Counties brochure 2013

“

Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News...

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Mark 16:15 (NRSV)

Introducing Counties

countiesuk.org

We present the good news of Jesus to people of all ages.

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For more than 100 years, Counties has been sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with communities across the country.

When the charity was launched in 1899, evangelists worked in villages and towns using Gospel tents and caravans as tools to proclaim the message. Summer tent missions were a regular part of Counties work until the mid 1970’s.

Though we no longer use tents and caravans, our mission still remains the same today – to present the Christian faith to people of all ages in the most relevant ways.

We do this through 3 main areas of our work: Evangelists, Training and Resources.

Our evangelists connect with ordinary people at home or on the streets; in the church or in the pub; as a crowd or one-toone; in schools, colleges, online Christian chatrooms, prisons, showgrounds and hospitals.

Counties training events equip church leaders and evangelists to fulfil their personal calling and our extensive resources help churches connect with their communities.

The work of Counties is so diverse and varied yet the good news of Jesus Christ remains the same and is at the heart of all we do.

John Wilkes, CEO Counties

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Evangelists

Sharing the good news Evangelists work in 22 counties across England and Wales sharing the Gospel in their communities.

All of our evangelists are self-employed – but thanks to the support of individuals, churches and trusts, we are able to donate monthly gifts, as well as prayer and pastoral support, plus ongoing training.

Their work varies with some involved in assisting churches in their area with teaching and training and others involved in a wide variety of outreach.

“Theatre chaplains do wonderful work.

They are a confidant in the crazy world of show business.”

Jimmy Cricket, Irish comedian.

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Activities include: • church planting • leading school assemblies • visiting prisons • witnessing at agricultural shows • calling door to door • manning market stalls • café church • discovery courses run in pubs • chaplaincy work in hospitals, schools and theatres • organising Christian summer camps

Evangelists

Warwickshire evangelist Bob Telford uses his four-legged friends to share his faith at church outreach and social events across the country. Bob and his Springer Spaniel Tango perform a dog-handling demo, linking this to his faith and about how God can speak to us.

Former Royal Marine James Richards left behind his army career when he became a Christian and felt a calling to evangelism. The married father-of-two now runs weekly outdoor preaching in his hometown of Pontypool in South Wales, as well as local Bible studies, coffee shop sessions and door to door work.

Chatting to druids, witches, pagans and party-goers is all in a night’s work for Wiltshire evangelist Jonathan Brain.

Each year, Jonathan joins thousands at Stonehenge for the summer solstice and uses the event to share his faith. He reaches out to others through informal chats and often keeps in touch with contacts through social media.

A family tragedy in Pakistan spurred senior evangelists John and Jane Martin to reach out to Muslims in their community. The couple from Saffron Walden in Essex regularly visit Muslims in their area, as well as travelling on buses in London and chatting to locals sharing stories about Jesus.

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We are committed to helping churches become growing and thriving Christ-centred communities.

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Training

Equipping the church Our evangelists are committed to preparing God’s people for works of service helping Christians live out their faith.

Day conferences, seminars, workshops, as well as one-to-one mentoring sessions are held to help churches grow through evangelism and local mission.

College courses are also offered by Counties and partner charities Gospel Literature Outreach (GLO) and Partnership to help equip those working in Christian ministry including evangelism, mission and church leadership.

Training evangelists We offer training and mentoring for those who believe God is calling them to be an evangelist. This includes providing placements with an experienced evangelist, offering training on practical and theological aspects of Christian ministry and providing support from the local community through a Counties Link Group. This group comprises leaders and members of local churches who support the evangelist and help shape a county-wide ministry of evangelism.

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Meet our people 5 Jonathan & Heather Brain, Wiltshire. Weekly market stall, school assemblies and visits Stonehenge to share faith with partygoers.

6 David & Lindsey Brown, West Midlands. Men’s outreach, youth camps and schools work.

6 Paul & Vanessa Willmott, West Midlands. Puppet shows, holiday clubs, family services and school assemblies.

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Charles & Elizabeth Addoco, Essex. Outreach to migrant communities in London and mentoring teenagers.

Heather Smith, Essex.

Supports local churches in sharing the love of Jesus with all ages, as well as leading assemblies, school clubs and youth camps.

2 Will and Lynne Andrews, Hertfordshire. Developed the popular Young@Heart missions for the over 60’s and run church health checks.

3 Tim & Joy Ayrton, Suffolk.

Offer parenting, bereavement, money management and relationship advice and courses at the No72 community centre.

3 Tony & Ruth Hood, Suffolk.

After-school clubs, assemblies, worship leading and summer camps.

4 Kevin & Anita Baldwin, Norfolk. School assemblies, prayer spaces, leading RE lessons with Bible Explorer and helping at the Life exhibition and GSUS Live.

6 Andy & Isobel Hodson, West Midlands. Leads church plant and regularly visits local schools.

6 Bob & Rita Telford, West Midlands. Bob speaks at church social and outreach events across the country. He often uses his dogs to demonstrate how God speaks to us.

7 Tim & Katrina Cracknell, Gloucestershire. Lead a church plant in Cinderford with courses for people struggling with habits and addictions.

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8 Colin & Linda Johnson, Bedfordshire. Market stall, café church, door to door and community outreach with local churches.

9 Matt & Claire Merriam, Somerset. Leaders of a church plant on an estate in Yeovil. Community outreach and youth work.

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9 Mike & Su Strange, Somerset.

Developed the popular RE resource for schools RE:Quest. Also provide worship in schools.

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around the country 12 Mike and Janet Thomas Cardiff. Outreach at agricultural shows, holiday clubs and community events.

13 Gordon & Penny Curley, Hampshire. Men’s events in pubs and restaurants, holiday clubs and stalls at community shows.

10 Tim & Charissa Cooke, Greater Manchester. Street preaching, rap music and cutting-edge outdoor concerts.

14 Ray & Carol Dadswell, East Sussex. Theatre chaplain and leads an International Café – for foreign students to help develop their faith.

11 Ivor & Angela Cooper, Warwickshire. Leads courses for new Christians in pubs and cafes, creates Christian tracts and literature.

15 Phil & Sheila Davies, Swansea. Youth camps, kids clubs, agricultural shows and school assemblies sharing the Gospel.

12 Clive & Fiona Cornish, Cardiff. Best known for his long-distance walking with a 12ft wooden cross, raising awareness about the Christian faith.

16 Martin & Rachel Erwin, Hereford. Produces church mission resources and provides pastoral care and teaching to local churches.

20 David & Katie Symons, North Devon. Support Christian Unions at local colleges and leads a ‘Grill a Christian’ session at an acoustic café.

21 Rob & Sarah Watson, Wirral. Lead school assemblies and discipleship groups for young people.

22 Matt & Nicola Rich, Cumbria. Runs online Christian chatroom Groundwire.

17 Stephen & Jean Gillham, Dorset. Serving schools, summer camps and holiday clubs for more than 37 years.

17 Ian & Sally Carr, Dorset.

Bible studies and mentoring at Guy’s Marsh Prison in Shaftesbury, youth camps and chaplain to schools in the area.

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18 John & Rachel Hardwick, Cambridgeshire. Produces holiday club and church resources, including songs to help memorise Bible verses.

19 James & Naomi Richards, Torfaen. Open air preaching, door-to-door work and runs The Hub outreach event at a local coffee shop.

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To contact your local evangelist call 01373 823013 or visit countiesuk.org 9

Resources From major mobile exhibitions through to books and leaflets for the individual, there are plenty of Counties resources available to help you share the good news.

Our innovative resources such as the Life and GSUS Live exhibitions reach thousands of school children with the story of Jesus, helping churches connect with their local schools.

Providing the wow factor for secondary school pupils GSUS Live is an interactive learning experience designed to show the relevance of Jesus and his teachings to secondary school pupils.

“The presence of the trailer raised a great deal of excitement and interest in school. Jesus was definitely cool that week!�

Fran Bryant, Ebbw Vale Comprehensive School, South Wales.

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Using an all new and improved mobile classroom complete with touch screen monitors and 3D films, Key Stage 3 students explore the themes of fear, forgiveness and rejection through the stories of three teenagers.

The computer classroom visits an area for half a term and usually spends a week in six secondary schools, where local church volunteers help to present the teachings.

For more information visit gsuslive.co.uk

Resources

Connect your church, schools and community through the story of Jesus The Life exhibition is an exciting, multi-media experience about the life of Jesus. Using interactive tablets, colourful graphic panels, films and songs, Life helps primary school children learn all about Jesus – his birth, teachings, miracles, death and resurrection.

Since its launch in 2006, more than 75,000 children and adults have visited the exhibition with great feedback from churches, teachers and pupils.

More information is available at lifeexpo.co.uk

“The majority of children visiting Life don’t go to church, so it’s a great opportunity for them to hear about Jesus. I think the whole exhibit is amazing!”

Carolyn Patterson, a Life church coordinator in Neath.

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Passionate about making Jesus known.

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Resources

Counties offers an extensive range of resources aimed at equipping churches and outreach workers in evangelism. These include DVDs, books, tracts and holiday club material, many of them free of charge. iTruth DVD A fast-paced DVD designed to be given out to those interested in finding out more about Jesus. The 14 short films look at what it means to be a Christian in 21st century Britain.

Dying to Meet You church pack A comprehensive resource for churches including DVDs, drama, workbooks, sermon outlines. Ideal for evangelistic events.

Friend of God and Let’s Talk tracts

Believe and be Baptised

Aimed at 7-12 year olds, helping them find out more about Jesus.

An introduction to adult baptism by Victor Jack.

Holiday club materials

Take a Look at Life

Produced by John Hardwick these include handbooks for leaders, songs and music books.

A 5-week Christian enquirer course led

by Ivor Cooper.

These resources plus many more are available fom countiesuk.org 13

Get involved

There are many ways you can get involved and play a part in our continuing mission to see lives changed in the UK through the sharing of the Gospel.

• Sign up to receive our minimagazine Ignite and keep up to date with all the latest news from Counties • Join with us in prayer – sign up to receive our monthly Praise & Prayer Diary • Sign up for our monthly email newsletter • Get involved locally - join your local Counties Link Group (CLG)

• Visit our website countiesuk.org • Donate a gift online: countiesuk. org/partners/finance • Volunteer at one of our children’s exhibitions • Follow us on Facebook and Twitter • Use one of our many resources to help you share the Gospel countiesuk.org/resources/equipand-envision

For more information please email office@countiesuk.org or call us on 01373 823013.

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Share our vision Please help us to share the work of Counties with your church and community by using the enclosed DVD-ROM. It contains: • a short film focusing on the work of 3 evangelists around the country • a sermon outline • powerpoint • response leaflet

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Please introduce Counties to your friends by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Facebook ‘Counties Evangelism Network’ Twitter ‘@countiesuk’

Website

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Counties 30 Haynes Road, Westbury, Wiltshire, BA13 3HD Tel: 01373 823013 Email: office@countiesuk.org

countiesuk.org Counties (formerly Counties Evangelistic Work) is a Registered Charity No. 264278 and a Company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales No. 1041761 16