Not Ashamed to be Christian!

Peter Norris (CCFON) Andrea Minichiello Williams (CCFON) Alex Chowdhry and Wilson Chowdhry boldly proclaiming their Christain Faith.

Christian Concern for our Nation is leading a major new campaign to help Christians in UK stand up and speak up for Jesus Christ in public life.

Wednesday 1st December 2010 has been designated ‘Not Ashamed’ day. In readiness, Christians are being asked to ‘wear the symbol, declare the hope and share the vision’.

It is hoped that on ‘Not Ashamed’ day, thousands of Christians will wear the ‘Not Ashamed’ symbol of the cross, available on a range of items from a special online shop whilst a ‘Declaration of Christian Hope for our Nation’ will be delivered to leading figures in public life.

Linked to the campaign, Lord Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury, is writing a special leaflet explaining why Christians are ‘Not Ashamed’ of Jesus Christ and presenting Him as the hope for our nation.

Further details are available at the ‘Not Ashamed’ website: www.notashamed.org.uk.

In launching the campaign, Andrea Minichiello Williams, Director of Christian Concern, said:

“Our society has undergone massive change in recent years and continues to face enormous challenges. At times the Church seems to have lost confidence that Jesus Christ is good news not just for individuals but also for our society as a whole. Now is the time for Christians to stand together and to speak clearly of Him to a nation that desperately needs to hear of Him, declaring Him to be the only true hope. The ‘Not Ashamed’ campaign is intended to help the Church to do that. We hope and pray that it will find great support amongst the Christian community and make a great impact for good on our country. We invite Christians everywhere to join us.”

Alex and Wilson Chowdhry from the British Pakistani Christian Association were invited to join the campaign by the Director Andrea Minichello Williams.  Whilst in a meeting with the Director of CCFON the BPCA discussed matters pertaining to the persecution of Pakistani Christians in the Homeland.  CCFON have agreed to assist in promoting the concerns highlighted by the BPCA through their media network to push for a change in the culture and politics of Pakistan, to promote a more peaceful and inclusive ideology that will benefit people of all faiths.

The BPCA is supporting the CCFON "Not Ashamed" campaign and on the 1st of December we will be donning Tshirts, bands and badges declaring our Christianity to all and sundry.  Moreover, the enigmatic emblem is bound to stir up some inquisitiveness on the part of non-believers unaware of the symbolism behind the logo, permitting an opportunity for testimony and witness. 

Wilson said:

"The not ashamed scheme is a positive way to increase the opportunity of outreach with little effort.  I am already wearing my badge and several people have asked for the meaning behind the imagery.  This has allowed me an opportunity to engage with them on faith matters in opportunities that would not usually be available.  It has also resulted in several Christians engaging in fellowship on public transport that might not otherwise have shared their faith convictions with me.  This scheme is of a similar vein to the very successful "What Would Jesus Do" campaign, that had great affect.  I commend CCFON on their excellent work and will pray for success with their campaign"

The BPCA encourages young and old Pakistani Christians across the UK to be involved with this project. We believe the project is one that supports the advancement of Christ's Kingdom and will serve great purpose at a time when our Christian Faith is much maligned and marginalised in Britain.  Moreover, I would also ask our brothers in other western countries and abroad in Pakistan to commit to this adventurous concept.