St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Christians Against Poverty

There are many reasons why a lot of people find themselves in debt. It may be due to redundancy or divorce, illness or negative equity, or simply struggling to budget. We live in a world which pressurises people to use credit, to buy now and pay later, and to go for the latest gadget. It is easy to borrow money, and there are even TV adverts which offer credit to those who have a poor credit-rating.

And debt can be very serious. About 70% of people whose marriages break down say that money-problems were part of their difficulties. There are emotional results like guilt feelings and shame, but there are also physical consequences like eviction, seizure of goods, breakdowns, bankruptcy and even suicide.

Christians Against Poverty was founded in Bradford in 1996 by John Kirkby, in response to the poverty he saw here. As a Christian he felt God call him to help using his skills gained through 17 years experience in the consumer finance industry. He began on two local estates - Buttershaw and Thorpe Edge - offering debt counselling, advice and practical help to those whose backs were up against the wall. Since then, CAP has become a national organisation, but it still has the same aim: to offer debt counselling, advice and practical help to all who come, and show God's love in a practical way. The advice offered is from professionally trained debt counsellors and who are also committed Christians.

CAP helps anyone, regardless of belief, and its advice is completely free to the clients. Its unique approach empowers people to help themselves out of poverty, and to be released from the fear, oppression and worry which are generated by the huge debts they face. CAP also helps people develop vital skills to manage their finances and budgets, so they don't simply fall back into poverty.

Over the last seven years the charity has grown from one man, to a national charity with 29 centres open across the UK. The long term vision is to help answer the national problem of debt in the UK by opening a CAP centre in every major town and city.

At St Luke's we support CAP with giving and prayer. Learn more by picking up a leaflet from church, or by visiting www.capuk.org or ringing 01274 760 720.

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. November 2003, Page 4.
Home Page. Index of articles. In this issue: (November 2003) What's a wedding? Sorted, CAP, Christ the King. www.capuk.org	Christians Against Poverty There are many reasons why a lot of people find themselves in debt. It may be due to redundancy or divorce, illness or negative equity, or simply struggling to budget. We live in a world which pressurises people to use credit, to buy now and pay later, and to go for the latest gadget. It is easy to borrow money, and there are even TV adverts which offer credit to those who have a poor credit-rating. And debt can be very serious. About 70% of people whose marriages break down say that money-problems were part of their difficulties. There are emotional results like guilt feelings and shame, but there are also physical consequences like eviction, seizure of goods, breakdowns, bankruptcy and even suicide. Christians Against Poverty was founded in Bradford in 1996 by John Kirkby, in response to the poverty he saw here. As a Christian he felt God call him to help using his skills gained through 17 years experience in the consumer finance industry. He began on two local estates - Buttershaw and Thorpe Edge - offering debt counselling, advice and practical help to those whose backs were up against the wall. Since then, CAP has become a national organisation, but it still has the same aim: to offer debt counselling, advice and practical help to all who come, and show God's love in a practical way. The advice offered is from professionally trained debt counsellors and who are also committed Christians. CAP helps anyone, regardless of belief, and its advice is completely free to the clients. Its unique approach empowers people to help themselves out of poverty, and to be released from the fear, oppression and worry which are generated by the huge debts they face. CAP also helps people develop vital skills to manage their finances and budgets, so they don't simply fall back into poverty. Over the last seven years the charity has grown from one man, to a national charity with 29 centres open across the UK. The long term vision is to help answer the national problem of debt in the UK by opening a CAP centre in every major town and city. At St Luke's we support CAP with giving and prayer. Learn more by picking up a leaflet from church, or by visiting www.capuk.org or ringing 01274 760 720. John Hartley
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