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And the Message’s Eden initiative ‘sends and supports teams of any money to hire anyone – and didn’t have the skills or
urban missionaries to the UK’s most deprived neighbourhoods – to materials to do the task herself. After asking around at
live sacrificially, share the gospel and build authentic community.’ church, a face-painter was found, gave her services for free
And that’s the task ahead for Joe and Anna. and a delighted grandmother and happy children attended
the birthday party!’
Plans in motion On another occasion help was given to an old lady on
When The Plain Truth spoke to Joe in October 2021, just the estate whose garden was in desperate need of some
a few months after his and Anna’s appointment as Team TLC; another person with a mobility problem was taken
Leaders, they were already incredibly busy coping with the to the shops and so on. These small acts of genuine human
ever-growing demands within the neighbourhood. And kindness motivated by their faith will be the building blocks
although they weren’t due to move into the church’s rented of Joe and Anna’s outreach. Being there for the community,
house on the run-down estate until Christmas, plans were to help, to listen, to signpost to other organisations such as
already being made for how the property would be used. Betel and to share their faith.
The housing estate is set in a deprived area of Hexham, With the ever-growing need for support to those living
where needs are great – but resources are few. The area in the most deprived areas of the UK, and where the
certainly fitted the criteria for an Eden Project initiative. Christian message has yet to be preached, there will always
So a challenging task ahead as Joe and Anna would be be a need for people like Joe and Anna. People with a heart
living right in the heart of this community. (Not a job for for serving mankind – and in the name of Jesus.
the faint-hearted.) May God bless your work in Hexham, Joe and Anna.
But Joe and Anna have the backing and support of
their church’s members; a number of volunteers to assist 1 Summer-Autumn 2021 issue, Why don’t you just: trypraying? page 15.
them, as well as a lot of experience that will help them 2 www.wec-uk.org. WEC is a registered Christian charity, listening to, serving
in their ministry in this tough neighbourhood. And a lot and walking alongside local people, forming disciples and expecting to see
of prayer too. churches flourish in cultures where Christ is little known.
Having studied for mission training at Cornerstone 3 www.message.org.uk. The Message is a UK Christian charity delivering
Bible College, where a holistic approach of academic, Christian schools work, creating Christian Youth resources whilst
encouraging local Christian mission and evangelism training.
experimental and practical training is used, Joe also has 4 https://communitygrocery.org.uk/hexham
some personal experience that will enable him to empathise
with many of those he meets in his new role.
‘Fifteen years ago I was a heroin addict myself,’ said
Joe. ‘My life was on a downward spiral. But I was fortunate
enough to get a place in a Betel Community. ‘Betel UK is
a Christian organisation dedicated to restoring homeless,
addicted and long-term unemployed people to healthy,
independent lifestyles. And it was here that he met his
future wife, Anna.
So with his background, education and training – and
Anna’s knowledge and experience too, Joe and Anna look
like an ideal team to support those they will shortly be Hexham Community Grocery
living alongside.
In fact, the house being rented by the church – from The Hexham Community Grocery is helping the people
which the project will be based – is reasonably roomy, of Hexham shop for less. Run in partnership by The
having four bedrooms and an independent, adjoining Message Trust and Hexham Community Church you can
lounge. The building will be used as a drop-in centre for a find them at:
coffee and chat and the sharing of problems; giving of help Hexham Community Church,
and advice on a number of matters; a place to distribute 1 Wanless Lane,
food through their Community Grocery project; an Hexham NE46 1BZ
4
educational basis for helping residents with paperwork – Open: 9:30am – 4:30pm Monday to Friday
as well as training staff and holding Alpha courses – and Tel: 01434 422511
ultimately to offer some accommodation too. Website: https://communitygrocery.org.uk/hexham
Email: hexham@communitygrocery.org.uk
On the radar
Already, those church members involved in the project are Hexham Community Church
being identified and approached by residents on the estate
seeking help and support. Joe told us of just one small Located at:
request that happened quite recently. Central Chambers,
‘One of the volunteers was stopped in the street and Beaumont Street,
asked by a grandmother (who knew she was talking to a Hexham NE46 3LS.
church member) if she could help. The resident wanted Website: www.hexhamcc.com
to give her granddaughter a birthday party and would Email: office@hexhamcc.com
love to have someone to do face-painting, but didn’t have

Find us online at www.plain-truth.org.uk Winter 2021-2022 The Plain Truth 13