Prodigals tour proves a sell-out

This autumn, more than 7,000 people around the UK attended Care for the Family event, Bringing Home the Prodigals, led by Rob and Dianne Parsons.

Venues were filled to capacity as people came and offered prayers for their children, siblings, parents and friends. Rob Parsons said: “Prayer groups are springing up for prodigals and churches are re-examining whether we have made it easier for them to leave and harder to return.”

Worship was led by Dave Bilbrough, and a video drama – featuring actor Rob Lacey – gave the parable a modern slant. At the end of each evening, individuals were invited to place the names of their prodigals at the foot of a large wooden cross – symbolically committing those they love to God.

The first half of the 14-date tour ended in Liverpool after visiting Glasgow, Coventry, Bracknell, Croydon, Derby and Sheffield and returns next spring. Tickets are now on sale for: Plymouth, Mutley Baptist Church (11 March); London, Westminster Chapel (12 March); Bristol, Colston Hall (13 March); Belfast, Waterfront Hall (18 March); Lincoln, New Life Christian Fellowship (19 March); Cardiff, St David’s Hall (20 March); Birmingham, Symphony Hall (22 April).

All events are from 7.30-10pm, except Westminster Chapel which runs from 8-10.30pm. Tickets cost £5 per person and are available at www.prodigals.org.uk or by calling (029) 2081 0800 with your credit/debit card detail or by writing to Care for the Family, PO Box 488, Cardiff, CF15 7YY.

Youthwork conference makes connections

An estimated 1,200 full-time and volunteer youth workers took part in what was billed as the “first-ever” Youthwork the Conference in Southport. The event was organised in partnership between Oasis Youth Action, Salvation Army, Spring Harvest, Youth for Christ and Youthwork Magazine.

The Salvation Army’s head of youth, Russell Rook said: “It’s a sense that something’s happening, and it’s beyond the conference, it’s this idea of people coming together and making new connections”. Youth leaders are now able to follow up conference discussions and contacts online at www.youthwork.co.uk

Young activists' prayer warfare in a trench

Over 600 young Christians will come together in a makeshift war trench in London, on 23 February 2004, to pray against the UK Government’s support of the arms trade.

Founding director of SPEAK, Louise Donkin, said: “The Bible is full of stories of God's people doing wacky prophetic actions to speak up against injustice. It was really powerful when Ezekiel lay on his side to prophesy against the sins of Israel”.

Campaigner Rachel Grant said: “We want to model a different way of campaigning that comes out of hearts of love for Jesus and others – be they the Defence Export Services Organisation employees or victims of British arms exports. We hope the Day of Action will be a powerful prophetic action that sends a clear message of peace to our government, the public and the media.”

The prayer event, on will follow Soundcheck, SPEAK’s annual gathering on 20-22 February, 2004. Speakers include Joel Edwards, general director of the Evangelical Alliance UK, and Tom Sine, author of Mustard Seed versus McWorld.

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