What is HOPE?

HOPE is building momentum towards a year of mission in 2014. The goal is lasting spiritual change in the lives of individuals, as communities are transformed by churches working together in mission with practical action as well as words.

Find out more at www.hopetogether.org.uk

The Queen is inviting the nation to join the Big Jubilee Lunch on Sunday, 3 June. Millions of people will eat together with neighbours and friends as part of the official Diamond Jubilee celebrations marking the Queen’s 60 years of service. A specially-written Grace – a prayer of thanks - starts the lunch. Churches have a key role at the heart of their communities to make this happen.

The 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations give your church an The 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations give your church an opportunity to bring your community together and to help people see that that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a party… a banquet… a big family celebration.

Churches at the heart of communities

Register yourRegister your Big Jubilee Lunch at www.thebiglunch.com and visit www.hopetogether.org.uk for free resources, so what you do locally is part of the national picture of churches serving their neighbourhoods, putting faith into action.

HOPE can help you

Visit the HOPE website for:• a video to download to inspire your church members•• the words of The Grace to use at your Big Jubilee Lunch• details of a special Diamond Jubilee souvenir booklet from HOPE and CPO to give away• royal quizzes and community-building activities for all ages

Keep it simple!

It’s not too late to plan a party to remember.Venue: Venue: you can hold your event in a back garden or car park, a shopping precinct or school playground. You don’t have to close a street.Food: your lunch can be a simple bring-your-own picnic, a barbecue, a roast or a banquet.Planning: you'll be amazed at how local people will join in if you take the first step.Help:Help: your church could offer teapots, chairs, microphones, musicians, a wet-weather venue…

The Big Jubilee Lunch - make a date

A Big lunch street party 2011

Newsletter Issue 7 : June 2012South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance

by becoming a member of SAF. Once you become a member, you will receive idea, the Alliance’s bi-monthly magazine, as well as regular newsletters from SAF detailing our progress. If you are already a member of the Evangelical Alliance you can add SAF to your Alliance membership at no extra cost. In this instance please send an email to saf@eauk.org

The South Asian Forum (SAF) is a grouping within the Evangelical Alliance, set up to provide a place for South Asian Christians in the UK to encourage, support and equip each other for mission, and to represent their concerns to government, media and the wider Church. With the support of both individual members and church members totalling more than 15,000 people, SAF is steadily growing. Visit www.eauk.org/saf to get involved in supporting this wonderful ministry

Photo courtesy SpiritualINspiration

SAF is keen to collect stories of Asians and churches that reach out to Asians involved in Jubilee celebrations. Please share your story at saf@eauk.org

60 seconds with Clive Thorne SAF interviews Clive Thorne, one of the writers of the Jesus Through Asian Eyes Asian Eyes booklet and the course he is developing to reach South Asians.

How did you become a Christian?I began searching for God in my teens. I used to go out on my own I began searching for God in my teens. I used to go out on my own praying in the countryside but only thought to buy a Bible when I went to university. Within a week I had read three out of the four gospels and wanted to give my life to following Jesus. As I was lying in bed praying to ask God's forgiveness and give my life to Him, it was as if the whole room was full of someone I couldn't see coming towards me in the bed like a nurse coming to make me well. My life was never the same again.well. My life was never the same again.

How did you get involved with working amongst South Asians?Within days of my conversion, I wanted to tell everyone about Jesus. I began seeking God about how I could serve Him and was drawn to India as the largest unreached population. After graduating, I spent three years training to reach Asian people with Operation Mobilisation in India and in Coventry. In 1983 I launched an interdenominational outreach to Asian people in Southampton which has since grown into Southampton Lighthouse International Church. God gave us a target in 1990 to Lighthouse International Church. God gave us a target in 1990 to see at least one Asian person per month find faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and this was increased to several people a month in 2010 and by God's grace this has been happening all these years.

Based on the Jesus Through Asian Eyes booklet, you are now developing a course. What does this look like? Recently I was involved in helping to write the evangelistic booklet called Jesus Through Asian Eyes produced by South Asian Forum. The booklet seeks to answer 15 commonly asked questions about the Christian faith. Following the great response to the booklet, I felt God calling me to develop a course that enables Asianseekers to find out more about the Christian faith. The discussion seekers to find out more about the Christian faith. The discussion course is based on the questions in the booklet and cover topics such as "What is Christianity?", "How can we relate to God?", "Who is Jesus?", "Do we need forgiveness?", "Is Jesus the only way to God?", "Can we trust the Bible?" and "What would need to change if I follow Jesus?" Although it has not always been easy to organise discussion courses amongst South Asians, I believe with organise discussion courses amongst South Asians, I believe with the new generation of British Asians, it is now time to launch a new course which would especially appeal to students andprofessionals.

The course has been structured so that it can be used very flexibly The course has been structured so that it can be used very flexibly from one-to-one to a whole group setting. As well as being a course to reach Asians, it will also be a key resource to train church members in Asian evangelism. The initial test-runs of the course material have been hugely encouraging. At our Church we have

run the course with three groups and three people in particular seem very close to giving their lives to Jesus. Following further test-runs, we anticipate the course will be ready by early next year.

Having spent over 30 years reaching Having spent over 30 years reaching out to South Asians, what advice would you give those that want to get started?People often ask what they should do if they want to reach People often ask what they should do if they want to reach Asian people with the gospel. Of course we should learn as much as we can about their culture, religious beliefs and background and we should show them God's love and friendship but the number one priority has to be prayer, prayer and more prayer as salvation is God's work for He alone can bring people to faith in Jesus. Talking to Asian people about Jesus is "as easy as falling off a log" as they are almost always religious and as falling off a log" as they are almost always religious and interested to know what Christians believe and so I would encourage people to pray and give it a try!

Clive Thorne

SAF profiles its work, partners and resources in the quarterly Newsletter and on our website www.eauk.org/saf

Asian Mission Partnership Day: 16 June 2012How do we encourage local churches to reach out to the South Asians in our midst, with the gospel of Christ? What holds people back? Can we offer some help?back? Can we offer some help? With these thoughts in mind and a desire to work to enlarge the With these thoughts in mind and a desire to work to enlarge the Kingdom, the Jewels in His Crown Committee and the South Asian Form have worked together to propose the idea of encouraging partnerships between those who have plenty of experience of working among people from different faiths and cultural backgrounds and those who are just beginning and perhaps feeling a little bit nervous. So Christians who see mission and ministry among South Asians as one of their priorities, are invited ministry among South Asians as one of their priorities, are invited to join us at a fourth day conference. This time the conference is being held in Leicester (previous successful events having been held in Harrow, Wolverhampton and Forest Gate). Our guest speaker is Steve Uppal, senior leader at All Nations Christian Centre in Wolverhampton, who has plenty of experience in evangelism and discipleship. With a team of experienced contributors, we will spend time in worship, looking at some helpful case studies, hearing about some of the many resources available, learning from each other and sharing expertise, as well as possibly forging new links and partnerships and enjoying fellowship over a delicious Indian meal.fellowship over a delicious Indian meal. Do book to join us for the day on Saturday, 16 June, from 9.30am to 4pm in Leicester. Booking opens in March when full details will be available on www.globalconnections.co.uk/amp1206 and in the meantime, do save the date. Ann Bower, on behalf of the planning group from Jewels in His Crown and the South Asian Forum.

Events

The Naujavan TourIn April, Naujavan travelled over 600 miles visiting three cities. SAF talks to Sanjay Rajo from Naujavan.

How did you come to faith?Although I was brought up in a Christian home and part of a great Although I was brought up in a Christian home and part of a great church, it wasn't until I hit college I realised I was desperately in need of a Saviour! I saw so much brokenness in myself and those around me. I started searching, asking and praying. Over a gradual period of time I started to understand more about Jesus and all that he came for. Even more, that he is alive today and that I could know him personally. I was blown away by this powerful and outrageous love and have attempted to get radical in response to it ever since!love and have attempted to get radical in response to it ever since!

What is Naujavan?

Naujavan is a youth work and community focussed on serving British Asian Christians within the 16-30 age bracket. We run events throughout the year where people can gather for times of worship and teaching, providing a place to connect with others who share a similar story. For many it's a place where they realise they're not the only person from an Asian background to be a Christian and for others a much-needed boost in understanding Jesus is relevant to them. We exist to inspire, develop and equip the next generation of them. We exist to inspire, develop and equip the next generation of Asians in their Christian walk!

The tour?Last month we took 13 people and travelled over 600 miles visiting three cities – and it was worth it! The first ever Naujavan Tour made stops in Bolton, Wolverhampton and Southall and saw God do His thing in so many different ways. Our theme was centred on being ‘built on the Rock’, taking the story of the wise and foolish builders who experienced some seriously different outcomes when the storm hit. As part of the nights it was exciting to push a new sound

in worship we’ve been developing and even explore some powerful drama tied in with the themes. As well as the message it was great to be able to share real life stories of how Jesus is at work in our lives too.

We’ve certainly learned a lesson in the beauty of obeying We’ve certainly learned a lesson in the beauty of obeying God’s command to ‘go’ and watch what He can do through simple faith. As a team we were hugely blessed and well-looked after by the host churches. It was great fun to venture into new territory, connecting new people into the Naujavan community and to see a whole bunch of people respond with significant steps of faith. Please pray for all those who made first-time commitments through these those who made first-time commitments through these nights. Thanks to all who faithfully pray for us. Don’t stop! God is moving.

Check out the video diaries and full review: http://www.naujavan.com/what-happened-on-tour

The future?Wouldn't it be incredible to see young Asian Christians in their hundreds, thousands and more, with a burning passion for Jesus? Being light in the dark places and seeing many souls won for Christ! Our British Asian flavour means that many of the people in our network have the ability and power to speak into the hearts and lives of other young people from a similar background and share Jesus with them – we're excited to see more of this happening! – we're excited to see more of this happening!

Things are changing in the British Asian Christian scene. More youth-led discipleship groups are springing up around the country seeking to develop and equip young believers. God continues to break into seemingly impossible scenarios and bring hope and life! As 2012 plays out we want to meet and connect with many more young people. Our next event is in London in the summer (see below) and in October we're inviting everyone to come away for a weekend with us (more inviting everyone to come away for a weekend with us (more on the website). We're hoping to build relationships in more places in 2013, so if you and your church want to host a Naujavan night then please do get in touch.

Next event?Our next event is Naujavan London on 7 July at Soul Survivor Watford. Mike Pilavachi will be with us for the night bringing the message. You can see the promo and get all info here: http://www.naujavan.com/london

Check out the brand new website for the latest blogs, videos and info: www.naujavan.com

Photo:CSW

South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance Become a member - www.eauk.org/saf

Naujavan worship team

Susheel Das(Co-leader of Naujavan)

Gospel For Muslims - an eastern telling of the good news about Jesus Christ Author: Steve Bell (Interserve National Director) Publisher: Authentic Media (2012)

The invitation of the gospel is to Christ and not “institutionalised Christianity”; likewise the aim should be to likewise the aim should be to present the gospel to Muslim people in ways that are accessible to them and which help them to follow Christ in ways that are culturally appropriate for them. The book Gospel For Muslims explains how to achieve this by taking the information that has remained – for two centuries – in the domain of academia and mission organisations and makes it available to ‘ordinary’ Christians in a jargon-free and practical way.

The approach is that of the Apostle Paul who firstly established Jesus’s true identity from the Scriptures – who he is before what he has done for us. This helps Muslim people to work out for themselves that Jesus is head and shoulders above all other world figures – including Muhammad; which also makes redundant, several Muslim objections to the gospel.

The first part of this new book calls for Muslims and Christians to step The first part of this new book calls for Muslims and Christians to step away from Islam and Christianity in order to meet in “safe-space” where they can consider Jesus on his own terms. It goes on to show that the gospel is not a one-size-fits-all message; it requires the whole Bible to tell it. The book goes on to establish the “eternity of Christ” by following his “pre-incarnate” activity through the Old Testament. He came to Bethlehem from a prior existence: “Whose goings forth were from of old” (Malachi 5:2). from of old” (Malachi 5:2).

The second part of the book builds on the eternity of Christ to explore the significance of Jesus’s mission in a ‘shame-based’ culture. It does this by examining Jesus’ life (i.e. his teaching and miracles); his death (i.e. his redemptive work, his resurrection and his glorification). This is applied to the Muslim mind set, which is honour/shame oriented. The book shows how the gospel is “infinitely translatable” when it speaks into the debate that is raging among Evangelicals, on both sides of the Atlantic, about the “contextualisation” of the gospel and – what some refer to as – “insider-movements” from Islam. The book addresses these issues and shows from Scripture what is biblically permissible when we “transpose” the gospel into the heart-language of people from various Islamic worldviews.

Gospel For Muslims is a sequel to Steve’s popular title Grace for Gospel For Muslims is a sequel to Steve’s popular title Grace for Muslims (also from Authentic Media). It applies the ‘grace and truth’ response to the business of sharing the gospel cross-culturally without western accoutrements. It is a book for Christians to both read and also to pass on to a Muslim friend.

Order your copy from Kitab for £7.10 (inc p&p) at www.kitab.org.uk or call 01908 552714

Persecuted Christians

Resources for ministry

Release International SpecialDear friends, My name is Imtiaz and I was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in Pakistan, the country where I was born. I was brought up in the Islamic faith and became a follower I was brought up in the Islamic faith and became a follower of Christ in my teenage years. Since then my passion has been to minister to God’s people.

I am one of the development managers for Release I am one of the development managers for Release International, a ministry supporting Christians around the world who are persecuted because of their faith. My role includes speaking within churches throughout the UK about the persecution of Christians around the world and encouraging churches to support the work of Release, through prayer and other support means. I do this through speaking, DVDs and use of PowerPoint.speaking, DVDs and use of PowerPoint.

The country of special focus for me is Pakistan, which I visit two or three times a year with a view to encou-raging and helping those who are suffering persecution, through preaching and prayer ministry. I have taken various teams with me to share in this work. It has been a privilege to speak in churches and mini-ster to persecuted Christians in a variety of cities and villages, ster to persecuted Christians in a variety of cities and villages, to meet Christians in hiding, and to spend time with those who have been in prison. Likewise it has been a blessing to visit Christians still in prison, as well as their families. I have met Christian girls who have previously been kidnapped, forcibly converted and suffered physical and mental abuse. Release is able to give practical and spiritual support to more than 100 Christian prisoners and their families, and support a than 100 Christian prisoners and their families, and support a group of lawyers who work to uphold the rights of religious minorities, including Christians. We also support a number of sewing centres which provide educational and vocational training to help women escape poverty and exploitation, and we give support to those living in hiding due to their faith. My passion for Christians in Pakistan is for them to continue to know the love of God, experience His strength, and live in to know the love of God, experience His strength, and live in the knowledge that throughout all the storms of life God is their rock and shield.

If you are interested in me speaking at your church please get in touch. Imtiaz, Development manager (Asia)Personal email: imtiazat@hotmail.co.uk

Ministering to the brokenhearted

South Asian Forum Whiteeld House, 186 Kennington Park Road, London, SE11 4BT | tel 02072072100, www.eauk.org/saf