John Kirkby
26 August 2009 at 18:20pm

I am so thrilled to share the news of CAP's Ultimate Challenge with you! I hope that as you read this blog, you will be excited by the passion and drive that has caused us to run head-long into our greatest ever challenge.

As you know, the recession is causing havoc in many people's lives across the UK, with more and more families falling into uncontrollable debt. As a charity, we simply cannot sit back and watch this happen, so we took the momentous decision that we needed to raise £750,000 to create a platform upon which we can enable 60 additional churches to open CAP Centres to help those in dire need. Combined with our existing 102 Centres, this will increase the number of families that we help by 2,250!

The Ultimate Challenge involves me taking on the most physically demanding challenge of my life. I will be running 84 miles in just 30 hours, from Windermere to Ilkley along the Dales Way. That's three Marathons back to back. Find out more about The Ultimate Challenge run here.

CAP staff members have already stepped out in faith and awe-inspiring generosity, pledging £210,000 to see these lives changed. We have already raised over £520,000 but we still need to raise £230,000 in order to help thousands more people next year who are in desperate need.

Will you stand with us at this critical time and support what will be the most incredible challenge; one that will go down in history as helping to change this nation one life at a time? You can give and pledge right up to the end of 2009.

Please click on www.capuk.org/ultimatechallenge to make your pledge and to find out more. You will also see the current total of gifts and pledges.

Exciting times!

John

John Kirkby
04 August 2009 at 14:21pm

I've had a great two weeks working with CAP in Australia and New Zealand. One of the many highlights was seeing a 40% increase in the number of Life Changers in NZ in just one weekend! God is being so faithful to the team out there, providing this increased income at the same time as we stepped out in faith to launch CAP Money. We’re so pleased that CAP Money continues to go from strength to strength in both Australia and New Zealand! It was also great to spend time encouraging and assisting the Australian team as they continue to build on God's vision for CAP out there as well.

Things at CAP UK have been going really well while I’ve been away. CAP ran a café at New Wine North last week and saw an incredible response, with more than 1,100 new supporters recruited – I’m so proud of the team of volunteers who took time out from their busy lives to serve and represent us. It’s such a blessing to know that when I’m on the other side of the world, everything goes on as usual thanks to an amazing team of staff and volunteers with a heart for the poor across the UK.

As I arrive back in the UK, I am looking forward to a well-earned rest and some quality family time with Lizzie and the kids. I do hope that you are enjoying your summer and that you will be rested and refreshed as you take time for holidays!

John

John Kirkby
16 July 2009 at 11:34am

Well, off I go to CAP Australia and CAP New Zealand!  I can’t wait to be with our brothers and sisters across the other side of the world. I’ll be landing in New Zealand on the 17 July and then on the 18 July it’s straight into a fantastic CAP Money training day. To see the way that CAP New Zealand has taken off is quite simply amazing and a real testament to God’s miraculous power at work through those faith-filled and diligent people.

Launching CAP Money in New Zealand is equally exciting, as it now gives churches across the country the opportunity to partner with us in two ways; by opening a CAP Centre (which, incidentally is becoming so popular we’ve got a waiting list!) or by running CAP Money in their local community. It’s such a privilege to witness the launch of CAP Money on the other side of the world.

Then, on the 23 July I’m off to Australia to assist those guys as they continue to expand and build CAP Oz, including a fantastic time at their annual staff conference.

I’ll keep you up to date as things unfold, but please pray that God would use me powerfully during my time ‘down under’ and that the staff in both New Zealand and Australia would be filled afresh with faith from God and empowered by His Spirit to continue the good work they are doing.

Exciting stuff!

John

John Kirkby
09 July 2009 at 15:41pm

We’ve been busy with our Refresher Training at Jubilee Mill this week. When a Centre opens, we support them as much as possible, nurturing and encouraging the Centre Managers and Debt Coaches as they step out in the faith adventure of a lifetime with our partner churches.

This week, we had the privilege of welcoming back our April 09 Centres, which meant that 23 Centre Managers and Debt Coaches came back to Bradford to receive additional training and had the chance to catch up with old friends. We were all freshly inspired by the work that God is doing through CAP across the UK and I was personally thrilled to talk to so many Centre Managers and Debt Coaches who are witnessing God doing miracles in their own neighbourhoods. Families are being kept together, clients are becoming Christians, and churches are being re-envisioned to reach their communities with God’s love. I just love it!

On another note, it’s not long before I fly off to Australia and New Zealand to assist in the fantastic work that our CAP teams are doing in those countries. Please pray for me as I prepare to go. It’s always exciting when I go to meet our faithful brothers and sisters on the other side of the world, and I know this time will be no exception.

John

John Kirkby
02 July 2009 at 02:48pm

Yesterday I was at the Houses of Parliament for the National Prayer Breakfast. It was a fantastic day and a great opportunity to meet with fellow Christians who are committed to transforming this nation. Sitting in Westminster Hall, surrounded by over a thousand years of history, made me think about how influential Christians have been in changing this nation for the better; the education system, the national health service, prison reform; the list goes on.

CAP is now ideally poised for such a time as this, to transform this nation once again, as we tackle debt and its effects across the UK through the local church. I cannot express how exciting it is to be on this journey with God, knowing that through your support and our work, we will once again be able to see significant change in the lives of many people throughout our nation. Amazing!

We’re gearing up for our summer season of conferences and exhibitions at the moment too, so it’s all systems go at Jubilee Mill as speakers, resources and stands go out across the UK, spreading the word of what God is doing through us. Please pray for all our exhibitions that will take place this summer; that God would draw more supporters to us through them and that we will be able to offer more people the lifeline they need as a result.

You can get more information about where we’re appearing by following this link.

John