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This is something of a catch-all page, covering many of the projects we support or are involved in both at home and around the world.
 | The Alpha Course |  |
What is the point of life? What happens when we die? Is forgiveness possible? What relevance does Jesus have for our lives today?
The Alpha course is an opportunity for anyone to explore the meaning of life. It’s relaxed, non-threatening, low key, friendly and fun.
Some of our courses start with a meal together at the beginning of each session which gives an opportunity to get to know each other. Listen, learn, discuss and discover. And ask anything. Alpha is a place where no question is too simple or too hostile. Each session would begin with a meal or cuppa and cakes then there's a DVD, where Nicky Gumbel tackles issues such as "Who is Jesus?", "Why did Jesus die?" and "Does God Heal Today?" Finally, there's a discussion time where the group can talk over what they've heard or share their own experiences.
Alpha is suitable for non-Christians, new Christians and "seasoned" Christians alike, and is supported by all the main Christian denominations. For more info, Visit the Alpha website.
| At Hand Creations | |
At Hand Creations is an evangelistic initiative that uses various media to promote the same message: The Kingdom of God is At Hand (Mark 1:15).
At Hand's creative director is Jason Brooke, one of our circuit's local preachers. For more information on the activities of At Hand, visit the website.
Also from At Hand comes Praying It, an initiative inviting Christians to join together in praying for God's Kingdom to come and His will to be done. This applies to all situations, all places and the lives of all people but there is a particular emphasis on applying the prayer to the Internet and email world.
For full information, and details on how to get involved, check out the Praying.It website.
| Bolivia | |
We have strong links with a Christian centre in Cochobamba, Bolivia, including teams going out and working on building projects with the local people.
10 years on from Pastor Ivan Andrade's vision for the multi-purpose centre, there now stands a three storey building with classrooms, kitchens and dining rooms, a medical centre, nursery, covered games area and a church in the top floor. 300 children and 25 staff use the facilities. All this has sprung from a small room on a hillside in one of the poorest areas of the city.
Our regular yearly funding has helped pay for a breakfast programme at Mayorazgo and Broombush nurseries to feed the local children; without continued funding, the work could not continue.
| Fresh Expressions | |
Fresh Expressions is a simple title for a huge subject: how we find fresh ways of sharing the Gospel in our modern society, and finding new ways to 'do' church. This initiative began in 2004 within the Anglican church and is fully endorsed by the Methodist church.
There is no single 'Fresh Expressions' group within our Circuit; the desire to engage better with our community should permeate all aspects of church life, and beyond!
Read more on the Fresh Expressions website.
Booklist
If you'd like to read more about Fresh Expressions, these books could be useful:
- Mission-Shaped Church Report - Church House Publishing 2003 (£10.95)
- emergingchurch.intro - Michael Moynagh - Monarch Books (£7.99) * Highly recommended
- Liquid Church - Pete Ward - Hendrickson Publishers (£9.99)
- Transforming Communities - Steven Croft - Darton, Longman and Todd (£10.95)
- Evangelism in a Spiritual Age: Communicating Faith in a Changing Culture - Church House Publishing (£8.99)
| Hope | |
Hope is an ongoing initiative for the whole church to bless the whole nation through all kinds of community-centered projects. The best way to learn more about this endeavour is to have a browse on either the national Hope website, hear about nearby events on the Manchester Site or check out our local hopeprestwich site.
Do more. Do it together. Do it in word and action.
| Bluefields in Nicaragua | |
We have been supporting Bluefields School in Nicaragua for many years, in conjunction with Mike Cole and the Peace and Hope Trust. Over the years, teams and individuals have travelled out to Bluefields to help build schools and workshops.
Meanwhile, financial support has helped fund teachers at the school and provide toys, equipment and an annual Christmas party.
| Lifelink in Romania | |
Lifelink is a charity we run to provide aid and maintain close connections with the people of Craiova and Segarcea, southern Romania. The team of 12 core members have been taking aid to southern Romania since 1990. Support is provided financially, by prayer, and by teams travelling out to visit areas of concern.
There are 3 main areas of concern:
- SF Vasile Special School for Deaf Children, where the aim is to provide each child (200+ children) with their own hearing aid. Lifelink also supply the school with equipment and learning resources. Starkey Laboratories in Stockport support us in this area by allowing us to purchase the hearing aids and equipment at cost price.
- Segarcea, a very poor village where a lot of the children and adults don’t have shoes, warm clothes, clean water and can’t afford to pay for essentials like electricity. Lifelink support Pastor Peagu and his mission in Segarcea; he is pastor of the Baptist church in the village and as well as other things he runs a poor fund for the villagers.
- Jertfa church, a Baptist church in Craiova. Lifelink have supported this church and Pastor Ardelean since 1994, supporting the building of his new and growing church, and many of his projects.
To fund our support and aid we have people who donate regularly by monthly standing order and one-off donations, and we have fundraising activities throughout the year.
See more on the Lifelink website.
| Flourish | |
Our Circuit, in conjunction with other North Manchester churches, is involved in Flourish, an annual weekend of teaching, fellowship and worship held in spring.
See the flourish mini-site for more details.