At
a time when the power and value of the Christian faith in Ireland
are under question, and the Church is experiencing particular difficulties,
the four major denominations, both north and south, are coming together
this autumn in a major evangelistic thrust called Power to Change.
For four weeks from 23rd September to 20th October 2002, the media
will be saturated with a IR£1.27 million advertising campaign
funded by Christian businessmen and designed to assist local Church,
parishes and prayer groups to mobilise their individual members to
share their faith. TV billboards and cinema ads will focus attention
on the life changing effect of a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ. It will be the biggest single evangelistic event to ever have
taken place in Ireland.
Hierarchy behind event
Archbishop Brady, has expressed his support, Bishop Walsh of Down
and Connor has asked the Millennium Committee to co-ordinate the response
to Power to Change in every parish and Cardinal Connell has written
to all the parish priests in the Dublin archdiocese encouraging them
to get actively involved with the campaign. He comments, "It
is an opportunity to re-focus on essentials and the very heart of
our faith, which is our relationship as individuals and as a community
with the person of Jesus Christ."
The campaign's flexibility means that parishes can use the opportunity
the media campaign will create and the resources it provides in whatever
way most suited to their needs. This could be everything from tying
it in with a Life in the Spirit Seminars to a more traditional novena
of prayer. Information evenings for people interested in getting involved
have been held in every county and 590 churches, parishes and prayer
groups have already registered.
Kairos moment
Paddy Monaghan, the project manager of Power to Change, who is based
in Dublin, says their target is to get 1000 churches registered and
20,000 Christians trained to respond to enquiries about the Christian
faith. He comments, "I believe this a kairos moment for this
country and could be the start of a fresh move of the Holy Spirit
in Ireland." In April and May the team ran over 40 training seminars
attended by 2000 people and they plan to run 100 more during August
and September. These seminars are designed to help parishoners develop
confidence in sharing their faith.
The Power to Change information pack contains a book with 9 testimonies
from Irish people, a Gospel presentation, a teaching on the person
of Jesus and some lessons on how to develop your relationship with
Jesus. The accompanying CD ROM has, in addition, a section on tough
questions and honest answers and the Jesus film (83 minute feature
film based on the Gospel of Luke)
A telephone response centre will be set up during September and October
to co-ordinate the distribution of the book and CD ROM pack to those
interested in finding out more. The packs will be hand delivered by
local trained volunteers from the registered churches.
Intercession needed
The organisers are asking for intercession for the campaign both
in Ireland and overseas, which is seen as essential for the effectiveness
of the initiative. Already many parishes and prayer groups are making
use of the Power to Change prayer cards.
How to get involved in the Power to Change initiative
1. Encourage your parish and prayer group to register by contacting
Power to Change, 45 Waterloo Road, Ballsbridge, Co Dublin or 27 Gordon
Street, Belfast, BT1 21G
2. Attend or organise a training seminar in your prayer group or
parish.
3. Encourage your parish or prayer group to buy the book/CD ROM packs
to give to family, friends and neighbours. The book/CD ROM can be
purchased for £3 or IR£5 - discounts available for bulk
orders.
4. Get people praying specifically for evangelisation in your parish
or diocese.
POWER TO CHANGE SEMINARS
