South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance"

A Partnership with Hope

I have been so excited to partner South Asian Forum in all that they are seeking to do. When Manoj invited Hope to become a partner of their brand new resource Jesus through Asian Eyes for Asian churches, I was thrilled to be able to join and with hearing the story of how far and wide it has gone is a clear indication of the rightness of the decision to do so.

I am always encouraged by new beginnings but I realise that strategically the enemy always attacks at the birth of something new. If he can stop something being born then he has achieved a significant landmark but I am delighted that now the South Asian Forum has been born. Meeting some of the principal people committed in partnership to see this move forward is a wonderful opportunity.

Hope '08 was significant in uniting churches but one of its challenges was to link with the ethnic group churches and the black majority church in the UK. That's why I was thrilled when SAF wanted to partner with Hope going forward to 2014 , working together through words and actions. When we can embrace our diversity but focus our unity on the purposes of Christ and his mission, there God blesses as found in Psalm 133 and John 17. It is when we see the big picture of the Kingdom of God, that we are part of the same family, that God blesses communities.

That's why it was fantastic recently to also meet with Steve Uppal, senior leader of All Nations Christian Centre, and hear of the story of what has happened in Wolverhampton through Hope '08 and his commitment to work together going towards 2014.

I believe that churches know what is best for their communities. HOPE doesn't tell people what to do but does give national impact to local mission. Momentum is building towards a whole year of mission in 2014 when thousands of projects will be running to bless local communities as churches put their faith into action; living out God's love, proclaiming the Gospel in word and action and doing it all in unity with other Christians.

I have the privilege of meeting significant leaders that God has appointed for such a time as this, who have big hearts and a vision of the Kingdom to see churches working together, such as Steve and Manoj. I am delighted that we are partnering together towards the mission focus in 2014, but let's not wait until then. There are resources available on our website to encourage churches to work together around the Christian calendar from this year on, with some special focuses on the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and Harvest. Churches and individuals can sign up on our website www.hopetogether.org.uk to be local HOPE practitioners and receive our e-news. We'd love you to join with us.

At Hope, we are committed to serving in any way we can to bring about Manoj and Steve's dreams and we would love to see a deeper level of unity growing as we work together to reach out to our communities in spirit and in truth.

Roy Crowne
Executive Director
HOPE

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