A growing number of evangelical churches in Norwich are signing up for the Passion for Life initiative - a nationwide evangelistic project planned for March 2010, in the lead up to Easter.

 

A number of evangelical churches from across the denominational spectrum in the Norwich area are already part of this movement, and plan to make the most of the opportunity that this venture represents in the region. They include South Park Evangelical Church, Norwich Central Baptist Church, Surrey Chapel, Holy Trinity and St Andrew’s.

 

 

 

The focus of the mission will be proclaiming the gospel message. “Great work is being done in our area through projects with a social action emphasis,” says Pastor Tom Chapman of Surrey Chapel, chair of the Norwich area steering group. “But we want to rise to the challenge of putting action into words!”

 

The Mission will have a national identity through advertising and media, and eye-catching activities and exciting larger events will be planned to begin and conclude the month, with the help of visiting evangelists. However, the main thrust of the work will be done through the ground-level efforts and energies of ordinary church members.

 

The strategy is to turn all the activities of the churches over to evangelism for that whole month, whether through personal witness, small groups of different kinds, the whole congregations, or churches working together.

 

 

The month itself will be preceded throughout 2009 by shared evangelistic training programmes, opportunities to pray together, and efforts to build relationships with the wider community.

 

“We believe that the focus on grass-roots witness and genuine co-operation will mean this will not be just another evangelistic flash in the plan,” says Pastor Tom. “It is just as important to us to increase co-operation in the gospel between Bible-believing churches, and inspire sustainable long-term commitment and gospel confidence in our members, as it is to notch-up commitments during the mission itself.

 

“Since Billy Graham, the gospel hasn’t changed – but the culture has, radically. We must convert our churches to share Christ, before we’ll ever convert others to follow Christ.”

 

 

“We hope that this venture is something that many Churches in our area can be part of to some extent,” said Pastor Tom. “We of course understand that there may be very good reasons, both of principle and practice, why some churches may not wish to fully participate. But we hope that you might include us in your prayers, and might even suggest that you keep in mind what we are intending to do when you make your own plans for evangelism.”

 

“However, we do also hope and expect that there are many churches in Norwich and Norfolk who can share our understanding of the gospel and our vision for proclaiming it. If so, perhaps you would like to consider joining with us in this mission?”

 

“Passion for Life” is an initiative of the Gospel Partnerships, a national inter-denominational group of evangelical churches which is represented in our region by the East Anglia Gospel Partnership. Further information about “Passion for Life”, including the basis of faith to which participating churches subscribe can be obtained from the website www.apassionforlife.org.uk

To view an introductory video, click here

 

For more detail of the Norwich group contact Tom Chapman at pastor@surreychapel.org.uk