CARE FOR THE FAMILY LAUNCHES BRINGING HOME THE PRODIGALS

The prodigal returns ...
"And when he was a long way off his father saw him and had compassion on him"

This month sees the launch of a major nationwide project of Bringing Home the Prodigals by Care for the Family.

Launched at Spring Harvest in Minehead, where Rob Parsons spoke to more than 3,500 people, this major new initiative is for everyone who cares about prodigals - whether they are a son or daughter, sister or brother, husband or wife, friend or parents. It involves the book, several evening events; a website; but more than that Bringing Home the Prodigals is a call to prayer.

Rob Parsons, Executive Director of Care for the Family, said: "I have met with many church leaders and shared with them the heart and essence of this project. The time is now for Bringing Home the Prodigals. I believe with all my heart that God is ready to do something special in our land. It will need humility, faith and perhaps repentance, but the result will affect millions of people. God is ready to bring home the prodigals. I hope you will join me and hundreds of others as we place the names of those we love at the foot of the cross."

The book Bringing Home the Prodigals has been described by Dr R. T. Kendall as 'a gift to the whole Church'. In it, Rob challenges the Church to recognise the part it has played in creating prodigals and to get ready for their return. He also urges people to stop judging each other, and to remember that God, the perfect parent, had trouble with his children too.

The website www.prodigals.org.uk allows people to not only find out more about the book, project and events, but allows those who visit the site to post the names of their prodigals and tell their story.

Rob Parsons will be on tour this autumn with his guests for an evening of inspiration and hope. The Bringing Home the Prodigals event is being run in association with Spring Harvest and supported by Wesley Owen.

Worship will be led by either Dave Bilborough, Graham Kendrick, Geraldine Latty or Trish Morgan. The evening will focus on the power of love and forgiveness bringing love and hope to many families. It will encourage parents of young children and call on the Church to prepare for many homecomings.

Dates:
Glasgow Saturday 8 November Findlay Memorial Hall
Coventry Thursday 13 November Central Hall
Croydon Friday 14 November Fairfield Halls*
Bracknell Saturday 15 November Bracknell Sports & Leisure Centre
Derby Thursday 20 November Assembly Rooms
Sheffield Friday 21 November Mega Centre
Liverpool Saturday 22 November St George’s Hall

Evenings run from 7.30-10pm (*8-10.30pm in Croydon). Tickets cost £5 per person.

In Spring 2004, the Bringing Home the Prodigals tour will be visiting Belfast, Plymouth, Cardiff, London and Lincoln.

For further details or to order tickets for the autumn events call Care for the Family tel: (029) 2081 0800 or, write to Care for the Family, PO Box 488, Cardiff, CF15 7YY or visit www.prodigals.org.uk and book online.