OPENHOPE
PROMOTING THE POSITIVE, PRESENTING THE POSSIBLE
WE LIVE HERE ‘CAUSE GOD INVITED US
MEET THE NEW EDEN TEAM IN FALINGE
ROCHDALE HAIRDRESSERS AND MAASAI WARRIORS
THE LIFE & FAITH OF A WIGAN PIE-EATER HORSE CARRS - STILL THE HOME OF CHARITY WHAT’S IN YOUR FEED? AND ARE YOU SATISFIED? OPENHOPE - A
MAGAZINE FOR THE BOROUGH OF ROCHDALE ISSUE 4
The LORD merely spoke.
heavens e h t d n a
r c eated e r e w
He breathed the word,
& a ll t s r a t s he were born. Psalm 33:6
Why do we wish upon stars when we can talk to the God who breathed them into existence? When did you last pray?
Contents 04 EDITOR’S LETTER
FEATURES
10 COVER STORY: EDEN, FALINGE
06 HORSE CARRS
A history of charity, by young writer Anna Shepherd
10 WE LIVE HERE ’CAUSE GOD INVITED US
Falinge has a new family, meet the new Eden team.
20 DAVE’S STORY
The life & faith of a Wigan pie-eater
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24 ROCHDALE HAIRDRESSERS & MAASAI WARRIORS The uplifting story of a surprising and fruitful partnership What’s in your digital diet and are you satisfied? Director David Bargh Managing Editor Gareth Crossley - 07843 565 155
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ple is o e p p l an he to Jesus. c e w t way cing themlife can be s e b The introdu of your g him. by aspect nowin Every ected by k aff
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Copy Editor Rebecca White Distribution Coordinator Paul Gerrard Editorial Office OPENHOPE Magazine, Champness Hall, Drake St, Rochdale OL16 1PB
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WELCOME TO
OPENHOPE Welcome to the fourth issue of OPENHOPE. Why not make a cup of tea, sit down and spend half an hour with us?
sharing the news that Jesus Christ is still changing lives in powerful ways, and He longs to change yours too.
OPENHOPE’s aim is to share uplifting and positive local content alongside stories of real faith from real people.
As Christians, we have experienced the life-changing power that comes from following Jesus. Knowing Him makes it impossible not to share His invitation with you.
In this issue, we hear from two Rochdale families who are using their time and skills for good, both at home and abroad. James and Hannah Moss, share their vision for Falinge working together, while Darren and Sue Mitzi talk about their work supporting missionaries across the globe, including those working with Maasai warriors in rural Kenya. While stories hold our interest, the bottom line for OPENHOPE is
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As always if you are affected by any of the issues that are covered in OPENHOPE or you’d like to get in touch, we would love to hear from you! You can search for OPENHOPE on Facebook, and read digital issues at issuu.com Gareth Crossley
Managing Editor
what
JESUS
said
Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice:
If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. john 7:37&38
Horse Carrs A local history article by young writer, Anna Shepherd
H
orse Carrs, is a 151 year old Victorian building down a very idyllic slope along Shawclough Road and it has been a major part of the lives of many local people throughout its colourful history and its various incarnations. It was first built as a home for Thomas Watson and his family. Here’s a little about the man; the myth...
the welfare of others, especially by the generous donation of money to good causes’. He was an objector to corporal punishment and a Justice of the Peace. It’s fair to say his life was notable, if not for his good deeds and contribution to local life, at least for his impressive beard!
Thomas Watson was renowned in Rochdale in the 19th century as a local philanthropist. His house was large and grand and in lots of land. That rhyme wasn’t planned. It’s called Horse Carrs and it’s still in use today, but it’s been many years since it has been a family home.
Watson died in 1887. But Horse Carrs did anything but fall into reckless abandon. The generous heart of Thomas Watson lived on inspiring many who managed the future incarnations of Horse Carrs. Watson’s children continued to live there, with his son, William, who invented a patented electric motor and founded the Rochdale Electric Company.
Watson, as a silk manufacturer, innovating the silk process, was more than the boss of many below his rank; he met the community’s needs, establishing a coffee house for the workers, substituting cheap ale for healthier, yet still affordable coffee. But, did he cater just for those he employed? No, he actually paid for the infirmary in Rochdale after seeing the ‘wretched state’ of the established facilities. Watson was the embodiment of Victorian philanthropy, which is by definition ‘a person who seeks to promote
Then, 1940 brought the Germans into France and British evacuees to the North, as 25 women tried to ‘keep calm and carry on’ attempting to allocate homes for the 125 evacuees that came to Horse Carrs, as a temporary wartime Evacuee Registration Centre. In June 1939 nearly 700 evacuees had arrived from Jersey and Guernsey to Rochdale, which were initially distributed between the larger residences of Roylelands, Horse Carrs and Westfield, Birch Hill Institution and the Cottage Homes. OPENHOPE Magazine
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1946 was the year Horse Carrs become a school for the first time an overspill for Rochdale Municipal School for Girls and then, in 1950, it became a home for the aged, caring for many who still have connections with the building today. My own connection to Horse Carrs was as a pupil at Emmanuel Christian School, which moved into the spacious building in 1996. It’s ethos ‘Preparing for life’ bore an ironic contrast to its former function, yet it was true, as the independent school embodied warmth and family. Led by Head teacher Jeff Holloway, the teachers were addressed as aunt and uncle, something that all my school friends since have thought was strange. Yet, for me, it was another reminder of what the school was about – learning as a family, as a close community. Jeff Holloway was headmaster for the 17 years the school was open and gave it an originality many treasured, promoting individuality, personal excellence and care for others. The most recent revival of this beautiful building has been its transformation as the home of Open Door Church with a spectacular Coffee House. Thomas Watson still lives on in the church, 8
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as a former member of it when it was originally West Street Baptist. With a warm, welcoming and wonderful congregation, the church still plays an active part in the community, carrying on Watson’s legacy. The Church does this through its excellent cafe, the ‘Coffee House at Horse Carrs’ which offers the most delicious afternoon tea you can find in the Falinge area! Seriously though, it is really good. Many of the large lounges have been lovingly restored to their luxurious grandeur and the fireplaces re-opened to allow log fires to warm the stately rooms once more. The atmosphere of the cafe is both reflective and lively with a lovely group of ladies who help cook quiches, cakes and many other tasty homemade dishes. Can you tell I was told to do a plug for the cafe in my brief for this article? I hope I’ve convinced you to visit, though, as it is both enjoyable and a joy. Thank you for reading, I hope this has been both informative and a least a bit interesting. Anna Shepherd
YOUNG WRITER: Anna Shepherd Hi, my name is Anna Shepherd, I’m 18 and have just finished two years at Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School Sixth form. I studied English literature, History, and English language. I’m hoping to have a gap year and teach in an orphanage in Malawi, Africa for 6 months before going to university to read English. In the future I’d love to become a journalist or maybe go into advertising. I have been going to Open Door Church, formerly West Street Baptist Church, all my life with my family.
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WE LIVE HERE ‘CAUSE GOD INVITED US
MEET THE NEW EDEN TEAM IN FALINGE
With energy in spades, a flair for engaging people in hopefilled conversation and a deep love of music and stories, James and Hannah Moss are not only committed, they are gifted! Together, they have worked with many hundreds of young people across the North West of England sharing life, fun and the message of hope found in the Christian faith.
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But a new chapter is forming in the life of this small, Rochdale family. James and Hannah have become Urban Missionaries. James works for Eden, a project run by the The Message Trust. As part of their new role, James and his family have moved into a flat in Falinge – once described as Britain’s most deprived area.
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“we want to help people. the best way we can help people is by introducing them to jesus, every aspect of your life can be affected by knowing him.”
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The recent history of Falinge has generally been one of poverty, difficulty and bad press. In 2013 National newspapers reported that Falinge was one of the worst areas in the country based on figures from The Department for Communities and Local Government. Highlighting levels of child poverty, unemployment and deprivation, at one point, figures for the area showed 72% unemployment, 82% dependent on benefits, 7% having never had a job and 59% having no employable skills. It’s against this kind of backdrop that the Eden network shines brightest. Eden’s team in Falinge, headed up by James, is the 50th urban community to be planted in the UK since the organisation started in 1998. To date, Eden has sent 588 urban missionaries into poor areas to live sacrificially, build authentic community and share their faith.
The network describes its work with three simply sentences: Eden volunteers make their homes in poor neighbourhoods, sharing their lives and the gospel. Aspiration and achievement grow as young people are mentored and become disciples of Jesus. The atmosphere changes, leaders are raised, and communities are changed for good. After reading a book about Eden, and loving the idea of living within a community, James and Hannah came across the opportunity to start Eden in Falinge, Rochdale. Although they’ve only just welcomed their first baby into the family, both James and Hannah were excited at the prospect of moving into the area, and this they did. While Falinge may not be everyone’s ideal location; Living there enables them to not only
Even a small act, like combatting loneliness in just one person’s life, can have a huge impact in a community. 16
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work for the good of the people of Falinge, but live visible, real life with them 24/7/365.
asked why we were here and what we wanted to do, my best answer was this:
Ask James about his vision for Falinge and he’s not only quick, but clear: “I’d love, Falinge to be the kind of place where people look after each other, know each other and are like family, a community where people give of themselves, being generous, so that when someone needs something, others who are already there can help.
‘We’re here because God invited us. We want to help people. The best way we can help people is by introducing them to Jesus, every aspect of your life can be affected by knowing Jesus.’
Our work will begin by just living there and being available, so that individuals might have their lives impacted, at first in small ways. Even a small act, like combatting loneliness in just one person’s life, can have a huge impact in a community. I was chatting with a guy who we live with in Falinge. When he
There is a verse in the Bible about faith, it basically says that if you don’t live a life that matches your faith, your faith is worthless, it goes on to say that your faith is demonstrated by the way you have chosen to live - “I’ll show you my faith by my works” (James 2:1426). I hope that through our acts of faith, many more people can be helped and maybe some will go on to experience the freedom and benefit of knowing Jesus.” To find out more about Eden, visit: www.joineden.org
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JESUS
SAID
“Come to Me, all you who are Take My yoke upon you and le heart, and you will find rest for
weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. earn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in r your souls.� The Bible, Matthew 11:28 & 29
DAVE’S STORY Have you ever eaten a Wigan kebab? Do you know how to make a Wigan kebab? It’s never been featured on ‘Come dine with me’ or ‘Masterchef’ but I’ll tell you what it is - 3 meat pies on a skewer. Yes, I’m a Wigan lad, a pie eater, but have spent the last 38 years living in Rochdale. As I’m fast approaching pension age I can look back on my life and see so many ups and downs, so many highs and lows. The lowest time that I’ve experienced was when our little boy died in a cot death. My wife Jill and myself were devastated. Sometimes life just beats you up. Other times are so exciting and memorable. Our 3 children have all recently married and we are now proud grandparents. I have found that through thick and thin I have known that I have a loving heavenly father who has never let me go but has been there for me on every occasion. To experience his love, joy and peace on a daily basis is the rock of my life. Although I frequently let Him down I can honestly say He has never once let me down. ‘Are you religious?’ I can hear someone asking me. Well, not really. I think religion is trying to do things to gain favour with god. My faith is all about having a relationship with God, a journey which began as a young lad back in Wigan. To realise that God sent his own son, Jesus to die on a cross for my sin and to recognise that he rose from the dead and is alive today is so liberating. I am forgiven and set free to be the person I was created to be!
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GOOD GOD...
.
THE LORD IS
GOOD A STRENGTH & STRONGHOLD IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE
HE KNOWS (RECOGNISES, HAS KNOWLEDGE
OF & UNDERSTANDS)
HIM THOSE WHO TAKE REFUGE
& TRUST IN THE BIBLE, NAHUM 1:7
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ROCHDALE HAIRDRESSERS AND MAASAI WARRIORS
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he western world has long been an incubator for philanthropy and outreach. While some aspects of the once-dominating British Empire were deplorable, one of the benefits of Britain’s imperial reach was to assist countries in their development. Britain exported democracy, technology, science and, yes, religion. At the empire’s peak, Christianity was accepted as one of the Bedrocks of British culture and as such it was something we went to great lengths to spread globally. In the thoughts of many, the work of missionaries is projected in sepia tones, as we imagine juddering, silent news films depicting Dr Livingstone carving a path through untouched, darkest Africa with a machete in one hand and a pipe in the other.
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It’s worth noting, though, that Britain is still a hotbed of Christian Mission. There are huge numbers of charities, churches, businesses and organisations that, alongside their humanitarian activities, still seek to share what they understand about God. Christians tend to call this ‘The Good News’ and it is good news! I recently had the pleasure of sitting with some missionaries in a coffee shop in Rochdale’s busy shopping centre. It’s not the place you might expect to find a missionary, and the couple I sat with didn’t look remotely like missionaries. As we chatted about their work I had many of my own preconceptions repositioned. Darren and Sue Mitzi are fun, thoughtful parents and also both happen to be successful business people. Darren runs a busy hairdressing salon, and Sue is a chartered accountant. However, they have recently performed a very sober-yet-staggering left-turn in their professional lives. As well as continuing to run their businesses, they were offered the chance to lead the British branch of a mission organisation called Missionary Ventures (MVGB). They accepted, and they love it!
Wanting to explore if their new ‘Christian’ work was somehow a more spiritual thing than what they had done in life so far, both Darren and Sue were quick to say that business is a great thing – something God had guided them into, and helped with - and something that they can use in partnership with their new role. Darren became especially passionate as he shared something he felt God had showed him. Some time ago he had felt frustrated, he wanted to be someone who really made a difference, but here he was, just cutting hair and making people look nice! That’s when God spoke to him “Don’t curse what’s in your hand, I have a way of using what’s in your hand to support what’s in your heart.” This has become integral to the way Darren runs his business and approached the work they now do. “There’s so much of what we’ve both learned through business that we can share with others now as they develop what they’re doing” Darren beamed. He’s clearly come to see that his business activities have prepared him well to move into this new, change-affecting role. OPENHOPE Magazine
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Darren and Sue explained that their office is one of seven international hubs of the global organisation whose headquarters are in Florida. Their main role is to send out, support and encourage Missionaries ‘at the coal face’. They do this in all kinds of ways, some missionary families receive financial aid, while others self-support and Darren and Sue help to put those families in contact with supporters and partners here in the UK. They visit schools and churches to talk about the work that is going on all over the world. The missions that Missionary Ventures support are many and varied – as an organization they support over 180 missionary families in countries all over the globe – and each one has a different story. “At the centre of what we do are the relationships we foster with leaders, missionaries and volunteers. That’s our job and vision and it enables us to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives through the many projects happening all over the world. Those relationships are an integral focus in the running of MVGB on every level, whether 26
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they are with those sending bibles to Moldova, with those who help raise funds or leaders serving in the field, because it is through those relationships that the love of Jesus is seen.” One such missionary, supported by MVGB is Deborah Derren. Deborah serves the Maasai tribe in rural Kenya providing clean water projects, mobile bush clinics, a micro-finance loan program, small-business training and natural medicine gardens. About her work with the Maasai tribe, Deborah says: “We have over 100 children every Sunday who love to learn and inter act with visitors. Our Girls Club meets monthly to build relationships and help Girls 10-15 who are at risk of FGM and early marriage. We are in the process of drilling a deep well to provide clean water to the surrounding community. Once we have a reliable source of water there are many agricultural projects we can begin to help the community with. We periodically go out into the bush with the local Maasai MD and do a mobile bush clinic and have had a team to do eye testing
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clinics for those living remotely. We have a program for providing hot lunches to the children at the nearby school. We have a ministry for Natural Medicine, growing plants that cure malaria and other ailments. We administer a Micro-Loan program to help small business owners become selfsustainable. Everything we get involved in is an opportunity to show the love of Christ in action.� As we continue to talk about the work of MVGB, Sue explains how
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vital the roles of missionaries are, both at home and abroad. There is so much to administer to ensure a mission team on the ground has everything they need, they need Visas and documentation to be completed and checked, there is often a need for travel to be coordinated in both countries as well as care packages, communications between hubs and teams and support partners which all needs to happen efficiently and carefully. Sue lays
this complex weave of work out with simplicity, which sheds light on why she’s the perfect person for the job – “we work with the field missionaries, who work with the Christian nationals, who assist the indigenous people. It’s all about building real relationships.” She paints a very clear picture of a Network pulling together, with so many complex connections, but all coordinated to pull in unison for the good of those they are longing to assist.
And much of this work is being coordinated right here in our little town. Rochdale is home to one of these global hubs where a hairdresser and an accountant are using their skills to enable Maasai tribes to access clean water, education, healthcare and hope - as well as many other excellent initiatives across the globe. To find out more about MVGB, visit: www.mvgb.org.uk
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What’s in your digital diet and are you satisfied? A word has slipped into usage in recent years, which feels new, it’s not. Feed used to be what farmers brought in huge bags for cattle and chickens. Feed is now, for millions of people across the UK, their primary window between their friends, family and wider society.
No, I’m not an antisocial technophobe, but I do find it interesting to observe how seamlessly our devices have, in many cases, become our one-stop source and subsequently shape our viewpoints. Over the last few months a 32
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quick thumb-swipe has become automatic as I’ve sought to keep up with current events, not having TV at home has meant that my window on the political world has come almost solely from my phone’s news feed. And there it is, my ‘feed’ my supply, my package of just what I need. It’s well written, succinct, distilled even. Thanks to other social media I can do the same with my friends and family with my Facebook feed. My twitter feed keeps me up-to-date with various organisations that I’m interested in and the list goes on.
At my fingertips I now have everything I need, and only what I want, isn’t that the definition of feed? It seems that the way into people’s lives is to make what you’re offering attractive enough that they will include it in their ‘feed’. That may be the daily thoughts of a celebrity or political party, offers from a preferred brand or favourite takeaway, it may be an update from a theatre of upcoming shows or concerts.
But while celebrity endorsements once fuelled bulging sales figures, there is a new kid on the block in the advertising industry. It’s what is know as ‘peer-to-peer’ - when someone you trust tells you a product is good without being paid to say so. It’s thought that personal endorsements like this are up to 10 times more likely to result in you trying a product. Why? Because it’s authentic.
I now have everything I need, and only what I want, isn’t that the definition of feed?
In all cases, there’s an unspoken rule – don’t offer something as a taster that you can’t sustain longterm. That’s maybe the reason why so many introductory offers are tried and then promptly ditched when users begin to experience ‘normal service’. Companies have sought ways to entice people to ‘try before you buy’ for decades, often backing up their claims with expensive endorsement deals for you to see how their products are worn, used and consumed by people you look up to.
It’s very tempting to assume that this is a modern phenomenon. But one historical peer-to-peer endorsement has been around perhaps longer than any other. Kind David reigned in Jerusalem between 1010 and 970 BC, and amongst other things he wrote poetry and songs called Psalms. In one of these – Psalm 34, David gives a ringing endorsement and introductory offer all rolled into one: “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” OPENHOPE Magazine
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Throughout his prolific writings it’s clear that for David, the LORD held a pretty central place in life. David invites and encourages subjects in his kingdom to search for, listen to, worship, follow, rest in and take refuge in the LORD who He knew as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. David even records how he speaks to himself to ‘hope in God’.
David’s personal experience of God is one, which I too can endorse. My faith in God is the most significant life directing, hope giving, peaceproviding, life-fulfilling experience I have ever known. How did I come to have this faith as such an integral part of my life?
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That same invitation is still on offer. There is no ‘end-of-sale’ date. And what’s more, Christ sticks to that imperative rule – He doesn’t offer a short-term high with nothing to back it up. In fact his ‘introductory offer’ is counter intuitive.
Christ doesn’t offer a short-term high with nothing to back it up
David could speak with authenticity. Arguably the most effective and influential ancient King of his time, he started life as a shepherd boy but was chosen by God to rule the whole Nation.
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I tried it out. I took a chance to include God in my feed. And boy, did it feed me.
The Bible states that those who believe in Christ as God and Lord will be ‘changed from glory to glory’. What other offer gets better as it gets older? Jesus offers a life of forgiveness, hope and peace with God now, living as part of a global family, who will also share eternity with Christ in unspeakable glory for evermore. It sounds to good to be true. Please don’t take my word for it. David suggested tasting and seeing for yourself.
BELIEVE BELONG BECOME CHAMPNESS HALL CHURCH, DRAKE STREET, ROCHDALE SUNDAY - 10:30am WEDNESDAY - 7:30pm INFO - 07717 578 540