I was pleased to see this morning that Church Action on Poverty and Oxfam’s report Walking the Breadline: the scandal of food poverty in 21st Century Britain as the lead story on the front page of the Metro Newspaper. This report is a stark reminder of the reality of life for over 500,000 people are… Continue reading Breadline Britain: how practical and political action can address the scandal of food poverty
Author: Jon Kuhrt
Jon Kuhrt has worked with people affected by homelessness for over 30 years. He is a former government adviser on how faith groups address rough sleeping and is now CEO of Hope into Action. He lives with his wife in Streatham, south London and they have 3 children. He likes football....but loves cricket.
‘Will we be extremists for hate or for love?’
The brutal killing of the soldier yesterday in Woolwich is a shocking example of religious extremism leading to hatred and violence. In a bid to defend the vast majority of peaceful Muslims who completely condemn this kind of violence, I have read many comments which say that 'this has nothing to do with Islam'. Understandable as… Continue reading ‘Will we be extremists for hate or for love?’
‘Stories from the Street: A Theology of Homelessness’ by David Nixon [Review]
As a Christian who has been working with homeless people over the last 20 years, I was very excited to see the publication of this book. Christians working and volunteering in this field need a strong theology to inform, guide and nourish their activism. Despite the fact that the majority of homelessness organisations and projects… Continue reading ‘Stories from the Street: A Theology of Homelessness’ by David Nixon [Review]
The power of the F-word
On Sunday at our youth group we were looking at forgiveness. It is such a big issue for everyone: How can we find forgiveness for the things we feel guilt for? And how can we forgive others who have hurt us? Forgiveness in South Africa One of the other leaders had just got back from… Continue reading The power of the F-word
Do Hard Things – a rebellion against low expectations
Do Hard Things is an unusual book. It was written by two teenagers for other teenagers. Its message is blunt and challenging: that young people should rebel against the culture of low expectations of what teenagers are capable of. The book starts like this: ‘Most people don’t expect you to understand what we’re going to… Continue reading Do Hard Things – a rebellion against low expectations
‘Christians cannot be passive about hunger, sickness and injustice’ Tim Keller
On holiday recently I read Tim Keller's book The Prodigal God. This is a short, accessible and beautifully fresh description of the heart of the Christian faith. I would recommend it to anyone - but especially to those who those who are outside of the church and who are sceptical about Christianity. The book focusses… Continue reading ‘Christians cannot be passive about hunger, sickness and injustice’ Tim Keller
What is your response to the word ‘Evangelical’?
I was having an conversation with someone the other day about the word 'Evangelical' and how it is perceived by people. In my experience, perceptions and responses to the word 'Evangelical', especially from those outside the church, are almost entirely negative. The context I hear these comments are often people saying to me things like 'Oh, you're not one… Continue reading What is your response to the word ‘Evangelical’?
The day I met Margaret Thatcher
It was June 1990. I was 18, had just left school and had started work for Office Cleaning Services (OCS). I joined a mobile cleaning ‘hit squad’ which each day rendezvoused in a van on the Strand every morning at 6.30am. I had just finished my ‘A’ Levels but my new colleagues gave me a… Continue reading The day I met Margaret Thatcher
I saw Jesus resurrected in Trafalgar Square
On Good Friday, my nine year son and I went up to Trafalgar Square to watch The Passion of Jesus. It was an epic production performed by the Wintershall Trust and sponsored by The Bible Society. Over 5000 others were packed in to the Square watch the play aided by a crystal clear giant screen… Continue reading I saw Jesus resurrected in Trafalgar Square
Guilty by association: is this the end of R&R?
I have just taken 6 weeks off facebook, twitter and blogging to mark Lent. But one unintended consequence of not checking blog related emails was that I missed an important legal letter sent to me three weeks ago. On Good Friday, I found an emailed letter from lawyers representing a US company called AF BioCorp.… Continue reading Guilty by association: is this the end of R&R?
Grace + Truth 