Churches up and down the country are shrinking or closing at an alarming rate and, amid the erosion of our country’s spiritual heritage, Christianity is being systematically driven from the public square.
However, alongside the negatives there are many positives. Churches are being planted, people are being saved and men and women are being trained for gospel ministry. In addition, there seems to be a new spirit of partnership among gospel-minded people. An example of this is the number of churches which have committed themselves to the forthcoming A Passion for Life mission.
The January edition of EN carried the Stop Press news that the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (FIEC) had cancelled plans for the Cheltenham Bible Festival (CBF) in 2008. Some readers will understandably be asking why.
Living the dream
It was an amazing providence that enabled CBF to go ahead last August as scheduled. The severe floods which hit the headlines for days had knocked out the region’s main water treatment plant and the Army had occupied the site until a week before the event. Water was reconnected with just one day to spare.
