Thousands of Christians are set to gather for the national launch of ‘Redeeming Our Communities’ in Birmingham on 13th May 2006.

|TOP|The event will see a whole host of senior politicians, local councillors and senior police officers unite with Christians to transform local communities and reduce crime through various initiatives such as ‘Adopt-a-Cop’, prayer cells, and City festivals.

The scheme was first piloted in the North-West of England and has now moved onto the national stage, with backing coming from Faithworks, the Alpha Course, as well as the Evangelical Alliance.

At the launch, guest speakers will include the Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police, Matt Baggott. In addition, the project has received the endorsement of the leader of the Conservative Party, David Cameron, who said, “Redeeming our Communities shows how values can be put into practice. In areas where it has been working, in partnership with the police and other agencies, the police have recognised how beneficial that work can be. The national launch is an exciting opportunity to extend such partnerships elsewhere, so that other communities too can be helped.”

|AD|The initiatives will centre around local church involvement with either churches themselves taking the lead role, or working in conjunction with other agencies such as the police and social services.

At the opening of the scheme, various presentations are scheduled to offer and introduce varied ways in which churches can start to make a greater impact and influence in their local communities.

Attendees at the event will also receive a brand new Resource Tool, including a new ‘Redeeming Our Communities’ DVD, featuring a large number of projects taking place across the UK, as well as a comprehensive list of resources to help churches to engage with their local communities.

Joel Edwards, the General Director of the Evangelical Alliance, said, “The national launch of Redeeming Our Communities is a new and powerful venture in Christian citizenship which brings prayer and action together in the fight against crime.”

‘Redeeming Our Communities’ launches at the NEC in Birmingham on Saturday 13 May 2006.