Who Cares? was launched first to around 75 church leaders from across Norfolk and then to 6,000 young people in the
Newday Big Top.
Backing the mission were the
Bishop of Norwich, Newday leader
Joel Virgo (pictured below),
Roy Crowne, executive director of Hope and
Nick Blanch, director of Norwich Youth for Christ.
The simple idea behind the mission – to ask people the question
“What hurts you the most?” - was enthusiastically received by both audiences.
The mission plans to use the thousands of young people attending the Newday event in August 2014 to pose the question to thousands of people across Norfolk, with the help of scores of local churches across all denominations.
The results will be collated and then local churches will have the opportunity to respond to the answer in whatever way they feel appropriate – maybe a sermon series, free booklet, events or pastoral visits for example.
Alongside the mission is planned a wide-ranging media campaign to raise awareness of the question and what churches can do to address it.
Backing the initiative, the Rt Rev Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, said: “‘Who Cares?’ is often said by those who have grown cynical about our society. This mission initiative is a very simple means of enabling churches to make fresh contact with the communities of which they’re part and to show that they care for everyone because God cares for them. It’s a practical initiative, achievable and worthwhile, and which I hope will bring people who’ve never known of Jesus Christ’s care for them to hear his name and discover his love.”
Roy Crowne, said: “Hope is thrilled the Who Cares? resource will provide churches with a tool to enable them to impact their community, coming out of caring and loving relationships, this provides a great opportunity to communicate the Gospel. It is one of many that Hope would recommend and we’re thrilled to be partnering with this in the summer of 2014.”
Rob Tervet (pictured above), from
Christ Community Church in
Attleborough, who came up with the original idea and
Ailsa Magee from
Kings Community Church in Norwich will be driving the mission and you can find out more information and register your interest at
www.who-cares.org.uk
Click here to read our previous story on this topic