CAP calls on churches to help free UK from debt

As the UK slides further into the red, a leading debt counselling charity today urged churches across the country to engage with what it calls the "Goliath" of personal debt ahead of the UK's largest debt awareness day to take place later this year.

"Hope is just a stone's throw away" is the title of the charity's fourth annual CAP Sunday event on November 2, aimed at empowering the church across the UK to take action and combat the UK's "great social problem", personal debt, which currently stands at £1.4 trillion.

Churches up and down the United Kingdom will be hosting Sunday services, urging congregations to engage with people in their communities struggling under the weight of debt. One in nine households hides a family in debt and the charity aims to get churches to reach out with a practical demonstration of Jesus' love to those living in desperate circumstances.

Tailor-made resources have been produced in a free pack to enable churches to run a dynamic 'CAP Sunday' event as easily as possible. Everything from DVDs of dramatic client stories to prayer points, activities and sermon notes have been produced, all with the aim of highlighting the issue of debt and how local churches can partner with CAP to transform their communities.

With more than 400 churches signing up last year, the charity aims to have at least 750 events taking place across the UK on CAP Sunday, forming the UK's largest debt awareness day.

"It is impossible to overstate how massive an issue debt is in our society," said Matt Barlow, the head of CAP UK. "Every day £302 million more is added to our national total of personal debt and it is crippling families and individuals.

"Through CAP Sunday, we aim to raise awareness of what Christians up and down the UK can do to minister to those in need with a practical demonstration of Jesus' love."

He said the long-term goal was to have at least one church running a CAP Sunday service in every town and city in the UK.

"I would urge all church leaders to ... be part of the answer to the UK's greatest social problem. The church can respond and offer hope and a solution and CAP Sunday is an ideal opportunity to start that process."

CAP has put together a free pack for churches interested in taking part. On the web: www.capuk.org