Proximity 2017

Come and join us as we discuss and share stories of practical ways of assisting  teenagers who are at risk from gangsterism, drugs and crime on the streets of our city's toughest areas.  And come to hear about our inner-city youth-work, urban mission and incarnational ministry. Also you can to find out more about how to either support or join one of our existing and active missional Eden communities, who are living amoung these young people. Or perhaps you would just like to know more so that you can just pray for us and cheer us on.  If so, Proximity 2017 is the conference for you.

Join us for a day of compelling worship, inspirational teaching and practical "nuts and bolts" break-out sessions. This is a conference for all those passionate about or would just like to know more about, effective community transformation. We are delighted to be holding this, our fourth Proximity conference in South Africa. Our aim is to bring you closer to God and closer to those seeking to demonstrate, as well as proclaim, the Kingdom of God in Cape Town today.

Three powerful keynote speakers will be bringing vast experience and insight into these issues and inspiring you to bring the kingdom to your communities.

Sam Ward is the Eden National Director at The Message Trust.  And he ois also a man of both passion but also great fun. Recently he and some mates paddled rubber dinghies down the Mersey river for fun-fundraising!   He has been involved in the Eden Network for over 17 years, initially as a volunteer and subsequently leading the team and a local church plant in the deprived neighbourhood of Openshaw, Manchester. Sam has played a crucial role in planting Eden teams across the UK and beyond. Eden teams he has been involved with have been credfited by the local police for helping to bring crime and gang statistics down! Sam is married to Nicci and they have two children. 

Tristan Pringle was born in East London and is the son of a teacher and a builder. His mom is his hero. For a day job, he works as an administrator and implementer at Jubilee Community Church in Observatory, Cape Town and is the church liaison for the Eden Salt River Team. Tristan is a chartered accountant with a passion for the love of Christ and also for Biblical justice. He is married to Jessica.

Tim Tucker is originally from the UK but has been involved in Christian ministry in Africa since the late 1990's. Tim has a PhD in practical theology from North-West University and is passionate about the development of African leaders. He has authored The Pace Setter, a book focusing on mentoring emerging leaders. Tim joined The Message Trust in September 2013 in order to develop the first African Hub of The Message in Cape Town. He has three children; Caleb, Samuel and Erin.

The Proximity 2017 line-up also includes the below practical seminar sessions, giving you the opportunity to hear testimony and practical application on a range of themes around community transformation! Unfortunately, you'll only be able to pick one of the four to attend... why not split up your friends/family between the seminars and swap notes later! 

1. HELPING RESOURCE OUR EDEN TEAMS
(Christina Otoo-Anakwa and Naomi Plant)
Our Eden teams are one of the 4 streams making up The Message Trust. Naomi and Christina are leaders from the Creative Mission stream specialising in life and arts-skills outreach to young people in schools and churches. They will share about how their teams inter-relate and help strengthen Eden. They will also introduce our job-creating stream - Gangstar Enterprises, and show how those resources are available to each Eden team.
 
2. COUNTERING CRIME & POVERTY WITH COMMUNITY
(Sam Ward)
Sam is the Eden National Director at The Message Trust.  He has been involved in the Eden Network for over 17 years, initially as a volunteer and subsequently leading the team and a local church plant in the deprived neighbourhood of Openshaw, Manchester. Sam, in planting Eden teams in some of the poorest areas across the UK, has much to share about how community can counter poverty. Come hear the core message Eden brings that changes lives.
 
3. RELOCATED LIVES: THE REAL LIFE STORIES
(Christine Fyvie and Dianne Lodge)
Christine relocated to Dunoon, and Dianne to an Eden team in Salt River - for different reasons but yet also some very similar ones. Both were moved by the same call of God to leave more comfortable lives to serve people who were in need in those areas. Come hear their stories about what God did in their lives and others, as well as about what was practically involved in the move.
 
4. RECEIVING AS WELL AS GIVING IN COMMUNITIES WE SERVE
(Grant Porthen)
Grant Porthen has been leading the first team we planted in Salt River for close to 4 years now. He has learned from his and his team’s experience, just how crucial it is to recognise the treasures God has placed in each area Eden goes into. And to receive from, as well as to give help to, each community we serve. These treasures are especially in its people. Grant will be sharing how to learn from and to honour each person as well as discover the dignity inherent in each one we serve with the Gospel of Christ.