Gifted with incredible talents in storytelling, playing instruments and singing beautifully, this passionate company recounts John Newton's story with energy that you will never forget.  You will easily imagine you are on board ship, then amongst slaves being sold at an auction, eavesdropping on conversations between Newton and his love, Polly, then Newton and William Cowper, as if they were alive and living today. Moved with emotion as the ups and downs of John Newton's life story unfolded before us you will be left with a clearer understanding of the poignancy of Newton's life then and what it means to us now across our nation and the world today.

The former local has gone from public house to a house of God after residents clubbed together to raise enough funds to buy the dilapidated building. The move came after numbers at two local churches in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, dwindled and parishioners believed the new venue would be perfectly located to attract more people. Last Sunday Stoke Methodist Church opened its doors to a new set of regulars – including many locals who used to drink in old The West End pub. The holy watering hole now consists of an altar, a community cafe, a vestry and a quiet room - where the bar, pool tables and gambling machines once stood.  OnSunday Rev Nichola Jones said: ‘It’s not the building that makes a church, it’s the people, and they are all very excited about starting something new'. Jenny Walker, from Penkhull, in Stoke, who used to drink at the pub, added: ‘The transformation is just amazing and unbelievable.’

A free speech safeguard has been introduced into a new anti-terror bill, following widespread concerns that Christian Unions and other university societies could face censorship. Warnings about the threat to free speech have come from student charity UCCF, university leaders, a top QC and numerous peers. Under the draft guidance for the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill, university societies would be forced to hand over presentations to be vetted. However, late last night the Government introduced an amendment which requires universities to give ‘particular regard’ to freedom of speech when fulfilling their duty to combat terrorism. It has also committed to rework a paragraph in the guidance which was at the centre of the controversy. The revised guidance will need parliamentary approval before it can be implemented. The Christian Institute welcomed the climb-down while noting that a ‘close watch’ on the guidance was needed ahead of it being finalised. (See also Prayer Alert 04-2017)

Amid the rugged beauty and fascinating culture of Mongolia, there is a spiritual awakening taking place. People there are coming to Christ because people have prayed, worked and given to make Him known in a place where Communism once forbade the practice of religion. ‘Today,’ writes Wayne Pederson, President of Reach Beyond ‘there are about 40,000 believers worshipping in some 600 churches across the country. That’s the good news. The challenge is that the 40,000 believers represent only about 1.2 percent of the nation’s population.’ The project’s future goal is to work with local believers to put a Christian radio station in each of Mongolia’s 21 provinces, blanketing the nation with gospel broadcasts