Who Are We?
Eden is one part of a wider family of pioneering youth ministries operated by The Message Trust, a Christian charity based in Manchester. The Message is passionate about young people, believing that whatever their circumstances, they shouldn’t be excluded from an opportunity to hear about Jesus and have the chance to respond to His amazing love.
Our dream for the people we work with is that they will grow into ‘somebodys’ not ‘nobodys’. We long to see them expressing the full potential God has given them. And after years of hard graft it seems to be working – young people are discovering destinies they never knew they had.
Over the years we’ve developed a holistic way of being and doing that embraces family, education, health, and of course the key thing that sets us apart from secular agencies – a relationship with God.
We believe that in order to make a real difference in the lives of lost, hurting and hopeless people, you have to be right there, alongside them. As we move into neighbourhoods that suffer from social stigma we make a bold statement of affirmation. Replying to the question “…but why have you moved here?” is one of the easiest conversation starters and an opportunity to share a story of hope. By committing to live in the area long term, Eden teams have shown that hope can be grown even in neighbourhoods stuck in the most vicious of circles. Where community links are frayed and breaking under the strain of poverty, crime and spiritual emptiness, we seek to serve the forgotten and restore lives.
Eden teams aren’t made up of action superheroes, in fact most of us are just the opposite! What might be different about us, is where and how we choose to live. Instead of looking for the best house we can find in the nicest area, we are putting roots down in areas that most people avoid. We do this because we have sensed a call from God to do something more for the young people and their families in the toughest areas.
Each of our teams partners with a local church, appoints a team leader and then functions as a group of long-term ‘tent-making’ volunteers. It’s a long-term commitment to a street, a neighbourhood and a community. Over time, as we build friendships, often across cultural barriers, local people start to know where to go for help. The young people know where they can go to for a brew, to be safe, to be loved.
And so Eden’s all about sharing the love of Christ through the highs and lows of life. And in a community with little hope, you shine out like a light on a hill.
The Network part of Eden, means that all of these missional teams, in deprived urban communities, are linked together. Eden teams across cities, regions and up and down the country can meet with one another to share stories and expertise. You can find out more about the individual teams at www.eden-network.org/teams and dig a bit deeper. Do spend some time on this website where you can join in the conversation with us about how we go about transforming communities from the inside out.
“The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood…” John 1:14
(The Message – NAVPress)
