Crime to Christ News Update
August 2007

OUR FIRST FULL-TIME WORKER "Hi, my name is Mark and I’m now working as an employee of Crime To Christ. Recently I made a decision to change my lifestyle trusting that God would give me the strength to do so. He did, and after an intense journey of healing and learning I now feel more positive, and free from things that weighed me down. I couldn’t have changed without the supernatural healing of Jesus Christ. I heard about C2C and immediately became interested. I know several individuals struggling with drug dependency and have seen the level of self-destruction that occurs. Rehabilitation is essential to reduce further crime, and for people to change their lives but little credit is given to the relevancy of the bible or the values it teaches. If we apply the truth Jesus taught to our lives, we can be completely set free from the pain of our past, from heart-break and from addiction, enabling us to live a new life in its fullest, as God intended. I look forward to working with Julie and her team, saving souls for God and positively influencing the lives of people in the community, which will consequently reduce crime levels."

LYDIA PRAYER GROUP

We were recently invited to talk to the Lydia Prayer Group, a group of women from different churches in Northampton who regularly meet to pray together. It’s great to know that these women are now upholding this ministry of ours in prayer! Without God, we don’t want to do this work, so we really need His guidance and blessings. Thank you ladies for your prayers, which are greatly appreciated.

C2C HOUSE UPDATE The new tenants have settled into the house and have been there for a while now. The first moved in at the end of April. Mark has been meeting with him regularly offering practical support and friendship. He has been attending Elim Christian Centre and seems to be serious about getting his life sorted so that he can secure his future plans. We’ve really seen God at work and believe This man will be successful in what he decides to do. As a moving-in gift we surprised our new tenant with his dream guitar - It was an incredible blessing to us all. Mark and one of the ladies involved in the Prostitute outreach team are hoping to hook up with our guitarist to make some tracks. So watch this space! Working alongside the tenants in the house has really shown us that there are many good people who could go far if only they had the means and support that many of us have been fortunate to have had.

         
What a thrill it is to tell you about a new ministry started up by Crime to Christ to reach out to prostitutes!  This new ministry, called “Diamond Doves” was dreamt of long before the brutal murders of the women in Suffolk, of Annelie,  Annette, Gemma, Paula and Tania.  We want to offer women like them our practical help, friendship, mentoring and pastoral support.

In Northampton, 4 different mainstream churches have demonstrated support for this work and we have a small team of great women.  We have nearly completed a training programme, which will cover issues such as drugs, linking in with other services, self-defence, mentoring, the grace and forgiveness of God, healing, counselling and prayer ministry.

We have started to develop a relationship with the SWAN (Sex Workers Around Northamptonshire) Partnership, a local multi-agency service which provides an outreach and drop-in service to prostitutes.

Our prayer-times have been amazing, moving us to tears as our own hearts are being touched and prepared for the work ahead. The unity between the churches for this work is fundamental to its success, and is so powerful.

So a HUGE thank you to Broadmead Baptist Church, Kingdom Life Church, Elim Christian Centre and All Nations Fellowship! Please keep your support strong for this  important work of The Church in Northampton. We will start another course for new volunteers soon, so other churches are welcome to join the team.

To explain the name, we have been thinking and praying about the right name, wanting something subtle with a Christian theme, and a dove is the symbol of peace and the Holy Spirit. When we were praying, 1 person thought “diamond” and another “hidden treasure,”  indicating the worth that God places on these women, and how we might be used to build their sense of worth.  Later Mark discovered that there is species of Dove called “Diamond Dove” and an internet website describes them:

“There is a species of dove called Diamond Dove; they are small,
beautiful and can be raised and domesticated. We have enjoyed these doves immensely. Each has their own personality. Some are terribly aggressive, some are very relaxed, some are funny, some have become very affectionate, and others remain quite distant regardless of our efforts.”
This seems apt and the kind of inspiration that God often uses, pulling together the 2 ideas of the Holy Spirit of peace, and the worth of the women whom He treasures, so we’re happy with that!

Please pray:

For the protection and safety of our team in “Diamond Doves,” for our homes and loved ones, and for spiritual strength, wisdom and hearts of compassion;
For the churches that we represent, for them to be blessed and fruitful;
For the women that we will meet and reach through this ministry;
For finances, for God’s hand on the development of this ministry and all the bureaucracy needed, and for strong relationships with local agencies.

Training for the Diamond Doves is coming to an end and we’ll be letting our doves fly very soon. A big “thank you” to Rev Elaine Roberts for her help with the training provision for Diamond Doves.

MOULTON LADIES MEETING
Recently we went to Carey Baptist Church in Moulton to give a presentation on Crime to Christ within the community. The ladies there were encouraged that God is working powerfully to change the lives of an angry and confused generation. We’d like to thank them for inviting us.

NEW TRUSTEES
There have been some changes in the trustees and Steering Board. We’d like to say a big THANK YOU to Inspector Mike Smith for his work as a Trustee, as he stands down to concentrate on other things, and a big WELCOME to:

MILTON KEYNES LADIES TALK

Christine, one of Julie’s heroes, invited us to talk to a group of ladies from different churches who meet together for breakfast regularly at a garden centre. (This is a great idea! They book a room in the restaurant of a garden centre, have a speaker, and it’s an excellent way for women to meet, fellowship and network together, and a comfortable place to invite friends.) Julie talked about Crime to Christ and how it came to be, and then Maxine gave her powerful testimony and appealled for Christians to reach out to hoodie youths in society. This was a moving and powerful time that has had a lasting effect. We are now considering how to develop this presentation into a roadshow to take to churches, to raise prayer and financial support. The group gave generous personal donations to support our work for which we are very grateful.

DAVENTRY LADIES TALK
We recently gave a talk about the work of Crime to Christ to a ladies’ group at the United Reformed Church in Flore. The ladies gave a warm welcome and seemed moved by what they heard, and gave a donation toward our work at the end. Again, we are so grateful for your support, prayers and interest. Thanks especially to Carol Longden for suggesting the talk.

THE PRISONER

Here I sit in these four walls,
Lonely and crying, who can I call?
I sit on my bed, sheets crisp and cold,
I’ve only done a week, I already feel old.
I did a crime, I regret it now,
I’m paying the price, my head I bow.
I recall events of months gone by,
The night I did it, the arrest, I want to cry.
What a fool I was getting drunk again,
Thinking I had the strength to take on ten men.
They came for me, big chaps… one by one,
Stupid fools, didn’t they know, I had a gun?
Bang, bang, bang, one, two, three,
Some turned tail, I saw them flee.
I still see the blood, I stand there and shake,
Like I’m acting out a movie retake.
I want to vomit, my guts spill out.
“What have I done?” I scream, I shout …
And then I hear the sirens blare,
I stand illuminated by the Police light glare.
The cuffs are on me, I hear my rights,
It’s all a blur, I’m still half-tight.
I stagger towards the Police car and note,
In my head I hear demons gleefully gloat,
“Another one down, a few million to go!”
Where did I go wrong? I’ll never know.
The court case, the trial, the tears of the wife …
Of the fellow I shot, it feels like a knife.
But so thankful the bullet was only a glancing blow,
I would never survive a wait on grim death row.
I wished I could just turn back the clock,
I go over my life and begin to take stock.
I was brought up okay, went to Sunday School,
But during my teens, booze and drugs were so cool.
I hated my folks and then I left home,
Longed for the yobs and the streets where we’d roam.
We became dealers and made a few bob on the side,
No guilt conscience, nothing to hide.
“After all,” I thought, “I’m king in my gang” …
At that point I remembered a song I once sang,
Of an old rugged cross and a King who loved me,
Who suffered and died, that I might go free.
I felt crushed, and sobbing, I fell to the floor,
My tears, like a stream, ran to the cold door.
I then heard a voice, so clear in the room,
A message of hope, penetrating the gloom.
“I died on the tree, I took your place,
I took all your sins, now you take my grace.
Just ask for my forgiveness, I freely give,
Once you were dead and now you can live,
With me as your Father, Saviour and Friend,
I’ll always be with you, right to the end.”

John 3: 16 — “For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Written by Jenny, 2007. Jenny is a faithful supporter of Crime to Christ.
Thank you so much Jenny, for your thoughtful poem, and for your ongoing support and kindness.
Please see this text from the Leicester Mercury newspaper:  
INMATES FIND THE FAITH TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES  
BY TOM BENNETT

----------------------------------

February 2007  

A street robber today told how he has changed his ways since finding religion at a young offender institute.
Family and friends packed into the chapel at Glen Parva Young Offender Institute to watch 11 prisoners be baptised and confirmed as Christians.

The ceremony, conducted by Assistant Bishop of Leicester, the Rev John Austin, was held before an enthusiastic congregation of family and friends.

A three-piece prison band played backing music for hymns, while other inmates joined in the singing.

Prison staff have arranged for churches to welcome the newly baptised prisoners after they leave jail, to help them stick with the faith.

Prison chaplain, the Rev Alison Adams, said it was the first time prisoners had been baptised at the centre for more than 10 years.

She said: “It’s a remarkable number of people to be baptised and confirmed at the same time, but it’s not like they were coerced. A lot of them have found their faith at the same time.

“In the past few years, we’ve put a lot of energy into the chaplaincy here and it is very much a community.

“We have a large number of very regular worshippers here - I had 38 here on Sunday.

“The prisoners are here for a range of offences.

“Leaving prison will be a huge lifestyle change for them, and we hope to continue to help them through.

“I thoroughly believe they have had a change of heart.”

Prisoners said they felt the baptism confirmed their adherence to Christianity.

Gary, 20, was jailed for three-and-a-half years for robbery, and said he came to Christianity during his first term in Glen Parva for driving offences.

He said: “I had a bit of faith from the first time I was here but never followed it up.

“It changed for me when we talked about life. It makes you believe life’s a lot better and you grow stronger.

“When I get out this time, I am going to stay with my faith.”

Jason, 20, is in Glen Parva for street robbery and has 26 days left to serve.

He said: “I thought life’s too short, and God helped me take the right choice and forgive my sins.

“The baptism means I commit myself to God and follow his direction.”

Mr Austin said he had conducted a similar ceremony at Leicester Prison last month.

He said: “It’s not unusual. What’s unusual is the number of people who have been baptised after being through courses on Christianity here.

“What happens is people realise they have a dimension to life they had not been aware of.”

If you would like to make a donation to help support the work of Crime to Christ please contact us by post, telephone or email:-

CRIME TO CHRIST, P.O. BOX 385, NORTHAMPTON, NN3 8WR

Tel: 07742 043875

Website: www.crimetochrist.com Email: info@crimetochrist.com

Registered Charity: 1102884