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‘See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?’ Isaiah 32:19
God is on the move. Although we can rely on his unchanging character, he is working out his plans to bring all creation together with Christ as head (Ephesians 1:10). That is our sure and certain hope in these changing times.
We have some changes here at HOPE Together. We are thrilled that Rachel Jordan-Wolf has joined us as assistant director – watch the video above to hear her heart for mission and vision for the future as she moves from her role as National Mission and Evangelism Advisor to the Church of England to work with us. It's also great to have Ben Almond as another additional to the team - Ben is PA to both me and Rachel. Do join us praying for them as they settle into the HOPE Together team.
Roy Crowne
HOPE Together's Executive Director |
 New website
We’ve updated our website at hopetogether.org.uk – we hope you find it easier to use our new shop, and our rebranded HOPE Youth pages (formerly HOPE Revolution). Check out the brief history of HOPE and download our monthly prayers. |
Summer Fun Days
It is amazing to see so many churches in villages, towns and cities working together over the summer getting out of our buildings to bless our communities. Here are a few snapshots of what God is doing.
Eastleigh
Watch HOPE Eastleigh’s video above showing how churches in the town worked together for their mission week across their community. HOPE Together’s Youth Director Dan Randall preached at the final service, and many people made commitments to Christ praying with someone in the prayer tent at the event.
Preston
All Saints at Hesketh with Becconsall held a Summer Garden Party. They delivered 500 copies of the Hope for All magazine to homes in the village. They also gave a further 500 copies away at the garden party, at their village show, at the local steam fair, to residents in a local residential home, and to FoodBank clients.
 Huddersfield
HOPE Huddersfield churches came together for Church in the Park to celebrate Jesus together. HOPE for All magazines were given away as churches from across Huddersfield joined the celebration. Watch Patricia Lee (right) talk about her experience of HOPE Huddersfield.
Andover
Andover Churches Together (ACT) worked with the Rotary Club and the Mayor to run a free Picnic in the Park. The churches provided the Bouncy Castles, a Tea Tent for the public and Cream Teas. There was also a Prayer Tent available.
Bedford #Footballfun
Three Rivers Church in Bedford brought 150 local adults and children together for a friendly football tournament, with a barbecue, music and a evangelistic talk. |
HOPE Youth
Jodie uses her blog to share her faith. Watch her tell her story.
Jodie is part of the Amplify Young Evangelist's Academy. We’re looking for young people who are actively living out what it looks like to share their faith; confidently speaking with peers, inviting friends to church, setting up Christian Unions and generally taking any opportunity to share Jesus.
Launching in September 2019, Amplify will seek to journey with 60-100 hand-picked young people aged 11-17 (as of September 1st 2019), from many different churches and denominations right across the UK (no more than two young people per any one church).
There are only a few spaces left. Sign up your young person today: advance2020.org/amplify |
Helter-skelter comes to Norwich Cathedral
All the fun of the fair comes to Norwich Cathedral from 8-18 August when the Seeing It Differently project will include a 50ft helter skelter installed in the West End of the Nave (see the artist’s impression below). Visitors to the cathedral will be invited to take a journey of discovery. This includes a Bible Box, which will invite people sit inside the Bible and read it in a new way. A Blind Trail will challenge people to trust their senses other than sight as they don a blindfold and navigate a special route designed to help them experience the world in a different way. HOPE resources available for visitors will include the gift book Who do you say I am? which is currently on special offer from the HOPE shop - packs of 10 cost just £10.00 including p&p.
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Talking Jesus in Bristol and Grantham
The Church of England in Bristol diocese has made the Talking Jesus course available for every parish. Polly, who recently completed the six-session video and discussion-based course said it had given her confidence to speak about her faith.
She said: ‘We do all need to share our faith and be proactive. We want to be welcoming and invitational as a church. The course made me more confident about my own faith and I have found myself being more proactive about having conversations.’
Steve from Harrowby Lane Methodist Church in Grantham is part of a group taking the Talking Jesus course. Steve says, ‘My wife shared her testimony for the first time. She cried and the whole group cried with her. It was a powerful time. She is quiet and doesn’t share much – she’s a private person.’ The whole group’s now started to talk about Jesus to their family and friends. |
Book now for the Advance 2020 Summit – a special event to encourage and equip each other to take the gospel to the nation on an unprecedented scale throughout 2020. Speakers include Ravi Zacharias, Celia Apeagyei-Collins, Roy Crowne, Rachel Jordan-Wolf, Kevin Palau, Gavin Calver, Yemi Adedeji, Andy Hawthorne and Ben Jack. Find out more here. |
 Project Manager
Our partner ministry, Hope for Every Home, is looking for a Project Manager. Hope for Every Home publishes the HOPE magazines, and has a vision to reach every home in the UK with the gospel in the next 20 years. Find out more here. Closing date 23rd September 2019.
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We are praying that you have an amazing summer seeing God bless your church and community. Do let us know how we can pray for you and serve your church going forward.
With love from the HOPE team
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