Hope and a Future Magazine Edition 7

It all began with one boy

Meet Lewis, the very first young person helped by TLG twenty years ago

One for a purpose

Gavin Calver of the Evangelical Alliance on why young people depend on church unity

Life to the full

For mum Julie, TLG Make Lunch has taken her on an unexpected journey of faith

over the past two

you could

Be

In this special edition:

It all began with one boy: Lewis’ story

20 years of TLG: Ordinary people, extraordinary story

Life to the full: Julie’s story

Gavin Calver: One for a purpose

Powered by people

9 times out of 10: George’s story

Leading the way

Finally able to hope: Ryan’s story

Just a little respect: Brooke’s story

Play Your Part: Pray with us

Joining in God’s adventure “It

has been said that ‘mission is finding out what God is doing and joining in’. That couldn’t be more true for us.

In this bumper anniversary edition, what you see in the pages ahead is not so much what the TLG team has achieved over twenty years, but what God has done through ordinary people who chose to join in.

In essence, that’s what TLG is. Ordinary people like you and me making an extraordinary difference for struggling children. It’s not a magic formula. We simply trust God for every struggling young person that we meet – that he has a plan to bring hope and a future. Today, having supported over ten thousand children, we’re still as certain as day one that God has great plans for even the most unlikely of individuals.

That’s why I’m so excited to share Lewis’s story on page 4 - the first young person TLG ever supported. Now a close friend of mine, it’s a story that shows that the difference made in one child can have an impact to last decades.

I’m really pleased that this edition’s guest writer is our friend Gavin Calver, Director for Mission at the Evangelical Alliance. As a passionate advocate for young people, his perspective on church unity is so timely for the Church in 2019.

Plus, in celebration of twenty years, in this edition we’re sharing even more stories of transformation. Every one of them is a powerful testimony of the Church in action.

I’m so thankful for people just like you who’ve walked with us over the past two decades. Whether you’ve volunteered, prayed or given, we’re truly blessed to have you on board.

Together we are transforming lives for good!

Tim Morfin Founder and Chief Executive

It began with one boy: Tim and Lewis today - the very first young person TLG supported. Read his amazing story on page 4.

It all began with one boy.

TLG helps thousands of children every year. But twenty years ago, there was just one boy that kicked it all off. Lewis, now in his thirties, has no doubt that TLG transformed his life for good.

“Mychildhood wasn’t nice. grew up in a house with a violent man. My dad believed that children should be seen and not heard, so if we did anything wrong he’d punish us with a belt. On birthdays or at Christmas, if there were a little bit of paper left on the floor he’d beat us. One time, he was working away in London. We packed our bags and did a runner in the middle of the night.

At the time just thought it was normal. They say you get the t-shirt but I got the scars. I didn’t know how to talk about it. bottled it up and pushed it below the surface. All I’d ever known was violence so that’s how dealt with the anger I had inside me.

I hated being at school. I felt trapped and like no-one understood what I’d been through. So I worked out how to play the system. I’d try and get kicked out of school by half past nine. If that meant throwing a punch at someone I’d do it because I didn’t want to be there.

Instead of school, went to the local cricket ground and learned how to be a groundsman. That’s all I wanted to do. I’m no good sat at a desk. I just like working outdoors where I’ve got my own space.

I started going to TLG, which was just a few streets away from where I grew up. It was like nowhere else. It was safe and taught me that life could be different – that I could

change. I’d always thought that all Christians were old with walking sticks and zimmer frames but these were Christians in their twenties, not that much older than us.

That’s where met Tim Morfin. Without him, I’d probably be dead or in prison because everyone wrote me off – except for Tim. I never thought I’d make 16, 18 or 21, never mind my thirties.

Life is better now. I’ve got a full-time job as a gardener and I still look after two cricket grounds at the weekend. I talk to God all the time too and He’s shown me a different way of dealing with things. Looking back, know that He’s always been guiding and protecting me.

TLG never gave up on me... Looking back, I know that God’s always been guiding and protecting me.

Recently, all the stuff from my childhood that I’d buried came back to bite me. I started having flashbacks and didn’t know how to process it. It was making me ill. But because of TLG, I’ve still got support even now. Tim and Rae have been my rock. We’ve sat together and talked through everything. I’d never cried in front of anyone in my life but with them the tears were running down my face and it felt like such a relief. They say you can’t choose your family, but I did. That’s what Tim and Rae mean to me.

If sharing my story helps one person then it’s worth it. I feel as though 25 years on, kids are still being let down. It’s so easy to kick someone out but how about trying to find out what the issues are? There are so many kids struggling but they need someone to listen to them. If it weren’t for the likes of TLG doing this, who would?”

Give hope today. Transform lives for years to come.

Lewis still has hope today because Christians believed in his potential 20 years ago. With over 400,000 school exclusions each year, we urgently need more Christians to bring hope and a future for struggling children. If you believe that every child deserves hope and a future, do something amazing today by becoming a Hope Giver.

A few pounds every month will leave an impact that echoes through decades to come.

Visit tlg.org.uk/hope today to rewrite stories just like Lewis’.

Above: Lewis aged 15 in the kitchen at the very first TLG Education Centre in Bradford

Photography of Lewis by Simon wiffen

Ordinary people, extraordinary

20 years ago we were just a team of twenty-somethings desperate to make a difference in our local community.

It all began by saying ‘yes’ to what God had in store. Two decades on, we’re totally blown away by what God has done through TLG.

Over 20 years, we’ve helped more than 10,000 struggling children and young people. In 1999, we managed to support 30 young people. Last year, we reached an incredible 5,002 children. Not to mention their families too!

It all started with one church in Bradford. In 2007 we followed God’s call to begin sharing what we knew with other churches. Now, we’re a

nationwide movement of more than 200 churches committed to reaching some of the most vulnerable children and families in their communities.

Back in 1999, we were a small group of friends doing what we could with what we had. Incredibly, God has grown TLG to include more than 90 staff and over 2,000 volunteers.

Together, we’re an army of likeminded Christians, determined to bring hope and a future.

Youth work at a local Bradford church expands to encompass an educational programme for young people struggling to access school. TLG is born.

TLG opens an Education Centre in Birmingham, reaching young people for the first time beyond Bradford.

TLG’s first ever paid staff team emerges, supporting up to 10 young people in Bradford each term.

TLG continues to grow, launching education centres in cities across the UK, including London and Manchester.

None of us could have imagined the way that TLG would impact the UK. But we’re not going to put our feet up and pat ourselves on the back. Instead, we’re going to keep going. We’ll keep following God – knowing that He’s the one that has grown TLG and has an unimaginable vision for it.

TLG Portugal launches, with 9 churches starting Early Intervention in just 18 months. Total number of church partners reaches 100.

Will you join us to make an impact in the next 20 years? Become a Hope Giver to join the momentum of what God is doing through TLG. Just a few pounds each month will help us to do what God has called us to and reach even more struggling children.

Visit tlg.org.uk/hope to transform lives today.

With more than 200 church partners and over 10,000 children helped, we can’t wait to see what God does through TLG next!

TLG begins to pilot our Early Intervention programme, supporting children showing early signs of struggling.

Make Lunch joins TLG as our third programme, offering a lifeline to families facing holiday hunger.

Right: One of our first TLG Education Centre lessons

Below: Building faith and community at the very first Family Faith Adventure Weekend in 2009.

life to the

An alarming 1 in 5 children in the UK face food insecurity, one of the highest rates in Europe. Behind the statistics are real families – families just like Julie’s. When her local church began a TLG Make Lunch club, Julie couldn’t have predicted the incredible impact it would have on her life.

“B

efore Make Lunch started, there was nothing on my estate for children. We did used to have a Brownie pack but even that’s gone now. It meant that during the school holidays, I just had to try and occupy and feed the children.

Sometimes that was ok but sometimes it has been difficult. There are times when have struggled financially and it’s been tricky for me to buy everything that my children need, including food.

About four years ago, was handed a leaflet from my daughters’ school about the Make Lunch club that the church on my estate were launching. decided I’d go along to try it out and really quickly just found it to be such a nice and welcoming place.

For me, it’s a relief because it means that I know the kids will be fed. But it’s much more than that. It’s a place to socialise, and for the kids to do craft activities and learn new recipes as well. You really can just go and enjoy yourself! If there’s a church interested in Make Lunch, I’d definitely tell them to look into it.

Nowadays don’t just attend the club, I help lead it too. I’m there from 8 o’clock in the morning taking in the food deliveries, setting up the tables and getting everything ready for when the children and families arrive. I’m also the one making sure all my friends bring their kids along too!

I’ll put a message on my Facebook page to remind all my friends,

In the future, all I want is for my kids to be happy. If they’re helping in the church and in the community then I know they’ll be happy. That’s all I can ask for.

I made the decision to get baptised because I felt God saying, “right Julie, this is your time!”

‘Make Lunch is on this Wednesday. Come along!’ I feel really proud to be able to do something for this estate and the local community.

Coming along to Make Lunch at St John’s has meant I’ve got to know Rob and Katja who lead the church. They’ve been absolutely great and so supportive. I started attending their church and it helped me to see how much I need God in my life.

I made the decision to get baptised because I felt God saying, “right Julie, this is your time!” It felt like the right thing to do and I’ve noticed my faith falling into place as I’ve served in the community too.

It’s not OK!

In 21st century Britain, with 4.1 million children living in poverty, it’s just not OK that children are going hungry. We urgently need your help to respond to this growing injustice. Make Lunch clubs like Julie’s are only possible because of compassionate supporters like you.

Just £15 a month can help a family to receive crucial support in the holidays through TLG Make Lunch.

Visit tlg.org.uk/hope to offer a lifeline to families just like Julie’s.

Photography of Julie and children by Ian Harding

Above: Julie and daughters with Katja, their Make Lunch coordinator at their church in Luton.

united for a

Gavin Calver is the Director of Mission at the Evangelical Alliance and Chair of Spring Harvest. Formerly the leader of Youth for Christ, Gavin’s an evangelist, speaker and author with a burning passion to see the Gospel reach every person in the UK.

For 20 years, we’ve believed that when united the Church has the power to transform communities. We asked Gavin Calver, Director of Mission at the Evangelical Alliance, why church unity is so crucial for the sake of struggling children.

“A

A united body was what Christ longed for before he was arrested because he knew that if the church could be one and stand together, then many more people would be drawn to him.

is on God’s heart for his children so we can be certain he will aid us in seeking it. It’s a unity that needs to be tangible and is outward facing so others will hear the Gospel.

By Gavin Calver

The wonderful ministry of TLG provides us all with an incredible opportunity to be united in reaching some of the most broken children and young people. lone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”

These words from the American author, Helen Keller, are as poignant as ever and present to us a great challenge as we navigate our way through an increasingly divided and fractured society. In a world of brokenness, pain, confusion and lack of trust, surely there are few things more important than the call for the church to unite?

Encouragingly, this cry for Christian unity seems to be getting louder, perhaps because many of the divisions in society are growing wider. In our culture separation, hostility and isolation are seemingly rampant - physically, tribally, spiritually, geographically and emotionally – and yet the Father calls his children to cross all of these divides by coming together and reflecting his glory.

Scripture gives a clear mandateunity is essential – and it’s a Godgiven unity centred on mission and the primary truths of faith. Jesus prays passionately in John 17 that the church may be united. Unity is not an option. It is something that

Such unity is particularly important in our work with younger generations. The overwhelming majority of people who come to faith in the UK are under 25 and it will take the church working together to

be most effective in this. It doesn’t matter which individual church has the most young people but that the church overall has them. If we work together, pray together and share resources with one another we can do incredible things amongst new generations. In my 14 years working previously at Youth for Christ the ministry amongst younger generations was immeasurably more effective when the church was united in her approach.

The wonderful ministry of TLG provides us all with an incredible opportunity to be united in reaching some of the most broken children and young people. The vast majority of the teenagers I have met over the years have needed parent and grandparent figures far more

than they’ve needed more friends. The church is the one place where generations can happily live side by side and invest in one another.

I am so excited to think of what could be possible if we all worked together and got behind TLG as they seek to reach many who are marginalised. I thank the Lord that their ministry exists and hope and pray that the next 20 years are even more effective for the Kingdom. For the sake of the world, and the younger generations coming through, let us fully embrace this opportunity to be one for a purpose.“

Powered by people

There’s one thing we’re in no doubt about. People like you have played a crucial role in TLG over the past twenty years. It’s our Hope Givers - compassionate supporters giving a regular gift each month – that have enabled us to do so much for struggling young people over the years.

Hope Givers just like you have helped us to do some amazing things over the last 20 years. But nothing more amazing than bringing hope and a future to over ten thousand children in moments of crisis.

However, with school exclusions and child poverty rising at an alarming rate and a growing number of children reporting feeling worried and in need of support, the need to act is urgent.

The past twenty years have been powered by faith-filled supporters

standing with us. But we’re looking ahead to the next twenty and seeing an exciting but challenging journey that God is calling us on.

Now more than ever, will you join a rapidly growing movement of supporters and become a Hope Giver? Whether you can give just a few pounds or can make an overwhelming regular donation, we can guarantee that you’ll be sowing futures of hope for generations to come.

Meet our very first Hope Givers!

When John & Jenny became TLG’s first Hope Givers, they were struck by TLG’s God-given vision and knew they too wanted to bring hope and a future:

“We became Hope Givers because we know how important childhood and adolescence is in laying the foundations for the rest of life. We also know what a powerful influence good role models can be throughout childhood. Through TLG’s work, God’s light and love can pierce the darkness and bring the eternal gift of hope that’s so needed in the world we live in.”

Fourteen years on, they’re still generously giving and are just as passionate about transforming lives for good.

“Having enthusiastic, kind and compassionate people in local churches working with some of the most vulnerable and precious members of our community is what motivates us to continue our Hope Giving. It’s an honour to play a small part in this by giving to TLG each month!”

John & Jenny were the first of thousands of compassionate individuals determined to give what they can to reach struggling children across the UK.

Will you join them?

a month could help to launch a TLG Make Lunch club to feed hungry children in the school holidays

£8 a month could give a young person the opportunity to explore faith for the first time on a TLG residential

£16 a month could offer crucial support to a struggling child with a TLG Early Intervention coach £60

Getting started as a Hope Giver couldn’t be easier. Visit tlg.org.uk/hope today!

If online giving isn’t your thing, you can call our Supporter Care team on 01274 900377 or fill in your details at the end of the magazine and send them back to us using the address shown on the form.

9 times out of 10

Before attending a TLG education centre, George found himself sent out of class 9 times out of 10. But now, at the age of 22, he can look back on his years at TLG and truly describe them as transformational.

“I

was hyperactive all the time. That’s the best way to put it.

I called myself the class clown because I was just cracking jokes and thought people found it funny but they didn’t. was basically being a pain around people and causing trouble around school.

I got lots of Saturday detentions and I’d have to walk down the high street in my uniform. People would look at me and think, ‘what’s he doing in his uniform? It’s a Saturday!’ It was embarrassing. Primary school wasn’t any easier. In fact, it was a big issue as well. I remember one time cutting a girl’s

clothes with scissors because I was annoyed with her. You’d find me sat outside the headteacher’s office again and again.

I needed to be somewhere smaller. When you’re at a big school and you’re sitting there stuck on something, the teacher can’t help you because she’s busy with the student that’s getting A stars. They know you’re going to fail so they don’t help you as much. Well that’s how felt anyway.

I was given a place at the TLG Education Centre in West London. At first I thought it was just one of

those places that the naughty kids go but quickly realised that it was somewhere I needed to be.

What makes TLG so special is that there’s only a small group of you and the staff are so willing to care. They really listen to you when you’re having a bad day.

I can’t think of any teacher at TLG that didn’t put in 100% to help me. TLG taught me to be myself all the time, to not belittle myself.

I think with TLG, everything changes completely.

praying for me from day one was so nice. They believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

I honestly feel so lucky to have been given the opportunity to go to TLG. I don’t know how different life would be now without it.

Because of TLG, I was able to go on to college. Believe me, I don’t think I’d have got there without them. I honestly feel so lucky to have been given the opportunity to go to TLG. I don’t know how different life would be now without it.

TLG definitely changed my perception of Christians. They’re a lot more forgiving. They don’t give up on you. They keep working with you to help you make things right. Knowing that the TLG staff were

I’m moving up to Edinburgh in a couple of weeks to start a new chapter in my life. I’m going there with a different mindset. I’m at Tesco and I want to work my way up. I really want to do well there.

Take it from me, a lot of places need TLG because there are so many kids struggling and a lot of them don’t like to ask for help. That’s why if I met someone who gave money to TLG I’d make sure they knew how much that money is helping young people. What you give to TLG is helping people like me get to the place where I am now.”

Above:

TLG

Act now!

The number of struggling children is growing at an alarming rate, with 422,910 exclusions given to children in the UK in 2018. Devastatingly, 6,925 of these were given to children aged just 6 years or younger.

Every week, compassionate people just like you are choosing to bring hope and a future for young people just like George. Will you respond to the urgent call today?

Head to tlg.org.uk/hope to do something truly lifechanging today.

George aged 15 at the

Education Centre in West London in 2012

Photography of George by Andrea Thomson

the way leading

There’s a resolute determination at TLG to reach more and more struggling children. These 20 years have never been about aiming for awards, but we’re so grateful that others have recognised the impact the TLG team is having.

Each and every award is shared with the whole TLG family – the phenomenal staff, volunteers andchurch partners who work together to make a huge difference.

WINNER

The Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For

Winner – Best Not-for-Profit Organisation to Work For

Winner – Best Leader - Tim Morfin

We were absolutely blown away to win not one, but two awards at this prestigious ceremony which recognises workplaces that employees love! TLG scooped the top prize, competing with over 600 organisations.

What’s more, we came 1st place of all charities surveyed in 36 categories, including team, leadership and wellbeing!

The TLG leadership team celebrating after being named ‘Best Not For Profit to Work For’ earlier this year!

2018

Premier Digital Awards

Winner – Best New or Redesigned Website

Yep, that’s right. Our little corner of the internet is an award-winning one! We were chuffed to receive this award recognising the website which is our opportunity to bring our supporters and people new to TLG much closer to our vision. Don’t forget to pay a visit yourself! www.tlg.org.uk

Charity Bank Awards

Winner – Change Maker of the Year Award

We were thrilled when our founder and Chief Executive Tim Morfin won the national ‘Change Maker of the Year Award’ at the Charity Bank Impact Awards 2018, in recognition of his outstanding contribution in support of struggling children since TLG’s early beginnings in the 1990s.

TLG’s Communications Team at the Premier Digital Awards, 2018

2010

Charity Times Awards

Winner – Best Charity to Work For

Winner – Corporate Social Responsibility Project of the Year

It was a double win for us in 2010. Not only did we win an award for our workplace culture, but also in recognition of our partnership with international legal practice Osborne Clarke. The team at Osborne Clarke worked with our young people to develop presentation skills as well as learning how to put forward persuasive arguments.

Want to be part of our award-winning team?

Visit www.tlg.org.uk/jobs to see our latest vacancies!

TLG student Antonio congratulates Tim upon receiving the Charity Bank Award in 2018

Tim and TLG trustee Mike Royal with comedian Ruby Wax at the Charity Times Awards in 2010.

Finally able to cope Hope

As a child, Ryan was bound by anger and wore a frown from day to day. With support from his TLG Early Intervention coach his frown became a smile and, five years on, the smile remains.

“My

behaviour was terrible and was just so rude. I’d get in trouble for shouting at teachers and constantly misbehaving. I don’t know why did it but I think just wanted attention in the classroom. I’d play the part of the class clown as if to say, “look at me everyone!”

They’d send me out all the time. We had this room at my school called the Rethink Room where I’d have to go over and over again to sit on my own. I just remember it making me so frustrated. In fact, I’d say I was just quite an angry child.

When got told that Steve was going to come in and start coaching with me I was quite excited. In all honesty, to begin with I was mostly just excited because it meant I got to leave class to make paper aeroplanes!

But then noticed myself starting to change with Steve.

In our coaching sessions we would talk and he helped me to cope with my anger. He helped me to focus and to get my head down at school. He showed me that instead of lashing out at teachers and students, I could stop and take a breather. I started to understand how important it is to listen to teachers.

Steve made me feel better about myself and about school. I was just really proud of myself and the progress I’d made. When I saw the difference that it was making I was so happy. I went from being enemies with my year six teacher to becoming best friends.

It really helped me to mature. When I arrived at secondary school I decided that didn’t want to misbehave anymore. I told myself that there’s just no need to act like an idiot anymore. I felt like it was time to take things seriously.

time. Instead of being at home doing nothing, I was hanging out with kids that knew what they were doing, kids with motivation. And the leaders, they were very good people to me. You could sit down with them, talk about how you were doing and they’d really listen. I’d say it was such a good place for me to go and to just not worry about anything else.

It’s almost five years since my coaching with Steve ended and I’m so grateful for the support he gave. He really helped me to become a better person and that makes me so happy.”

When I saw the difference that it was making I was so happy. I went from being enemies with my year six teacher to becoming best friends.

I don’t think I’d have been thinking that if hadn’t met Steve. I’d probably still be mucking around in school and definitely wouldn’t be doing as well as I am now. I’m doing GCSEs now and school is going well. I’m worried about exams because there’s a lot of pressure to do well but I’m determined to do well. When I was in primary school I didn’t care about school but now I’ve got a focus and I know what I want to achieve. Next year I’m hoping to study vehicle mechanics so I want to finish school really well.

Getting to know Steve was really great because he was one of the leaders at the church youth group and used to go along. kept going for about 5 years and only left recently as my family was moving up north. For me, it was a valuable

A wave of hope across the UK

With over 70,000 school exclusions given to primary school children every year, the need to support younger children is more pressing than ever. Imagine if the Church could cause a wave of hope and turn back the startling statistics.

By becoming a Hope Giver today and donating just a few pounds each month, you could play an incredible part in transforming lives for good.

Go to tlg.org.uk/hope today to start a ripple for children just like Ryan.

Above: Ryan in 2014 with his TLG Early Intervention coach Steve.

Right: Ryan today, with mum Davinia

Photography of Ryan by Becky Joy

Just a little respect

Behind every story of a child struggling, there’s often the story of a family crying out for help. When things at school went dramatically downhill, Emma feared for her relationship with daughter Brooke. But with TLG coach Jo by their side, Emma explains how Brooke’s future is now looking much brighter.

“In

primary school, Brooke was doing brilliantly. She was getting on really well with her schoolwork and she was happy. It was when she moved to high school that things changed. She got bullied quite a lot and felt like nobody was doing anything to help her. That’s when she became quite an angry child. She lost a lot of respect for adults.

Over time, school life became chaotic. She was skipping class and acting rudely towards teachers. They’d send her out of class and put her in detention but, to be honest, most of the time they’d just call me and I’d have to come to collect her.

At home, she wasn’t much better. Her behaviour with me was horrendous. She wouldn’t do as she was told and she’d basically scream and shout the house down. Our relationship became really bad – like really, really bad. I started to question my parenting skills. I felt like I was doing something wrong and that I was just a bad parent.

When school told me about Jo, it was such a relief. She was a coach from a local church who were sending volunteers into Brooke’s school to do one-to-one support with TLG. I was immediately open to the idea. At the time, just wanted something to work so I would have tried anything to help her. I’m so pleased I said ‘yes’. Compared to two years ago, Brooke is a completely different person.

Thanks to Jo and the coaching, she’s so much calmer. I’m not going to pretend she’s perfect because she can have her moments. That’s just typical though – she’s a teenager! But, honestly, her behaviour’s brilliant now.

I think she liked being with Jo because she was listened to. That’s the thing with Brooke, she feels like no-one listens to her but she trusts Jo. think the way that Jo coaches her helps. She’ll play games with her and make her feel relaxed. Then they’ll chat and it means Brooke can confide in Jo and share what’s going well or what she’s struggling with.

It’s really helped our relationship too. Now she communicates with me. We’ll sit down and we’ll talk rather than arguing. I think Jo’s helped Brooke to talk about how she’s feeling in a calm way. It’s so nice to know that Brooke’s happier. She’s got a lot more friends and she’s coping so much better.

To know that somebody’s looking out for Brooke, well it’s just fantastic. I just can’t describe how great it is.

Jo and I have got to know each other as well. She’ll give me a wee text every now and then to let me know how Brooke’s getting on. We met up for coffee recently too. I just know that Jo is there for me and Brooke.

To know that somebody’s looking out for Brooke, well it’s just fantastic. I just can’t describe how great it is. Thank you for everything.”

- Emma, Brooke’s mum

Build a brighter future with us

With thousands of young people struggling to build a future by themselves, join us to bring hope and a future in hundreds of villages, towns and cities across the UK. By becoming a Hope Giver, you’ll be part of an exciting community of thousands of compassionate supporters that believe no child should have to struggle alone.

Visit tlg.org.uk/hope today to put the broken pieces back together for young people who need vital help.

Photography of Brooke by Tracey Russell

Above: Brooke (left) and mum Emma

Pray with us

Across the last 20 years, there’s one thing at TLG that’s never changed – our belief that prayer works. We know that so many of you believe that too and we are so grateful that you’re praying with us.

20 Years of Faithfulness

Over the last two decades, through God’s help, TLG has supported over ten thousand struggling children and young people. Let’s pour out our praise to Him for all He has done. Continue to pray for those young people that years later, the support that they received from loving Christians would remain alive in their memories.

Opportunities to Discover More

This summer will see the return of our residential trips for the young people and families that we support through TLG programmes. For so many, the idea of going on holiday is unimaginable as they have never had the opportunity before. Our trips offer an opportunity for young people and families to discover more about faith and explore the big questions of life. Pray that this would be a life-changing experience for all attending.

The Years Ahead

The statistics are startling. There are more children living in poverty, more suffering from ill mental health and more facing exclusion from school. The time is now to make a difference. Pray that God would raise up the UK church to meet the needs of struggling children and families in all corners of the UK. Pray that more likeminded Christians would join with TLG to reach the young people that need urgent help.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

- 1 John 5v14

Receive our prayer alerts!

Join our growing WhatsApp broadcast to receive urgent prayer updates on behalf of struggling children and families across the UK. It just takes two very easy steps:

1. Add +44 (0)7712 705947 to your mobile phone contacts.

2. Text ‘PRAY’ in WhatsApp to the number above.

You’ll begin to receive free prayer updates straight to your phone. Don’t worry – you won’t receive constant alerts. This is a broadcast service not a Whatsapp group.

We won’t use your number for any other purposes and if you don’t want to receive any more messages, all you need to do is text STOP to the same number. Also, it’s totally private. Your number will only be displayed to us.

We urgently need an army of like-minded supporters who believe that every child deserves hope and a future. Your monthly gift will literally transform lives for good. Thank you.

Please return your form to: TLG National Support Centre, Hope Park, Bradford, BD5 8HH

I/we would like to become a Hope Giver and donate a monthly amount of:

on the 1st 15th (please tick) of each month, until further notice. The first payment will take place in (month): M M Y

would like to increase my monthly gift by:

would like to give a one-off donation of: enclose cash / a cheque (made payable to TLG) for the amount above.

Please claim gift aid on my donations to TLG today, in the past 4 years and in the future. confirm have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities of Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. understand TLG will reclaim 28p of tax on every £1 that gave up to 5 April 2008 and will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that give on or after 6 April 2008. Please notify TLG if your name, address or eligibility for Gift Aid change.

to your bank / building society to pay by Direct Debit:

Name(s) of account holder(s):

Please pay TLG The Education Charity Direct Debits from the account detailed on this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. understand that this instruction may remain with TLG and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my bank/building society.

Reference Number (For office use only):

Photography of Early Intervention in Wales by Natalie Overthrow

GodNoKnowsBounds

TLG Sunday, 6th October 2019

Unite with thousands of Christians across the UK as we declare God’s command to loosen the cords of injustice.

TLG Sunday will inspire your church through captivating stories and compelling teaching. Reserve your leader’s pack today to profile the life-transforming vision of TLG.

TLG Sunday was an incredible opportunity to be part of the solution for struggling children.

Cate Hall, Senior Leader, Trinity Life Church Royston

To reserve your FREE pack, visit tlg.org.uk/tlg-sunday or speak to our TLG Sunday team on 01274 900377