Logo

 

Banner Image:   Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet


Bringing hope to communities hit by Covid-19 


Across the country, people have used the HOPE for All magazines to connect with their communities in different ways


Jean GoodenoughFor Jean Goodenough, a member of Kay Street Baptist Church in Rawtenstall, Lancashire, distributing HOPE for All magazines was a way of marking Christmas during the pandemic in a different way.

‘The last few years we’ve had a Christmas dinner on Christmas Day at church, and had a little party afterwards, and I really enjoy being with lots of people on Christmas,' she explained. 'I had to re-think what I would do for Christmas this year.’

So – what did she do?

‘I did HOPE!’ laughed Jean. I was praying about it and I’d got hold of a HOPE magazine, and I thought “This looks really nice!” It was so glossy and just like any sort of interesting magazine that you might pick up. When I found out there was going to be a Christmas edition, related to COVID-19, I thought it would be something tremendous to give out locally.’

Jean made a plan to give out copies of the HOPE for All magazine on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – when the regular post had finished. ‘I had to decide how many magazines to get and the figure 600 just kept coming to mind!’ she said. So, she stepped out in faith and ordered 600 copies.

Jean used her shopping trolley to single-handedly transport them round all the terraced streets in her neighbourhood. She posted around 400 through doors on Christmas Eve, then resumed her mission on Christmas Day after joining the online church service. She finished the 600th copy just as thick snow began to fall, and just as she was at her physical limit – which, she says, is why God chose that number for her to order!

Although most of the magazines went through the doors of people Jean didn’t know, meaning she hasn’t heard whether they were read or not, she had some lovely moments of connection with local people as she gave them out, as well as some encouraging conversations with other Christians in her area. ‘The rest is in the Lord’s hands,’ said Jean.

For two retired ladies, the magazines were simply a chance to reach out to the people who lived around them with a message of hope.

In Caerphilly, Hazel Herrington ordered copies of HOPE for All to post through the doors of people on her street. Hazel told HOPE Together how giving out the magazines was a way of sharing her faith with her neighbours, because she recognised that she finds it hard to bring the topic up with people. ‘If somebody asks me about Jesus, I can answer questions – but I find it harder to start conversations,’ she said.

Hazel originally saw copies of HOPE for All in her church foyer and was immediately drawn to them. ‘The magazines are so good because of their true stories and because a lot of the people featured are well-known from the media – so people will respond to that,’ she said.

When she gave them out, she had some enthusiastic responses from people. One neighbour said, ‘Thanks! It’s nice to have something to read!’ and her next-door neighbour told Hazel about how she’d got her Bible back out to reach during lockdown. What a wonderful reminder that small steps of faith can lead to significant conversations!
 

Hope 2021The latest, undated HOPE for All magazine is now available for purchase. Could it be a conversation-starter for your neighbours – or a much-needed message of hope for people in your community?

They are priced at 10p a copy and are available from the HOPE online shop here.



 

Baptist Times, 14/05/2021
    Post     Tweet
NWBA Home Mission Stories
Examples of how Home Mission funds are being used in the North Western Baptist Association
SubArticleD2019
'We thank God for bringing these lovely families to Messy Church'
Laird Street Baptist Church in Birkenhead decided to invite the community to a Messy Church to start off the summer holidays, writes minister Cathy Buntin
smchstory
'How we examined the scriptures - every day'
Sandbach Baptist Church decided to undertake an adventure—in the form of a whole church Bible reading week. Secretary George Hill explains more
'We are so emotionally overwhelmed, humbled and blessed by your kindness'
A Baptist minister who is fundraising for life-extending cancer treatment not available on the NHS meets initial £50,000 target in just one week
'New funding means we can support even more people across Chester' 
The work of a community hub based at a Baptist church has been boosted thanks to Government funding
Joint Team Leader role for Jane  
The North Western Baptist Association (NWBA) has announced the appointment of Jane Henderson as Joint Regional Minister (Team Leader), to serve alongside Phil Jump
‘They think it's amazing someone is giving something free in this world’
Motivated by his faith in Jesus, Baptist church member and deacon Graham Nicholls set up a fitness class for anyone. He explains more
     Regional News 
    Posted: 16/09/2021
    Posted: 20/12/2019
    Posted: 20/08/2019
    Posted: 12/07/2018
    Posted: 20/04/2018
    Posted: 01/11/2017