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Welcome to the latest HOPE update 




Easter is at the heart of all we do as Christians. Just as Jesus died and rose again, we lay down our lives at the cross and because of Jesus we rise to new life – life that is amazing as part of his eternal worldwide family. In Jesus we find our identity, strength and purpose. This is good news worth spreading. It is this good news we celebrate this Easter: the good news which gives hope to the world.
Roy Crowne, HOPE’s Executive Director

Resources to help you spread HOPE
This Easter sees the launch of HOPE’s resources to prepare the UK church for 2014 and a year of mission.

HOPE 2014 & the Rhythm of Mission is a 3-minute promotional video you can download from our website to inspire and inform others in your area, so churches can prepare together to do more in mission in word and action.

HOPE: together in word & action is our new brochure which folds out to a poster about HOPE and 2014. We’d love to see this poster displayed in every church in the country. Already we have requests for more than 100,000 brochures. Contact us to tell us how many copies you can use to promote HOPE in your area.

HOPE – the Heartbeat of Mission is HOPE’s best-ever collection of tried-and-tested mission ideas. Denominations, dioceses and groups of churches working together have ordered thousands of copies to make sure that every church leader is inspired and equipped to do more together in mission in words and action in 2014. Before it was printed the Methodist churches had ordered 2,500 copies to give to leaders; they upped their order to 3,500 copies when they saw the book. The Revd Ian Bunce, Faith and Society mission networker of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and a member of the HOPE leadership team, said, 'It's a significant resource bringing together hundreds of missional ideas in an accessible way. I think its life will be beyond that of HOPE, as churches use it for ideas.'

HOPE – The Heartbeat of Mission is packed with resources
• Practical inspiration - 150 different tried-and-tested mission ideas that have worked
• Funding sources - 18 community projects backed with funding of up to £2,000 to start each new church-led initiative
• Mission practice - words and action linked to an annual rhythm of mission running through the church calendar

Buy copies of HOPE – The Heartbeat of Mission from the HOPE shop. A single copy costs £5.99 (plus P+P).  Order 20 or more for just £3 a copy.

Training

Invite one of the HOPE leadership team to provide training for churches in your area in preparation for HOPE in 2014. Roy Crowne, Phil Timson, Bishop Graham Cray and others are available to inspire leaders and to prepare Christians to share faith with courage and confidence in words and action. There are training dates available in June, July, October and November 2013.  For more information contact the HOPE office

Making a difference locally
We love hearing about local churches working together in mission. HOPE is developing a network of practitioners country-wide. Can you be the local link for your region and get churches working together in mission? Ask us about becoming a practitioner.

Prayer
HOPE’s daily prayer calendar is on our website. Churches have committed to pray daily. Contact us to receive the prayer calendar by email at the start of each month.

Praying through the night
The next Redeemed Christian Church of God Festival of Life is on the 19 April at the Excel Centre in London. Find out more here.

Thanks
Special thanks to Lucy Cooper for her enthusiasm and hard work as HOPE’s Communications Manager. Lucy was seconded by the Evangelical Alliance when the project was launched. Her HOPE role has now ended, but we still want to hear your stories about how you are spreading hope in villages, towns and cities. Email the HOPE office with your news.

Have a great Easter - from the HOPE team