16 March 1999
Delegates at ACE '99 voted overwhelmingly for the establishment of a fund of at least £1million devoted to youth evangelism. The call was made by delegates at the 1999 Church of England Conference on Evangelism from 8-12 March.
Speaking after the vote, conference chairman, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, Bishop of Wakefield said, 'There was an overwhelming desire on the part of delegates from all the dioceses of the Church of England, voluntary agencies and other denominations to make youth evangelism a priority for the next Millennium. The conference hoped that such a fund would provide resources for imaginative youth evangelism. There was a sense of urgency amongst the delegates that something should be done soon."
Delegates also called for a research project into how people come to faith as we approach the Millennium. This will update the 1992 research project entitled Finding Faith Today conducted by John Finney and others.
Canon Philip King, Secretary of the Board of Mission, said, "We are immensely glad that ACE '99 has given a clear lead about priorities for evangelism in the new Millennium. The Board of Mission together with the Board of Education will follow up these resolutions, including setting up the fund, as a priority."
ends
Further information from:
Steve Jenkins (press) tel (0171) 222-9011 ext 357/364
Jonathan Jennings (broadcasting) ext 356/365