Lausanne World Pulse – Perspectives Articles – Hope 08: The Transformation of the British Isles
|
Prayer is a vital component in Hope 08. |
The Church’s Support of Hope 08
We launched the new vision, believing that God had spoken and therefore hoping that by his Spirit he might mobilise his people to make a difference in the UK. We sought the advice and wisdom of all the major denominational leaders and every one echoed our sentiments. They all felt that the time had come for this type of outreach. This confirmed to us further that God was truly at work.
We needed the backing of the Church nationwide to implement such a vision. God had to take the dream, place it in peoples’ hearts and enable them to implement the Hope08 values in their locality in creative ways. This is exactly what has happened.
Hope 08 Today
Let me take you to the city of Nottingham, where the churches have come together and decided they want to visit every school in the area with the gospel. They are also going to have two weeks of summer mission which will end with a massive celebration either at the castle or in the open square in the middle of the city. In my own home town of Rugby, church leaders have gathered and are carefully building on their existing “Revive” strategy, which then works to launch a follow-up initiative for Hope 08.
|
Hope 08 Calendar January 2008 is a time for “Fresh Hope,” a time to invite friends and neighbours to church for lifestyle courses March 2008 is “The Big Hope,” activity based around practical exploration of Lent and the Easter story. It is about making Easter accessible to all. May 2008 is “Hope Where You Live,” and uses the May Day bank holiday weekend and Pentecost to commit to doing some of the one million hours of kindness. During the summer of 2008 we are encouraging a week or weekend of focussed missional activity supported by partnering organisations in the UK. September 2008 is “Hope Explored,” when churches run courses where people can explore the Christian faith in a friendly and accessible way. December 2008 is “The Gift of Hope.” which focuses on sharing the real meaning behind the Christmas and Advent festivities. For more information contact: Ian |
There is more confirmation of God at work in Preston, Hastings, Manchester and Liverpool. Christians in this last city are sending mailings to the churches, asking to partner with them. Their plan is to use the two cathedrals on Hope Street to climax the events in the city. In a village just outside of Northamptonshire, the churches have gathered together and decided to do something strategically around their annual flower festival. The interest, excitement and energy flowing from that one small village is quite phenomenal. However, we are not there yet. We have been asking God for a tipping point, where things will suddenly take off. Over three thousand young people have committed themselves to the “Hope Revolution.”
However, we dream that there might be 100,000 people with that desire. Almost four hundred centres have registered for Hope 08 to date. We have been overwhelmed by the relationships already developing between denominations, networks and agencies; however, we know there could be so many more. Ultimately, we dream of seeing 100,000 people in prayer groups, major missions in the largest cities, five hundred smaller towns and cities involved, one million hours of kindness (in partnership with the police and government), one thousand school missions and much more. We are, as you can see, greedy for God to move in our land!
We believe that Hope 08 is an opportunity like we have never had before, to work together, as a body of Christ, to witness a move of the Spirit we never dreamt possible. Our hope is that the Church in Great Britain will come out of the shadows and change the Isles in Jesus’ name. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are still few (Matthew 9:37-38). I urge you to join with us in asking the Lord to unite his people and send them out as workers into his fields. They don’t stay ripe for long!
Please use the calendar of events to pray strategically during the year. And maybe, just maybe, it is your turn to sit down over a cup of coffee with some friends. It might just turn out to be another “God appointment” for your nation.
|
Roy Crowne is the national director of Youth for Christ in Britain and one of the founders of Hope08. He has written and edited a peer-to-peer evangelistic training course called The Art of Connecting. He preaches and teaches extensively in the UK and abroad. |