New Contacts Needed!

During 2010 Contact for Christ is focusing on filling some of large gaps that have developed in its UK coverage. Please visit this page to see the list of locations where we need people who would be willing to follow-up local enquires about Jesus Christ and what it means to be a Christian. If you are able to help, please visit our website for an application form (pdf file).

Churches Will Explore Internet Opportunities on Sunday April 25

Internet Evangelism Day is an annual digital outreach focus day for churches. This year, it is scheduled for Sunday April 25. It's an opportunity for any church to explore with its members the exciting opportunities for sharing the good news online. Ready-made free downloads – PowerPoint, video clips, handouts, drama scripts and music can be easily built into a presentation of five minutes or 50.

2010's focus day will be the sixth to be used by churches around the world since the initiative's launch in 2005. Over this period, digital media have developed dramatically, with the advent of YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, and the growing use of mobile phones to access online services.

IE Day's website is also a one-stop resource covering many subjects including: how to build a church website that is 'outsider friendly', using Twitter in evangelism, and ideas for effective blogging.

Perhaps surprisingly, you do not need to be technical to share your faith online. And you can volunteer to be an email mentor to inquirers with several large online outreach ministries.

Internet Evangelism Day is an initiative of the Internet Evangelism Coalition, based at the Billy Graham Center, Wheaton. It is supported by a wide range of Christian leaders and groups. "I am glad to commend Internet Evangelism Day," says John Stott.

More information: http://www.InternetEvangelismDay.com

The Christ Files DVD - Evidence for the Accuracy of the New Testament

I recently came across The Christ Files, a series of programmes produced in Australia and shown on a national TV channel. Here is the promotional video:

Key Points:

• High production values
• Presented by Australia's top Christian author, Dr John Dickson.
• Supports the authenticity of the New Testament witness to Jesus Christ.
• Features world-renowned scholars including Martin Hengel, Richard Bauckham, James Dunn and Geza Vermes.
• Takes viewers around the globe to look at ancient texts relating to current debates over the accuracy of the Bible.
• Examines the evidence for the so-called Gnostic Gospels.
• Discusses the way in which the New Testament was transmitted and why Christians should regard it as reliable.
• Suitable for showing to small groups
• A book is also available that allows viewers to look at the evidence presented in more depth.
• Second DVD contains extended interviews for those wishing to know more about the subjects beign discussed.

The DVD and book are both available in the UK via Christian bookshops and Amazon. Visit The Christ Files website for more information.

Bible and Church Conference 2010

Following on from the first Bible and Church Conference in London in 2009, the same three scholars unite together again to seek to confront head on the big questions about the reliability of the records about Jesus. These day conferences are aimed at equipping ordinary Christians to understand the historical basis of the Christian faith and to share it with confidence.

In Bible and Church 2010 attendees will not only be presented with classic evidence for the faith, but also with previously unheard arguments for the reliability of the canonical gospels.

The speakers will be:

Dr Peter J. Williams

Dr Dirk Jongkind

Dr Simon J. Gathermole

Visit the Bible and Church website for more information.

Research on Nurture Courses

David Keen comments on some interesting research on the Start-the-Week blog on Nurture Courses which is all worth reading. Also very helpful is the link to a document published by the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham entitled On Course: Resources to Encourage Mission. This contains a summary the following nuture courses:

Living Faith - Tom Wright
START - Robin Gamble
The Beta Course
Essence - Rob Frost
Christianity Explored
The Alpha Course & Alpha Express
Emmaus - for adults
Youth Emmaus
The Y Course
Alf - About Life and Faith
A Passionate Life - Mike Breen & Walt Kallestad
Foundations21
Discipleship Explored
CHRISTIAN life and Resources for small groups
A Life Worth Living - Nicky Gumbel & Jo Glen
Lay Ministry Life
So Why God
Breaking News - J. John
Calling Out - J. John
Mind the Gap
Two Ways to Live
Lost for Words
Becoming a Contageous Christian
Pray and Say

Each entry has a brief description of the course and a helpful comment.

Videos for Evangelistic Websites

The Gospel Coalition has produced a series of videos, many of which deal with questions often raised by those exploring Christianity. Although you might not agree with all the views expressed all the ones I have viewed have been clear, pithy and focused on what the Bible says about the issue in question. Here are some examples:

Can anyone come to a saving knowledge of God without hearing or believing in Jesus Christ?



Does the Bible Claim that Jesus is God? How so?



How are we to interpret natural disasters? Are they necessarily a sign of God's judgement?



How should Christians respond to environmental issues?

The complete collection of videos can be viewed here.

Evangelical Alliance Hosts Event for Christian Bloggers

The Evangelical Alliance is hosting a gathering for Christian bloggers on 23 September 2008 at its Headquarters, Whitefield House, in London.

The event is designed to give Christian bloggers an opportunity to network face-to-face and to think through a godly approach to blogging.

Mark Meynell, Senior Associate Minister at All Souls Church, will kick off the event, by taking the bloggers through a Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Christian Blogosphere.

Phil Whittall, who leads a newfrontiers church in Shrewsbury, will be speaking about relationships in invisible communities and after lunch, Peter Sanlon will address the topic of blogging and the Bible.

A code of conduct for godly blogging will be developed as a result of the event, to help Christians communicate in cyberspace in a Christ-like way.

The cost for the event is £5, which includes lunch. To book, email Alexandra Lilley at a.lilley@eauk.org before 16 September.

I hope to see you there.

Using Social Networking in Personal Evangelism

The Web Evangelism Bulletin has a very helpful article on the use of Social Networking tools such as Facebook in personal evangelism. Though I disagree with the view presented that this is an alternative to overt evangelism, I do see the two methods a being complimentary. To read the article, click here.

Rejesus partners with Church Army to make Jesus famous

Rejesus.co.uk, a leading home on the internet for all things about Jesus and related faith issues, announced on 24th June that Church Army is to become a major strategic and managerial partner in the future development of the site.

Rob Freeman, Archdeacon of Halifax and Chair of the rejesus board, said, "I am delighted with this news. Rejesus.co.uk was established to enable people who are not connected with church to be able to explore issues around who Jesus is and how he impacts on issues of life and spirituality. The partnership with Church Army will help bring fresh impetus and additional resources to the development of the site and help build on our success in establishing rejesus.co.uk as the number one place on the web to go to find out about Jesus."

Church Army's Chief Executive Mark Russell adds; "Rejesus is a fantastically creative and entertaining resource for those who want to discover more about Jesus and the Christian faith. Our passion at Church Army is to do all we can to make Jesus more well known and we are excited at the prospect of working with the creative team at rejesus to do just that and help make this great resource even better. We want everyone to be talking about it and all the churches to help support what we do and join us in helping to make Jesus famous" Rejesus.co.uk is probably one of the most successful current UK evangelism initiatives with hundreds of thousands of people using the site each year and many of these not in contact with church and exploring issues of faith and spirituality. Recent modules launched by rejesus include specially produced content for the BBC's The Passion series and for the movie Evan Almighty, a Jesus on-line pub quiz and guidance on prayer.

To discover what rejesus has to offer go to http://www.rejesus.co.uk/

Reaching Others for Christ at College and University

University is a great place to find faith in Christ (I know, I found Christ at University, as did many of my friends), but it is easy to make mistakes whilst trying to reach out to your fellow students. For that reason I have been eagerly awaiting the publication of a new book that seeks to help "freshers" adjust successfully to university life and witness. Krish Kandiah, recently appointed Executive Director: Churches in Mission at the Evangelical Alliance, is the author of FRESH: Bite-sized Inspiration for New Students (ISBN 13: 978-1844742752). According to Amazon.co.uk:

FRESH provides daily inspirations for new students covering everything from writing essays to writing home, from making friends to making the grade, from debt to dating. FRESH offers a challenging introduction to maintaining a strong personal Christian faith but keeps its main emphasis on discovering how Christian students can make the most of their faith, relationships and studies.

Krish has also launched a website to complement the book called Freshspace, which provides further resources on issues including Faith, Relationships, Evangelism, Study and Holiness. If you, or someone you know, are planning to start College or University this year both the book and the website would prove of great help.

BBC Radio Programme Highlights Suffering of Converts From Islam

Tonight (22nd April) at 8.00pm (repeated Sunday 27th April at 5.00pm) BBC Radio 4 will be broadcasting a programme entitled “Could I stop being a Muslim?” According to Patrick Sookhdeo of the Barnabas Fund it

highlights the stories of Muslims who have left their faith and suffered huge pressure and rejection from their families – all such a normal experience for those who convert from Islam. It also mentions converts who have been murdered or officially sentenced to death, and looks at the theological basis in Islam for the death penalty for apostasy.

This issue is one that is, thankfully, receiving increased attention in the secular press (see for example here) and one that we at Contact for Christ follow with interest and concern. A detailed paper on Apostasy from Islam can be read here.

For those who miss the broadcast it will be available on the BBC's "Listen again" service for around 7 days after the last broadcast.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Church Has Left the Building!

The Pentecost Festival is a celebration of the church's birth, an opportunity for Christians to learn more about their faith and share it with others. It is intended both as a challenge to the Church to engage with current issues and to those outside who think that the Church is dull, boring and irrelevant. A multitude of events will be taking place in London between Friday 9th and Sunday 11th May, ranging from rap music to prayer-walks and from graffiti to meditation workshops. There will be something in the programme of interest to just about everyone, for more information, click here.

Those taking part include:


3inOne International
Abundant Life Ministries International
Alison Whitlock Photography
Authentic Media
Barts Chamber Choir
Bible Society
Dave Bilborough
The Boaters Christian Fellowship
Bosh
The Burn Band
Tony Campolo
Care
Christian Aid
Christian Connection
Christians in Science
Compassion
Creative Rights
CWR
Bill Donoghue
Emerging Culture
The Faraday Project
Gospelmetro's UK Dance Company
Holy Fools
Hope for Kosovo
Hope UK
Housing Justice
Ichthus Christian Fellowship
Jericho Films
Graham Kendrick
Alistair McGrath
London City Mission
London Community Gospel Choir
London Institute for Contemporary Christianity
MC Tempo
New London Soloists Orchestra
Oddsock Productions
Open Doors
OTR
Parkour For Jesus
Pais Project
Adrain Plass
Psalm Drummers
Re:generation
Release International
Revelation Ministries Inc.
Saint Patrick's Gospel Choir
Saltmine
Salvation Army
Scripture Union
Share Jesus International
South Asian Concern
Spoken Groove
Survivor
Stepout Theatre
STOP
Street Symphony
John Thearne
West London Mission
and many others

Do You Know Your Onions?

This year's Christian Resources Exhibition - entitled Know Your Onions - starts on Tuesday 13th May and runs until Friday 16th at Sandown Park in Esher. In a break with tradition Deo Gloria will not be exhibiting this year, but all members of staff will be visiting for a day. We hope to see you there.

Deo Gloria Resources at Sale Prices

Many Deo Gloria Resources are on special offer so that churches can prepare for their Spring and Summer outreach programmes. There are substantial discounts on MTL magazine, No Ordinary Man, Life Issues cards and the Game of Life booklet and more.

More on Helping People with Debt Problems

Stewardship have recently launched a campaign to help people trapped by debt called Red2Black. Church leaders are invited to visit the website and register to download free material they can use in ministry. The site also hosts a number of video clips that can be used on church website and blogs to raise awareness of the campaign.

Help for those Drowning in Debt

Over the last few months I have noted an increase in the number of people asking for help with debt as part of their enquiries to Contact for Christ. I usually refer these people on to the charity Credit Action which provides a helpline and a range of helpful resources on its website.

Keith Tondeur, Credit Action's National Director, has written a number of books that would prove useful resources for churches wishing to assist those in debt as part of their outreach to their community.

Better Money Management for Young Singles. Authentic Lifestyle, 2002. ISBN-13: 978-1860242656. pp.36.

Better Money Management for Single Parents. Authentic Lifestyle, 2002. ISBN-13: 978-1860242663. pp.40.

Your Money and Your Life. Triangle, 1996. Pbk. ISBN-13: 978-0281049431. pp.176.

New Advance for Church Websites

Free Church Site Evaluations Now Available Online

Churches can now receive a free customized 15-page report about their websites, enabling them to develop strategies to reach outsiders in their communities.

A new online tool has been released by Internet Evangelism Day, which provides churches with a free 15-page evaluation report. Users assess their own website by answering 55 simple questions in the tool questionnaire. Their customized report is immediately displayed online, ready to print or save. Its recommendations are tailored with specific practical suggestions, based on the questions that were ticked. View the design tool here:

www.InternetEvangelismDay.com/design

A church site which has been prioritized for non-Christian visitors can be remarkably effective in reaching the community. "Week in, week out, more visitors turn up at our church on a Sunday because of the website, than anything else," writes one growing church in London UK.

Church leaders have welcomed this new resource:

"This competent evaluation tool and rating service provides a valuable service to churches and Christian ministries that will help them strengthen their effectiveness in outreach through the Internet."

- Dr. Sterling Huston, Director, North American Ministries,

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

"Most church websites are not evangelistic. The new Church Website Evaluation Tool can help rectify this problem. This is a wonderful tool."

- Dr. Bill Gordon, Evangelism Response Center, NAMB.

"There is no silver bullet for a great ministry site. However, this checklist is an invaluable tool to identify critical areas for improvement. Every church should study this regularly and act on it!"

- Gary McClure, LifeWay Ministries.

This Evaluation Tool is just one of a range of pages at http://www.internetevangelismday.com/ that help Christians learn to use the Web to reach the world. Internet Evangelism Day also encourages churches to hold a web awareness focus day on or near 27 April 2008, to explore this huge potential. Their site offers free downloads (PowerPoint, video clips, drama scripts and handouts) so that churches can create a custom program of any length from two minutes to an hour.

"I am glad to commend Internet Evangelism Day," says Dr John Stott.

Damaris Trust's New Film Review Ministry Goes Live

Following on from my entry on Damaris Trust's new initiative I was pleased to learn that the service "went live" this week with the release of the first "proper" Pollard on Film on Monday. Nick Pollard discusses the issues raised in the recently released "Charlie Wilson's War". New Pollard on Film programmes are planned every two weeks.

Finding a Gospel Message in Contemporary Cinema

Always at the forefront of evangelistic projects aimed at engaging with contemporary culture, Damaris are planning to produce a series of 4-minute prgrammes which will be "a cross between 'Film 2007' and 'Thought for the Day'." Presented by Nick Pollard they are aimed for those who have no biblical knowledge but are willing to consider what the Bible has to say about important issues. The programmes are designed in such a way as to make them suitable for use in school assemblies, etc. and provide "natural breaks" to allow person showing the film to stop the video and allow discussion. For more technical details, click here (PDF).

A pilot film for the series is available which gives a good idea of how the concept will work in practice.

How to Turn your Sermon into a Podcast & More...

Church Solutions are offering a free 25 page e-book explaining how your church can use new developments in Internet technology (known collectively as "WEB 2.0") to spread the Gospel more effectively. The book features a step-by-step guide to turning a sermon into a Podcast, how to write a good church blog, optimising your website to increase its search engines ranking and an innovative way to make your sermon interactive using mobile phones. There are also useful introductions to Twitter, Video logs (Vlogging) and viral marketing. For those unfamiliar with the terminology a glossary is provided as well as a host of links to relevant websites. To download a free copy click here, complete the form and following instructions in the e-mail you will receive.

Thanks to Tony Whittaker of the Web Evangelism Bulletin for the link.

Iranians Open to the Gospel as Never Before

In a new book Mark Bradley explains why Iranian's are increasingly turning to Christ.

Iran: Open Hearts in a Closed Land (Authentic, 2006. Pbk. ISBN: 978-1-85078-770-9) offers a fascinating insight into the reasons behind the rapid growth of the Persion church in recent years. Divided into two main sections, Closed Land explains why the current regime is so hostile to Christianity in its attempts to maintain the world's only Shia state. Open Hearts documents the population's increasing disillusionment with the islamic government's policies and with Islam itself. Despite intense persecution underground churches continue to grow.

There are a number of ways to respond to this book's message, including supporting ministries such as the Barnabas Fund, Elam and Radio Voice of Christ which work in that country directly. What is less well known is that there are currently thousands of Iranians in this country, who having fled Iran, cannot be sent back because they are likely to suffer further persecution. A large number of churches send teams into the Immigration Detention Centres where many Iranians are being held and are finding them very open to the Gospel. This book would prove extremely helpful to churches involved in this work already - and to those who are considering it. In a very real sense this mission field has come to us. Having had the opportunity to read a pre-publication copy I heartily commend it.

We dare not neglect Iran as we look at the global scene... A relevant cutting-edge book about an amazing nation.

George Verwer

Gives a clear and useful account of both the recent history of Iran and the current complex and challenging issues facing the people... who live in this troubled land.

Baroness Cox

If you are wondering what is really going on inside Iran, Mark provides the answer... an important book.

Robert Weston, editor, The Still Small Voice

A very accurate and up-to-date picture of the present-day situation. I will make it obliged reading for all Open Doors staff.

Wybo Nicolai, Regional Director, Middle East, Open Doors

Gospel of Luke Dramatised for Radio 4

The BBC will be airing five plays based on a dramatisation of the Gospel of Luke during the week running up to Christmas. The plays which feature the voices of Peter Firth, Paul Hilton, Lorraine Ashbourne and Penelope Wilton will each be accompanied by a short documentary "Behind Luke's Story" presented by Ernie Rea. There is a potential opportunity here for discussion with friends and neighbours about the real meaning of Christmas.

Angels seen in Rochester!

Deo Gloria's Cathedral exhibit on the theme of Angels has now moved to Rochester Cathedral in Kent. A new page on the website presents a slideshow of images that give some idea of what the exhibit looked like when it was shown at Coventry Cathedral last Christmas.

Exeter: the New Home of the Creation

Deo Gloria Trust's Creation Exhibition has now opened in the Lady Chapel of Exeter Cathedral where it will remain until 6th January 2008.

Rob Frost Promoted to Glory

We were all sorry to hear of the death of thr Reverend Rob Frost last Sunday. Rob served for many years on the advisory panel of Deo Gloria Trust and will be sorely missed. I do not think I can add anything to the many tributes that have been made on various websites and blogs, but it might be helpful to bring some of them together so that readers can appreciate what high regard Rob was held.

Revd. Martyn Atkins, President of the Methodist Conference writes:

...He was an exceptional man. I happen to think that the public face of Christian witness and broadcasting has suffered a severe blow with his death. I consider that his initiatives have contributed to the enlivening of Methodism more than any other single factor in recent years. My own ministry - like many others - has been hugely enriched by his events like Easter People over the years.

But I will miss his encouraging friendship the most. He was utterly supportive of me and my ministry, completely loyal and profoundly pastoral. In his frenetic life he sustained true care with so many - including me. I thank God for Rob, and for being able to 'visit' on Sunday night, one last time - this side of heaven at least!

Mark Russell, Chief Executive of the Church Army writes:

I was devastated to learn of Rob Frost's passing last night. Rob was quite simply an amazing and remarkable man. A gifted preacher, a passionate evangelist, and an inspirational mentor. Rob made a collossal contribution to challenging the Church to become more radical and bold...

Tony Miles writes:

Thousands, possibly millions, of people have been influenced spiritually by this faithful methodist, whose ministry went beyond our denomination. He stood up for what he believed with all his heart to be true – constantly challenging comfortable Christianity.Despite his notoriety, Rob was a humble man, and a good friend to so many. Many will have sat under his leadership or ministry, and later shared a bag of chips with him or a breakfast after his radio show, or a coffee in between meetings or events.

Jonathan Green writes:

Rob was a giant in the UK church, an innovator, pioneer, evangelist, dreamer, teacher, radio broadcaster, author, encourager of so many.

Mike Rutter writes:

Rob set up an organisation called Share Jesus International and it was with this organisation that I went on a mission in 1987 to the North East of England. His heart was to enable others to hear about the message of Jesus and he did this by encouraging the church to step out beyond the 4 walls and engage with people in their communities. It was on this mission in 1987 that I found myself sitting around a kitchen table drinking coffee and listening to the rest of the team I was with, talking about their faith and about a God who was involved and present in their lives. Hearing them talk naturally about God in this way really affected me and helped me on my journey of faith. Ever since then my desire has been to ’do’ church in this way - in a natural environment - ‘around the kitchen table’ where people have the opportunity to hear about God in the same way that they would hear anything else. To hear about God as they were sitting around chatting and having a drink with friends. That’s why I am currently training to be a vicar in the Anglican Church as a Pioneer leader - as someone who is being given the opportunity to set up churches that have these values. So Rob Frost was a key person in my Christian life and someone that I think will be missed by many.

Most moving of all are the tributes by Rob's family.



The story is covered in Christianity Today, Inspire Magazine, and Christian Broadcasting News.

GodTube: Taking Christian Video Content to the Masses

Yesterday's Daily Telegraph highlighted the success of a Christian version of YouTube. Officially launched in August, GodTube is well on its way to becoming one of the most popular sites in the US, already hosting 25,000 video clips with 200-300 new ones being added each day. In addition to its distinctly Christian content GodTube has several advantages over its secular predecessor, not least of which is the fact that its content is carefully monitored. GodTube offers a platform for theological debate and on-line evangelism and will shortly be adding a feature that will allow churches to stream their services for free. The "Channels" tab helpful groups the content into sections that include Christian music, prayer, preaching, various denominations, missions, parenting and Bible teaching, plus material in several other languages.

In the following video clip, GodTube's founder Chris Wyatt explains the thinking behind the site on Fox News:



Some of its content may seem somewhat odd to British audience, nevertheless I think it offers a great opportunity to churches adnd other ministries to make good-quality teaching, apologetic and evangelistic material available to a large and rapidly expanding audience. As with YouTube there is scope for webmasters and bloggers to select and link suitable material into their own sites.

Reaching Your Muslim Friends For Christ

I recently came across a very useful little book that would be suitable for giving to a Muslim friend who has questions about Christianity. A Muslim's Pocket Guide to Christianity is written by Malcolm Steer. In 63 brief pages the author manages to pack in a great deal of information including chapters on the nature of God, the beliefs and practices of Christians, misunderstandings about Christianity, potential stumbling blocks and some frequently asked questions. The final chapter explains why Jesus Christ's claims are unique.

Malcolm Steer, A Muslim's Pocket Guide to Christianity. Fearn: Christian Focus, 2005. Pbk. ISBN: 1845501071. pp.63.

How One Man's Witness Can Make a Difference

This is the story how one man's 40-year of witnessing to passers-by in George Street, Sydney, Australia led to people from all over the world coming to Christ. This is the story of Frank Jennor - further information is available here. Does anyone have any further information to share about this story?

Hope '08 Information Site Launched

Hopeinfo.co.uk, which will serve as the public face of the Hope'08 campaign, went live this morning. Run jointly by the Christian Enquiry Agency and the Church Army the site features video clips, news and comments. It is intended to help spread the word about the Hope iniative among churches and invite them to respond. The site is launched officially on the 1st December by which time the Hope module on the rejesus website will be completed.

HT: Developing Vision

Video Introduction to Hope08 Now On-line

A new video explaining the thinking behind the Hope'08 campaign is now available. Gareth Squire (Director of the Christian Enquiry Agency) and Mark Russell (Church Army) explain how your church can be a part of this significant evangelistic campaign.