GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE
UPDATE :
Last year, Redeemer partnered with Good News for Everyone to provide copies of the New Testament to students at St Benedicts College. Redeemer member Andy Tomkins has news on another upcoming event providing another opportunity to partner in prayer with them as more copies of God’s word are distributed:
Ever since Covid the openings in traditional distribution areas have been limited either because of infection fears or changed working practices. Thus, the majority of scriptures given out locally are in city-centre distributions or at the University.
Every October, at the start of a new academic year, the Freshers Fair is held at the University. On one specified day there is the opportunity for many societies within the University to publicise their existence and seek new members and at the same time outside organisations are permitted to publicise their activities, whether it be pizzas or copies of God’s Word.
For some years Good News for Everyone has taken the opportunity of having a table and giving away copies of God's Word (and engaging in conversations where appropriate).
Many thousands of new Testaments have been given out in this way and this coming October is the next opportunity to do so. We have a date - Friday 9th October. We have the scriptures:
This is not just a pile of books, but over 900 “seeds” waiting to be planted in the lives of both new and returning students coming from many quarters of the globe. At a time like this we are looking for others to join us. Firstly, please pray for many to receive these New Testaments positively, to read them and for the truth within them to reach their hearts.
Additionally, is God calling you to be a “planter,” volunteering to participate in placing His Word in the hands of students in our city? If this is something you would be interested in being involved in, contact me (Andy) directly, or get in touch with the church office (info@redeemerchurchcolchester.org) to let us know.
Andy Tomkins
We’re delighted to share a really encouraging update about Good News for Everyone (formerly the Gideons). Last week, something significant took place at St Benedict’s School, the very school we meet in on Sundays and we’re excited for you to hear the story.
Below is a message from David Gunton, who explains what happened, why it matters, and how we as a church can be praying. We believe this is a wonderful opportunity both to bless our local community and to see the good news of Jesus placed directly into young people’s hands.
Take a look at the video below on the subject from one of our Elders at Redeemer, Carl Barker.
Here is a report from David Gunton, who made the distribution:-
On 21st November I and my wife visited St Benedicts to distribute testaments to year 7 pupils. We are always warmly welcomed and were greeted by Tom Fusi, the Lay Chaplain and the acting Head of RE.
During my brief introduction in the assembly I explained what Good News for Everyone does and why we do it. I showed copies of the Bibles and New Testaments which are offered to a wide range of people and organisations.
I then showed a video of a modern re-enactment of the parable of the Prodigal Son and asked some questions. The pupils’ response showed they have engaged with the story.
The Chaplain then encouraged them to accept a New Testament as they left the hl and 170 of the 180 pupils did so.
We are pleased to share a few encouraging words from one of our covenant members here at Redeemer, Andy Tomkins.
The Bible as God's word has the power to provide the answer to every problem or situation of life but moreover by revealing God himself it has the ability to change people's lives giving them peace, contentment, strength to face all the situations of life and giving hope for the future. For many years I have been a member of an organisation now called Good News for Everyone (though you may have come across them under their former name of The Gideon’s) that has been giving out copies of God's Word and has heard of countless lives changed and commitments made to follow Jesus as Lord and Saviour. The following testimony shows the power of God’s word:
"l had been christened as a child and went to a church school but neither my parents were religious and I grew up not believing in a God who couldn't be seen. Being an only child with both parents working and often coming home to an empty house it strengthened my belief there was no God. In my teenage years with school books saying we came from monkeys I accepted a Godless universe and became a confirmed atheist. I got married and for the first few years of our marriage we worried about bank accounts, mortgages and work. Then everything changed as my wife fell in love with another man. I was confused jealous and hurt - it was a very difficult period for me as an atheist. You see the person my wife fell in love with was Jesus. Nine months later my wife was given a Gideon Bible. She suggested I read it but I was having none of that religious stuff. But my wife and others had been praying for me and out of idle curiosity a few days later I picked it up and began to read. There is not a day since when I have not read the word of God. A month later I was certain that God was real and asked Jesus into my life.” As to where Scriptures are placed you might have come across a Bible in a hotel room, hospital ward or care home or been given one on starting secondary school or university. It is possible you may have even been offered one on the streets of our city. Other places Good News for Everyone seeks to leave the Bible are in doctor's or dentist's waiting rooms or undertakers. Such places can be a stressful and having a copy of God's word available brings comfort and gives hope to many. As you can see the areas that are covered are many and varied and in future posts I hope to expand how we access some of the above. I found that whilst giving out copies of the scriptures was initially outside my comfort zone, once you have stepped out the Holy Spirit gives you a desire to keep on giving! I strongly believe that God's Word is a seed that can change individual lives, families, communities and cities. Maybe in these few words you have been challenged?
If you’d like to learn more about Good News for Everyone, what they do, their heart to put Bibles in classrooms, hotels, and all kinds of places, or how you could support or get involved — you can visit their website: goodnewsuk.com and explore their “Who We Are,” “Request Bibles” or “Get Involved” pages.
