Chester Diocese
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Evangelism Network off to a great start
OUR Diocesan Evangelism Network is up and running following a successful launch. The Network got off to an inspiring start earlier this summer after the Chief Executive of the Church Army, Mark Russell, gave an opening speech and presentation. Mr Russell told the launch event, held at the Fourways Inn, Delamere, stories about his own journey to becoming an evangelist – which included his encountered an old-style ‘ranting’ preacher in the open air. Mr Russell started a debate with the preacher and argued that more emphasis needed to be put on the God of Love if evangelism was to be made fit for purpose in the 21st century Mr Russell said: “I am delighted that the Diocese of Chester has set up an Evangelism Network and thrilled that the Church Army has been involved in its launch. I would love us to be doing more similar things elsewhere.” The Bishop of Birkenhead, the Rt Revd Keith Sinclair, attended the launch of the Evangelism Network. He said: “The Network has made an excellent beginning. Mark Russell from Church Army was brilliant, calling us to be urgent in bringing people to Jesus and ready to remove obstacles that stop them from reaching him.” The network is being organised by the Diocesan Evangelism and Lay Training Officer, the Revd Ian Enticott, and the Diocesan Parish Mission Development Officer, the Revd Richard Burton. Mr Enticott said: “It was a very positive event. We got a lot of people, about 30 evangelists attending on the day. That was a good turn-out for a fine sunny day, and a good number of parish evangelists have told us they want to get involved in the future. “What we are trying to do is give evangelists support, provide an organised resource and networking opportunities for them. We want to take out some of the loneliness that is traditionally part of life as an evangelist. “Communications with parishes and incumbents and perhaps having a warden of evangelists – these were some of the ideas that were discussed at the launch meeting.”
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Bishop Keith talks about new evangelism approaches with Mark Russel, Chief Executive of the Church Army.
Inspiring: guest speaker at the Evangelism Network launch, Mark Russell
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