Flow Issue 2

Also featuring:BLUSH: Final curtain callTEACHING: Mark RitchieLEGENDS: Roy Crowne

PLUS: NO PAIN, NO GAIN by Andy Hawthorne / Your Letters / Latest News From Eden

new life insideBringing hope to young offenders

THe MAgAzine of MAncHesTer’s BesT KepT secreT, THe MessAge TrusT

issue

02SPRING 2010

www.message.org.uk/flow

ONLINEV e r s I o NONLINEV e r s I o N

Welcome to , the magazine of The Message Trust

_flow_the message magazine2

THe MESSAGE MAgAzine

issue 02

Editor:Alistair Metcalfe

Associate Editor:Ian Rowbottom

Senior Art Director:Dan Hasler

Graphic Designer:Bethan Ranftler

Contributors:Mel Loudon, Dev Lunsford, Mark Ritchie & Matt Wilson

Advertising: E: [email protected]: 0161 946 2300

Subscription & Supporter Enquiries:Jo NicholsonE: [email protected]: 0161 946 2328

Contributing Photographers:COVER PHOTO: Lucy Smith: www.smithimaging.co.uk

THE MESSAGE: Ian Rowbottom, Alan Saunders, Dan Hasler & Matt Wilson

Contact:e: [email protected]: 0161 946 2300

flow – The message magazinelancaster HouseHarper roadsharstonmanchesterm22 4rg

www.message.org.uk/flow

PLEASE RECYCLE

The Message actually started life in a fashion accessory business that I owned in the mid ‘80s with my brother Simon. We had a sudden surge in turnover as often happens in the fashion world, so we took on around 30 lads from the estate around our factory in inner-city Manchester.

To be honest, these young men were a bit of a

nightmare. Their behaviour was often appalling,

yet what probably shocked us more was that none

of them knew anything about the good news of

Jesus. It struck us that the two were probably linked:

in other words, destructive behaviour and lack

of opportunities to hear the gospel seemed to go

together. As the Psalmist says, ‘How can a young

man keep his way pure?’ and then answers his own

question: ‘By living according to your word’.

>>>14–15 >>>16–17

Roy Crowne sits in the ‘LEGENDS’

hotseat on page 17

Turn over for exciting news

from the Blush girls

>>>4–5 >>>6–7


Someone had to give these lads (and literally

hundreds of thousands more like them) an

opportunity to hear the good news, be changed

and, through their influence, to change their own

communities. The Message was born, and it has

been a rollercoaster adventure ever since.

Across the road from our factory back then

was a disused church that had been sold to a

knitwear manufacturer who had ripped the pews

out and installed knitting

machines. The choir stalls

however were still

intact and there, high above the rattle

of knitting machines, were written

these words in gold leaf: ‘Without a vision the people

perish.’ Proverbs 29:18

What an indictment of the church of Jesus, that

in an area of great need, people had lost their vision

and instead of building a church that would reach

out with love and kindness to that community and

share with them the words of eternal life, jumpers

were being made!

Well, much has happened in the last 20 years

and it’s so good to see the church across Manchester

regaining its vision for the poor and the lost, and

more and more authentic outreach taking place here

and indeed right across the nation.

We, of course, are just a tiny part of what God is

doing, but I think it’s fair to say we are a people of

vision and as a result there

are less and less young people

around who could say ‘We’ve

never seen it or heard it demonstrated’. More and

more of them are coming to know Jesus, changing

>>>8–9

>>>18–19 >>>20–21

>>>12–13

>>>22–23

Welcome to , the magazine of The Message Trust

‘Without a vision the people perish.’

Someone had to give these lads (and literally

hundreds of thousands more like them) an

opportunity to hear the good news, be changed

and, through their influence, to change their own

communities. The Message was born, and it has

been a rollercoaster adventure ever since.

Across the road from our factory back then

was a disused church that had been sold to a

knitwear manufacturer

who had ripped the pews

out and installed knitting

machines. The choir stalls,

however, were still intact and there, high above

the rattle of knitting machines, were written these

words in gold leaf: ‘Without a vision the people

perish.’ Proverbs 29:18

What an indictment of the church of Jesus, that

in an area of great need, people had lost their vision

and instead of building a church that would reach

out with love and kindness to that community and

share with them the words of eternal life, jumpers

were being made!

Well, much has happened in the last 20 years

and it’s so good to see the church across Manchester

regaining its vision for the poor and the lost, and

more and more authentic outreach taking place

here and indeed right across the nation.

We, of course, are just a tiny part of what God

is doing, but I think it’s fair to

say we are a people of vision

and as a result there are

fewer and fewer young people

around who could say, ‘We’ve never heard it or seen

it demonstrated’. More and more of them are

coming to know Jesus, changing their ways and going

from being the problem to being the answer. Nowthat

really is something worth giving your life for.

God bless,

FOUNDER AND CEO

Turn to page 12 for our lead feature on Reflex’s vital workin prisons

All your letters and feedback are on pages 20-21

>>>10–11

3flow_the message magazine_

a broken window reflects the business district of Canary wharf. ‘london is critical to the national eden strategy’, comments National Director matt wilson. a new documentary on eden aired on uCB TV over

Christmas. watch it online at www.eden-network.org

over 1,200 young people packed into altrincham leisure Centre for a sold-out gig following a fortnight

of schools weeks in Trafford in october. many signed up for a four-week follow-up course in

partnership with local churches.

s H o r T s

Blush to take their

final curtain call in MayAfter a total of seven years and four different line-ups, Message girl band Blush is to come to an end in May.

The news comes just weeks after Blush scooped an exclusive Gospel Music Award (GMA) for Best Group in December, fighting off competition from such big names as the London Community Gospel Choir, Four Kornerz and Hillsong London.

In a series of ‘God-incidences’, each band member has seen exciting things happening in their personal lives which have resulted in the band deciding to call it a day later this year.

Speaking about the decision, Andy Hawthorne commented, ‘In every way Blush is coming to a good end. Jess and Jim are expecting their first baby at the beginning of June; Holly is love-struck, getting married to James and moving to London to be a part of a church plant; Pippa is going to work for her church, Ivy Manchester; and Nic will be continuing the heartbeat of Blush through a new music venture.’

Band leader Jess Cook explains from the band’s perspective: ‘Since last year, we’ve heard God very clearly speaking to us about “only doing what only we can do”. That’s enabled us to focus our work on helping girls and young women see their true value in God’s eyes and for that reason, this year has been the band’s most effective and authentic ever.

‘We’re very strong as a four. But we’ve come to realise that God is now moving us all on individually. The heart for young women and girls continues just as strong as ever through each of our ongoing journeys and we are planning new things to help the girls we’ve worked with over the years.’

‘Of course it’s a sad day for everyone at The Message,’ added Andy Hawthorne. ‘But it’s been an extremely fruitful seven-year journey for the girls and we are determined to make sure they go out with a bang.’

The band will end this chapter of their lives with a farewell gig on May 7 at Wythenshawe Forum that is sure to be an awesome send-off.

Wythenshawe Forum /// Friday 7 May see www.blushuk.com for more details7.30pm /// £5 tickets ///


s H o r T s

An exciting new initiative, building on The Message’s track record of community action, is in the pipeline for 2010.

The ‘Shine Your Light’ campaign will encourage thousands of young people around the country to do acts of kindness in their communities, showing off their talents and heart for serving others, and sharing the good news through words and actions.

The campaign is also tying in with the government’s second Shine Week, which showcases young talent and entrepreneurship through schools and young groups. Last year, Shine Week used Lindsay West (pictured below) as a spokesperson for the campaign and LZ7’s anthemic ‘This Little Light’ as their theme song. This, together with LZ7’s ongoing hard work in schools, garnered an increased profile and many new fans for the band.

YouTH workers

MAy SOON NEEDquALIFICATIONAll UK youth workers may soon need to be officially qualified to work with young people under proposed new government legislation.

It is expected that the new laws, which will apply to both paid and voluntary youth workers, will be introduced in 2010.

The Message’s new 5-month Genetik evening course will meet the full requirements when (or if ) they come into force. Equivalent to a VRQ Level 3, the course provides valuable foundations and a gateway to a degree-level qualification in youth work.

Run over two evenings per month, the course covers six key areas including core values, learning and development and safety and welfare. Courses are run twice a year. Contact: [email protected]

More details from www.message.org.uk/genetik.

LZ7 CalleD oNTO SHINE

‘This Little Light’ has been downloaded over 100,000 times on

YouTube and social networking sites, attracting young people to LZ7’s

own Facebook and MySpace pages. Many are using the sites to ask questions

about Jesus and how to get connected with local churches.

The band have therefore decided to release ‘This Little Light’ into the UK charts on September 25, in the hope that as the song grows in popularity, this effect will be multiplied.

‘It’s not, repeat not, about LZ7 having a hit single,’ comments Message CEO Andy Hawthorne. ‘It is all about giving maximum exposure to young people being salt and light in their communities, and giving more young people the chance to hear the gospel for the first time.’

The Shine Your Light campaign kicks off at Easter 2010, building up to the single release date on September 25. Keep an eye on our website, www.message.org.uk for the latest news.

Above: Community action volunteers in 2009


New eDeNsIN THE NORTH EASTFollowing a vision-casting trip to the North East from Andy Hawthorne and Matt Wilson, a number of churches are now well on their way towards establishing exciting new Eden partnerships.

Made famous in the 90’s

by the BBC children’s series Byker Grove, Byker (pictured

below) is today one of the neediest areas of inner city Newcastle. This

1970’s housing estate will be the location of one of the first new Edens in the North East.

‘Byker is rife with social problems but ripe for Jesus,’

comments Simon Lawton, the pastor of partner church Heaton Elim. ‘As a

church we are really excited about bringing the love of God and the gospel of hope to a

community that desperately needs it.’

Elsewhere in the North East, a partnership with Tees Valley Community Church is set to result in two new Edens, in Middlesborough and Stockton. The church’s youth workers have already received awards for their work among

young people in several of the toughest areas.

Pastor Martin Dunkley told us, ‘Having already invested heavily into a couple of estates, we believe that by working with Eden, the work can be taken to a level of transformation.’

Please pray especially for workers as we stand together to launch ‘phase one’ this September. If you’d like to get involved in Eden in the North East,

contact [email protected].

This year, Message teams will fulfil an expected 75 schools weeks reaching an estimated 75,000 young people. That’s enough to fill

every seat at Manchester united’s Old Trafford home.

Above: Students from a previous Genetik course


Top marks FOR HOPE uNLEASHEDAndy’s latest book has received glowing reviews since its release at the end of last year.

Christianity Magazine awarded Andy’s ‘Hope Unleashed: Serving God Through Words and Actions’ a full five stars, describing the book as ‘a whirlwind journey through Luke’s Gospel’.

Reviewers on Amazon describe the book as, ‘an awesome read. Andy Hawthorne does a wonderful job… sharing his heart for local missions’ and ‘outstanding… the kind of thinking that could really change your life’.

‘Hope Unleashed’ is available direct from us here at The Message for just £5.99, saving £2 off the cover price. Visit www.messagetrading.co.uk.

New regular supporters of The Message get a free signed copy when they sign up. Turn to the back page to set up your regular gift.

GET INVOLVED IN TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES ACROSSGREATER MANCHESTER IN 2010

ROC COnveRsatiOnswhat will make the diffeRenCe in YOUR COmmUnitY

• Meetwithlocalpoliceofficers• Identifylocalneedsandexistingprojects• Kick-startnewideas

Comealongtoyourlocal‘Conversation’:

• Trafford–11thFebruary• Bury–25thFebruary• Wigan–2ndMarch• Bolton–4thMarch• Metropolitan–11thMarch• Tameside–18thMarch• SouthManchester–22ndApril• NorthManchester–29thApril• Salford–6thMay

All‘Conversations’startat7:30pm.

COmmUnitY shOwCaseCelebRating sUCCess and inspiRing fUtURes

The evening will celebrate local success stories from across the region and inspire us on to a safer future.

wednesdaY 30th JUne 2010manChesteR velOdROme, stUaRt stReet, m11 4dQ

Formoreinformationvisitwww.redeemingourcommunities.org.ukPhone:01619462373-Email:[email protected]

The differences between Urban Manchester and Urban London include both the obvious and the subtle. Urban London estates are more obvious on the landscape – tall, concrete, fortress-like, and often very compact, unlike Manchester’s endless sprawls of low-rise council semi-D’s and terraces.

Another curiosity to me is the way that the London estates often sit side by side with rows of pricey gentrified houses. The most striking symbol of this wealth-poverty divide has to be the East End communities along the Dockland Light Railway where overcrowded council flats are overshadowed by the glittering towers of Canary Wharf.

In the face of extreme overcrowding and huge ethnic diversity, establishing Eden teams in London is a big challenge. Your prayers are needed on both these fronts. Because living in the community is central to the way Eden goes about its ministry, we need to see some real breakthroughs in the provision of property.

We need divine favour with local councils, housing associations and private landlords if we’re to find homes for all our workers. We also need to get our recruitment message through to non-white church networks if our teams are to reflect the diversity present in the communities they are serving.

All the signs are that God is making a way where there was no way – which is exactly what we’re believing for!

If you want to become part of the adventure in London, or want to get a ticket for the launch celebration on March 18 visit www.eden-network.org/london.

From matt Wilson, our man in the capital

‘EstablishingEden teamsin London isa big challenge’

MARCH 18

aT WESTMINSTER

CHAPELFEATURING WORSHIP

LED BY TIM HUGHES

AND INSPIRING WORDS FROM

ANDY HAWTHORNE

AND PETE GREIG

of

offICIal LAUNCH

2010

LONDON

London is one of the world’s most popular tourist cities but my time in London hasn’t involved the usual sightseeing. Instead I’ve been well off the beaten track exploring London’s many council estates – places you’ll never see in the travel brochures.

& BAND

Tickets are free & available fromwww.premier.org.uk/eventsor by calling 08456 52 52 52

In association with

B A n D s

ack in 1988, Andy Hawthorne and his brother Simon ran a week-long youth mission at the Manchester Apollo. Thousands of young people turned up and

hundreds responded – clearly God was at work.

Soon after, Mark Pennells approached Andy and Simon and started to work full-time in schools, singing and taking lessons, whilst music producer Zarc Porter honed his skills by working with Manchester’s popular rave bands in his home-built studio. What followed was ‘The Message to Schools’, a team dedicated to taking the gospel into Manchester’s schools, and a fore-runner of today’s Message Trust.

In 1992 Andy joined Mark as a rapper and communicator and Zarc as a producer and formed The World Wide Message Tribe (WWMT).

Andy explained their vision in an interview with Cross Rhythms in 1993: ‘God has called us to work in Manchester’s schools. There are so many kids here for us to reach with the gospel. Our long term aim is to have more than one team working in the area. We want our music to be as good as possible, but everything is a servant to evangelism.’

A Passion for SoulsWhat makes our schools bands different from ‘regular’ bands? We look back at the history and impact of our schools work,from The World Wide Message Tribe to Twelve24.

Over the next twelve years, the WWMT ( just ‘The Tribe’ by 2001) performed in hundreds of schools weeks, concerts and festivals, released ten albums and led thousands to Jesus. The line-up changed over the years, as did their sound (and their outfits), but their vision remained the same: to share the good news in a relevant, meaningful way, to as many young people as possible.

In another interview in 1997, Andy Hawthorne commented, ‘All this stuff can easily become religion: trying to be funky, getting new haircuts and clothes, pushing the boundaries… it becomes the focus. If that’s an end in itself, it’s rubbish… it’s whether Jesus is at the centre of it. That’s what really matters.’

As the ministry developed, the band became overwhelmed by the number of requests to go into schools. In 2001, a second band, Blush, was formed to help cope with demand. The band is made up of young women who have a heart for teenage girls and take lessons on issues such as self-esteem and ‘real beauty’.

In 2004, The Tribe took their final bow, but their influence didn’t stop there. Ex-band member Tim Owen took on the dream of forming a training centre, (called Genetik: The Tribe Academy) for potential new youth


Get The Message in your schoolyou’re just one call away from having one of our bands or theatre company coming to your local high school. If you’re a church, please ask for Alan Saunders. For schools, ask for Nathan Milnes. Our contact number is 0161 946 2300.

‘The vision remains the same: to share the good news in a relevant, meaningful way with as many young people as possible.’

workers, musicians, and communicators. Tim and fellow ex-band members Lindz West and Andy Hawthorne regularly teach at the centre, which has seen two new bands form: LZ7 (fronted by Lindz) and Twelve24.

LZ7, formed in 2005, use a fusion of hip-hop, rock, free running and DJing in their shows. Two albums in, the band are planning an assault on the pop charts later this year: ‘This Little Light’, a song from their latest album ‘Gasoline’, has already received over a hundred thousand views on YouTube and was used in a government-backed youth initiative, Shine.

Front man Lindz West comments, ‘When we’re in schools or at gigs, we want to be the best rappers, singers, drummers or DJs we can be, so that more people will get the opportunity to hear about our awesome God. We want young people to see, from our shows, that it is possible live your dream and use the skills God’s given you in a positive way.’

Our newest band, Twelve24, are picking up the trail blazed by the Tribe. Blush and LZ7. They are named after John 12:24, where it says, ‘unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.’ The band is made up of three 20-somethings fresh out of the Genetik training programme.

Band mentor Tim Owen comments, ‘They’re taking the big issues facing young people today and hitting them head-on… they’re not watering down the message of hope in the gospel. They are committed to the young people of Manchester… their passion is growing by the day.’’

In a culture where success is determined by how much money you earn, and how popular you are, The Tribe, LZ7, Blush and Twelve24 come as a shining light in the darkness. With a heart for showing young people that they are loved, and with Jesus at their centre, these bands show that they care more about the young people of Manchester than about selling records or rising to fame.


A key strand of The Message’s work with young people is in the North West’s young offenders’ institutions. We spent time with the Reflex team to find out more.


ost people have no real concept of what life in prison is like. Our impressions from TV or fiction

will be of a lonely, hopeless place; a long wait for freedom. But imagine if, even before you reached adulthood, you found yourself being punished for a bad decision you made and facing a long stretch behind bars.

For the approximately 2,000 young offenders in prisons across the North West and several hundred more in juvenile units, this is the desperate reality.

With convictions ranging from violent and sexual offences, to robbery, burglary, and drug offences, many are facing sentences which will steal many of their best years. And upon release, they’ll face even bigger challenges of resettlement and reintegration into society. Their sentence won’t end when they walk out of the prison gates.


‘We do everything we can to give hard-to-reach young people vision and hope, to stop them making the kinds of mistakes that will land them in prison,’ says Message CEO Andy Hawthorne. ‘But we realised that for some, we were getting there too late. More than anything, lads and girls in prison need to hear about Jesus and be offered the hope that only he can bring.’

Reflex mainly works with young offenders: in other words, young men and women convicted of a criminal offence between the ages of 18 and 21. But they also work with juvenile offenders aged 17 and under. Most are male but some 16% are female.

Simon Sullivan manages the Reflex team of four full-time staff, two interns and a large team of volunteers. He’s been working with the Message since 2006 when he felt God call him away from a 20-year career in engineering:

‘There’s such a need for Christian workers in Young Offenders’ Institutes. Even though prison chaplains do fantastic work, not many have worked with young people or know what to do with them. Reflex came about to work alongside them in doing a difficult and important job.’

Reflex’s work in prisons began with Sunday meetings and Alpha courses run out of the chaplaincies in the region’s young offenders’ institutions: Forest Bank, Styal, Thorn Cross and Hindley. But over the last few years, the team has developed a broader and more holistic programme designed to address what experts say are the four main reasons young people offend. Crime among young people frequently stems from a lack of positive role models, low self-esteem and confidence, a lack of achievement and non-constructive use of leisure time.

Simon sees it as no coincidence that the very things that experts name as the root causes of offending are also the four main ways Reflex positively affects the young offenders they come into contact with.

‘We’re spiritual fathers, significant role models, to loads of lads and girls. They are learning to be fathered. Once they’ve got that, they’ve got security and self-esteem. Jesus said, “knowing the truth sets you free”. Once they get that truth, they can be free.’

To help address endemic low self-esteem among young offenders, the Reflex team aims to show them their true identity as people made in the image of God. They emphasise that God has a plan and purpose for each young person, showing what true achievement looks like and giving them a sense of purpose to move on, living productive lives.

Reflex’s work of building relationships and releasing potential among young offenders now spans first-contact detached work on the prison wings through to help with resettlement back into the community Many young offenders first meet the team during ‘association’– daily leisure time. But the team runs several accredited courses during the day, such as the ‘Uncut’ course which helps young offenders to open up about their past, challenges their behaviour and brings them into contact with forgiveness and grace.

Together with Prison Fellowship and chaplaincy staff, Reflex also delivers Sycamore Tree, a restorative justice project that brings together victims of crime with groups of unrelated offenders.

Reflex also works together with Twelve24, In Yer Face and other specialist members of the Message team to deliver week-long music, drama and media projects. These are open to all young offenders and in some cases prison officers put names forward. Message teams set the tone but the participants are encouraged to engage creatively, writing lyrics and scripts. Simon comments: ‘Of course we’re not going to be glorifying crime and drugs. We’re going to talk about identity and what’s next for your life. And ask the question: are you going to walk away from this?’

‘Or say we spend a week doing a music project. It’s not just about the music. What we get out of that is relationships. They spend time with us and they see Christianity proved to them, before their eyes.’

But how does this sort of work go down with hardened lads and girls whose lives are broken? ‘They love it. Team building, role play, games, it all helps bring young offenders out of themselves and gives them an amazing sense of achievement.’

Alpha courses in the prison chaplaincy are the way many young offenders get to ask questions about the team’s faith in Jesus, and find answers. As they find faith, new believers are invited to join daytime discipleship groups, where they can encounter worship, take part in Bible study and pray for one another. The team works through the book of Mark,

‘They spend time with us and they see Christianity proved to them, before their eyes.’

L e A D s T o r Y

Above: Hannah Delaney, Reflex’s new female prisons worker


MATTY’s DIarYMatty Hawthorne joined the Reflex team last year. Here are a few extracts from his first few months on the job.*

*names have been changed

reading and discussing the text. Here the emphasis is on giving young offenders the skills to live a life of faith: to understand the Bible for themselves, to hear God and to pray.

‘Reading the Bible together and discussing it is so fruitful. We chew it up and think about it together – whether that’s a whole chapter or just a few verses. When you see how the Holy Spirit moves in these lads, it’s astounding. Even though they’re young in their faith, you can see God is doing something amazing.’

Helping ex-offenders get to grips with the real world after a long spell behind bars is crucial and Reflex aims to see all the men and women they have discipled settled into a supportive local church. Some are fed into work through organisations like Project Caleb. Simon believes this particularly has a massive impact on re-offending. The latest available statistics show that seven out of ten young men released from the young offender custody re-offend within 12 months. However re-offending among Reflex’s clients is rare.

The team sees transformation in the lives of young offenders every day. Across the four institutions, as many as 30 young people are responding to the gospel message each month. Some of the stories of transformation are breathtaking:

‘When a lad called Wayne first joined us, his mental health was horrendous,’ remembers Simon. ‘He was brought up by a drug dealer. His dad beat him with crutches when he was a kid. The house he grew up in was raided by the police frequently. That’s all he’d ever been exposed to. When he was in prison he was attending health care all the time, hearing voices in his head.

‘A year later, Wayne was the one asking for worship songs in the group, raising his hands, introducing other people to Jesus. His mental health nurses were coming to our group to find out what we were doing. He was changed and his change was impacting other people. That’s what it’s about.’

‘He was changed and his change was impacting other people. That’s what it’s about.’

Find out more about ReflexOn our website, www.message.org.uk, watch four powerful testimonies, including Wayne’s (above), on video. Plus read staff member Bruce Marshall’s diary on his experience delivering a media project in prison.

Below: Matty Hawthorne leads a session from uncut


We are a cross-denominational move-ment of young people reaching out with the message of Jesus in over 300 schools, colleges and universities across the UK.

Go to www.newgeneration.co.uk to find out how you can be part of putting the Word of God back in the schools of the UK, and how you can be become part of the NG Team...

fgf< vfgf< vIf you can’t do either of the above, why not support NG monthly or send a one-off gift? By doing so you’ll be help-ing us help young people reach their friends for Jesus.

q

Roy recently stepped down as National Director of Youth For Christ (YFC), which he continues to serve as Vice President. With Andy Hawthorne and Soul Survivor’s Mike Pilavachi, Roy led the Hope ‘08 initiative, a national campaign which united thousands of churches in evangelism and social action.

‘In the end,you’ve got to

believe thisgospel hasthe power to change

people’s lives.’

Q: Roy, you recently stepped down as National Director of YFC in Britain. What are the things you will remember most about your 12 years in the role?A: I have to say that the thing I remember most about any aspect of all my ministry is people coming to faith and being changed. That and some of those unexpected situations where you wondered ‘Hm, is this going to fly?’, all of a sudden gets the breath of God on it and it works.

Q: Hope ‘08 had a huge impact among churches in the UK. What’s next?A: It’s been an amazing journey and I have to say that the favour of God was upon that project. At the evaluation we said, ‘It’s not over, it’s over to you.’ But after that a number of people said to us, ‘Actually, you guys have been truly catalytic and you should carry on.’ When they asked me to lead it, I was nervous. You know, when you appoint a full-time youth leader, sometimes all the volunteers quit. I said, ‘I will only take this on, if we’re all in this together.’ And they all said ‘yes’. We’ve got a consultation in January and from that we’ll go forward and make it happen.

Q: You’re the second person to be named a Message ‘Legend’ having inspired us over the years. But who have been your role models over the years ?A: I’ve been in Christian ministry for 28 years so there have been various people who have had an impact. Obviously, Billy Graham figures highly both from a distance and personally. But equally, an elder in a local church, John, had a profound effect on me: investing in me, encouraging me, telling me to go for it, both as a young man and throughout my life.

Q: What’s the secret to a long, enduring ministry?A: In the end, you’ve got to believe this gospel has the power to change people’s lives. As long as you keep believing that and seeing that, that’s what causes you get up in the morning. Plus recognising that what you do with your little life, connected up with the power of God can do something amazing.

Q: What’s the outlook for churches and Christian ministries like ours going into the next decade?A: At the moment, the mission energy in the UK church is as great as it’s ever been. I’ve been in ministry where people didn’t believe in mission and there was a lack of vision, but I think that the church is really on the front foot. It’s been a long time coming but I really think it’s there. People are ‘having a go’ and God is blessing that heart. Mission is on the agenda of every denomination and stream. And people are saying, ‘Let’s find a way to work together’ and not duplicating or competing but being out to bless one another.

Q: Can you say a little about your relationship with The Message over the years?A: Andy and I have worked together on so many things and he has my complete admiration. He’s a guy who has a go, takes a risk. He’s a man of faith. What’s been really important for me is that relationship of peers. Leaders need people who are leaders in their own right, working alongside each other, blessing each other, speaking well of each other.

ROY CROWNEInterview with L e g e n D s

Above: Andy and Roy meet Prince Charles at Clarence House in 2009


’ve been reading the story of Martha and Mary where these two sisters are hosting Jesus. Martha complains that rather than helping her in the kitchen, Mary is just

sitting at Jesus’ feet. ‘Tell her to help me!’ she says. “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made, the banging and crashing, the industry of the kitchen. But Mary’s just there, listening to Jesus.

We are all so busy. Even as you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking, ‘I’ve got to send that email and make that call’. We’re always crashing and banging, working harder, trying to make stuff happen.

These days, God’s constantly grabbing me and saying, ‘Would you stop doing this for me, and start doing this with me? Stop thinking that you’ve got to make it happen by yourself.’ I know what I’m like: I’m so full of industry and wanting to get things done.

I recently did a one-man show in Manchester, and I had arranged it all myself. A few days before the show, we seriously thought that only about eleven people would turn up. I phoned everyone I knew, trying to get them to come. On the Thursday, my wife said, ‘Why don’t you talk to Jesus about it?’. Why hadn’t I thought of that? We prayed, and the show was full!

PROFILE:MARK RITCHIEmark is a passionate scotsman who has travelled around the world sharing the good news of Jesus.He can be reached via his website www.73rdtrust.com

In a culture full of busyness and distractions, Mark Ritchie encourages us to tune ourselves

into the heartbeat of Jesus.

T e A c H i n g

More free teaching on our PodcastThis and many more powerful messages from great communicators like Mark are available for free on our weekly podcast.Visit www.message.org.uk to subscribe.

Just like in a three-legged race, you have to get into the rhythm of the person you’re joined with, not getting ahead or falling behind. Is there any rhythm to your life right now?

Often when things get busy, we go to the kitchen and work hard to try and sort everything out. Is there good in that? Yes. Is it good that we’re hard-working people? Absolutely. But let’s not be all about the industry and the clatter of the kitchen.

We’ve got to get back to being close enough to Jesus to hear his heartbeat, his whisper. Do you remember the first time he spoke in your ear? Or when you got that Bible verse for the first time and actually felt as though God was speaking to you personally?

When it gets tough and the pressure’s on, are you able to take the wind of the Holy Spirit and allow it to come under your wings and lift you up? Or are you flapping, trying to make things work in your own strength?

God wants us to be people who are soaring. Let’s just allow God to come under our wings and help us soar.

In the passage, Martha’s in the kitchen, banging and crashing, as if she’s saying, ‘Look at everything I’m doing for Jesus.’ But that’s not what he wants, is it? He wants us to pull close to him where we can enjoy being with him and catch his heartbeat. .

This article is based on a message he gave on our prayer Day in october ‘09.


p o s T B A g

EDITOR’S CHOICE Thank you so much for the last issue of Flow Magazine. I loved the mix of content, from global to local, plus everyday news from schools and communities. And I love the passion I read on every page.

I was particularly touched by the article by James Aladiran (‘A Burning Heart’) which touched my heart and moved me to increase my regular pledge. So I was really pleased to find out that I could support James directly through your Personal Support programme and that James himself would keep me in touch with his work and give me a special insight into The Message. I’ve even been invited along to one of your prayer days and got to meet James in person.

Thank you so much – I can’t tell you what it means to me to be so close to a ministry that is so close to my heart.

Anne Johnson, Manchester

Thanks Anne, that’s really encouraging!And for being my Editor’s choice letter we’ll be sending you a signed copy of Andy’s latest book ‘Hope Unleashed’.

Anne was able to increase her regular gift quickly and easily over the phone. If you’d like to set up a new regular gift or increase an existing direct debit, contact Jo Nicholson (right), our friendly Supporter Care Officer on her direct line 0161 946 2328. You can also support any member of staff through our Personal Support programme and receive their personal newsletter – just mention their name when you call.

Your leTTers

Message Open Day April 17, 2010

with live performances from our bands, lZ7, Twelve24 and Blush, hard-hitting drama from our theatre group In Yer face, and the chance to step aboard our state-of-the-art eden buses, you’d be crazy not to.

You’ll have a chance to explore our cutting-edge training academy, genetik, and have a nosey round our offices.It’s also a great opportunity to meet The message’s Ceo, andy Hawthorne, and listen to stories of our work and see for yourself the impact of this vital ministry.It’s open to everyone and an all-round great day out!

Where: message HQ, manchester When: saturday 17 april 2010, 11am-3pm Cost: FREE

Ever wondered how the Message works?

What makes us tick?

Come to our Open Day and find out.

BrIgHT lIgHTs, BIg CITY First of all, I would like to say a very big thank you for regularly sending me your news over the years. It has been very encouraging to read of the many exciting and positive things happening in Manchester initiated by The Message. What you and your colleagues are doing is bringing light from Jesus to dark places in Manchester and elsewhere. As yet I have never visited Manchester but look forward to one day coming up.

As I think about your amazing ministry, this Scripture from Galatians comes to mind: ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.’

God bless you.

Bob Cromwell, London

goNe loopY for THe message I decided to take on the 100-mile Lancashire Loop Cycle Challenge because of your vital work with Manchester’s young people in desperate need of love, care and guidance. When I made that my motivation, the grueling Lancashire hills and almost vertical roads became much more achievable! Thanks so much for providing me with all the info I needed to raise money for The Message and complete the challenge. Believe it or not... I can’t wait to do it again next year! Andy Myers (pictured right), Stockport Well done Andy, and all the other Lancashire Loop Cycle Challengers! Would you like to take on the Lancashire Loop next year, or even the London to Paris Bike Ride? Or conquer Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in the UK Three Peaks 24 Hr Challenge this August? If you want to get sponsored for The Message, call Tess on 0161 946 2304 or email [email protected].


goINg Deeper wITH ‘Deep’ We recently used the ‘Deep’ DVD and booklets on a weekend away. After returning home, I received an email from one of the parents of a young person who came away with us, and I thought that I must forward it on to you so that you can read firsthand some genuine feedback from a young person:‘I would just like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to you all for your time and energy and commitment to the youth weekend away. Our daughter had a fantastic two days and most importantly said how much closer she feels to God, following the Deep sessions.

‘These last few months she has really struggled and in her own words often “wanted nothing to do with God”. To hear her say she once more wants to be close to God is an answer to prayer.’Hopefully this will be a big encouragement to you as you continue to reach out and produce relevant materials for young people.God bless,

Mark Stanway (Lymm Baptist Church)

Thanks Mark. We’re glad to hear that Deep continues to have such a positive effect on young people. Deep is available priced £9.99 direct from us.Visit www.messagetrading.co.ukAlso check out Message Trading for the best prices on the full range of Message products.

BreakINg INTo a sweaT I want to give a huge shout out to Tim

and Christina who run the Breakdance classes at Genetik each week. I come with my two brothers Max and Harvey and we absolutely LOVE it. They even let girls in! It’s so cool and I can’t wait for Tim to come to our school (Hurst Head Juniors) next month with Twelve24 to do an assembly and Breakdance classes for year 6!

Charlie Evans (age 10)

Thanks Charlie – the Genetik crew love having you part of the team! If you’re interested in Beginners Breakdance Classes they run on Tuesday and Thursday evenings during term time.7 to 11 year olds 4pm-4.45pm, 12 to 16 year olds 5pm - 6pm.Check out www.genetik.org.ukor call Emma Owen on 07974 079353.

From the EditorThanks very much for reading this edition of Flow. We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas for future issues so get in [email protected]

our workshops offer a fantastic opportunity for young

people to develop new skills in a variety of areas as

well as building teamwork, personal confidence

and self-esteem. Workshops can also be geared

for both ‘gifted and talented’ and those with

special education needs.

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The Genetik Academy

is a stunning creative arts complex offering the best

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dance studio, multi-purpose rehearsal room

and two fully equipped recording studios.

Emma OwenTel: 07974 079353

Email: [email protected]

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God’s looking for like the disciples,will keep

ne person died at the end of Acts 7, and the world has never been the same since. That man was Stephen. He was the first person to be martyred for

the Christian faith, and this sacrifice saw the birth of the missionary church. Two thousand years later we’re still living in the light of it.

Thirty years ago, Jane Fonda introduced us to the phrase ‘No pain no gain’ through her exercise videos, and we’ve been using it ever since. However, in the West it seems we’ve tried everything possible to avoid pain, in our personal, professional and even spiritual lives. We try to make our lives as comfortable and easy as possible. But you know what? Evangelism always provokes persecution.

If you go back to God’s early dealings with his people, you find this verse, as Israel struggles under Egyptian persecution: ‘But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites’ (Exodus 1:12).

They were oppressed and yet they multiplied and spread. Hasn’t that been the story of God’s people? The more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread.

Look at places like China, Africa and India. As the pressure increases on the church, their numbers grow.

I think part of the reason we haven’t been persecuted when the church around the world is experiencing it far more than us is because we’re not making evangelism a priority. We haven’t got that great a passion.

T e A c H i n g

Meet Andy Hawthorne and the teamcome along to The Message’s open Day on saturday 17 April from 11am-3pm and meet Andy, our bands, theatre company and evangelists. get a unique behind the scenes look at one of the uK’s most dynamic mission organisations.

So back to Stephen: this fearless evangelist didn’t value his life too much to stop him preaching the gospel boldly, even though it greatly offended the religious leaders, and members of the synagogue, and led to him being arrested, tried and sentenced to death, with Saul looking on approvingly.

And that was just the start, as Saul began his persecution of the church, dragging men and women out of their homes and into prisons. The disciples of Jesus were scattered across Judea and Samaria. I’m sure Luke used ‘scattered’ deliberately: just as a farmer scatters across the land, so the followers of Jesus had to leave their homes, possessions and families. But those who had been scattered preached the Gospel wherever they went, leading more and more people to God. They would never have spread the gospel if they had remained in the same place.

God’s looking for people who, like the disciples, will keep stepping out, taking risks, challenging people, saying ‘let’s believe for more lives to be changed, more communities to be transformed, no matter what is thrown at us.’

Is there a link between success in evangelism and persecution? As you look down the history of the church it seems that

the answer is ‘yes’, says Andy Hawthorne.

people who,

stepping out and taking risks

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REVIEWThis devotional book takes the reader on a whirlwind journey through

Luke’s Gospel and relates it to our mission today. The book is very readable

with chapters that reflect on passages from Luke before providing practical

examples, often from the work of The Message Trust in Manchester. Each

chapter is followed by specific points for prayer and action.

The main point is that we should saturate ourselves with the Bible and with

prayer, then stop talking about how we share the gospel and just get on with

doing it. The book also attempts to give answers to hard questions such as

“What if God doesn’t heal?” and provides a response to discouraged or

burnt-out believers.

Quotes from Christians through the ages provide extra encouragement and

challenge. If you want a fresh encounter with God or a reminder about the

importance of his message, buy this book now.

rebecca payne, christianitY maGaZine, Jan 2010

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