Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
The rioting and looting follows the shooting death of 29-year-old Mark Duggan by police in Tottenham, London, last week.
Billy and Caroline Kennedy, Leaders of Pioneer, part of the New Community Network at Central Hall, St Mary Street, Southampton, told ANS: “I'm sure, like us, you've been glued to your TV screens and twitter accounts watching the unfolding events in London and in other cities across the UK.
“There are many friends of Pioneer, churches and community projects that we are linked with being affected by the recent turmoil. We are also aware that you will know others beyond our network who find themselves in a similar position.”
The Kennedys said: “We wanted to write to you all and encourage you to see if there are ways you can help and support those affected. We can often feel overwhelmed by the scale of what is going and feel paralyzed. But there are things we can do, whether we are local to the areas most affected or not.”
The Kennedys suggested “a simple phone call, text or email to check people are okay would be appreciated.
“For those of you on twitter, you'll be aware that the top three tweets trending globally are #riotcleanup, #prayforlondon and #londonriots.”
The Kennedys are directing friends to www.RiotCleanUp.co.uk “(which) is a very practical response to the events of recent days. If you are in the areas affected why not get involved and encourage your congregations also. What a great response.
“For those of who can't get to the affected areas, we can pray,” they said.
The Kennedys also told ANS that Pete Grieg, 24-7prayer, will be recording a short video later today from Tottenham, giving some prayer pointers. Readers are asked to keep an eye on www.24-prayer.com
**Phil & Julie Stokes, leaders of The Well Community Church in Camberwell, organized a prayer meeting last night for local Christians. At 12.00pm today they will be meeting with the Southwark Borough Council, where Phil serves as Dean to the Council.
**Steve Clifford, in his role at the Evangelical Alliance, is being called on for comment. Pray for wisdom.
**Patrick Regan, director of XLP and member of The Well, has already been quoted on TV as someone who has the respect of some of those who are involved with the rioting.
“Let's pray for the police. I have a number of friends who serve in the police force. Let's pray for wisdom for those in charge and safety for every officer,” the Kennedys wrote.
“It's time for the church to stand up, pull together and work and pray for a new day in our nation,” they said.
Adrian Hawkes, who runs a ministry in north London, wrote: “Obviously many of Rainbow (Fellowship) live in Tottenham, although most of us were away at our camp, 200+ there. People getting saved... but Gareth and Jo who lead Rainbow live right by the main fire, I understand his garden is covered with ash, we also have friend who lived in a flat above the carpet shop which was the first place to go up in flames, they escaped with their baby to their car and went to stay with in-laws, they are part of another London church.
“Coming to the office today I can see the cloud of thick black smoke pouring over our area, our office is in Edmonton, London, (in the) borough of Enfield. Yesterday coming home from the camp, even areas that were not immediately affected where all closed by 3.00p.m., shuttered and locked up with streets very quiet, even in Barnet. I do think most importantly that our young people need to hear that there is a God to live for, who gives us real purpose in life. Currently we are running a small college where we take in NEET young people (Not in Education Employment or Training) they do not have any purpose.”
Pastor David Wise, of Greenford Baptist Church, located in the London Borough of Ealing, where riots occurred Monday night, writes: “As you will already know Central and West Ealing were areas where there was rioting and looting last night. We are calling GBC together tonight to pray from 8PM till 9PM.”
Following some concern for safety, the Seventh-Day Adventist youth department has now severely downgraded this evening’s pre-arranged event and are only planning on a few experienced Youth leaders meeting at Tottenham.
In an e-mail forwarded to ANS, the group writes: “They emphasize that any outreach or community service should only be within member’s own areas, they should not travel across town, and only venture out under direct instruction from local church leadership who directly understand the situation.”
Adventist Pastor Stewart says, “As a Church we pray that peace will reign in the hearts and minds of all those who are troubled today and that through our actions we can show the world the Prince of Peace in a time when many are troubled and in fear.”
Victor Hulbert, Communication Director of the British Union Conference (BUC) of Seventh-day Adventists, based in Stanborough Park, Watford, Hertfordshire, outside London, said: “There has been a large and positive reaction to an Adventist news release sent out this morning with comments that reflect our need and passion as a Church right across the UK and Ireland. Below is a small representative selection.”
**Mark writes, "This reminds me of phrases used in the media such as 'broken Britain', 'rip off Britain' etc. Adventists should know by now of the times that we are living in. I, just like a number of Adventists in Britain, have become increasingly concerned that many that attend our churches are busy attending church but not willing to get their hands 'dirty' when there is so much that we can do to help 'broken Britain,' rather than simply waiting for prophecy to be fulfilled. We must become more practically relevant to our local communities; many are hurting, confused, deluded... As we become more involved practically in our communities people who never attend church groupings/unbelievers etc., will get a taste of hope which will permanently transform lives."
**Becky reports that some Adventist youth are helping with the clean-up in the Croydon area.
**Adrian adds, "May God bless you in what you do and give you the voice that you need to spread good news instead of fear, and to temper bad news with His redemptive love."
Naturally there are a number concerned about our youth being at risk, says Hulbert.
**Roy states, "Is this move wise… could their Peace Rally be hijacked and lead to further problems?"
**Johnette writes, "I think the safety of our young people is paramount and they will be put in harm's way by marching in Tottenham this evening and also on Wednesday. Please rethink this decision and hold the march when law and order is restored to our communities."
Pastor Stewart responded that this was not planned as a march or rally, but “an opportunity for young people to demonstrate and pray for peace.
“This is in harmony with many pastors, and members from various faiths who met on the streets of Edmonton last night for prayer -- and who will do so again this evening.”
**Sue, a Street Pastor from Lincoln notes that all Street Pastors across the UK have been mobilized, are spending time in prayer today, and will be available as the need arises, naturally in close consultation with the police.
**Ariane writes, "Although I applaud the motive and courage of those who will take part, I fear for our members."
Pastor Sam Davis, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Southern England, has told the media that: "As a Church we have thousands of young people who are fun loving and law-abiding and we do not condone what is taking place around us. During the past four years our young people have taken to the streets of London and Bristol supported by the police in marches against gun and knife crime. Just last week the riot police visited our Pathfinder Camporee in Surrey to talk with our young people and encourage them."
He adds, "Our Youth and Community Ministries department are ready and willing to join with the community in the clean-up operation. We are already working in one of the affected areas to assist displaced families in whatever way we can. The Seventh-day Adventist Church deplores violence in all its forms and call for calm and quiet reflection at this time."
A BUC News video statement on the current unrest that has reached a number of cities across England will be available on the www.hopetv.org.uk website later today.
TV and Documentary producer David Sullivan writes that, “To residents and citizens of the U. K. it is shocking and worrying to see the scenes on the news of the eruption of violence on our nation’s streets. It is not, however, unexpected. The country from ‘Land’s End to John O’Groats’ has, for years, been engaged in a grand and costly experiment where right has been replaced by rights and wrong replaced by defending wrongs.
“You see here, like in the U. S., our TV screens have begun to be filled with adverts asking the question ‘Did you get hurt and fall? You have rights and we’ll help you get compensation.’ Recently a teacher was asked by a child of another religion ‘Why is there a difference in your life?’ The teacher responded that the difference was a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Their job was terminated. The ingraining of children and students of a ‘grey’ morality -- no right, no wrong -- is now taking its toll.”
Sullivan, who is Director of HFC International -- which has a mission to assist in raising up and encouraging leaders in over 47 countries and on all 5 continents for work in churches, charities, NGOs and other humanitarian assistance groups -- told ANS that he could remember taking a psychology course in the U. S.
“The hypothetical question was asked, ‘A man’s child is ill and he breaks into a pharmacy to steal medicine that he cannot afford. Is he right or wrong?’ The correct answer from a situational ethics standpoint is ‘He is right. The need overrules the illegality.’ Even situational ethics practitioners would have to admit their dismay at seeing TV sets and mobile telephones, sneakers and gold chains being easily carted out of shops along the high streets.
This is no French Revolution where the people are starving. We’ve been told, through advertising ‘You must have this. You’re nothing without that.’ Add to this a lack of right or wrong and you have what we have woken up to on this solemn day in August.”
Sullivan says: “I am sure that many of these youth see themselves as no different than the ‘freedom fighters’ seen on TV in recent months in what has been called the ‘Arab Spring.’ Christian news reports, however, have explained that rather than ushering in a new freedom for Christians suffering under oppressive regimes and dictators, many of these countries now face even more difficult days.”
What is the solution to the current upsurge in violence? Sullivan asks.
“Obviously the first reactions for those in authority will be to save face and to find the most politically attractive solution. Talks and task forces and new agencies set up for more face-to-face to ask the disaffected youth ‘Why did you do this?’ Most often the answers are ‘my upbringing,’ ‘government’s failures,’ ‘my race, ‘my religion’ -- everything but ‘It was me. I stole the TV because I wanted bigger and better and newer.’"
Sullivan continued: “Now that we have blamed society and the educational system it is turn to look at God’s people -- The Church -- the Body of all believers. What has infiltrated our churches? The same ‘me-ism.’ Confronted by a leader in a repressive country I was told, ‘In the West in your churches you talk "How to have a successful church" and "How to be a successful Christian. Here in the East we are praying on our knees and crying "How can I be found worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus Christ, whose name I bear in my heart.’"
He concluded: “Jesus said: ‘If the salt has lost its flavor it is good for nothing.’ Yes, we shake our heads at the pillage of our shops, but has anyone cried for the pillage of our churches. The John Stotts and the Martyn Lloyd Joneses are now gone, but men and women of God like them changed society and confronted the issues affecting the disaffected in society.
“William and Catherine Booth marched into a society not unlike ours in the same streets that are currently under siege. They changed this nation -- for the better, preaching a Gospel of right and wrong and repentance towards God and His ways and plans. Let us pray for a return -- not of others but of us -- to stop (and stoop) for the one, as Heidi Baker says. It’s a different revolution but one more needed.”
| ** Michael Ireland is Senior Correspondent for ANS. He is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB UK, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649, at:Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can donate online to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' Michael is a member in good standing of the National Writers Union, Society of Professional Journalists, Religion Newswriters Association, Evangelical Press Association and International Press Association. If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Senior Reporter |
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