Hope Celebration - One Year On

Andy Hawthorn (Director of The Message Trust who, with Roy Crowne of Youth for Christ and Mike Pilavachi of Soul Survivor, envisioned Hope) found time in his busy schedule to stop over in Eastbourne and bring a message to the churches. Unfolding the amazing story of how Hope started, Andy enthused about his faith and how a small group of people, several years ago, dared to imagine that perhaps 500 regions across the UK might have a common link to commit to doing acts of kindness in their respective localities. One year on, and almost 1,500 communities responded to the call to do more and to do it together.

The message for Eastbourne from Andy was clear: "I want the church to realise the Gospel ain't broke. Don't go out with a whimper, now is the time to think big. It's not over, but it is now over to you. Most Hope regions are doing even more for 2009 because the credit crunch will not affect Jesus' great commission."

Andy described his own life as being like a wild roller coaster and challenged us to choose between a safe kiddies' ride that gently turns revolves or the wild roller coaster. He continued: "Jesus never lost his sense of destiny and purpose. He was a friend of sinners like me and gave real hope. Only Jesus can save our towns and cities and he has chosen to do it through us."

Asked how this should be done, Andy replied: "The Hope movement needs to grow rabbit-style not elephant-style, which means it isn't about massively expensive, unwieldy and exhausting initiatives, like two elephants taking a very long time to produce just one offspring. Rather it is more like two rabbits who quietly get on with reproducing continuously! We must have confidence in the Gospel as the answer. Do we pass this good news round the church or do we take it out to those who are sick and in need of it? Repent and believe!

"We have incredible good news."