time. You were called for a
time like this and, in that calling, God called you just as you are, with all your characteristics, for He knows what He wishes His Kingdom on earth to look like.”
Bishop Rosemarie has been in post for two months. How has it been so far? “I’m yet to stop and think, there has been so much to get on with. There have been the joys of ordination services and of ordaining three new priests in the area; the day-to-day responsibilities of episcopal oversight; listening to the issues that arise for priests and people of the area and helping to hold these with the archdeacons; engaging with local faith and civic groups - some new - and continuing working on building and deepening relationships between them and the Anglican Church; and now attending the Lambeth Conference with over 650 other Anglican bishops with the opportunity to listen to stories of similarity and difference, and to build friendships and relationships across continents and cultures as we work to be part of God’s Church for God’s world,” she said.
Born in Barbados, Bishop Rosemarie grew up in the UK and was educated at Sussex University and Warwick University. Prior to ordination, she was a research sociologist and academic, specialising in international development and ethno-cultural mental health. She has lived and worked in Tanzania, Ethiopia and Barbados. She trained for ministry at the South East Institute of Theological Education (SEITE) and served her curacy at Christ
Church, Brixton Road. She was ordained a priest in 2005.
She served as Priest-in-Charge at St John the Evangelist, Angell Town, from 2007 and was appointed Vicar in 2013, as well as being made Director of Ordinands for the Kingston Episcopal Area. In 2015, she was additionally appointed Diocesan Director of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation. She served on General Synod from 2011 to 2021.
Bishop Rosemarie is the Diocesan lead on Racial Justice and authored the Diocese of Southwark’s Anti-Racism Charter, which was unanimously approved by the Diocesan Synod in March 2021. She regularly appears on BBC Radio Four’s Prayer for the Day and has led The Daily Service on BBC Radio Four. She is a spokesperson on racial and social justice issues nationally.
For more than 20 years, she has served as Trustee and Director of a number of social action charities across London, all focusing on building community cohesion. She served as Equalities Commissioner for five years in Lambeth, and currently acts as adviser to a Croydon community action project, which is focused on reducing serious youth violence.
Bishop Rosemarie has one daughter, Jane, and enjoys baking and walking. She loves jazz music and going to the theatre.
Future plans include to “…stop and take some rest, and then return to continue discerning how best I can serve the people and churches of the area. One way to do that will be through hospitality, and I am hoping that, despite COVID, I will be able to use my convening abilities to bring together people from across the different groups and communities in the Episcopal Area, all with a focus on how we can jointly serve the Area,” she said.
The consecration service was recorded and can be watched here: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=f3IwgP4BYlw
By Sophia Jones, Director of Communications – Diocese of SouthwarkAlika Ogorchukwu’s fame suddenly rose like a meteor. He hadn’t won a coveted prize nor scored a brilliant goal à la Maradona. On the contrary, the gruesomeness of his recent murder, which had assailed the consciences of all lovers of humanity, brought him to our television screens. He had been strangled to death in the most heinous manner, his offence being that he was a cripple begging for alms. This, again, has brought Italy into the limelight for all the wrong reasons.
can only tentatively infer that some of them are merely seeking cheap relevance. But from the death of a fellow human being? They contend that Filippo had “mental health issues when the act was committed.” And two relatively obscure lawyers amongst them are parroting that stance to the entire world. Put succinctly, they are pleading the concept of Diminished Responsibility on behalf of their co-national. When this plea succeeds, as extrapolated from Section 2(1) of the Homicide Act 1957, the offender shall not be convicted of murder if he was suffering from an abnormality of the mind, which had impaired his mental responsibility for his acts while doing or being a party to the killing.
the wrong actions against immigrants.
Ogorchukwu, 39, was a factory hand before a ghastly car accident mangled his otherwise muscular limbs and left him on crutches. A well-known individual in the city of Civitanova, Marche, in Italy, he was addressed as ‘the gentleman on crutches’, as he begged for alms to feed himself. He was at it again on Friday, 29 July, 2022, when a certain Filippo Ferlazzo, 32, set upon him, beating him to a pulp with his own crutches. Bless his soul!
But who, in his right senses, would ever hurt a cripple? Worse still, the cold-blooded murderer allegedly stole his mobile phone, as he lay, gasping for his last breath - an act grotesquely synonymous with robbing a prized ring from the only active finger of a leper. And, that the gory scene was swarming with Italians who did absolutely nothing to intervene and stop the murderer, beggars belief. Not even a whimper was heard among them. Who knows whether Ogorchukwu wouldn’t be alive today had one or two of these onlookers taken a bold step to stop Filippo in his utter madness?
Now, like a free-for-all fight, every manner of Italians, many bloated with extreme jingoism, are all out to defend their erring compatriot. I
Should impairment of the mind be proved, I’d say that Filippo will be looked after and well cared for in a hospital. I believe that anyone who claims to be vulnerable must be taken at face value and without any iota of doubt. This is because only the sufferers know how it feels, and there are, more often than not, no physical tell-tale signs to prejudge. In fact, it behoves all lovers of humanity to show total, unalloyed empathy towards those having mental health issues. But what of those teeming onlookers who had stood aloof when Ogorchukwu was being strangled, resorting instead, to filming the blood-curdling scene for their Twitter and social media platforms? Were they mental health sufferers too?
The murder of Ogorchukwu, which I believe, despite the perpetrator’s claims, had some racist undertones, made me contact my bosom friend and renowned lecturer in the faculty of Law in the Sapienza University of Rome. His belief is that Italy has to “solve its own problem first” before opening its doors to others. Most Italian politicians, incidentally, have this same view: a mindset that encourages paying heed to mere rashes while the contagious pimples are left untreated. Put succinctly, immigration, regional bigotry, corruption and nepotism - amongst others - are shelved or pigeonholed till goodness knows when. Nigerian leaders, too, are guilty of this. Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, when told point-blank by an American journalist, appalled by our underdevelopment, that Nigeria is a rich country, replied that Nigeria is only “potentially” rich. We have been “potentially” rich even before I was born, and I will be six decades on earth by this time next year! When shall we jettison this brazen deception and harness our country’s actual resources for the betterment of us all?
It would appear, in the mode of their Nigerian counterparts, that Italian leaders and the elite are not genuinely willing to change the country for the better and transcend the current one-step-forward-two-steps-backward approach to national issues, be it the economy, immigration, regional allegiances and the ever-persistent political imbroglios. I would concur with authors Andrea Mammone and Giuseppe Veltri in their exposé, Italy Today: The Sick Man of Europe, that the country is still struggling between modernity and backwardness, and between the need or will to change and the fear of losing some local or specific privileges.
My stance has always been that Italy opens itself to multiculturalism like some other countries in Europe, and stop blaming the immigrants for their internal woes. When xenophobic pronouncements are uttered carelessly by well-known politicians, because they want to score cheap political points, they forget that such pronouncements can shape the reasoning or mould the opinion of the common Italian in the street, causing them to formulate the wrong thoughts or carry out
With an election coming up on 25 September, and the far right, anti-immigrant Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d’Italia) poised to win, it is a foregone conclusion that immigration will be put on the back burner. In spite of the political shenanigans of Italian politicians, however, let’s not forget to pray for the sweet repose of Ogorchukwu’s gentle soul.
Martins Agbonlahor is a criminologist, journalist and author based in Manchester. His new novel, Unsilenced – the Struggles for Feminine Rights in Nigeria, is available on Amazon and all online bookstores.
Filippo Ferlazzo
God’s vision for church is one of a multi-cultural, multiethnic family. But how do we get there without extending an invitation to those who are different from us?
Every Christian can agree that racism is a sin. Our first barrier to working towards racial unity and justice, however, is our tendency to think of it as either mostly an individual problem or mostly a structural problem. ‘Individualists’ believe racism is mainly the result of people’s individual actions and would be solved if we could all simply make the right choices. ‘Structuralists’ believe racism is mainly a structural problem that requires a dismantling of institutions and a rebalancing of power among decision-makers for any real progress to be made.
The conversation between these two groups in wider society has become increasingly polarised, and this spills over into the life of the local church. An individualist might be quick to ignore, scorn or shut down any suggestions that church committees should be intentionally ethnically diverse. Individualists would say, “It’s the behaviour of individual people that matters, not the composition of committees.”
On the other hand, structuralists are likely to dismiss the potential impact of cross-cultural friendships on the life of the local church. “A few people having friends of different ethnicities won’t make any difference to church culture or the way things get done,” a structuralist might say.
Both groups can become wary and dismissive of the other. Direct dialogue can quickly become strained as they seem to talk past one another. This makes the pursuit of racial unity and justice difficult, because people are coming from fundamentally different positions on what the problem is and how things can change.
The idea that the problem of racism is either only individual or only structural is, however, flawed. The two things are inseparable. It is individuals who create structure, and structures that shape individuals. If sin distorts the attitudes and behaviours of individuals, it will distort the structures they create. Sin then becomes embedded into structures, such that those structures continue to damage people long after their individual creators have gone.
Most of us lean towards favouring one perspective (either the individualist or the structuralist) over the other. As a generalisation, members of the majority group (White British people, in our context) tend to have a more individualist view on racism, while members of
minority groups tend to have a more structuralist view. Polarised views on this can create a barrier to racial unity and justice in church, because people struggle to agree on what the sin/injustice is, and therefore how to address it and move forward.
Here are some practical steps we can take to overcome this barrier:
All of us need to be aware of our own bias as we think about racism and seek to learn what we can from the opposite perspective.
For individualists, for instance, this might result in simply being prepared to listen, and not be dismissive whenever someone is speaking to you about, say, the legacy of colonialism, slavery and immigration legislation. It might mean resisting the temptation to recommend a book-debunking ‘woke’ culture as your first response. It might be as simple as not assuming that racism is somebody else’s problem because you would never insult anyone. It might look like reflecting on where the legacy of past sins of racism are still experienced the most in your church and local area, and what you might be able to do about it.
For structuralists, on the other hand, being aware of your bias might mean giving more attention to the progress in equality and employment law in recent history - perhaps there is room for more optimism than you might normally allow for.
It might also result in asking more often, “What responsibility do I have in this situation to bring change?” It might mean being willing to invest in friendship with someone who is different from you, trusting that it could have an impact for others in the church life too. It could look like asking, “Am I walking into situations in church life assuming the worst from those in the majority culture around me and so appearing distant or sceptical?”
It’s also wise to reflect on where we put our energy as we address this topic. One danger is that we are drawn into spending all our time critiquing wrong views, rather than working towards solutions. For evidence of this, take a look at Twitter on the issue of racism on any given day! It’s true that if we have the wrong diagnosis, we will offer the world the wrong cure. But we mustn’t draw attention away from the primary issue and so get side-tracked from actually developing and implementing the right plan. Perhaps a very simple question to ask would be, “When I feel I need to engage in a debate on racism, how will my actions (both inside and outside of the debate) show that my desire is to help the marginalised?”
Although the pandemic closed church doors for prolonged periods, it opened other avenues for the advancement of the Gospel, and many churches reported higher numbers attending their virtual services, compared to in-person meetings. Content was consumed on Zoom, You Tube, Television, and Christian radio. Even though church buildings have been re-opened, some worshippers are hesitant about returning, whilst some are enjoying the freedom to access a variety of worship experiences in one day. Churches are also having to maintain the interest of their new visitors. It was against this backdrop that Life Radio UK began its ministry; first on the internet and now simultaneously on a small-scale DAB Platform in Birmingham.
One concrete step towards having the right mindset is simply to cast the net wider in terms of who we invite into our lives and communities.
Scripture encourages us to ‘welcome others as Christ has welcomed us’ (Romans 15:7). I’m working with London City Mission to help everyone feel encouraged to invite their friends and communities to know Jesus. We’ve developed some helpful resources you can download for free at: lcm.org.uk/resources
This article is by Jason Roach, Director of Ministries from London City Mission, and is an extract from Healing the Divides, a book by Jason Roach and Jessamin Birdsall, which helps readers find ways to advance God’s vision for racial unity and justice.
Life Radio UK has a simple message - that Jesus is coming again, and our goal is to prepare listeners for that event. Founder and CEO, Mike Johnson said, “Before we can invite people to follow Christ, we must follow His example, and deal with their current needs; therefore, we will tackle the issues of everyday life, and will offer some possible solutions.”
He goes on to say, “Our programmes and music covers issues around faith, family, finance, personal health, and relationships. My personal show, ‘Outlook’, is a daily mix of music and features for ‘Body, Mind, and Spirit’ to start the day between 7-9 a.m. Across our live programmes, listeners can join the conversation via WhatsApp, Email, or phone-in. We are producing content that will appeal to the listener, whether they are a believer, or not. We will debate all ideas and respect all opinions, and the disadvantaged will be included” he said.
The studio is based in Milton Keynes and operates 24/7 through a network of Presenters broadcasting from their home location, with the flexibility to be ‘live’ or pre-recorded. The station can be accessed online at www.liferadio.uk, via the Radioplayer App (UK only), and on DAB Radio in North Birmingham (Channel 9A).
The music philosophy emphasises the ‘smoother side of Gospel’ and the teachings are easy on the ear because the target audience is the listener who is yet to make a decision for Christ. Existing believers will also be served with content designed to strengthen their relationship with Christ. You can reach Mike Johnson by email on mike@liferadio.uk, or call 07757 816316.
Carol Stewart shares why it’s important to celebrate Black history and achievement all year round.
It was just a few years ago that we saw news headlines, such as Councils condemned for ‘shameful’ rebranding of Black History Month, and Black History Month was being replaced with ‘Diversity Month’ by some local authorities. But events of the past couple of years, triggered by the brutal murder of George Floyd, put paid to that for some of those organisations, and Black History Month was reinstated to their agenda.
Changing Black History Month to Diversity Month is a bit like those who argue all lives matter to those who advocate Black lives matter. And just like with the response to that argument, yes, diversity of all ethnicities is important, as is the recognition of the contribution they have made to this country. But there is still a need for Black History Month because of the way Black people have been treated historically, and because of the lack of information that is widely shared, not just about the atrocities, but also the rich heritage of people of African descent (that goes beyond the period of Transatlantic enslavement of Africans).
We should not need to have a month specifically for Black history because it should be integrated throughout the year. The reason we still need it has been particularly evident the past couple of years because of the
knock-on effect of systemic racism we saw being played out - and have seen played out time and time again.
Some organisations choose to put a sticking plaster over it by way of putting all their staff through unconscious bias training; blacking out their logos on their social media platforms, and providing activities for their employees.
Sticking plasters do not fix the problem, however. A growing body of research shows that unconscious bias training does not work. I am sure the officer who killed George Floyd will have received diversity and inclusion, and unconscious bias training due to the nature of the job. Yet still, in that moment when faced with that situation, racial bias kicked in.
Diversity and inclusion have grown into a billion-pound industry in and of itself - a far cry from the days when the organisation I worked in appointed the first diversity officer for the region, about 18 years ago. I was the diversity champion for my area and remember being baffled as to why it had to be a separate
function to the core business. I thought it should be integral to everything.
At the time I thought this ‘fad’ would be over in a few years because it would become business as usual and fully embedded into the culture of organisations. How wrong was I.
Whilst we have seen some improvements, it is not enough. Particularly when it comes to race. Something is systemically wrong if a whole industry can be formed to address an issue and the industry grows year on year, yet the issue remains unresolved.
“The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 13:21
For the solution, perhaps at a basic level, we need to turn to the words of wisdom provided by Scripture, namely, to love your neighbour as yourself (‘neighbour’ being our fellow humans). If everyone were to follow these wise words, there would be no racism or other forms of discrimination.
But, unfortunately, the errant nature of some people gives rise to certain individuals - whether consciously or unconsciouslybelieving that they are better than others and exerting their privilege and power over others.
So, as we move into November, do not put Black history (and what it entails) away for another year, only to dust it off again next October. Let’s keep the conversation going. Let’s keep challenging systemic racism. Let’s keep educating each other. And let’s love our ‘neighbours’ as ourselves.
Carol Stewart is an executive, career and leadership coach, speaker and trainer specialising in introverted women. She coaches women to lead with confidence, influence and impact. Her book, Quietly Visible: Leading with Influence and Impact as an Introverted Woman, is available at https://amzn.to/ 2Zeqty2 Fore more information visit www.aboundingsolutions.com
A formally enslaved woman in the Caribbean, Mary Prince’s voice made a significant contribution to the abolition of the slave trade.
The book, A History of Mary Prince, was published in 1831, which detailed the inhumane treatment of enslaved Africans on British plantations.
Prince’s story revealed the awful experience of Black women but also demonstrated a resolute belief in God, and commitment to abolition.
Clare Williams is founder of Get Real Apologetics.
My work in education, which has included raising achievement in an inner-city school and winning the borough’s Outstanding Teacher Award, would have been cut short had I not received the support of Professor Gus John.
I was denied a maintenance grant, and without it I would have been unable to embark on a four-year teacher training programme. I pleaded for the decision to be reconsidered to the then Director of Education at Hackney Council, Gus John. Three days later I received a letter overturning the original ruling, which enabled me to begin my studies and become a qualified teacher.
I’m grateful to Professor John for his stellar work in education, and for giving me the opportunity to train to be a teacher. His legacy of changing lives through education continues.
Juliet Coley BCAe is an award-winning educator and publisher who retired as a senior deputy headteacher after 20 years in education.
I salute Lord Bill Morris, one of Britain’s very own Labour movement veterans. Lord Morris was the first Black General Secretary of a trade union – notwithstanding the largest union in the UK, the Transport and General Workers’ Union - and is one of the most influential Black people in Britain.
From childhood I have been inspired by seeing this high-profile Black man in the public domain, promoting human dignity, fairness and equality. He is an exceptional leader with strong values, uncompromising in his belief, and a positive role model for Black boys. He fittingly served as the Patron for my charity, Black Boys Can, for many years.
Dr Cheron Byfield is a visionary, trailblazer, transformational leader, author and co-founder of the educational charity, Excell3 and King Solomon International Business School, Birmingham.
Dillibe Onyeama was the first Black person to finish their studies at Eton College – one of the most well-known educational establishments in the world. Although Tokunbo Akanni Akintola, the 13-year‐old son of the then Prime Minister of Western Nigeria, became the first to be enrolled at the prestigious school in 1964, Onyeama was the first Black student to graduate from Eton.
Onyeama was banned from visiting the school by then headmaster Michael McCrum for 50 years after writing a book - Nigger at Eton - about his experiences of racism at the school. However, he opened the door to the school that has educated the most UK Prime Ministers for future Black students.
Muyiwa Olarewaju is a gospel artist, station director, and presenter of Turning Point International.
As part of Black History Month, Keep The Faith asked leading Christians to name a Black hero or shero and share the reasons for their choice. Here are their responses…
MY BLACK HERO: PROFESSOR GUS JOHN
MY BLACK HERO: MARY PRINCE
MY BLACK HERO: DILLIBE ONYEAMA
MY BLACK HERO: BILL MORRIS BARON MORRIS OF HANDSWORTH
“If the devil said to me, ‘Black Lives Matter,’ I would agree with him. Would I argue with him to hell about it? No, I would not.”
Thought-provoking and simply brilliant. These were the words of the late Rev Dr Joel Edwards, delivered during a Christian Evidence Society webinar, ‘Which Lives Matter?’
He was unlike any other leader known to my generation. Impressive in faith and statesmanship, he would garner the attention of any people - irrespective of demographic - for such was his calibre; he made everyone listen.
He challenged the long-held typecast of the clergy man as one who excelled only within the confines of the church or among the faithful. He was a blueprint for cutting-edge ministry that showcased the credibility of Christ. Through his unique style, he championed young Black ministers to pursue the call and the Black Church to do justice that benefits society.
We are better because he showed us we can do better.
Rev Dr Garrick Wilson is Senior Pastor, NTCG Reading, Berkshire; a research scientist and medical academic at two leading universities and affiliated hospitals where he works in cancer research and infectious disease control.
For half a century, Father Olu Abiola, Chair of the Council of African and Caribbean Churches, has been a builder of bridges for better understanding between African Indigenous churches and other churches in Britain. From the British Council of Churches to Churches Together he has ensured participation by African and Caribbean churches in national ecumenical affairs. He has been the outstanding African ecumenist in Britain.
Father Abiola has been an inspirational figure in his exemplary practice of inter-denominational and cross-cultural relationships in Britain since the 1970s. He has been for me a reassuring father figure in the important work Churches Together does. He has also shed much light on the importance of the prayer ministry of whitegarmented Christian movements, like Aladura.
Bishop Joe Aldred is a retired Christian ecumenist, writer, speaker and broadcaster and part of the National Church Leaders Forum.
We are currently appealing to Black communities to come forward and consider adoption.
Sadly, due to a shortage of adopters, Black African and Black Caribbean children, and children with dual or multiple-heritage, often wait longer to be adoptedalongside sibling groups and children with complex needs.
If you’re thinking about adoption, talk to us. All enquiries are
Find out more on www.adoptioncounts.org.uk
Alogical theme to write on in this Black History Month edition is one of recognition and dealing with racial trauma. Racial trauma is an emotional response to experiences of any form of racism, including violence, humiliation and microaggression. Traumatic experiences activate the release of stress hormones, and this release causes a range of physiological changes, including increased heart rate and heightened mental alertness. Empirical data supports the view that racial trauma is detrimental to both physical and mental health. It is reasonable to agree with the Royal College of Psychiatrists that ‘racism and racial discrimination is one of many factors which can have a significant, negative impact on a person’s life chances and mental health’.
A major hinderance to personal and community recovery from such trauma is lack of recognition, denial of its existence and absence of know-how.
The most descriptive definition I found of racism was that of Clark, which states that it is ‘beliefs, attitudes, behaviours, and institutional and systemic approaches that degrade, belittle and devalue groups based on the colour of their skin or ethno-racial background’.
Those exposed to racism may be more likely to experience mental health problems, such as psychosis, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Other symptoms include fear, aggression, anxiety, low self-image, shame, hypervigilance, pessimism, nightmares, poor concentration, substance abuse and relational problems. The 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey showed that, although Black British adults had the highest mean score for severity of mental health symptoms, they were the least likely to receive treatment for
mental illness. Numerous other studies have documented the disproportionate differential risk of mental health problems in people of ethnic backgrounds.
There are proven and learnable strategies for recovery from this trauma. Recognition is a key starting point. What emotions do you experience when facing racial stress? Attending to those strong emotional responses that result from the trauma is important. Anxiety, fear, anger, shame, resentment, guilt and confusion are all legitimate reactions. Denying that one feels this way - and sweeping the emotions under the carpet - is detrimental. Finding a safe, healthy way to acknowledge and name your feelings is a first step in the right direction. Be it through informal means of talking to an empathetic friend or family member; membership of a support group; keeping a journal, or the formal means of seeking counselling or therapy, getting it off your chest is crucial when you have been violated by racism. Offering forgiveness is a key part of that soul repair process. Research supports the notion that forgiveness enables us to disentangle from the toxicity and chemical chaos associated with not letting go of hurts.
Sheila Wise Rowe (Counselling Psychologist) in her book, Healing Racial Trauma: The Road to Resilience, adopts a psycho-socio-spiritual Christian approach. She opines that ‘there is a benefit to having a soul care plan that is holistic, involving spiritual, emotional, physical, relational and vocational lives. Good soul care involves knowing when and how to rest, de-stress, expose injustice, and advocate for individual needs and those of others. Staying connected to community results in learning and engaging in ways that build resilience across generations. For many,
church, meditating on Scriptures, gospel music, [and] listening to prayer helped them to live resiliently’. Rowe reckons the ‘healing journey begins as one openly shares what happened and how they feel about it’.
Seeking help via statutory health services, starting with the GP as first port of call to explore therapy options, is one I will advocate if any features of post-traumatic stress are identified.
Self-compassion demands that you discard the damaging message of racism: that difference is a defect. Practical but simple steps, such as making a list of the things you have achieved or are proud of in your life, can be liberating in diluting the venom of negative stereotyping.
Intentionally surrounding yourself with people who know and celebrate your value and worth is a means of preventing re-traumatisation. It’s crucial that you regularly obtain a boost to your self-esteem if you are a constant recipient of racial abuse. Steering away from persons, places and spaces that are triggers is part of that process.
Breaking the mental stronghold of feeling powerless against racism is another empowering step. Gaining power back may entail a change of scenery or your perception of the situation. One method that has worked well for me is reminding myself that my value lies not in the hands of others, but in my identity as a much loved and cherished son of my heavenly Father. No one chooses to be a recipient of racial abuse, however, as demoralising as it could be, we can find empowerment in choosing our response.
Dr T Ayodele Ajayi MBchB FRCPsych is a consultant psychiatrist, founder and convenor of The Tripart Care Emotional Well-being Hub and has a YouTube channel called TriPart Care.
Dr T Ayodele Ajayi shares practical steps an individual can take to deal with the mental and emotional effects of racism
This year has witnessed a number of high-profile anniversaries, such as Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the 25th anniversary of Britain’s handover of Hong Kong to China. However, from a church perspective, one important anniversary that has gone under the radar has been the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the British Council of Churches (BCC). The BCC, which was instigated by Archbishop William Temple in 1942, had, among other things, the remit of ‘… facilitating common evangelical action among the churches, promoting international friendship and stimulating a sense of social responsibility’. Such a church body would now be described as ‘ecumenical’, a term that has become synonymous with the muchvaunted ideal of promoting Christian unity.
The founding BCC denominations at the time included: the Church of England; the Episcopalians of Scotland, Ireland and Wales; the English Presbyterians; the Presbyterian Church of Scotland; the Methodists; the Congregationalists; the Churches of Christ; the Baptists; the Quakers; the Unitarians, and the Salvation Army. The Greek Orthodox Church became a member in 1965, and the BCC later became the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland (CCBI) to include the Catholic Church. Today, the BCC/CCBI is known as Churches Together in Britain and Ireland or CTBI.
The BCC’s formation took place in the same decade as the arrival of the SS Empire Windrush, and it soon became engaged in what was known as ‘race’ or ‘community’ relations work to address prejudice and inequality. The organisation was aware that Britain at that time was a deeply racist country with none of the legislation that safeguarded and protected the UK’s largely Black and Asian communities from the overt and pernicious racism in employment, housing, health and the criminal justice system. It later established the groundbreaking Community and Race Relations Unit (CRRU) in 1971 to help tackle some of the structural issues linked to racism and the struggle for justice in society.
The BCC was also keen to connect with ‘West Indian’ churches - as they were known at the time – that were established by the ‘Windrush’ Caribbean arrivers. It was keen to not only know more about these congregations, but to engage with them in ways that would see them join what was a largely White, parachurch grouping. For instance, it commissioned the then vicar and academic, Dr Clifford Hill, to explore this emerging religious phenomenon. His findings appeared in a 1971 publication, Black Churches: West Indian and African Sects in Britain. While this book has an anachronistic, unhelpful title, it was one of the first pieces of research into BMCs (Black-majority churches) in Britain.
In the 1990s, the CRRU was replaced by the Churches Commission for Racial Justice (CCRJ), which took a more dynamic approach to addressing issues of injustice in Church and society. The CCRJ would subsequently initiate Racial Justice Sunday after the racist killing of Black teenager, Stephen Lawrence, in London in April 1993. It also established a Racial Justice Fund that helped community groups and churches to tackle racism and immigration matters, such as contesting the deportations of those seeking refuge in this country.
Interestingly, the first Black-led churches to join the BCC were not of Caribbean heritage, but indigenous Christian congregations from continental Africa. These days, the BMCs are an integral part of the ecumenical movement in Britain and Ireland, and have added some much-needed spiritual pep to the grouping. What is more, as Britain and Ireland become more diverse demographically, the corresponding BMC presence is changing the Christian landscape.
In October 1979, the BCC organised the groundbreaking ‘Unity in Love: a Celebration’ church service at the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral in London, which aimed to celebrate the diversity of British Christianity by bringing together members of the BCC’s historic denominations and African-Caribbean and African-heritage congregations. The music, choirs, singers, prayers and preaching that day reflected those in attendance.
For many years, Rev Nezlin Sterling, from the New Testament Assembly, was a CTBI President, while Patricia White, from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, remains a key CTBI Trustee. However, while the BMCs now have a place at the ecumenical table, the challenge is ensuring that they are given the proverbial microphone so they can ‘speak and be heard’. It can be argued that the 80th anniversary of the BCC is an important opportunity to assess the ecumenical journey, and the role the BMCs have played in this.
“... as Britain and Ireland become more diverse demographically, the corresponding BMC presence is changing the Christian landscape”
RICHARD REDDIE is an author, and Director of Justice and Inclusion - Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
Black History Month gives Black Britons a chance to reflect on how far they’ve come, where they are going and to celebrate Black achievement.
There’s no denying there has been progress.
Members of the Windrush Generation who are still alive can look on proudly, as their children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren receive the education, careers and recognition they desired for their families when migrating to the UK.
Such has been the growing influence of the Black community, Powerful Media publishes The Black Power List every year. It contains details of the 100 most influential Black people in British society, across all fields of endeavour: business, religion, art, sport and much more.
As British society and the wider world have reflected on the life of HM Queen Elizabeth II, it is evident there has been a sea change in how the views and opinions of Black people are valued.
During the media coverage of the Queen’s death, funeral and the installation of King Charles III, there has been a notable increase in the sought-after opinions of Black media commentators and pundits. This would never have been the case had this historic moment taken place 10 or 20 years ago.
The role of Black people in British society is also changing. The new Prime Minister Liz Truss has chosen a number of Black MPs and women to be part of her cabinet, including
Like I said, there’s no doubting that progress has been made in the corridors of power and influence, however we cannot and must not lose sight of the negative experiences some members of our community are still facing, especially in the criminal justice system.
The recent killing of an unarmed Chris Kaba, following a police car chase in Streatham, is a reminder there is much work to be done in dismantling racism and its impact on the lives of young Black men.
Neither can we ignore that, despite the great advances that have been made, the Caribbean community in now an ageing one due to a decline in our birth rate. Conversely, there has been a rise in the mixed-race community, as more of the Caribbean community are marrying out.
And it’s evident that, compared to the early decades of the Black presence in Britain from the 1950s onwards, there are now more people of African and Caribbean descent in positions of power and influence.
Black people now lead charities and businesses, and enjoy highly paid and successful careers. Some have even been recognised for their achievements in the late Queen’s Honours List and have received the highest awards possible.
The question needs to be asked, what implications does this have for the Black Caribbean Church and its future existence? And will other Black communities in the UK follow a similar path, as they become more influenced by White British culture?
I say it’s all very interesting. Progress is being made. But at what cost?
Who knows what those implications - our progress and ageing community - will have for the Black Church? It will be interesting to watch this unfold.
Kwasi Kwarteng, the first ever Black Chancellor of the Exchequer – very different from the all-White and predominantly male cabinets I recall from my youth.
marciadixonpr.co.uk marciadixonpr Marcia-Dixon-Public-Relations FOOD THOUGHT4
Chris Kaba
Kwasi Kwarteng
I’m a person who loves a good inspiring quote and the one below ticks all the right boxes:
‘Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strength. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.’
The implied sentiment rings true. No matter what endeavours we undertake in life, it’s always great to experience success, but strangely, attaining success doesn’t necessarily build character or fortitude.
It’s the hard times we go through - the failures, rejections, disappointments, challenges, illnesses and betrayals - that help to build character, resilience, fortitude and mental strength.
As a teenager growing up in church, preachers often spoke about trials (the word we use nowadays is ‘challenges’), but didn’t present them as a bad thing. We were told trials made you stronger, better and, more importantly, drew you closer to God. If you were blessed and prayerful, God might work a miracle on your behalf so that you overcame your trial and emerged victorious.
So if you are going through a trial - no matter how difficult - ask God for the strength to go through it and overcome it.
Over the years, one of the most talked about issues within the Black Christian community has been the issue of singleness and the difficulty some believers experience finding a life partner
It’s a topic I have written about a lot during my journalism career, and because it’s an issue that is very dear to people’s hearts, I have decided that my debut book should be on the subject.
The book, which will be out in the forthcoming months, is entitled Black, Christian and Single: A collection of essays about singleness in Britain’s Black Pentecostal Church
It features writing by Christians of all ages on the joy, pain and challenges of single life as a Black Christian. Topics covered include abstinence, femininity, divorce, online dating and more.
Look out for it.
We can all do little things for our mental health
Search ‘Every Mind Matters’ to see what works for youDon’t give up or give in. Trust God. He’ll bring you through and you’ll come out of your life challenges a better person.
up in the UK meant my school days included a morning assembly with morning worship, hymns and prayers. Recently, when l listened to reports of unpredicted climates, I had cause to reflect on one of those hymns, specifically a song written by Cecil Frances Alexander, an Anglo-Irish hymnwriter and poet. It goes:
All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small All things wise and wonderful ‘Twas God that made them all
Indeed, God is the Creator of all things, yet human activity continues to have a devastating effect on the planet. Whether you watch the climate crisis on BBC, Sky News, Al Jazeera or CNN, we cannot sit back and watch how the world is going down because of trouble caused by humanity. Climate change is no joke, and every human being needs to get involved before it is too late.
As a Pentecostal I love singing the hymns of praise and worship, and I also want to activate my faith in practical ways. In Genesis, Scripture tells us humans are set apart from all other creatures as ‘being created in the image of God’ – all humans are equal before God no matter who we are. However, we see and, in some cases, we experience that the world doesn’t actually work like this. The traumatic calamities of floods, extreme heat, and cyclones in recent months have made more people aware something is not right with our ecosystem.
Both people and planet are being displaced; birds are migrating out of seasons; fishes and whales are diminishing... In truth, it feels like creation is now disordered and the wonderful cycle of seasons God created
is now distorted. Our climate has really changed. We no longer experience the normal cycle of dry and rainy seasons. We no longer enjoy the freshness of the air and the waters in our rivers and seas. We can no longer stay out in the sun because of its penetrating heat. Yet still, I believe that human beings are given the responsibility to care and protect all that God has made: land, seas, air, water, birds, plants and all living creatures. God made human beings stewards of His good and beautiful creation. But collectively we have failed miserably in our responsibility.
Greed and self-interest, together with a total wantonness and disregard for the welfare of creation, have driven our craving to have the latest new gadget. Reconciliation between the economy and ecology is urgently needed in order to stop the rapid destruction of the basic conditions of human beings throughout the world. It is not those trying to protect the environments who are the “criminals” here, but those destroying the environment for “profit” and “greed of money”. In that sense I guess I, like others, are calling for a new way of doing things.
God has made provision through land, water, fruits from the tree and food from the earth. In the air we breathe, we can feel His Spirit: the breath of life He gave all living beings. Climate change and environmental issues should become part of our spirituality, because land, water and air are essential parts of God’s wonderful creation. I want to encourage you to also embrace the climate-conscious spirit, so as to confront the powers who are procrastinating on actions that can save lives and livelihoods.
There is an uncomfortable truth at the heart of the climate justice message: it is true that wealthy countries in the global north hold responsibility for driving climate change, but this does not mean individuals are not to blame for climate change. The reality is, the changing climate is a result of how our society has developed over time and how it is currently structured and, since the issue is a systemic one, we should all recognise we are all part of the system that has perpetuated this injustice. As part of this system, it is our shared responsibility - both as individuals and as communities - to use our voices and actions to leave the world a better place than we found it.
We have taken so much from the land that it feels natural for us to continue doing what has always been done. When populations are increasing and the demand for food is multiplying, some will argue it is justified. But it is vital to keep hearing the importance of the environment and the need for balance in the ecosystem, which, if lost, means an important part of creation is lost. Our challenge is to care for the creation God has entrusted to us, and we must act collectively and in our individual capacity, so that our climate and environment will survive and continue to be bright and beautiful for the generations that will come after us.
DIONNE GRAVESANDE
Global Ecumenical Relations at Christian Aid
BY REV STEPHEN BROOKS
Sincethe unlawful death of George Floyd in May 2020, there has been a greater awareness of long-standing racial disparities in British society. For some it is all too much, and there has been an increase of Black people leaving the UK to live in the Caribbean and Africa. For others the response has been to leave White-led congregations to return to Black-led, Black-Majority churches (BLBMCs).
Coming out of a global lockdown, every church is under enormous pressure to become more relevant to its members and the local community. One of the greatest challenges for the Black-led, Black-Majority church today is how to become a multicultural ministry.
In response to this challenge, several Black-led, Black-Majority church denominations facilitated a Youth Evangelism programme. The initiative was piloted in Birmingham over three days in August. Young Christians were supported by senior leaders and positive role models, like Rev Les Isaac and Bishop Wilton Powell (pictured below). The weekend was designed to develop young people to gain an understanding of ethnic identities in the area of Cross-Cultural Evangelism. In my opinion this is one of the most effective ways to break down the walls of racism.
The Bible talks about strongholds where certain sins dominate a region:
Sexual perversion dominated Sodom and Gomorrah (Jude 1:7). Intellectual pride overtook Athens (Acts 17:18). This type of stronghold of sin requires divine intervention to destroy them. When one is ‘born again’, a person becomes a ‘new person’, following a new master, with new goals and values (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Both the Old and New Testaments evidence that God is actively involved in cross-cultural ministry and commands us to reach out to every ethnic group. “It is too small a thing for You to be My servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make You a light for the Gentiles, that You may bring My salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6, NIV).
The Church has been multicultural since the day it was born on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:5-11).
The Bible is the best cross-cultural tool we have; it is the world’s bestseller with the most translations of any book. The full Bible is translated into 717 different languages (Wycliffe Bible Translators). A member of any culture can use the Bible to relate to God and to other people. Differences are normal but the devil seeks to exploit this in both Christian and secular settings.
Cross-Cultural Evangelism is not a ‘nice-to-have’; it is necessary for the Church not only to be relevant to the African Caribbean diaspora, but to other cultures at large in the communities they exist. Paul exemplifies this in his first letter to the church in Corinth:
“To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as
one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:20-23).
Today, most Black-led Black-Majority churches are very active in online evangelism via YouTube TV channels, social media platforms and live streaming of services. This is to be commended, but the core aspect of Cross-Cultural Evangelism is all of the below:
• Cup of cold water – expressing tangibly who Christ is in practical help
• Invitational – “Come with me”
• Prophetic – “The Bible says” – often identified with street evangelism
• Apologetic – point-by-point logic – often exercised in home group Bible studies
• Testimonial – “One thing I do know: I was blind but now I see” – expressed within a church service
• Relational – everyday evangelism as an exemplary life to family and friends
• Most importantly – but being practised less and less – is to verbally share the Gospel with an unbeliever.
We are not just to live holy lives. Christians must not forget that evangelism requires a verbal proclamation of the Gospel, i.e. to give a complete and intentional witness to the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, calling unbelievers to become disciples of Jesus Christ by repenting of their sins and placing their faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 10:42, Romans 10:15, Ephesians 3:8 and 2 Timothy 4:1-2).
“Jesus did not say that the whole world should go to church, but He did say that the whole Church should go to the world.”
Mount Peniel Church, Stafford www.mountpenielchurch.org.uk
BY GARY CLAYTON Copywriter at Mission Aviation Fellowship
Before the pandemic, my family had a number of concerns. But when all four of us caught COVID-19, we had only one – survival!
So, having emerged from this coronavirus-dominated season, I found myself wondering what – if anything – this challenging period has taught us:
that ‘the wages of sin is death’, as Romans 6:23 tells us, with Adam’s life-threatening ailment passing itself on to every human being, ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23)
So maybe it’s time people realised that sin is an even deadlier enemy than coronavirus – and belief in Jesus, the cure. As CS Lewis pointed out, ‘God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.’
that, although some of those who got COVID-19 were mercifully spared, we’ll all die of something sometime. As a friend pointed out, “We’re all on Death Row; we just don’t know the execution date!”
that, although we may think life revolves around us and our actions, it doesn’t! We are totally dependent on God – the Giver of life – and need to look to Him.
As Revelation 3:17 reminds us, ‘You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.’ Without the breath God gives us each day, we are nothing.
that, despite the propaganda disseminated in the press, neither the media, the ‘science’ (which tends to depend on which scientists
you listen to), nor our own politicians can actually control events.
As Psalm 146:3-4 warns, ‘Do not put your trust in… human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.’
that the presence of coronavirus is surely a wake-up call to a complacent, spiritually somnolent society that pays little heed to God or the future.
James 4:13-15 says, ‘Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow… You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”’
How often do we make plans, then ask God to bless them, rather than asking Him first what those plans should be?
that it’s often been said ‘there are no atheists in foxholes’. History shows that uncertainty and adversity can be an effective means of bringing people to their knees, and into Jesus’ arms.
As the refrain from Psalm 107 reminds us, ‘Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.’
that, as 1 Corinthians 12:26 explains, ‘if one part suffers, every part suffers with it’, with Romans 12:12-15 telling us to be ‘joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer’ as we ‘rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.’
So, even though we in the UK haven’t been invaded by Putin or executed by the Taliban, Christians should expect war and persecution
– sadly – with believers supporting those undergoing a ‘fiery ordeal’ (1 Peter 4:12-16).
‘SO MAYBE IT’S TIME PEOPLE REALISED THAT SIN IS AN EVEN DEADLIER ENEMY THAN CORONAVIRUS – AND BELIEF IN JESUS, THE CURE.’
Although we can find consolation in the fact that God ‘makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the shields with fire’ (Psalm 46:9), Matthew 24:6 warns that we will nevertheless ‘hear of wars and rumours of wars.’
Indeed, as 1 Thessalonians 5:3 cautions, ‘While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.’
We saw this in the wars of 1914 and 1939 – the Great War being all the more poignant because Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, King George V of England and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia were all cousins, and four of Queen Victoria’s granddaughters were married to the monarchs of Greece, Norway, Romania and Spain.
Extraordinary, too, is the fact that the Kingdom of Saxony’s 1815-1918 national anthem; Russia’s 1816-1833 imperial anthem; the German empire’s 1871-1918 national anthem; the national anthem of Liechtenstein; the royal anthem of Norway, and Switzerland’s former national anthem all had the same melody as ‘God Save The Queen’!
It’s a reminder that, however different the nations might be, our common humanity unites us.
Gary Clayton is married to Julie, the father of Christopher (18) and Emma (15) and works for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). To learn how MAF pilots deliver help, hope and healing to some of the world’s most isolated areas, visit www.maf-uk.org
Waverley Abbey College’s part-time programmes equip you with skills and knowledge to release your God-given potential to operate in roles that help people.
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all year round to avoid disrupted sleep from excess heat and night sweats.
Gut issues: I’ve used gut reset and diet changes to resolve bloating and heartburn. Whilst not strictly vegan/vegetarian, my diet has a plant-based slant, which has helped resolve gut issues.
• You only manage a few hours’ sleep at night and wake up exhausted most days
• You head into an air-conditioned meeting room with sweat running down your forehead, and everyone wondering if you’re OK
• You are presenting at an important meeting and suddenly your mind goes blank
Perhaps some of you can relate to what I experienced during my transition into the menopause some years ago. At midlife, we lose hormones which can have a dramatic impact on our lives during what’s called the Menopause.
Menopause – What is it?
Menopause is when a woman’s periods stop due to lower hormone (oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone) levels and usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. A woman reaches menopause when she has not had a period for 12 consecutive months. It’s important to mention the peri-menopause: symptoms women experience before periods actually stop.
Apart from hot flushes, other common symptoms include poor sleep, night sweats, aches/joint pain, itchy/dry skin, low sex drive, changed body shape and weight gain (especially around the tummy), vaginal dryness, itching, pain and discomfort during sex.
Psychological symptoms include mood swings, irritability, low mood, anxiety, low self-esteem, poor focus concentration and memory (brain fog).
There are approximately 35 symptoms of menopause which can have a big impact on daily life, relationships and social lives. Every woman’s menopause experience is unique and different. Some women have many symptoms, while others have few. Symptoms may last a few months for some, and years for others.
Despite the horror stories you may have heard, or maybe you’ve had troublesome symptoms yourself, I can tell you midlife is amazing. This is my experience.
Being post-menopausal I have a renewed sense of freedom and purpose. I’m free of dreaded monthly periods; I’ve taken time to focus on my selfcare, health and well-being, so as a result I am healthier and fitter than I was 10 years ago. I know this can be the same for you. Here are practical ways I’ve managed some of my symptoms.
Mindset: This verse - ‘Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering.’ (3 John1:2 TPT) - is my default position. I believe it is God’s intention that I am healthy and well in body, mind and spirit. This gives me the basis to maintain a positive mindset/outlook; seek out solutions to help me live healthily, and to help cope with my symptoms. I have a faith, evidence and practical-based approach to menopause care.
Poor sleep: God’s Word promises, ‘I will lie down, and my sleep will be sweet’ in Proverbs 3:24 NIV (paraphrased), so I declare this. I use essential oils/lavender pouches and maintain a good sleep routine. I use a summer duvet
Anxiety/stress: Though not typically anxious, I can experience pressure at times, so I use the verse in Philippians 4:6 NKJV whenever I feel ‘anxious’. I literally say, “Bukky, don’t worry about anything.” I also use a breathing technique, where I breathe in God’s peace and exhale anxiety. This is helpful and effective for me.
What you can do to help with your menopause transition
• Get informed. Menopause awareness is key for any woman over 40
• Adopt a positive attitude and mindset, it helps!
• Know your body and your symptoms
• Seek help. Visit your doctor. If you don’t get the help you need, ask to be referred to a specialist menopause practitioner. Ask for a double appointment if you feel you may need more time, or consider seeking out a private practitioner, via the British Menopause Society website
• When dealing with symptoms, patience is key
• Work on your nutrition, fitness, sleep, stress, support and reduce/stop alcohol or tobacco use
While I have shared my experiences, I am aware every woman’s transition to menopause is unique. Do understand that help is available. Don’t just soldier on and endure unbearable symptoms, consult your own doctor or find a practitioner with a holistic and evidencebased approach to menopause care. This phase of life can be amazing! It is my desire and prayer that we all have good health and well-being and live a Vibrant MidlifeTM
Pharmacist/health coach Bukky Ayoade shares some insights on how to overcome menopausal symptoms and live life to the fullBukky Ayoade is a pharmacist, health coach, author and speaker with a special interest in Women’s Health, in particular the menopause transition. Visit www.vibrantmidlife.com for more information.
Health and fitness coach Olivia Williams shares lifestyle changes that can ward off weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure and attain good health
The secret to success in every area of life is simply good health! And what I’ve come to realise is, at the heart and foundation of any great community lie the health disciplines and principles of its people. If health is not at the forefront of the individual’s knowledge, an entire community would perish (Hosea 4:6). It’s vital for people to be in good health for any community to survive.
Taking care of your spirit, soul and physical health has never been more urgent in the challenging days we’re currently living in and, as the seasons change, it’s time to be extra vigilant about our health as the enemy is walking around ‘like’ a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:-8-10).
As the cold temperatures and grey skies appear, we enter into ‘flu season’. We also tend to lose those good summer habits, like eating more salad, exercising and drinking more water. It’s tempting at this time to curl up inside the house with some cultural comfort food, while reflecting on Black history.
Eating a pot of starchy carbohydrates soup can make you feel good, but it can also leave you feeling very sluggish and can cause your blood sugar level to spike, followed by a ‘crash’ and urge to eat more of the same.
Highly processed sugar can be found in the cultural foods we eat and drink, and have been linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke and other lifestylerelated diseases. Have you ever considered how much sugar you consume? A 330ml bottle of ‘Supermalt’ contains over 3.5 tablespoons of sugar; ‘Nourishment’ contains over 4 tablespoons; some well-known jerk sauces have over 8.5 tablespoons, and a 100g loaf of hard dough bread contains over 2.5 tablespoons.
Did you also know that diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health threats to the Black
population? Research suggests Black people are three times more likely to develop this disease. It’s a serious disease with potential harmful effects, such as kidney failure, nerve damage, stroke, heart attacks, skin conditions... and it has even been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Reduce the consumption of excess salt, eg. avoid crackers and too much seasoning
3. Read food and drink labels (or ask someone to check for you) to save you from the hidden sugars
4. Get fresh air and natural sunlight - we need vitamin D in response to our skin’s exposure to sunlight - and drink plenty of water daily
5. Eat lots of garlic; it’s a diuretic and helps prevent blood pressure from rising too high, and it’s a great anti-inflammatory medicine
6. Aim to exercise for 20 minutes five times a week
7. Get a proper amount of sleep and relaxation daily
8. Eat more ‘living’ foods (such as natural fruit and vegetables) instead of processed foods, and include more protein rather than starchy carbohydrates in every meal
Studies have found a link between glucose and fat. The digestive system breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugar, called glucose, and when the sugar has nowhere to go, it turns into fat, and too much fat inside your cells can literally interfere with your insulin.
Insulin holds the key to your cell; it’s the key that has the power to open or close out glucose, which your muscle cells need for fuel. Without insulin present, glucose simply builds up in your blood.
Unlike natural sugar found in fruit and veg, which is dependent on its ripeness, processed sugar found in some of our favourite cultural foods has chemicals and acids added to it.
The good news is that through nutrition and exercise you can avoid these traps, so remember to follow my Top Ten Tips:
1. Reduce the consumption of processed sugar
9. Take a look at what’s currently in your cupboards and fridge. Be honest with yourself and remove any food or drink that may hinder your progress. It’s much better and easier to remove temptation than see your hard work and progress ruined by poor choices
10. Schedule exercise in your calendar as you would your weave, nail, gym or medical appointments. Exercise is a great stress reducer and it has been proven to ease depression and anxiety. If you are not exercising and don’t know what to do, visit scriptfit.com
Olivia Williams is founder of ScriptFit, a qualified health and fitness coach, personal trainer, weight loss and exercise specialist, nutritionist and public speaker. For more information visit www.scriptfit.com
Doyou know with certainty that God loves you and cares for you deeply? Amid a global pandemic, many may wonder where God’s focus is, as war, unemployment, fear, depression and doubt seem to have risen to an all-time high. At times, when it feels like you are being tossed, poked and pressed from all sides, it becomes easier to believe that we may not really be the apple of God’s eye after all. Nevertheless, we must remember it is this life - and the people in it - that are unfair and often cruel, not God. So, do not be deceived. Your pain, heartache and brokenness are not God’s way of experimenting on humankind and using them as His own science project - with your life as the target for His chewy centre. No, on the contrary. The truth of the matter is, like His Son on the cross, your pain is His pain and not His joy.
to dwell among us (John 1:14). You see, John, who also suffered for his faith, knew all too well that he needed to encourage the many generations who find themselves lost while suffering mentally, physically and spiritually. John knew that, though we continue to cry out in despair through our personal lamentations, the Lord is indeed gracious, merciful and He is still just.
Beloved, God has ‘a love so large that it could look beyond sins and treasure the wayward people behind them. A love so powerful that it could patiently endure years of resistance, selfish pleasure-seeking, money-chasing and power-wielding. In the face of all this, God’s love says, “Even though you’re way off track, you still matter to Me!”’ (*Hybels, Mittelberg, 19).
Church, what does it take to really anchor in your heart, soul and mind how much God loves you and cares about your well-being, eternally? Those, who have accepted Jesus Christ as the authoritative Figure in their lives, see from Genesis to Revelation the Godhead never shrinks back, conceals or apologises for His harmonious purpose to reconcile, redeem and save mankind. And it is the book of Hebrews which seems to give us another detailed idea of God’s position on the matter. As disciples, we not only learn how far, wide, long and deep God’s love will go for the masses, but how far God is willing to go for you - in your personal hour of great need. Don’t you know God will never, under any circumstances, leave you nor forsake you?
or abandoned? Jesus says, “Fear not, My child, because I will never let you go nor give you up.” Maybe in the midst of your crisis all your resources, opportunities and places to lay your head have gone dry. Well, say to the enemy, “What a friend I have in Jesus, because God is faithful to His Word and He will never leave me without support!” In Christ, you will never be hopeless, because His mercies are new every morning. All day. Every day.
It’s for these reasons, Church, that we will never be consumed by the arrows, the deadly pestilence, plagues, addictions, mental illness, poverty, loneliness or death that seek to distort our trust, hope and faith resting in the one, true God. On that account, have confidence and assuredness when bearing your cross. Do not lose hope, because the God you serve is also acquainted with pain and grief - a God who did not sin but took on your sin by holding Himself accountable, though He did nothing wrong.
Perhaps this is why John the Apostle sought to remind mankind why God’s written Word became flesh and felt the need
Beloved, Jesus knows what loneliness feels like, therefore He will never desert you, no matter what sins you have committed. Have you ever been rejected, discarded
So, if you have been questioning whether God sees and hears you… He does. You need not ponder where your help comes from, because it still comes from the Almighty God, the Maker of heaven and earth. You need not worry what will happen to you, nor ought you lose sleep stressing over how your ends will meet; where you will live, and where you will get your next meal. Rejoice, I say, rejoice for He has redeemed you. He has called you by name, because You are His (Isaiah 43). And, for those reasons, His eye will always protect and watch over the sparrow, giving you more than enough because God, our great Provider, IS always enough.
Founder, author and podcast host DCL Ministries and PJC Media Network
Each
need them most as we seek to
everyone to Jesus.
“If no Bible had been in that prison cell, I would be in hell right now instead of living my life in the joy of the Lord!” Andy, former inmate, and recipient of a Bible from GOOD NEWS for Everyone!
So today I want to speak to you about myths surrounding vegan food - a common myth being that vegan living is expensive. This isn’t true but, before I explore why it isn’t true, let’s first talk about why the rumour is so pervasive.
Meat substitutes - as well as dairy substitutes - can be pricy when you compare them side by side with the animal products they are replacing. Ounce for ounce, a veggie burger can cost more than a hamburger. The truth is, however, that you’re going to eat much less of the substitutes than you would of the animal products.
Organic produce often does cost more than non-organic produce. However, you don’t have to eat organic to be vegan. You also don’t have to buy everything organic. You can choose to just buy non-organic food.
Vegetables and grains are much less expensive than meat and animal products. Don’t believe it? Try comparing the shopping lists. Go to the supermarket and buy your regular week’s worth of groceries based on a traditional diet. Don’t forget the eggs, milk and meat. Then create a vegan menu for the following week and go shopping. You’ll spend 50-75% less, because vegetables are cheaper than meat.
Can you spend more on a vegan diet? Absolutely. If you replace your meat with meat substitute items, and you eat only organic produce, then you can spend as much or even more – but you don’t have to. A vegan diet doesn’t have to break the bank.
Here is one of my favourite tasty, easy-to-make recipes:
Welcome to ‘Cook with Kirly-Sue’. I hope you will become a regular participant with me in discussing food and drink.
Let me start by telling you a little about this column. ‘Cook with Kirly-Sue’ is a celebration of the foods I like to eat. Simple enough, right? But this is only a start, because I hope you’ll share your favourites with me and all the other Keep The Faith readers! I will always share tasty, easy-to-make recipes and cooking tips with you.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via my social media handles, @KirlySuesKitchen.
1 onion, chopped
1 inch piece of ginger, minced
2 cloves of garlic
1 medium tomato
1 tsp all-purpose seasoning
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 a vegetable stock cube
1 tin butter beans
1/2 cup red lentils
coconut cream to taste
• Cook onion, ginger, garlic and tomato in a little water, and cook until soft
• Add vegetable stock cube
• Cook until stock cube has dissolved
• Add butter beans, lentils, all-purpose seasoning, curry powder and coconut cream, and add a little water (about 4-5 ounces)
• Cook on a low heat for 20-30 mins until the lentils are soft
• Remove from heat and serve
Kirly-Sue (aka Susanne Kirlew) is an award-winning published author, vegan social media influencer and TV presenter. Kirly-Sue was named as one of the Top 100 in the Lift Effects Star Awards. She has over 40,000+ followers across her social media.
Kirly-Sue stars in a vegan cooking show, entitled Kirly-Sue’s Global Kitchen, which is currently available on the Hope Channel UK. Produced by Kirly-Sue, the show highlights how easy it can be to cook tasty vegan meals using fresh ingredients. The three-part series, filmed in the UK and on location in Montego Bay, Jamaica, brings together vegan cooking, travel and a panel of taste-testers for a show that is both informative and entertaining. Visit http://kirlysueskitchen.co.uk for more information.
Weoften hear of weddings taking place in faraway destinations, such as Dubai or in the beautiful Caribbean islands, or on cruise ships. But some couples stay behind in the UK - even with the unpredictable, barmy and cold UK summers - because of affordability, and some travel back to their countries of origin to hold mostly colourful, traditional weddings with their respective families, who travel in from home and abroad.
The UK weather has been different this year. With mostly uninterrupted sunshine - even warranting hosepipe bans around the country - there was no barmy, cold UK summer this time around. Not this year. It has been a brilliant summer of 2022, which was too hot at times, but I wasn’t complaining!
My daughter’s wedding had been booked to take place way way after the troubling period of COVID and lockdowns, which had ruined the wedding plans for so many couples who had had to reschedule their weddings for the following year or even the year after.
It’s only when my daughter and her husband held their wedding in Holkham, Norfolk in East Anglia, that I realised you don’t need to travel to Dubai or anywhere else to have a really good wedding. England - in fact, the UK as a whole - has beautiful towns, villages, landmarks and tourist attractions. Once you travel outside of London, it seems like you’re in an entirely different country - far away from the polluted cities.
My daughter had wowed me with a video of the Holkham Hall stately home a year prior to the wedding, so, as a proud father, I looked forward to walking her down the aisle of the elegant Marble Hall, to hand her over to her husband. Every detail of the wedding was creatively and well planned.
The wedding dress, the suits, both sets of parents, the ambience and the beautiful sunny weather all made for a successful wedding. The applause from onlookers and tourists, when my daughter got out of the car in her beautiful wedding dress to walk into Marble Hall, was heart-warming. I felt that having a creative dad had helped her to be creative and original. I had also challenged her to have a wedding that wasn’t predictable, like the many previous ones I had been to. And she did. Most importantly, I wanted the best for my daughter, Omotoyosi, and her husband, Tafadzwa, so I prayed that God would make the wedding successful and hitch-free. My prayer was answered, because God is a Master Planner.
The Bible says, in Matthew 19:26, that with God, all things are possible. This I believe. I knew it was going to be very good wedding, full of surprising visual touches throughout. I had no worries or concerns but prayed for the safety of everyone who had travelled from abroad and from within the UK to witness the marriage of our children and the joy of our two families, with different cultural heritages, becoming one.
Holkham Hall is an 18th-century Palladian-style estate, based on designs by William Kent and built by Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester. The present Earl and his family take great pride in opening their doors to members of the public and tourists and sharing the treasures within. At the heart of the 25,000-acre estate, on the Norfolk coast, is where Holkham Hall is situated, and it has been the family home for over 300 years. Holkham Hall proves and will continue to be a place that inspires creativity and the highest level of service.
The wedding ceremony took place at the breathtaking Marble Hall, an impressive introduction to the 50ft dome ceiling and elegant walls of English alabaster (and not marble, as the name suggests). The grand staircase leads to a myriad of state rooms, and it was a thing of beauty to see my daughter walk up those stairs, with her wedding dress cascading up the steps like a reverse waterfall. The reception took place on the same estate, in the simple and beautiful Lady Elizabeth Wing.
Friends, families and well-wishers, who had been invited, enjoyed the jaw-dropping experience of travelling to Holkham. Weddings at the beautifully landscaped Holkham Hall has helped tourism and will remain in the minds of visitors forever. It is very likely many will seek to have their own wedding experience on the Holkham Hall grounds. God be praised. For more information about Holkham Hall, visit www.holkham.co.uk
UK households are facing the most serious financial crisis in recent years. Inflation, which reflects the rate of increase in rising prices, is currently at a 40-year high of 10% and is set to rise to 13% by October 2022. To curb spiralling costs, the Bank of England has raised interest rates six times since December 2021 and the base rate is now at 1.75%. Whilst raising interest rates can cool the rise in the cost of living, it makes borrowing more expensive, which impacts outgoings, such as housing costs and mortgages.
solution. For energy costs, many households will be eligible for up to £1,500 in government support. This consists of:
• £400 non-repayable energy grant to all households in October
• £650 one-off payment to those on means-tested benefits
• £300 winter fuel payment top-up for pensioners who receive a winter fuel payment
• £150 top-up of for those on disability benefits
In addition to this, there are charitable trusts associated with the bigger fuel energy firms, and they may be able to provide grants to those of their customers who are in the most dire need.
can apply for additional benefits using the benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk
The PCU - along with all financial providers - are acutely aware of the effect of the rising cost of living on our customers, and have put measures in place to help those who face challenges meeting their obligations to their creditors as a result of this. Please let your creditors know immediately if you are struggling.
At these most challenging times, we are reminded of the message of hope that can be found in Jeremiah 29:11,
‘“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…’’’
The price cap on energy bills will be over £4,200 per year from January 2023; housing costs are up by 11% compared to last year, and 9.2million households could be in fuel poverty from October 2022.
Some people are finding life really difficult at the moment. Phrases, such as “Heat or eat”, are becoming normal parlance but express the very tough choices some households are having to make between spending on energy or food costs.
This cost of living crisis is affecting all of us, and conventional wisdom, whenever there is financial pressure, is to revisit household budgets and cut unnecessary expenditure and/or find cheaper alternatives. But for those on the lowest incomes the rise in prices is nothing short of disastrous, as there is no possibility of cutting expenditure below income.
So what do you do when you can’t pay? The first thing is always to let your energy supplier or lender/creditor know straightaway. The regulators of these bodies require that they engage with you to come to a solution that is affordable for you, so don’t be afraid to speak to them because there are a number of options available. Never stop paying. Continue to pay what you can afford until you jointly arrive at a
Local authorities are another source of support. The government has provided local authorities with extra funds to assist households who have vulnerable members. Council Hardship Funds, Welfare Assistance Funds, Discretionary Housing Payments and Council Tax support may be available to you. Enquire at your local council to find out what you may be eligible for. In addition to this, we would advise always to check whether you
To find out more about the Pentecostal Credit Union and its services, visit www.pcuuk.com
Marketing should be every author’s good dream, but for most it’s the total opposite.
Writers just want to do what they love best: to write and forget about the rest, but marketing is a necessity to get you noticed by your target audience, and contributes to your product sales.
I believe it isn’t that writers don’t want to market; some don’t have the confidence. They believe they won’t do it effectively and lack the knowledge how to. Even if you define yourself as having an introverted personality, you can still market.
It is also important to have belief in yourself and your product in order to be effective. Don’t allow other people’s perceptions of your creativity to put you off; know with God all things are possible.
Here are the main marketing tips to help you get started in the right direction.
Where do they mostly socialise, especially on social media? Learning about your target audience could help you structure your marketing plan in the right direction and help you to focus and pinpoint where to introduce your product effectively.
There is nothing wrong in gaining knowledge on a subject you might not be familiar with. There could be valuable pointers you could pick up along the way or which may constructively redirect your plans. There are marketing courses online, or you could even ask fellow writers for advice. Don’t be afraid to expand your knowledge in this area.
Most authors don’t want to spend money, especially if they are self-published. But if you can find someone or a company who can help you further your product, then there is nothing wrong in paying for that service. You can’t do everything by yourself; sometimes you need that extra push to help you along
the way. Yes, do your research - especially if you’re looking into book publicists, and what you feel represents value or are comfortable to pay - but don’t always go it alone or do it for free, sometimes the free stuff won’t always give you the extra boost you need.
This is very important. Don’t see marketing as a chore; enjoy the experience. You may make some mistakes along the way but see it as a lesson, not as something to beat yourself up or get frustrated about. If you see it as a chore, you will make it an unpleasant experience and it really doesn’t need to be. Happy marketing!
The great news is that writers are starting to collaborate with each other and doing multi-author projects. Previously this wasn’t the case, but I believe writers are now starting to see the importance of unity and supporting each other and are no longer looking at the others as competition. Everyone has their own unique way of doing things, and success is there for everyone for the taking. Collaborating with others can also help grow your credibility and your brand.
VANESSA GROSSETT is a literary agent at The Authors Care Agency. For more information, visit www.theauthorscareagency.co.ukIthink it was at our Christian Creative Networks meeting that I heard someone say, that when we are creating, we are being like God because He is the ultimate Creator. I quite liked the analogy and have to admit I feel most fulfilled when I am exercising the creative abilities He has given me.
You may recall that during lockdown I published - or should I say ‘created’ - my first children’s picture book, I Wish I Were a Bird It was unexpected and unplanned for that precise time, but I guess that is another concept behind creation: something being called out of chaos and into order.
Since then, my little creation has been winging its way around the world and I am constantly delighted to receive photos from parents of their children interacting with ‘I Wish I Were a Bird’.
Just as unexpectedly as its creation, the book was awarded a runner-up prize for the University of Wolverhampton’s Lord Swraj Paul Award for Student Entrepreneurs. The £5,000 award towards business development, as well as the business mentorship, has been a huge encouragement for me to create some more. And walking out of the Dragon’s Den-style business presentation pitch with an order of 20 books from one of the judges was exhilarating.
I think other doors open once you start creating. Looking back now, I’m wondering if I procrastinate at times about pursuing goals and dreams because I want to see the entire picture ahead of time? Because I want to see all the doors that will open and what is behind each one, before my hand ventures anywhere near the doorknob? And because this kind of foresight is often not possible, is that why I often fear or refuse to take the next step?
Whatever the reasons for procrastination, the developments that have arisen from this project have helped me to see the importance of just ‘putting one foot in front of the other’. A friend often tells me, concerning the way she approaches each day, “Just do the next thing you can. Take the next opportunity that is presented to you.”
Another unexpected and delightful development was when Liz Ayanniyi, of Cherished Crochet Dolls, took it upon herself to create a doll based on the boy’s character in I Wish I Were a Bird. She was inspired after receiving a copy of the book for her children
from a mutual friend, and presented the doll to me as a gift. I was blown away by the likeness! You can see more of Liz’s creations at www.cherishedcrochetdolls.co.uk or her Instagram page @cherishedcrochetdolls
Liz had been learning how to crochet for a few years and was initially inspired by her niece to create a doll in her likeness for her birthday. From there, people who saw Liz’s dolls would request a custom doll for their daughters. Cherished Crochet Dolls was officially launched during the pandemic, like many small businesses.
Liz wanted to be part of the solution to the lack of diversity within the doll space. She said, “As a Black girl growing up in the UK, the only dolls available were unfortunately White dolls,
and I didn’t see myself in them so I didn’t play with dolls much when I was younger. Now, I have the opportunity to help create a different narrative within my sphere of influence.
“Everyone, young or old, should have a doll that makes them smile, and I would love to see a Cherished doll in every household taking pride of place on a mantlepiece as a reminder to the owner that they are beautiful, loved and cherished.”
Liz added, “To other creatives out there, I would say just create. Don’t worry about how your work will be received, because there are plenty of people out there willing to purchase what you create with your 10 fingers. Create with passion, enthusiasm and live for what you do.”
For my part, I share our stories to say, never think little of your ideas and dreams. Ecclesiastes 11:6 encourages us to be productive with our creativity. It says: ‘In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good’ (NKJV).
You can view a sample of my picture book at www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1998997707
“Create with passion, enthusiasm and live for what you do.”
Godbelieves in family. He sent Jesus into this world as a Baby and therefore totally reliant on His earthly mother and father, and He invites us to be a part of His eternal family.
In 1993, at my local church in Guernsey, I was given a prophetic call from God that would shape the rest of my and my family’s life. I’ve since worked for over 20 years with the nation of China and set up Care for Children, trusting God’s call to place children into local, loving families. When I first moved to Shanghai in 1998, there was no word in Mandarin or Cantonese for ‘family-based care’, and millions of children were living in orphanages, deprived of the love of a family.
Pullinger once said to me, “If you meet the need of the poor, the influential will become jealous and want to know why.” I remember a short trip I took up to the northern region of Baotou in Mongolia. I had been working in China a number of years by this point, and had built some strong relationships with the Chinese government. Mr Li, a senior government official, knew I was a Christian and had reassured me there were no Christians in the region we were travelling to, and that everyone was either Muslim, Buddhist or Confucian. My response was that it didn’t matter; we were still putting the children into families, because that’s where they needed to be.
the rest. If I’d gone into China, and said, “We’re going to give the Gospel to the children,” or “We’re going to recruit Christian families,, I wouldn’t have lasted a week, but here I was, six years into working in China. God had clearly gone ahead of these children.
God is passionate about orphans, and He is very clear about our responsibility as Christians to the orphan. Children - the smallest, weakest and most vulnerable - will pay the greatest price for family disruption. Although we might miss their hardship, God does not. God created the family to care for children, and expects His people, the Church, to defend them in their distress. The eight million children living in some form of institutional care around the world have been impacted by rejection and, without a voice, have no one to speak up for them.
When my family and I moved to China, Care for Children wasn’t placing children into Christian families (in China that is quite hard to have any control over), but I was being obedient to God’s call over my life which was to put children into families, and establish what God intended for each child. I was just doing my part to build His Kingdom. Jackie
We were going to have a meal with 20 families in the region who had signed up to welcome children into their homes from the Baotou orphanage. Mr Li introduced me to everyone and made a bit of a joke about the fact I was an Englishman and a Christian, but no one really laughed. So, he repeated the joke. Again no one laughed. Then this one lady put her hand up shyly and she said, “I’m a Christian.” Then another hand went up, “Me too,” and then the next one, and the next one. It turned out all 20 of them were Christians! So, as you can imagine, on the way home, Mr Li was somewhat embarrassed. He said, “Look, why is it the Christians who want to care for orphans?” And I said that it was part of who we are. It’s our DNA.
I love this story because it demonstrates I was just a small part of the puzzle. God does
It says in Psalm 68:6, ‘God places the lonely in families; He sets the prisoners free and gives them joy’ (NLT). God knows the sorrow of the child who has been temporarily displaced. He knows the pain, the fear and the heartache, and working through His people has made a way for it. Our compassion and conviction come from really knowing our Father who passionately cares for the orphan. We love orphans because we love God. And this is the profound underpinning of Care for Children’s work: that we know orphanhood because we were all orphans before being adopted into God’s family as His children. If we didn’t understand the theological aspect of loving orphans, our care would be commendable but ultimately worthless.
The Christian understanding of orphan care begins with the understanding of the character of God. For years in China, I shared my heart to care for the orphan with house church leaders. It was only when they saw the theological reason, our own adopted state, and the biblical mandate to care for orphans, that they were reduced to tears of compassion.
When I moved to China, there was no word in the Chinese languages for ‘family-based care’, now 85% of orphans are in families.
If we believe in Jesus, we can be a part of God’s eternal family, so shouldn’t we imitate His heart for orphans? I believe our Father shows us the importance of the family so we can actively champion it here on earth. But it starts with obedience.
Find out more about how you can be a Family Champion here: careforchildren.com/
How God has used me on a journey of seeing children placed into familiesMadam Gao, Deputy Director Shanghai Civil Affairs, Robert, Lord Laming and Dr Shi Derong, Director of Shanghai Civil Affairs
Robert Glover and his wife Elizabeth founded Care for Children in 1998, after hearing a call from God to move their family to Shanghai. As a UK social worker Robert wanted to use his professional training to establish family placement in China as a positive alternative to orphanages. This was the first joint venture social welfare project between the British and Chinese governments.
Following the success of their work in China, the charity’s model of family care has now been replicated in Thailand (2012), Vietnam (2017) and Cambodia (2022), and has seen one million children placed in families.
Robert’s first book, As Many as the Stars, is available now, and tells the story of how Robert heard from God and moved with his wife and six children from the UK to China to follow God’s calling.
Are you passionate about seeing children and young people find a vibrant, personal faith in Jesus? Then consider joining us!
Scripture Union England and Wales is a Christian charity helping churches to share God’s good news with the 95% of children and young people who don’t yet know Jesus.
We are looking for two new Trustees to join our Board of Trustees, which oversees and supports our Leadership Team. Could you be one of them?
Find out more and apply: su.org.uk/trustees
Care for Children is a UK-based child welfare charity who #believeinfamily. Through serving national governments, Care for Children pioneers family-based care as a positive alternative to institutional care, and want to see children returned into the situation God intended for them, which is to be nurtured in a family.
The Sky documentary, Children of Shanghai, charts the origins of Care for Children, the founder’s call to China, and shows the impact of their work in the lives of thousands of children who found a family. Children of Shanghai is narrated by Bear Grylls and is available on demand.
Find out more: careforchildren.com
BY ADOM OTOO Executive, Scotland Church & Community Mobilisation, International Justice Mission UK
Didyou know that, although slavery is now illegal almost everywhere, an estimated 40 million people around the world are trapped in exploitation today? Modern slavery takes many forms - from people forced to work in brick kilns, factories or brothels, to children being sexually exploited over the Internet. It happens right here in the UK, too – a reality more people have become aware of this year, thanks to Sir Mo Farah’s courageous decision to share his childhood experience of trafficking.
I work for International Justice Mission (IJM), one of the world’s largest anti-slavery charities, and my colleagues around the world are seeing the devastating impact of slavery on individuals, families and communities. To give one example, Kofi* was just eight years old when he was taken from his home in Ghana (where I am also from).
“A man came and asked me whether he could take me to go search for fish. He said he would send me back home to give the fish to my mother,” Kofi remembers.
Kofi’s life up to this point hadn’t been easy. His father died when he was young, and finances were always tight for his mother. She couldn’t afford to send Kofi to school, so when the man told them he would give Kofi the chance to go to school, it sounded like a good opportunity. But this soon turned out to be a lie. The man took him to Lake Volta to work on fishing boats, in dangerous and exploitative conditions. On Kofi’s first day fishing, the boat master ordered him to get into the water to untie the fishing net.
“I was in the man’s boat, and said ‘I can’t go, I can’t swim’,” Kofi recalls. “The man was still forcing me to.”
Kofi says he jumped in, and immediately began swallowing water. He felt himself starting to drown, but one of the other boys came and helped him out, taking his place to dive for the net.
in trafficking of up to 86% in areas where we work.
As an organisation inspired by Christian faith, we believe God’s heart for justice should inspire us to take a stand against slavery. One of the scriptural truths that encourages us is the story of God’s call to Moses in Exodus 3. Moses is told he has a part to play in God’s plan to bring freedom to the exploited Israelites – and that he’s not alone. Moses had Aaron and the Israelite leaders helping him.
Today, we know that ending modern slavery is going to take a movement: with survivor leaders, justice systems, governments and communities all playing their part. Importantly, it will also take the support of the global Church – and we’ve already seen incredible change through church involvement.
My colleagues in Ghana were able to partner with local police to find Kofi and bring him to safety. He was supported through trauma-informed aftercare to help him heal from these experiences, and now, with support from social workers, he’s able to go to school.
IJM has seen stories like Kofi’s repeated all over the world – showing that although slavery is still a brutal reality for so many people, change is possible. We’re working to create systemic change to make sure vulnerable people are not exploited in the first place, and a key part of that is strengthening criminal justice systems so that traffickers are held to account. We have seen amazing change through taking this approach – with reductions
For example, our Ghanaian team travelled around the islands of Lake Volta to train pastors to recognise signs of trafficking so that they can report cases to IJM and authorities. After one of these events, a pastor went back to his church to preach on justice and child trafficking. Following that message, a woman in his congregation reported a trafficking case involving her children. This information led to the rescue of her two sons who had been trafficked to work on the Lake. They were reunited with the family last year.
There are so many ways for churches in the UK to get involved, too, through prayer, action and giving. Together, we can stop slavery for good.
If you would like to find out more about IJM’s Freedom Church programme and how to get involved, visit IJMUK.org/church
Photo credit: IJM - stock images, not actual survivors of traffickingIn a post-pandemic world, we depend on connection now more than ever. But today, thousands of communities still live isolated from electricity, food and water — cut off from the outside world.
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For just £10 per month, bring life to an isolated community through a unique connection made possible by MAF. Join us and receive exclusive stories, share your thoughts and prayers and celebrate what God has done.
