It was back in 2002, when its previous publishers had made the decision to cease printing The Plain Truth, that a separate independent charity was established by a handful of people with a shared vision to continue producing a Christian magazine. An appeal for financial support was launched to its readers at that time, and sufficient funds to publish the magazine for the first few issues was secured.

Against all odds and under the editorship of the late John Halford until 2008, The Plain Truth continued in print and was sent free of charge to all those requesting the magazine. At that time, there were about 20,000 copies printed and posted – mainly in the UK, but reaching over 80 countries worldwide.

Upon request, bulk copies of our magazine were sent to a church congregation in New Zealand, to churches and Christian bookshops as well as schools and universities where it’s contents were used as a basis of discussions, assemblies, Bible studies and house groups.

Over the years, the magazine attracted some significant attention by many Christian organisations and charities, churches, authors, as well as individuals who had encouraging lived experiences to share based on their Christian faith.

The Plain Truth secured interviews and attended events with key Christian figures and theologians such as Desmond Tutu, Jonathan Sacks, Joni Earekson Tada, Alister McGrath and Prof David Wilkinson to name a few. (Many went on to write further articles which we have published in our magazine.)

We have carried a wide range of topics in our articles over the years on church growth and initiatives around the UK, as well as reporting on more serious topics that rarely reach the media about the suffering and brutal persecution of our Christian brothers and sisters across the globe. Working closely with agencies like Open Doors, Release International and CSW has enabled us to keep you informed – and prayerfully involved – of emerging and on-going crisis faced daily by many whose ‘crime’ is merely accepting Christ’s sacrifice and identifying as a ‘Christian’.

Of course, exploring the Bible more deeply through regular articles, features and themed series has played a big part in our magazine. And over the years we have been very privileged to carry articles on key Christian principles such as forgiveness; prayer; repentance and salvation from highly regarded writers like Br David Jardine and the late Revd Canon Roy Lawrence. (And we mustn’t forget the book we published in 2019, which was a collection of inspirational articles by Roy Lawrence which had previously appeared in our magazine. With the title: Plain Truths about Life, Faith and Healing, over 1,000 books were given away free to those requesting a copy.

Another of our initiatives over the past few years was to launch our podcast Plain Talking which was hosted and edited by Rev Gethin Russell-Jones and has been well-received. And to date, 27 episodes have been produced and uploaded for the world to hear the great variety of interviews, testimonies and inspirational thoughts from a wide range of topics from those involved in Christian ministry, charitable work or local and national initiatives. These Podcasts have reached many thousands and will remain on the internet for ever. Gethin has been with The Plain Truth since we started in 2002 as a popular regular writer as well as columnist of A View from the High Street, looking at current affairs and topics and giving us all food for thought. His contribution has be highly appreciated and valued.

With technology evolving so fast over the years, a growing list of our current and new readers have opted to receive our magazine in a digital format to read on their phones, Tablets or computer screens at their leisure. Producing a digital-only version of The Plain Truth could of course saved tens of thousands of pounds in print and postage costs, all of which have escalated tremendously over these last few years.

However, with a majority of elderly readers with either poor eyesight, or not wanting or unable to access a digital copy of the magazine we have continued to offer printed copies as funds allow.

But sadly, over the last three years, our charity has suffered a sharp decline in income and at the same time escalating costs. And despite our best efforts to seek outside funding from grant-making trusts, our requests for funding have been unsuccessful. (At the same time, my own health has suffered quite badly with a recently diagnosed auto-immune disease.)

So after much thought, discussion and prayerful deliberation, the Trustees have made the sad decision that this will be the last printed issue of The Plain Truth. Our website with free downloads will remain open in the short term – as will our admin support. But as the year comes to a close, so will the charity.

It has been an exciting and inspiring journey over more than two decades, and we thank all of you for your support over the years and we ask that God will bless you all.

From all of us to all of you – a very fond farewell.

In Christian love

Mary Hammond

Editor, The Plain Truth