A Statistician who spends her days crunching numbers at a desk is set to crunch a different sort of number. Statistician, Fiona Tweedie, has set herself the challenge of running 500km in a bid to raise funds for Compassion UK. Fiona said:“I was always the person picked last for school teams at gym, and started running just a few years ago. I’m not at all fast, but I like running in the hills, slowly, a long way. It’s some time to be with God, and away from other distractions. I get to see beautiful views in the Pentland Hills near my home and listen to the birds and marvel at God’s creation.”
Fiona has already covered over 327km since the start of May and is helping to raise money for a project building a youth resource centre in Togo’s capital, Lomé. Togo is 500km long from north to south, inspiring Fiona’s chosen distance. She hopes to raise £1000.
Photo Credit: Fiona Tweedie (pictured above)
Since the early 2000’s Fiona and her family have sponsored around 30 children through Compassion UK, in countries all across Asia, South America and Africa. She said: “We’ve sponsored over 30 children now (I think!) and there’s been a wonderful variety. I used to be a university lecturer, and I know the importance of education in young people’s lives. But so many are unable to continue due to a lack of resources or access to the resources they need. I know that young women and girls are particularly disadvantaged and I wanted to do something to help them.”
On the 21st July, Fiona will embark on her longest distance in one go yet – St Cuthbert’s Way Ultra, around 66 miles/100km.
Follow Fiona’s progress and donate to her cause here.
Digital Editor’s Note: I’m delighted to welcome Matt Summerfield as our Guest Writer. Matt is the Senior Leader of Zeo Church which he leads alongside a wider love for cheering on leaders through training, coaching, and running retreats. Recently he was in a field near Swindon for an annual men’s festival called The Gathering run by Christian Vision for Men (CVM) where he was reminded afresh of his struggle to ask for help.
Photo courtesy of Matt Summerfield.
Matt (pictured above) writes: Why do we find it so hard to ask for help? Or is it just me? Do you find it easy to reach out and admit you can’t do something without the assistance of another?
Recently I was in a field near Swindon for a men’s festival called The Gathering with Christian Vision for Men (CVM) where I was reminded afresh of my struggle to ask for help. I arrived on-site on a warm, but windy, Friday afternoon and my first task was to put up the tent I’d borrowed. Surely I could do this by myself!
My first challenge was making sure I’d got the right poles in the right places and, frustratingly, my natural aptitude for starting wrong didn’t disappoint. I wondered what people were thinking as they walked past watching me contend with a tent that was fast becoming a kite as the wind blew strong. And still, I didn’t ask for help!
Then up walked James who asked: “Can I give you a hand Matt?” I can’t tell you how much I wanted to reply “No, I’m fine”. But my limited inner wisdom whispered I was far from fine, as the tent was starting to wrap around me like an Anaconda (curse that wind!). Instead, I responded, “If you’ve got time that would b great”. (note: there’s a clue here about my reluctance to ask for help. I’ll come back to that in a moment)
Photo courtesy of Matt Summerfield.
And before you knew it, James and I had the tent structurally robust and I was feeling very grateful. You’d think I’d learnt my lesson. But clearly not!
My next task was to blow up the large inflatable mattress I’d borrowed from my son and daughter-in-law. There was no power near the tent so I headed over to the team area, plugged it in, and within moments it was inflated and ready to go. But now it was large and difficult to hold. How was I going to navigate it back to the tent, without both mattress and myself being blown over by the wind?
There were people in the team area. People who would’ve helped me if I’d asked them. But no. They looked busy. So I started to pull the mattress across the floor. “Can I give you a hand Matt?” came an offer. “No, it’s fine I should be OK.” I replied this time, desperately trying to manoeuvre the large inflated bed around an obstacle-course of chairs. “It’s OK, I’ll help you, it will be easier with two people.” came the response. Sometimes I need people who won’t take my “no” for an answer. Within moments, the bed was in, and all was right with the world!
Why do we find it so hard to ask for help? I do know the answer – to a degree. It isn’t really pride, although I’m sure there’s a spoonful of that somewhere. No, my real problem is that I don’t want to inconvenience people. I don’t want to be “any trouble”. I love to give and serve, but I’m just not very good at receiving.
I am getting better at it, mind you. But yesterday’s story reminds me that I still have a way to go. I wish I could pinpoint a moment in my past that has shaped this reluctance to ask for help. But I can’t. Perhaps there’s an underlying fear that asking for help and being refused would be even worse.
Then I’d feel rejected (which has often been my secret nemesis). Whatever is going on in the complexity of my heart and mind, I know – because I teach and preach it – that we do need each other. We need God and we need each other. The following words from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 are often applied to marriages at weddings BUT they’re truths for all of our relationships.
Two are better than one, becase they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no-one to help him up! Also if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
So what is it for you? What keeps you from asking for help? Perhaps we can all decide to be a little bit more brave, or humble, or vulnerable, and enjoy the blessing of receiving. Cheering and praying for you!
Main Photo Credit: Courtesy of Bob Fraser at The Gathering 2024.
The Ruby Project is an initiative from Church Army with the aim of showing God’s relentless love to those affected by the sex industry. The Ruby Project offers practical and spiritual support to women affected by the sex industry through street outreach, a drop-in centre, food, clothing, and washing facilities, and assistance in helping women access healthcare and other professional services. It is estimated that 105,000 people are involved in sex work in the UK. Many of these are women facing financial struggles, insecure housing, domestic violence, and sexual abuse.
Why and how do women get drawn into the sex industry? The sex industry can often be sold as ‘quick money’ and in times of financial crisis, when people are desperate, it can look like a way out. Many women have varying reasons for what led them into the industry but mostly, the women the Ruby Project supports say they didn’t feel they ever had a choice.
A participant shared her story: “I was sexually abused from a very young age, and at 15 this led me into the sex industry. I grew up in care, I’ve got no family, it’s just me. Other girls told me about Church Army’s The Ruby Project. Coming to the drop in, being helped with clothes, having my birthday celebrated – it helped open my heart to getting clean and not working on the streets anymore.
People don’t understand, they think it’s easy for us to do, but it’s not. Most of the women that do this, have no-one. Please don’t assume the worst of us. We are alone, and we feel we have no other options.”
Harrowing experiences such as this one, are the reason why Church Army are calling on the next government to make a commitment to tackling poverty with the creation of a Minister for Social Justice. Church Army have submitted a petition to the main party leaders in preparation for the election.
J.John’s Olympic initiative has gained momentum and over 100,000 copies of his booklet about the life and faith of Eric Liddell have been distributed throughout the UK and around the world.
Eric Liddell was a Scottish runner whose story, famously retold in the classic movie Chariots of Fire, focuses on his uncompromising desire to honour God. Liddell believed that his response to what God had done for him included keeping Sunday free from sport, so when he heard that the heats for the 100m would be held on a Sunday, he refused to take part. It was a courageous decision, and despite enormous pressure, he refused to compromise his faith and instead prepared for the 400m race, a distance over which he was not expected to do well.
On the morning of the race, he was handed a note on which was written the Bible verse, ‘He that honours me, I will honour’. Encouraged, Liddell took the race at a sprint and won, breaking the Olympic and world records.
J.John’s booklet entitled Running the Race of Your Life is written to create curiosity and conversation during the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024. 47,000 copies of this booklet have already been distributed to UK prison chaplains and other prison-focused groups in preparation for a summer season of sport-themed ministry to prisoners. Other groups have ordered copies in bulk to give to parents at Olympic-themed children’s holiday clubs, foodbanks, door drops throughout the community and in schools and churches across the country.
J.John said: “We are delighted that this booklet has already had such a significant reach. It is such a simple resource to be able to give to someone to stir curiosity and conversation. We are still praying that we might ‘God-willing’ distribute one million copies by the end of the year, and we are planning how we can further develop this initiative to reach even more people with the Good News of Jesus ”
Abigail Irozuru, an Olympic long jumper explained: “This little pamphlet is a wonderful reminder of the power of sport as a vehicle to fulfil the gifts and purposes of the Lord in our lives. Everybody has their own ministry and it’s amazing that Liddell’s lives on in a legacy that has spanned a century. Thanks for creating ‘Running the Race of Your Life’ to inspire others through Liddell’s faith and sporting story. It particularly resonates with me as an Olympic long jumper; his story has always inspired me. Hopefully, in the hands of young people, this will be a great opportunity for them to reflect on what comes first in their lives – rightfully elevating God’s plans, purposes and promises in their lives, no matter how difficult that may be. What an important challenge for us all!”
Copies of the booklet are available at raceofyourlife.co.uk. Costs have been kept as low as possible to enable churches and ministries to place bulk orders. Booklets are priced at 10p per copy plus postage and packing.
Creation Fest 2024 is a free Christian music festival featuring one hundred activities and a skatepark. It takes place over the weekend of August 1st – 4th at Royal Cornwall Events Centre, Wadebridge located in the Cornish countryside.
The free skate park hosts daily skate sessions, demos, talks and workshops from a team of international pro skaters. There will be a packed programme of talks, art workshops, fitness sessions and sports activities. The children’s and youth programme are designed to keep even the most energetic kids entertained and give parents the freedom to enjoy all that the festival has to offer.
Camping is available on site in either a tent, a caravan, or a glamping unit. This summer, Creation Fest is offering space to explore the deep questions of life, wherever you are on your faith journey. To find out more, see the full programme and book your day visitor or camping tickets, go to www.creationfest.org.uk.
Each year around the time of the Summer Solstice, another significant event occurs. The Gathering is an annual men’s festival which has been run for over ten years by CVM – Christian Vision for Men. So why did 1500 men gather in a field near Swindon? Bob Fraser was one of them, he reports for Sorted Magazine:
Bob writes:The Gathering is an annual men’s festival which has been run for over ten years by CVM – Christian Vision for Men. It always takes place in a field near Swindon. This year we saw an eclectic mix of activities like five-a-side football, sword fighting, wrestling, archery, axe throwing, climbing wall, Zorb football etc. and some indoor stuff like Scalextrix, board games, darts, and chess. There was an array of classic and high performance cars on display and a bar.
Carl Beech (on stage) addresses the crowd in the main tent.
It was something quite unique, and this year 1500 men booked in, many between the ages of 20 and 40. Free tea and coffee was available for the duration of the event. There was a doctor’s surgery, some inspirational stories, various seminars, some very silly moments, and a bag piper. Many of the men attending were from CVM groups located around the UK. Many others were invited along by a mate. I met several fathers who had brought their sons along. (you have to be over 18 to attend).
A number of those I chatted to were part of an army of stewards. These are the guys who work behind the scenes looking after car parking, marshalling events, providing catering for the team and guests, keeping the toilets clean and helping set up and dismantle the site.
Main sessions started off with Steve Legg (Founder of Sorted Magazine and all-round funny man) leading a sing-along and then hosting a darts competition. The Saturday evening main session included an international tug-of war competition, which England won, and a fancy dress theme, which this year was ‘Christmas’. There were some bizarre entries but the winning outfit was a close run thing between Bruce Willis and Baby Jesus, but Bruce Willis inevitably triumphed against overwhelming odds!
But alongside all the fun and nonsense there was some more serious stuff about life, faith and hope. With his inimitable humorous style Carl Beech, CVM President, gave a clear and heartfelt call for men to respond to the Gospel. Nathan Blackaby, CEO of Christian Vision for men said: “This year was incredible. We saw about 120 guys come forward in response to the Gospel appeal from Carl, through the worship, the seminars, and the powerful testimonies.”
There was live music, of course, and later on the Saturday night, a Madness tribute band performed, before the evening concluded with a huge fire pit to gather round. Main sessions saw worship from Graham Kendrick and the band, which this year included a pedal steel guitar player and a brass backline. Their version of Chain Breaker became a solid favourite of the weekend.
John from Bolton was at The Gathering for the first time and had been really moved by the testimonies and all that Carl Beech had said. He also attended a seminar given by Tania Bright and Bekah Legg entitled What women want men to know. I attended that seminar along with about 400 others and afterwards John said: “I wish I’d known before I got married what I now know from attending that seminar!”
Inside the mess tent at The Gathering 2024.
Jonathan came for the first time with a group from Leyland near Preston. He compared The Gathering to other Christian festivals he’d been to and said: “There’s often an expectation to come as a model Christian man, whereas at The Gathering, it feels very open, very welcoming, and you can come just as you are.”
Matt was another first-timer who enjoyed banter and conversation with other blokes: “I loved all the activities, the humour, the testimonies and all the activities on offer.”
Many men don’t have much experience of worshipping with 1500 blokes. Neil from Leyland commented: “Worshipping with 1500 brothers in Christ was just amazing”. Andy from North Wales said: ”I’ve loved seeing Christian men coming together and being men! I’ve just had a go at the axe throwing and was rubbish at it! But we’ve come together and worshipped the Lord and it’s been great to be part of it!”
Carl Beech (left) and Paul Gask (right) enjoying the Christmas fancy dress competition.
Before I left the site to head home, I chatted with CVM Director ‘Gasky’ (pictured above right). He said: “I’ve had the privilege of serving with the CVM team and there’s been so many amazing stories of guys getting rid of all sorts of garbage that none of us is immune from, and surrendering it at the Cross. It’s been a fantastic weekend.”
I believe that The Gathering truly is a unique event. Many blokes have already taken advantage of booking in already for next year’s Gathering at a discount rate. So many of the men I spoke to over the weekend were blown away by the atmosphere and had not come across anything like it before and were unsure how they might describe it to their nearest and dearest, or indeed their church friends when they get home.
The London premiere of Unsung Hero captivated audiences at the historic Curzon Mayfair, culminating in an extraordinary five-minute standing ovation. The film, which delves into the life of an unrecognized but impactful figure in history, left an indelible mark on its first audience, signaling a promising reception from critics and moviegoers alike.
The premiere was attended by a host of celebrities, critics, and industry professionals, all of whom seemed moved by the film’s emotional depth and historical significance. As the credits rolled, the audience rose to their feet in unanimous applause, maintaining their standing ovation for a full five minutes. This overwhelming response underscores the film’s potential to become a critical and commercial success.
Unsung Hero is directed by filmmaker Joel Smallbone, who has weaved a compelling narrative of the story of his childhood with profound emotional depth. Set against the backdrop of Nashville in the early 1990s, Unsung Hero follows the journey of David Smallbone as he moves his family from Australia to the United States, searching for a brighter future. With their six children and nothing more than suitcases, and their love of music, David (For King + Country’s Joel Smallbone) and his pregnant wife Helen (Daisy Betts) set out to rebuild their lives. David and Helen begin to realise the musical prowess in their children, who would go on to become two of the most successful acts in Inspirational Music history: five-time Grammy Award®-winning artists For King + Country and Rebecca St. James.
Featuring an ensemble cast of talented actors including Joel Smallbone and Daisy Betts, alongside Jonathan Jackson, Candace Cameron Bure, Kirrilee Berge and Lucas Black. Through its compelling storytelling and authentic portrayal of human emotion, the film invites viewers to reflect on the true meaning of hope and sacrifice.
Faith on Film, Confessions of a Christian Film Critic is a newly published book written by Sorted Magazine’s Film Critic, Andy Godfrey (pictured above). Sorted Magazine’s founder and editor, Steve Legg, explores the content and shares his views here.
Steve writes: You may be thinking, A Christian film critic? Whatever next? A vegan butcher? But as I delved deeper, I soon discovered that this account differs from your average movie review book. In Faith on Film: Confessions of a Christian Film Critic, we are invited into a unique perspective on the world of cinema; one that seamlessly blends faith with film critique.
As I delved into Andy Godfrey’s insightful musings, I was struck by the depth of his analysis and the sincerity of his reflections. Andy offers a refreshing perspective on an industry often criticised for its portrayal of morality and spirituality. With a keen eye for detail and a profound understanding of both cinema and faith, he navigates the celluloid landscape from an unapologetically Christian perspective. It’s as if Barry Norman and Mark Kermode had a cinematic lovechild, armed with a big black Bible and a bucket of popcorn.
You’ll soon discover that Andy’s insights are as refreshing as a Sunday morning lie-in and as entertaining as a matinee double feature. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. But what sets his work apart is his unwavering commitment to exploring the intersection of faith and film. Through his careful critiques and thought-provoking commentary, Andy invites readers to reconsider their views on cinema and spirituality. Whether a devout believer, a film fanatic or a casual moviegoer, this book offers valuable insights that will leave a lasting impact.
So, as you embark on this journey through the lens of a Christian film critic, I encourage you to open your mind and heart to the possibilities that await. Andy offers more than just movie reviews; he provides a window into the soul of cinema itself.
Extracted from Faith on Film, Confessions of a Christian Film Critic, written by Andy Godfrey, published by scm and available here.
SAT-7 has announced that Toxic, their first feature-length film, is now available for travellers flying with Emirates, Qatar Airways, Saudia, and Kuwait Airways. The film’s inclusion on the in-flight playlists of these major airlines means that tens of millions of passengers are now able to view them.
Maged Mounir, Executive Director of SAT-7’s Egypt office, enthused: “We are delighted that Toxic is now available to millions of travellers on these busy airlines, meaning that many more people will be introduced to the film’s message about the power of forgiveness. It also potentially acts as an introduction to the wider ministry of SAT-7, opening up the opportunity for people to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ through our other programs.”
Toxic, an Arabic drama about relationships, trauma, and forgiveness, was shot primarily in SAT-7’s studio in Cairo. It has been broadcast a number of times on SAT-7 ARABIC, with more showings scheduled throughout 2024, as well as being showcased at four film festivals.
SAT-7 wanted to make Toxic more widely available and enlisted a distributor to approach other platforms with the film. Toxic was funded in partnership with the Norwegian Mission Society (NMS) as part of SAT-7’s Current Affairs Project. Gro Smørdal, Director of Department MENA at NMS, explained: “In Toxic, we meet people with strong emotions such as love, hate, forgiveness, inferiority, and revenge. The film prompts viewers to consider what choices they have and how they should respond. Elegant, exciting, and reflective from SAT-7. As SAT-7 Partners, we feel so proud and excited that Toxic is available on major airlines such as Qatar and Emirates, and hope that many viewers will be impacted by its powerful message.”
Toxic’s characters include a woman who is rejected by society because of her appearance, a Syrian man who witnesses the killing of his father by religious fanatics, and a Jordanian woman who faces oppression and emotional pressure at a young age. Although their storylines are initially separate, surprising circumstances bring the characters together, allowing them to share their stories and learn how to forgive those who have wronged them.
Producer John Adly was keen to portray forgiveness, not as passive or weak, but as a powerful force that helps people live a free and fulfilling life. He explained: “In their search for a cure, each character realises in the end that revenge cannot heal their souls. Forgiveness is the way to overcome the harm done to them.”
This year, Wycliffe Bible Translators celebrates the 700th anniversary of the birth of John Wycliffe, the man who first translated the Bible into English. While the anniversary is a celebration, it also acts as a reminder of the one in five who still lack access to a Bible in the language they know best.
James Poole, Wycliffe Bible Translators’ Executive Director, explained: “John Wycliffe’s commitment to translating the Bible into the language that people know best was revolutionary. 700 years later the passion for Wycliffe’s vision of a world where everyone can know Jesus through the Bible continues to burn brightly.”
John Wycliffe is a pivotal figure in history. His ground breaking work of providing the first English translation of the Bible continues to resonate across the globe. Despite so much progress to date in worldwide Bible translation, much work remains. An estimated 1.5 billion people representing over 6,000 languages are still waiting to receive the Bible in the language they understand best. Wycliffe Bible Translators is committed to all people having access to the Bible.
Thought to have been born in 1324 in Hipswell, Yorkshire, John Wycliffe was a theologian, scholar and reformer. His passion for making the Scriptures accessible to ordinary people led him and his team to undertake the monumental task of translating the Bible from Latin into English by hand. Wycliffe believed that everyone should have direct access to God’s word.
He faced great opposition from the church at the time for his translation, ideas and teaching, but his conviction was strong and was not deterred. After his death, he was declared a heretic and his bones were dug up, burnt and his ashes scattered in the River Swift in Leicestershire.
Poole continues: “John Wycliffe argued that the Bible should be accessible to all, regardless of social status or education. His courage and vision continue to inspire our work today. There is now more Bible translation work in progress than ever before. We have a historic opportunity to get closer to the vision of everyone being able to know Jesus through the Bible.”
John Wycliffe’s translation work opened the door to other English translations. He was also known as ‘the Morning Star of the Reformation’, given the influence of his teaching and work on others like Martin Luther, who translated the Bible into a form of German, as well as being the key figure in the Reformation.
The last 12 months have been a record-breaking year for Bible translation. A new Bible was launched at a rate of one per month, a New Testament at the rate of one per week and translation work began in a new language at a rate of one per day. Komi Sena is a modern-day John Wycliffe. Komi is an Ifè translator, despite setbacks, the Ifè New Testament has been completed, leading to a surge in local churches. Komi enthused: “Translating the Bible is so important because many people don’t understand French, so they are not able to read and understand the Scriptures. And it does not change their lives when they do not understand it. Translation of the Bible also enables nonbelievers to hear the good news in their language.”
Now, Komi and his team are working on the Old Testament, aiming for completion by 2026. Komi also assists other translation projects across Togo and Benin, highlighting the transformative impact of having the Bible in one’s native language.
For more information on the charity and the 700th anniversary of John Wycliffe, visit wycliffe700.com
