EX HOMELESS MAN RESURRECTED BY FAITH
A former homeless addict reveals how he would be dead if it was not for his faith in the second short dramatic film released by the Church of England for the justpray website.
In the short film, Bob admits he had to harden his heart to survive living rough and says he finally feels resurrected through his faith and the love he found at a homeless centre and Food Drop In in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
In a blog and podcast released simultaneously, the 46-year-old says: “I’ve always believed in resurrection, but my mind was clouded through drugs and when I started being clear headed, I thought wow, he’s done it to me. I haven’t died but I feel like I’ve been resurrected away from a life of crime and trouble to peace and love, understanding, calmness. ”
Bob’s story: I am poured out like water is the second in a series of short dramatic films based on Psalm 22 for Lent and Easter launched by the Church of England featuring men and women who all came to faith through a Homeless and Food Drop In Centre in Halifax and most have experienced crime, alcohol, drug addiction, homelessness or violence in their lives.
The “Psalm 22 project” follows on from the Church of England’s “Lord’s Prayer” campaign which was banned by cinemas before Christmas and promotes the justpray.uk website.
The new justpray.uk campaign will feature short teaser films released through Lent concluding with the launch of a two minute film for Holy Week which casts the five main characters in their own interpretation of a scene from the Passion of Christ. The film is based on Psalm 22 which includes the words “my God, my God why have you forsaken me ?” said by Jesus Christ on the cross.
The first teaser, launched on Ash Wednesday featured Emma, 24, who came to faith a year ago and still struggles with questions and doubt.
The Revd Arun Arora, Communications Director for the Church of England said: “Each of the inspirational stories of those who star in the film is a reminder of how faith and prayer can turn life around. They are also a reminder that for many of us faith and doubt co-exist as neighbours and not opposites. The Psalms accompany us through life with their raw honesty, joy and despair at life, love and God. Lent is a time of self-examination and struggle. It’s part of the Christian journey that comes as a time of testing and honesty about who we are before God. And it ends with the triumph of Easter day, the sure and certain promise of God triumphant even after the darkest night.”
Justpray.uk, was launched in November 2015 to promote the message that prayer is for everyone. The website is an interactive one stop digital hub for prayer – and since its launch has had more than 4m prayers prayed and the Lord’s Prayer film has been seen by over 1.5m people around the world.
Justpray.uk is an initiative of the Church of England and is funded by the All Churches Trust.
WATCH the latest film here:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/9RKSAipZqoo
Listen to Bob's story here: SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-635494734/rob-audio/s-gn2lY