CAP Stories: Freedom in Christ
Christians Against Poverty has been partnering with the local church in Northern Ireland since 2009. Hundreds have been helped to go debt free and many clients have received the message of Christian hope.
There is now a network of over 40 CAP services across the province providing free Debt Help, Job Clubs, Release Groups and Life Skills.
Killicomaine church plant leader Revd Jim Fleming (pictured above) is CAP’s NI Area Manager and recounts a story from the Lurgan Debt Centre. The centre is supported by Magheralin Parish, Emmanuel Lurgan, Shankill Parish, Church of the Nazarene and Killicomaine Community Church. It is led by Ruth Waddell.
“A probation officer contacted CAP on behalf of a client who had spent the last four years in and out of prison. Could we help with his debt situation? ‘Yes’ was the answer!
“The client ended up living in a Simon Community hostel in Portadown and that’s where Ruth and I met him and conducted the appointments. He was not in good shape and had pretty bad mental health issues. We discovered that the client had some Christian influence in his background – his dad was saved before he died – but it was fairly strict. He was, however, open to hearing about a relationship with God and open for us to pray with him. As his befriender I maintained contact with him, and he came to Alpha at our Community Church plus the odd Sunday evening.
“Early this year his Debt Relief Order went through, and we chatted again about his relationship with God. He informed me that he had ‘repented and believed’ and was now following Jesus! He has also attended Alpha at Portadown Elim and on Easter Sunday was baptised at Emmanuel, Portadown where he is now attending.”
Get debt help from Christians Against Poverty. Visit capuk.org
CLICK HERE to discover how CAP works with churches in Down and Dromore.