Endorsements

What are people saying about Redeeming Our Communities?

I wish you every success and I am sure that the desire to bring Christian values to our streets and communities is well founded.

Hon Noel Q Cringle, President of Tynwald, Isle of Man, 25th March 2006

www.tynwald.org.im

I am delighted to lend my support to the Redeeming our Communities initiative.

We all have a shared responsibility for our shared future. Individuals, families, government, business, and voluntary organisations all have a vital role to play.

Redeeming our Communities shows how such values can be put into practice. In areas where it has been -working in partnership with the police and other agencies, the police have recognised how beneficial that work can be. The national launch is an exciting opportunity to extend such partnerships elsewhere, so that other communities too can be helped.

Many have cause to be grateful for all you have done. May I pay tribute to everyone involved in this work up to now, and wish you well for the Birmingham launch event in May. I am sure it will be a great success.

Rt Hon David Cameron, MP, Leader of the Opposition, March 2006

Click here to see a copy of David Cameron's letter

The national launch of Redeeming Our Communities is a new and powerful venture in Christian citizenship which brings prayer and action together in the fight against crime.

 Joel Edwards, General Director, Evangelical Alliance UK

I am very pleased to be able to be part of such a event which will further this exciting agenda and build on existing partnership work across the country. In the Salford area where I am based we have seen huge benefits coming out of partnership opportunites where the City council and the police service have been able to work together with local communities and church groups to create improved environments and contribute to the overall well being of communities which is something we all want to see.

Chief Superintendent Alison Fletcher, Salford Division, Greater Manchester Police, 6th October 2005 www.gmp.police.uk

We have been learning much recently about the need for Churches to work together with local authorities, the police and other agencies to make a real difference in our communities. In the North West of England the 'Redeeming our Communities' initiative has shown the effectiveness of prayer combined with positive action in partnership with others. We rejoice that our own regional rally at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton last year has now led to a national launch in Birmingham.

Rt. Revd. David Gillett, Bishop of Bolton, 4th October 2005

http://www.cofe.anglican.org/

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/cathedral.cfm?IDNUMBER=8195&view=alpha

There are significant benefits from initiatives which involve faith communities working with the police and local agencies, including improving community confidence and trust, increased understanding and not least reduced crime. By working and praying together to reduce crime and disorder we not only change the physical circumstances that affect people's everyday lives but we change the spiritual circumstances. As a police officer and a Christian I know that this work can and will impact on our communities.

 Chief Superintendent Neil Wain, Stockport Divisional Commander, Greater 

 Manchester Police. 4th October 2005. 

 http://www.gmp.police.uk/spages/stockport_division

Over the years I have come to see just how important the relationship between local churches and policing can be in restoring hope and reducing crime in our neighbourhoods. Mutual encouragement, appropriate support and individual friendships are all very powerful ways of transforming lives. This event will undoubtedly lead to real and tangible change. 

It is now five years since the Greater Manchester Police first 

met with 'The Message' and during that time we have come to understand each other's ways of working and appreciate how we can complement one another in serving the community. We have worked together on significant crime reduction and community cohesion projects and I hope we will continue to do so. I am always pleased to develop partnerships with those who have a long term commitment to work in and for our communities. The Church has historically played an important role in building communities and I welcome the commitment of Christians to serve alongside the Police and other statutory and voluntary agencies, for the good of the whole Greater Manchester Community. Together we really can Make A Difference and I applaud your commitment and efforts.

"It is so encouraging to see how God has already used working partnerships between the police, churches and local communities to bring transformation to lives, and so exciting to see the vision developing as Redeeming our Communities celebrates its national launch."

Rev Malcolm Duncan, Leader of Faithworks

“I am delighted to commend this important initiative galvanising Christians to both prayer and action. The two must go hand in hand if we are to see the transformation of our poorest neighbourhoods into places of lasting hope, and people to experience that God’s love for them is passionate and real!”

Fran Beckett, Chief Executive – Church Urban Fund