At a time of economic doom and gloom, and numerous social ills like gang violence, a growing binge drinking problem, the 1,500 churches and Christian groups taking part in Hope08 are reinvigorating grassroots mission and re-presenting love inspired and hope bringing Christianity to wider society.
“Hope is a Gospel word that we would love to redeem as our word,” says Roy Crowne, head of Youth for Christ UK. He, along with Mike Pilavachi and Andy Hawthorne, is a founder of Hope08. Roy continues, “Hope is such a great, strong word for the Gospel but also for the culture. It’s a word that people are looking for.”
Last Monday bank holiday, Christians led activities and events in their local communities including graffiti cleaning, litter picking and painting community murals. The day of outreach was in response to the Hope08 challenge to donate one million hours of kindness to the UK by the end of this year.
Hawthorne adds, “There is a lovely verse in Colossians where Paul says that faith and love spring from hope. Hope is something everyone is looking for. We just need to share and demonstrate hope, and faith and love will spring up.”
Hope08 is made up of five ‘high points’, which represent different seasons of activity centred on a hope-related theme. The current season is ‘Hope Where You Live’, and later in the year, churches will invite the community to explore the Christian faith as part of ‘Hope Explored’, whilst at Christmas, Christians will give ‘A Gift of Hope’ to the nation.
The founders believe that by demonstrating hope, churches can help build communities of hope.
Roy Crowne continues, “If you feel like your situation is hopeless, being within a community of hope can help you find something of that back and realise that no, your situation isn’t hopeless.
“Our churches should be communities of hope and as such, they need to articulate and present a message of hope. By demonstrating the values of hope, word and deed we can create communities of hope, life and the Gospel.”
Andy Hawthorne has a threefold message to Christians taking part in Hope08: include a faith element in efforts to reach others for Christ; socially engage in words and actions; do community engagement together.
