Why do we have Jesus Centres?

Jesus Centres are the Jesus Fellowship church/Jesus Army in action. They are an integral part of the ministry of the church. 

 

Jesus Centres aim to “Express the love of Jesus daily, in worship, friendship & help for every kind of person?”  

  

 As a social worker I had often longed for a one stop shop where people could come and have all of their needs met and where my faith could be a part of the helping them find a solution. So often social work just felt like sticking a plaster on a gaping wound- people found help and support and a limited alleviation from personal suffering but so often the root causes of why they were in the mess they were in went un dealt with. When the vision for Jesus Centres was first expressed to me my Spirit leapt but my head went,  “we’re made, we’re far too busy as a church to take this on. Do they have any idea what they’re getting us into?” 

So why did we embark on what has proved to be a tough cookie to digest?

 Times have changed and these days the church doesn’t always carry a lot of credibility with people- it might be seen as out dated or its members’ naïve.  The church needs to earn the right to speak and be heard by people. Jesus frequently met people’s practical needs for food & physical health before he told them to repent or called them to follow Him. 

They’re more easily accessible to a wider group of people.

Church can often feel like a club where people need to adhere to the members code of behaviour, values and beliefs. They are only available to people at certain times and days and people may fear being forced into making a commitment they’re not ready or equipped to make. Whereas Jesus Centres are public places open to anyone regardless of their faith or non-faith. People who might never go to church will feel more comfortable in the Jesus Centre. It meets more obvious needs in their lives. Agencies feel more comfortable signposting people for help and in providing services based at the Jesus Centre.  There is no faith requirement to access or participate in are groups or services. Therefore, it makes the church accessible & available to a wide variety of people.

They preach the gospel without words

Jesus Centres reach and meet people’s needs in a way that church can’t. It enables the church to be available to people during the day, every day.  They are better able to support those who are homeless, need to learn English, are lonely or have mental health issues.  We can provide a shower, laundry facilities, a listening ear, help learning English or an environment where people feel relaxed & welcome ; where they find home and family and a sense of belonging.

They extend the capacity of the church

It is a gateway to the Kingdom of God- it is the place where people can meet Christians and explore faith, if they wish, without going to church – which these days is alien to most of the population.

It is a net that can catch people if they begin to struggle in their faith, pick up old habits and lifestyles and disengage from the church but still need and want relationship and support.

They are better equipped & resourced to support and help people in a variety of ways.

It creates the time & space to listen to people; enables relationships to be formed without the clutter of needing to sign up to commitment or a certain doctrine or lifestyle.

They give people an outlet for service

They give the church an opportunity to put their faith into action and share the love of Jesus in practical ways. It was Mother Teresa who said “do small things with great love”.  The success of the Jesus Centres depends on each volunteer & member of staff doing these small acts of kindness with great love every single hour of every day we are open.

It’s a place where as Christians we can live out our faith and Jesus’ call to love the poor (& even rich people can be poor in Spirit- mentally, emotionally, relationally)

 They help people explore faith & find their place

They offer opportunities for church members and visitors to use their skills, develop new ones and feel they can be contributors more easily than it may be in the church.

 Here'a quote from one of our visitors who became a cafe helper:

“I am truly grateful to the Jesus Centre for allowing me to volunteer. During my time there, they did far more for me than I ever did for them. Thanks to them my confidence is restored and I’ve secured employment and my own flat. I’ve made many friends there. They are amazing people and I love them a lot. Without them, I don’t know where I would be.”

TEAM works

"If you want to go fast go alone; if you want to go far go with others- African proverb

        I've had cause to reflect, recently on this African proverb through a set of circumstances which has meant that all 3 members of staff trained to open up and oversee the daily management of the Jesus Centre were either off sick or away. Since it's never happened in 8 1/2years we've never had to work out what to do! As our evening & weekend deputies responded to the call to step in and provide cover I considered how important it is for projects and the people concerned that we don't become over reliant on one or two people to keep things running. 

 What I've noticed is that, in the face of adversity everyone has risen to the challenge and suddenly instead of being a group of individuals, each 'doing our bit' we are working together; everyone aware that their contribution is making a difference to the big picture. We tend to fall into relying on the same few people because it's easier than taking the time to work out if there's another solution but this is not a good strategy for the long term sustainability of a project.

 As Christians we believe that we have a 'father in heaven' who wants to supply the resources, wisdom, grace that we need but how often do we forget to ask Him? Sometimes it seems quicker or easier to rely on ourselves or others, rather than God Himself. Sometimes, that's precisely why, I believe, God allows crises or hindrances to crop up in our projects; He wants to remind us that we can rely on Him. He wants to be at the centre of what we do and as a loving father He enjoys being asked to help out.

And the same thing that is true for our projects and the visitors we try and help is true in our own lives too. The church is a team; the Bible talks about it as a 'body with many parts'. When we go through difficult circumstances God doesn't mean for us to suffer on our own. 

Often I meet people in our drop in, through our listening service, or amongst our volunteers and staff who were cruising along in the fast lane, unaware that they were leaving their family and friends behind until one day they crashed mentally, emotionally or physically and woke up to discover they didn't like where they'd ended up and worse still they had arrived there all alone. 

Often they had never given God, or the church any thought; they were living life in the fast lane and these things seemed irrelevant and unnecessary to their journey.  Then suddenly feeling aware of their aloneness they got to a crisis point where they couldn't find any motivation or sense in continuing the journey at all. Some descend into addictions, depression, illness or even contemplate ending their life completely; that's the point which as 'church' we ought to be there ready and waiting to to encourage them that the next stage in their journey does not need to be on their own, but with others. The Bible also talks about that as a body 'if one suffers, all suffer together'. 

 Here at the Jesus Centre we aim to provide a place where fellow sufferers can pause on their journey and work out where they want to go next. Sometimes that involves considering faith and asking questions about what is the purpose of their journey, where their journey will end up and what is their ultimate destination in life? We run small groups for people who are asking these searching questions and help them to find the answer for themselves.


So that's why it's been so important to be able to keep the Jesus Centre open during this time of high staff absences. Just as we will go farther if we learn to go together, so we can more effectively help those who come looking for an antidote for their loneliness and suffering, sharing the lessons we've learnt in the hope that many will decide to join the exciting journey that we're on, knowing that we'll get where we're meant to be......together.


for more information check out www.jesuscentre.org.uk, www.newcreation.org.uk, www.jesus.org.uk

Please don't judge me... I'm a person

"My mum and dad split up when I was a kid; my mum used to beat me; so when I was 16 I went to live with my dad, but he was an alcoholic so in the end I just left and went to stay with friends..."

 "I didn't get on with my step dad; we used to argue all the time. In the end we had a fight and I left...I've never gone back."

" My brother abused me for four years, but my mum wouldn't believe me so I just went off the rails..."

"There's no work in my country. I came here to find work and make money so I can feed my family back home. But there's no work...."

So what do you think when you see when you see someone begging on the street or sleeping rough in a shop door way?

Did you know?

Amongst rough sleepers it is estimated around:
10% have been in care
6% in the armed forces
33% have drug problems
48% alcohol problems
30% mental health problems
(some ofcourse have a combination of 2 or 3)  
(source Homeless Link report on Rough sleepers- Key facts March 2011 www.homeless.org.uk)

In a sample study of 100 homeless young people
25% of girls & 9% of the young men cited sexual abuse as the main reason for leaving home.
Other issues included illegal drug misuse and committing a criminal offence (15%)
(source: Homelessness & crime- Jenny Grimshaw, British library www.fathom.com)  

Homelessness isn't just about young people, or people who 'do drugs'. In the 3 1/2 years I've worked as Dropin co-ordinator at Northampton Jesus Centre I've met men and women in their 40's and 50's who've been professionals with families and mortgages then through a combination of pressures of work or relationship tensions have found their drinking spiralling out of control leaving a car crash of shattered lives and broken promises. From there may follow mental health problems as they are unable to come to terms with the dramatic change in their circumstance which includes losing their job, relationship breakdown and finally homelessness. Often too proud or shunned by embarrassed family and friends who equally cannot come to terms with what has happened they describe how they become social lepers, treated like outcasts, 'the unclean', for fear that they might contaminate others. The seek solace in their only apparent friend, 'the bottle' in the hope of blotting out the nightmare.


The Inuits have a saying "Don't judge a man until you've walked a mile in his moccasins";  Jesus said something similar, "Judge not, that you be not judged" (The Bible).
  
Here at the Jesus Centre we believe that every person is valued, regardless of what difficulties they may come to us with. We provide showers, laundry, an opportunity for social interaction and a listening ear which can go along way to restoring someones shattered confidence or broken self image. We can't re-build their past but we can help them to believe there is a future.

 

Duty or calling?

 

Saturday was our annual volunteer celebration here at the Jesus Centre. it's a time when as staff we turn the tables and serve our volunteers to thank them for their service throughout the year; and when we hope they forgive us for the umpteenth time for ringing them at short notice to cover a shift! The cafe team always excel themselves with a fabulous meal and we feedback the main hi-lights of the year; the lives we've touched, the new services we've started. This year the focus was on promoting the fact that we are much much more than a day centre for the homeless, with business breakfasts, ESOL classes bursting at the seams, activities and self help groups, keep fit classes and art exhibitions and special interest theme nights hosted in the cafe.

However, part of the aim of the event is also to inspire an increase
in volunteering. In fundraising they say if you want to increase your donations start by asking the people who already give to you to give more. It's the same with volunteering.

One of the words that has stuck with me from the event was "You cannot serve two masters: the two masters being Duty & Calling"

It is so easy for any of us to become a slave to duty. To faithfully come in because that is what you feel is expected, what you have always done or because you feel guilty or obliged. Dutiful volunteering lacks the sparkle that will inspire others to do what you do. It will simply turn up, do what is required and go home again. A job has been done but nothing and no one has been changed.

However, those who serve their calling carry that sense of vision, purpose and direction; they have a passion and energy for what they are doing and that inspires others to follow them and become part of the team. There is a sense that volunteers believe in what they are doing and that belief brings life to all that they do.

One thing we've struggled with, (as does any volunteering project) has been getting young people on board with our vision. This is absolutely vital to the health of the project and to the morale of our faithful silverhaired veterans. People need to carry a sense that what they are investing in has a future.

Towards the end of the event 6 of our young men who volunteer shared on what being involved meant for them and how they saw the future shaping up. The message was loud and clear. They need those of us who can barely remember what it felt like to be starting out on our adulthood with the vast unknown story of our lives still unwritten, to believe in them and set the example for them; but they also need us to re-discover and carry a sense of our calling and ministry  so that what we do carries life and energy that inspires them to get involved.

They also want the space and the scope not simply to continue in our footsteps but make new ones and our patience with them as they learn to walk.

Share what you have

According to the Grimsby Telegraph, the average family in the UK will spend around £700 on Christmas in spite of the current economic recession, meanwhile 2/3rds of the world wont have enough to eat. How should we respond as Christians?
Jesus' teaching was plain: share what you have; whether it was the widow's mite, or the boy's 5 loaves and 2 fish. If everyone followed this simple principle no one would need to go hungry this Christmas.
At this time of year it's not just  food that homeless or rootless people need. Here at the Jesus Centre we want to share what God has given us with those who come to us. Things like His love, joy, peace, forgiveness, a sense of belonging to a family, of being valued for who you are rather than what you have. More people attempt suicide during Christmas week than any other time of year. That's why we try and stay open over the holiday period when most of the agencies close. The fact that our visitors know that our volunteers aren't paid to care about them and have given up their time is often, the greatest gift we can give to them.

Whatever your doing over the holiday period please take the time to share what you have with those who might need it, even if it's just your time and a listening ear.

An alternative nativity story

Scenario 1- Once upon a time there was a drop in in Northampton... On Saturday 24th December a group of people who were hungry, cold with nowhere to go turned up to see if there was any room for them to come in... but they found the doors shut and locked and a sign saying that due to insufficient volunteers the Centre was closed until Wednesday 28th December. So they went away still hungry, cold and with nowhere to go.

Scenario 2- Once upon a time there was a drop in in Northampton... On Saturday 24th a group of people who were hungry, cold and with nowhere to go turned up to see if there was any room for them to come in...fortunately a group of volunteers had opened the Centre & they were welcomed in, offered showers, hot drinks, sandwiches and cake, and found people who were ready to listen to them in a warm, friendly atmosphere.

More people commit suicide in the week between Christmas and New Year than at any other time of year. 

Help us to help them

If you want to be part of a team of volunteer cover over the holiday period get in touch!

The bird with a broken wing, called Lisa

Every so often you have an encounter with a visitor to the Jesus Centre which is incredibly humbling and reminds you of why (on a good day) it is such a privelege to work here. Lisa (not her real name), was one such visitor. In her late 20's, like a little sparrow with a damaged wing, she came to the drop in window, fortunately on an afternoon when it was a Your Space session, our women only drop in, and for her, fortunately it was empty. For me I was feeling like I was wasting my time hanging around waiting to see if any of the regulars would turn up. Then suddenly I spotted her at the window. She was reluctant to come in, but when I offered her the option to talk privately & explained there was no one else around she agreed. I knew I had to be very patient and very gentle (neither of which are my particulr strong points!) if I was going to get her to unfold her damaged soul and tell me the reason she'd come. 

She was desperate, she needed help, she'd tried to commit suicide a few weeks earlier; she'd been diagnosed with a personality disorder and she had come today because she was all alone and she hopeless & so she'd decided she needed to get out of the house & be amongst people before she tried to overdose again. Her voice was quiet and racked with pain and I could sense her hopelessness. To her I would have appeared cool, calm & in control. On the inside I was thinking ' I need to phone the emergency mental health team, this woman's serious and I feel out of my depth right now to know what to say or do...' but I also managed to send up a desperate prayer, "God please help me to be gentle & give me the right words to say". I handed the situation over to God and relaxed.

She unfolded her damaged soul & let me have an insight into what was causing her pain....I knew in my spirit that God had brought her here today, because he wanted her to know that He loved her, cared about her, knew all about it & wanted to begin the process of healing....  so I decided to start by telling her that. Then I asked her if she believed in God & if she'd like to write him a letter & tell Him how she was feeling. As she wrote it, I prayed inside that God would help me to know what to say & do next. What she wrote was beautiful and honest and deeply humbling. It started simply with a cry from deep with her, "God please help me". It apologised for not living a good life, described the pain she was feeling, the abuse she had suffered and asked God for His help. As I read it out I hoped she felt what I sensed, which was God coming down and wrapping His arms around her and reassuring her that He had heard her. It felt an incredibly privelege to have been let into her life. Me a total stranger, from a stable Christian upbringing, who knew nothing of the pain she shared. I scambled around in my soul for a time when I'd felt desperate and shared on my experience of my Father's sudden death in my late teens and my fall out with God about it and my own desperate prayer, which had been much more "God I'm angry, I don't understand & you had better come up with an explanation for this because right now I'm not impressed!". 
I wasn't about to promise her a quick fix solution, 'pray this prayer, take this pill & it will all be ok.' For Lisa and many others I meet, God isn't some going to wave a magic wand & take away what happened, He may not even take away the memories. What happened, happened, it was wrong and it had caused pain and damage, mentally and emotionally to such an extent that Lisa had developed a personality disorder to separate the adult from her abused child. None of that was going to change over night, but I shared that I believed that God could heal the memories and the scars it had left could heal and He could ease the pain that they caused. Inside I prayed that God would turn up & at least do that for her. She looked more relaxed and said she felt more at peace. Having assured me that she no longer felt suicidal I let her fly off with an invitation to return any time she needed to talk or pray again. I've not seen her again. I pray to God that she's still alive and ok somewhere and that maybe I'll see her again.


After, she'd gone, I sat for a few moments thanked God for her and the opportunity He'd given me. So often in the drop in you can feel overwhelmed by the need, demands and emotional suffering of people. But that afternoon I was aware that God had come down to Earth and got involved in our painful, rotten world. He is willing and wanting to get His hands dirty. Are you?

Movement, Machine or Monument?

"The greatest things ever done on Earth have been done little by little" William Jennings Bryan (whoever he was!)

Imagine if you walked past the Jesus Centre building in 10 years time and the shutters were down, the bulding looked derelict and uncared for and when you asked a passer by why the building was closed they said "Oh it used to be a Jesus Centre, run by the Jesus Army. It helped thousands of people of all ages and nationalities but then one day, suddenly it just closed... I hear it was because they couldn't find enough people in their congregation to keep it open. Such a shame. I know many people who were helped through their work. Now it's just lying derelict..."

No! You say, that's awful. That wont ever happen. There's loads of people who could have helped out... if only they'd been asked, if only they'd known what to do, if only they'd listened to the warnings that we'd have to close, if only people had listened to our ideas & let us find our place.

Well if you don't want that nightmare to become reality and you're aged between 18-35 years old see Salim or Ruth Lants about how to become part of the movement  to stop the Jesus Centre becoming a monument... alternatively talk to Kelly.
They want to hear your ideas, your frustrations, your dreams, your visions.. and then they want you to get your butt down to the Jesus Centre on Saturday 15th October 9.45- 1.15pm to be part of the J Gen Saturday morning.

Alternately arrange a face to face with me, Jayne Elliott Volunteer co-ordinator & I'll help you to find your place in our future.