Jesus House hosts HOPE Forum

The HOPE Forum on Wed 2nd Nov, held at Jesus House was a significant gathering of Black and White Church leaders and agencies to dream about what can be achieved in our nation through the Church and to plan HOPE mission together.

Pastor Agu Irukwu shared from Matthew 5 : “to be effective the Church must regain our strength and quality - get our savour back. It is a call to prayer, fasting and dedicating our lives. If the salt has lost its savour it is no good – the Church will be disregarded.
"We need to let our light shine before men. If we are out there serving people in a practical and tangible way in our communities – that will arrest their attention. One of the greatest signs of the authenticity of our faith and the gospel is when we come together and overcome what the world sees as natural barriers”

Loading...  Bishop Graham Cray, talking about John 17, spoke about prayer being essential. “We pray is that it is his glory that will be seen. We pray for grace and strength to finish the work. Thank God it doesn’t end in 2014. This [HOPE] is a catalyst for what the Church becomes as a consequence and what it will continue to be. Unity is a gift of God through the cross but it needs divine protection. Kneeling together at the foot of the cross - that is where the unity comes from. “It is time for the church to stop hiding. It is time for us to be seen but seen for the critical issues. We long for people to come into that relationship with a God of mercy and live the sort of lives that follow him.”   HOPE’s Executive Director Roy Crowne set the scene at the Jesus House forum. HOPE aims to build momentum towards the year of mission in 2014, he said. 'The goal is lasting spiritual change in the lives of individuals, as communities are transformed by churches working together in mission with practical action as well as words.'
The day was filled with discussions and feedback of ideas on how, together as the Church, we can utilise the mission opportunities that 2012 brings to share Jesus through words and actions.  As a result, next year’s celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee look set to see six million people across the UK eating Sunday lunch together as part of the Big Lunch. Christians will party with their neighbours at the heart of their communities – just one of a range of mission activities under the HOPE banner, which will lead to a year of united church mission throughout the UK in 2014.    Unprecedented Church Leaders' Forum plans HOPE mission - Press Release  (Author: )

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