Helen Locke
Helen joined the Evangelical Alliance in October 2020. Prior to this, she trained in ministry for a year in Birmingham where she worked with students and was immersed in church life, in between summers working for the charity Open Doors. Helen studied English literature with creative writing modules, and loves writing, painting and walks with friends in all weathers.
Heart Behind the Art: an interview with Chris Poch
1 April 2024It was a different story as a teenager. Chris recalls ‘coasting’ through school and university: “I was probably having a bit of an identity crisis. I probably got to that age, you’re having to start figuring things out for yourself… there was a part of me that didn’t really know who I was and I think that also came into my faith journey as well.” Growing up steeped in faith, his parents (church leaders Ruth and James) encouraged him towards genuine friendship with Jesus. They led by…
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Heart Behind the Art: Interview with Steve Thompson
21 December 2023The way Steve spends his time and lifts others up testifies to the humble, perceptive and generous heart he has for God’s kingdom, behind what is an impressive CV. He and his beloved wife Velveta (also a gifted musician) recently relocated to the Midlands and are ready for the next phase of God’s plan for their ministry, Beracahmusic Ministries International. Steve’s late father Rev Sydney Thompson was a pioneer in the New Testament Church of God, and Steve grew up listening to his sermons,…
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Church leaders burn out too – let’s embrace our limits as Jesus did
20 December 2023The truth is that among church leadership, statistics on emotional and mental burnout are concerning. During our Changing Church survey in autumn 2021, 1 in 10 of our member church leaders reported that their emotional wellbeing was poor or very poor. Mark Massey, leader of Frinton Free Church, Essex, shared some of his thoughts as a leader going into a busy season. He and his church are active in local evangelism, and Mark and his wife Liz have been running a massive summer mission week in…
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Meet Rani Joshi, our new South Asian Forum co-ordinator
8 November 2023Rani, can you tell us a bit about yourself? Hello, I’m Rani, based in wonderful Leamington Spa, single, a convert originally from a Hindu background. As well as my SAF role, I am a marketing consultant and coach. I spend some of my ‘spare’ time podcasting as well as reading, walks, growing veg, and experiencing other cultures through travel and conversations. How did you find God and what does Jesus mean to you? I had a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit in a church in Windsor during a…
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Heart Behind the Art: an interview with Cath Woolridge
2 October 2023“Hope, not hype” is what revival is all about, says Cath – and it’s clear that undeterred hope is what’s fuelling her bubbly personality too. Cath’s ministry springs from a willingness to “remain” in the quiet, alone with God, His word, her journal and her imagination. She seeks to be part of the story of revival in her nation and minister to worshippers and non-Christians, from reworking old Welsh hymns in new ways from her home in the valleys, to jet-setting to Singapore with the ministry she…
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Alcohol ruled my life – until I experienced God’s CPR
5 July 2023Born in 1946 into a large, loving family, David (Davey) Hoy was his mum’s “blue-eyed boy”. Growing up, he was taught right from wrong and attended Sunday school, but as a teenager his life went in a totally different direction from the one he had been brought up in. Ex-drinkers in that time would say that drink makes you feel like John Wayne – until the morning – and this felt very true. “In my ignorance I liked this new world, it took away all shyness and gave me a confidence and courage. I…
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Heart behind the art: an interview with Sam Suriakumar
28 June 2023Growing up, Sam had a longstanding “deep and trusting relationship with God”, but over time he grew to realise the extent of God’s faithfulness. A child of immigrant parents from Sri Lanka, Sam was encouraged in his twin passions of South Asian and Western music. His mum and dad supported him to start learning classical piano aged six, and a drummer got him into the mirudangam (Indian drum) after spotting young Sam tapping away at a party. Sam confesses he has always been “quite loud, wanting…
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Being human in an AI world
20 April 2023Every week, I hear more stories about the rapidly accelerating capability and applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI). There are some good news stories – from helping to diagnose health problems in sick patients, to ongoing efforts to analyse wildlife and poacher data and predict their behaviour to aid conservation. But, for every good news story, it feels like there are 10 more that cause concern. Here’s just a few you may have seen recently… Goldman Sachs warned AI could replace 300…
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Heart Behind the Art: an interview with Emily Feltham
31 March 2023Emily, 33, has a huge sense of FOMO and wants to join in every interesting conversation she overhears around her. Friends might even joke that she has an opinion on everything, and that those opinions are liable to change, but Emily says she just loves other people and is curious about exploring their point of view. Born and raised in Bristol, she lives with husband Joseph, and says she loves the town’s “friendly, creative feel – scruffy and authentic.” As a child, Emily’s mum took her to…
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Ukraine, one year on: how the UK church can keep doing its part
24 February 2023"Everything has changed for us... It was a nightmare we couldn’t wake up from.” That’s how the Orlov family, from Kherson Oblast, remember the early months of the invasion when they were forced to leave. When they returned, they found their home and village destroyed - but they’re determined to rebuild. “It will become our personal victory,” they say. Mission Without Borders (MWB) has been working to supply families in Ukraine and Moldova with what they need to survive. Working with local…
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Eight ways to shine bright this Halloween
18 October 2022Halloween is a time of year when some of our neighbours, friends and colleagues become more aware of the thin line between this world and a spiritual realm, a topic the Bible has much to say about. So, we can speak bravely, knowing that we contend with real spiritual forces (Ephesians 3:16). Yet, hand in hand with this, we can shine out with the kind and wonderful love of Jesus in good deeds, showing kindness and generosity to our neighbours (Matthew 5:16). An opportunity for the church to…
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