Hope re-launch reveals appetite for mission

The re-launch of the Hope movement in March is an indication of the great appetite for mission across UK churches, says former YFC chief Roy Crowne.

Mr Crowne will lead the movement, which has its roots in Hope08, the yearlong initiative that saw churches come together to reach out to their communities through mission and social action in 2008.

The initiative was a huge success, with an independent report finding that 83 per cent of participating churches had felt it made a tangible difference in their communities.

More than a year after its conclusion, many churches are still running activities and community outreach under the banner of Hope08.

Mr Crowne said: "The appetite for mission in this country has never been this great, and the desire to work together for the sake of those outside the church community has found its expression through Hope.

"Hope08 exceeded all our expectations, with churches in 1,500 areas signing up, and I think we will be able to double that as the next campaign gains momentum."

Evangelical Alliance General Director Steve Clifford will resume his role as Chair of Hope when it re-launches on March 1.

The movement is being reformed with the support of the General Secretary of the Baptist Union, Jonathan Edwards, and Church of England mission leaders Bishop Graham Cray and Rev Canon Paul Bayes.

Mr Bayes said: "In 2008, Hope encouraged thousands of local churches to work together, unfolding the good news of Jesus in word and deed for their communities.

"Christians of all denominations and streams seized the Hope moment, saw what God did with it, and asked for more.

"Now there's a chance to build the moment into a powerful momentum for mission, unity and service where you are.

"People need it. Let's not miss it!"

Bishop Wayne Malcolm, the senior pastor of Christian Life City Church, said that the continuation of Hope is a bottom up, grassroots revival.

He said: "The desire to collaborate and co-operate across denominational, ethnic and cultural lines, for the purpose of evangelising Britain, is unprecedented and clearly indicative of something authentic - I'm excited!"