Unshakeable Stories Unshakeable Truths Abigale Otchere

Arianna Walker is an international speaker, an author, and the CEO of Mercy UK – a charity
committed to restoring hope and transforming lives by empowering Christians to develop
their relationship with God, self, and others.  Mercy UK runs free of charge residential homes
for young women with life-controlling issues, delivers leadership training days for church
leaders and ‘people helpers,’ and produces Keys to Freedom- a discipleship resource for
individuals, church groups, and prisons. Using real-life stories and biblical principles,
Arianna’s restorative messages inspire Christians from all walks of life to live free and stay
free.

Helen
Helen, a non-churchgoer, was a very reluctant participant of the Restored Lives Course in January 2011 after her marriage to her childhood sweetheart ended abruptly in 2009. Still struggling with the emotional and practical fallout of her breakup she was persuaded by a Christian friend to try Restored Lives. Expecting to be judged and feeling like a failure Helen went along to the first night of the course. To her surprise, she was met with a type of Christian grace she had never encountered before. The course leaders and helpers just gently came alongside her as she soaked up the course content and made new friends, many of whom are still some of her greatest cheerleaders. It was a turning point lifting her out of a dark time and setting her back on her feet. It was also a turning point in her Christian journey because it ignited her curiosity about a faith she had put aside since childhood. She went on to do the Alpha course and revived her relationship with God.

She has been volunteering ever since and almost 2 years ago started working part-time managing marketing and comms for the charity. She continues to volunteer too either in Bournemouth or for Restored Lives at Home - the online version of the course. She is passionate about Churches using the course to come alongside people of all faiths and none.


Erik
Erik and Karen met and were active together in church activities for 4 years before getting married but, after 5 years of marriage, it sadly ended in a painful divorce. This caused a period of isolation, depression and many questions at which time Erik is eternally grateful to four people who came alongside him to help him navigate through this “category 5 hurricane”. These people were literally “lifesavers” and helped him slowly recover from this major life crisis.

Whilst initially slightly reluctant to start helping others in this area, a job loss gave him some time to help develop an existing course together with a group of professionals including Family Law Solicitors, Mediators, a Judge, Counsellors, and Parenting Specialists. Seeing the transformation that can happen in people’s lives, from being in a valley of darkness into a journey of restoration, has been infectious and addictive and has meant that he is now passionate to help others recover successfully.

He runs the charity, Restored Lives, and leads the online course and the face to face course at HTB London three times a year. Through this ministry, he offers support to over 40 leaders who are running the course in the UK as well as overseas where the course has been run in many locations such as France, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Tajikistan, and the Czech Republic whilst the Restored Lives book, which he wrote, has also now been translated into Japanese.

He is currently a full-time finance director in the UK and was previously the communications director of a listed public company.

Husband and wife team Nicky and MaxCita Gilchrist are ordained ministers and have been worship leaders for over 20 years, serving in the local body, as well as overseas on the mission field. They are both passionate about spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ across the globe and fulfilling the commission of Matthew 28 v 19 “go ye therefore and make disciples of all nations”. As well as singing, Nicky is also a broadcaster/presenter at Premier Christian Radio, currently presenting ‘The Big Breakfast’. They both studied performing arts and developed a passion for singing at an early age, honing their talents and gifts under Power Praise and deliverance ministries international. It was here where they met, and through their love of singing and ministry, became firm friends and then fell in love! Over the last 12 years, Nicky and Maxcita have served as worship leaders at KICC Enfield and KICC Vine Church London. They also served as Youth Pastors and have a passion to see young people reach their full potential. The time has come for them to launch into the deep and answer the prophetic, apostolic, and evangelic call upon their lives, ministering to those who are lost and to the body of Christ at large. Nicky and MaxCita released their debut single “I will call upon the Lord” in December 2014. The song encourages the listener to cry out to God and his mighty right hand that can pull you out of any difficult situation that you may find yourself in.

Erin Menke-Assam oversees donor development, communications and international partnerships. She has vast experience in missions, training, research and development. She is a literacy master trainer and played a key role in the planning and implementation of international literacy programs. Her research experience includes program evaluation, donor surveys and market research.

Erin also enjoys connecting and engaging partners in ministry. She says, "It's a blessing to help people become part of fulfilling the Great Commission. We are all working together to see that the Gospel goes forth and people come into relationship with Christ." Erin completed a master's degree in International Public Service from DePaul University in 2011 to prepare her to fulfill the call to serve in international Christian non-profit organizations.

Of her role as Director of Partner Development at Reach A Village, she says, "I am thrilled to be part of a ministry that is working not only to share the Gospel, but disciple people and establish a thriving church in unreached villages."

Learn more here.
www.facebook.com/reachavillage
www.twitter.com/reachavillage

In today's episode, Abigale Otchere encourages us to think about how we are living during this season.

What kind of a legacy will we have after the Lockdown?

Rachel Oei is a worship leader in China. She grew up in a pastor's family and learned to worship God early. As a young adult, she came to understand in a deeper way what it means to worship God.

Rachel has a special gift, and in this episode shares it with us.

You can follow Rachel on Instagram @rcloei