News
New CEA Co-ordinator Appointed
As of this month, Church Army's National Officer for Fresh Expressions, Peter Graystone, will be seconded part time to work alongside our Trustees, Council and Church Army to lead in the development of all of CEA's work.
"Peter's creativity, writing skills and his ability to communicate the Gospel in relevant ways will make him a valuable asset", says Des Scott, CEA Trustee.
Peter says: "Someone wrote to the Christian Enquiry Agency recently thanking them for playing ‘a major part in me becoming a Christian - thank you for ... providing information and inspiration in times of need and hopelessness.’ It is going to be a privilege to work with a terrific organisation that enables people to wake up to the vast love that God has for them. I hope I can re-imagine CEA so that even more people can find even more help. My prayer is that men and women will be glad to be alive as a result what is beginning this month."
"Peter's creativity, writing skills and his ability to communicate the Gospel in relevant ways will make him a valuable asset", says Des Scott, CEA Trustee.
Peter says: "Someone wrote to the Christian Enquiry Agency recently thanking them for playing ‘a major part in me becoming a Christian - thank you for ... providing information and inspiration in times of need and hopelessness.’ It is going to be a privilege to work with a terrific organisation that enables people to wake up to the vast love that God has for them. I hope I can re-imagine CEA so that even more people can find even more help. My prayer is that men and women will be glad to be alive as a result what is beginning this month."
New future for CEA
Exciting partnership in grass-roots evangelism
Christian Enquiry Agency has joined forces with a major evangelistic organisation to create a new partnership to help many more people discover the Christian faith and a new life in Jesus Christ.
Thousands of people visited CEA’s hopeinfo.co.uk website which played a significant role in the Hope 08 year of mission for churches across the UK. Building on this success, the Agency has undertaken a Strategic Review encompassing its organisation, finance, use of internet and literature, breadth of support and its unique role as the one-stop portal focused on enquiries from those beyond the fringes of church.
“The need for people to discover and welcome Christ has never been greater. CEA has exciting plans for evangelising the ordinary people of our country and has sought a partnership to ensure it is strengthened for the future and has the resources it needs,” said The Venerable Robert Freeman, Christian Enquiry Agency Chairman.
To take the work forward, the Agency is partnering with Church Army – a mission organisation in the forefront of evangelism working mainly with churches and organisa-tions to help people on their journey of faith.
“Church Army brings significant experience, insight and resources in the area of evangelism among those beyond church. It is also a large national organisation with a commitment to serving the church,” said Robert.
Much of what Church Army does is grass roots. Over 300 evangelists work in the UK and Ireland, predominantly with those who have little or no meaningful relationship with church, demonstrating God’s love through words and action. Another 100 staff work in homeless hostels and the central support structure.
“Church Army is passionate about communicating the gospel to the 7 out of 10 people who would never walk into a church. We are looking forward to working in partnership with CEA, so together we can help people engage with the Christian faith in relevant and exciting ways,” said Mark Russell, Chief Executive Officer Church Army.
Thousands of people visited CEA’s hopeinfo.co.uk website which played a significant role in the Hope 08 year of mission for churches across the UK. Building on this success, the Agency has undertaken a Strategic Review encompassing its organisation, finance, use of internet and literature, breadth of support and its unique role as the one-stop portal focused on enquiries from those beyond the fringes of church.
“The need for people to discover and welcome Christ has never been greater. CEA has exciting plans for evangelising the ordinary people of our country and has sought a partnership to ensure it is strengthened for the future and has the resources it needs,” said The Venerable Robert Freeman, Christian Enquiry Agency Chairman.
To take the work forward, the Agency is partnering with Church Army – a mission organisation in the forefront of evangelism working mainly with churches and organisa-tions to help people on their journey of faith.
“Church Army brings significant experience, insight and resources in the area of evangelism among those beyond church. It is also a large national organisation with a commitment to serving the church,” said Robert.
Much of what Church Army does is grass roots. Over 300 evangelists work in the UK and Ireland, predominantly with those who have little or no meaningful relationship with church, demonstrating God’s love through words and action. Another 100 staff work in homeless hostels and the central support structure.
“Church Army is passionate about communicating the gospel to the 7 out of 10 people who would never walk into a church. We are looking forward to working in partnership with CEA, so together we can help people engage with the Christian faith in relevant and exciting ways,” said Mark Russell, Chief Executive Officer Church Army.
Success!
More than 47,000 people have contacted Christian Enquiry Agency directly and tens of thousands have visited one of our websites. Around 15% ask for further help and many are men aged 20-40 who are difficult for the church to reach.The Need for CEA
“CEA is needed now more than at any time in recent history”
Des Scott
Director of Organisational Development - Church Army
The Ven. Robert Freeman, CEA Chairman, and Des Scott, Church Army Director of Organisational Development, reflect on the challenges and the way forward for the new partnership between Christian Enquiry Agency and Church Army.
Why is CEA needed now and in the future?
Robert: Few people have contact with church and even fewer have any grasp of the gospel. Christianity is increasingly marginalised in society and there are 1001 voices offering different help and answers to life. CEA is probably needed now more than at any time in recent history. The Good News of Jesus Christ is the only true source of life, forgiveness and hope for individuals and our world, and is des-perately needed. CEA offers an accessible and anonymous way to explore Christian faith for people who just want to find out a bit more or are searching for answers to some of life’s issues.
Why is CEA needed now and in the future?
Robert: Few people have contact with church and even fewer have any grasp of the gospel. Christianity is increasingly marginalised in society and there are 1001 voices offering different help and answers to life. CEA is probably needed now more than at any time in recent history. The Good News of Jesus Christ is the only true source of life, forgiveness and hope for individuals and our world, and is des-perately needed. CEA offers an accessible and anonymous way to explore Christian faith for people who just want to find out a bit more or are searching for answers to some of life’s issues.
Why can’t CEA continue as it was?
Robert: Like many small-but-passionate organisations CEA has in recent years struggled to generate the level of income needed to run and develop as a charity, support projects and take initiatives. We have been enormously blessed by the generosity of individuals, denominations and some grant-making bodies. But that has not produced sufficient income to sustain the work.
How will the partnership work?
Des: The CEA Council and Trustees will continue to lead the Agency and ensure its broad denominational basis is protected and maintained. A part time co-ordinator will be employed by CEA and managed by Church Army, who will offer technical expertise, creativity, communications and writing skills. We also want to be a catalyst and driver to spur on the help and support needed from the denominations and other organisations. Church Army will work with the Enquiry Office team at Deo Gloria Trust in South Croydon to develop the response mechanisms in line with the ongoing developments.
What are the priorities?
Des: To develop the ways we communicate with those asking questions. With increased use of the internet it is vital we take advantage of this opportunity. Many people are already visiting www.christianity.org.uk looking for information about Christianity rather than CEA. Therefore the web site will be completely redesigned so it is a place for people who want to explore Christian life and faith. The literature that is used will be reviewed to ensure this relates more specifically to the questions people are asking and the issues in their life. We live in a fast changing world and CEA needs to be more flexible, responsive and at the cutting edge – responding to current issues and topics in a way that helps people explore Christian faith.
How can supporters help?
Robert: Many people are already generous but we continue to need prayer and finance to enable the partnership to be effective in helping many more people come to faith in Jesus Christ. Prayer requests are emailed weekly and to receive these contact cea@christianity.org.uk. Individual donations and charitable grants are vital - over £20,000 a year is needed to employ the new co-ordinator and at least a further £20,000 a year to develop the web site and support various national evangelistic projects.