This exciting publication has been written to inspire and inform mission in local areas during 2008 and beyond. The first edition, produced in July 2007 sold all 20,000 within 3 months (making it the fastest selling Christian book for many years). Copies of the second edition can be obtained as a pdf download from www.hope08.com or purchase copies for £2.99 from bookstores or via the Hope 08 website.
Each HOPE 08 ‘high point’ has a chapter with an introduction explaining what it is about and this is followed by a Great Ideas section. You can take the ideas and run with them or do something completely different! The Resources section at the back is split into the headings of the chapters so you can easily find the books, training courses, websites and publications that relate to each topic. These will help you put the ideas into practice or give you some more food for thought.
There are a number of ideas for January:
- Prayer Triplets
Hope are in the process of developing some prayer triplet cards - in the meantime there is an article by Brian Mills on the idea behind Prayer Triplets.
- Prayer Concerts
Their website contains an outline for you to consider as you make plans for events near you.
- Prayers for 2008
A range of resources for prayer will be provided during 2008 The website contains some initial suggestions.
- Healing Rooms
Consider setting up a healing room during 2008 and this could be a lasting legacy of this exciting year.
- Prayer Breakfasts with Civic Leaders
In a number of locations churches and Christian organisations have developed strong relationships with their MPs and other Civic Leaders through the use of Prayer Breakfasts. This is explained more fully in a helpful document.
- Prayer Magazine
Continue to ensure that a focus on Prayer is maintained.
- Word 4U 2Day
UCB are launching fantastic new designs for this youth daily devotional, to make it more engaging for young people!
More information at www.hope08.com/Group/Group.aspx?id=59485
Ideas which are grouped together as much as possible around different themes.
- Hope in Schools
There are some exciting initiatives to support work in Schools. The Hope Schools Challenge is the most exciting, there are others and some useful links.
- Crime and Justice
There are ideas around the themes of Criminal Justice Matters, Proclaim Trust - Hope in Prisons and Reflex which brings Hope to Young Offenders
- Hope and Sport
Sport is everywhere. There are some ideas that can be developed in using Sport throughout Hope 08 and into the future.
- Evangelists and Evangelism
Ideas include: A Tale of 3 Journeys, Blue Box, Miracle Street, Proclaim Trust, Raise Your Profile, Reaching out to Men, Reaching the workplace and Waiting for a bus?
- Local Radio
Ideas for using radio
- Bus Advertising
- Miscellaneous Ideas
including Dealing with debt, Donate Christian books to public Libraries, Healing Rooms, National Year of Reading - 2008, Pilgrim Hearts and Wireless for the Bedridden (W4B)
Although many of the activities and suggestions for Hope are applicable to all ages, sometimes it is good to differentiate based on age. Ideas are available for:
- Hope and older people
- Students and Hope
- Youth and Hope
- Children and Hope