News
Operation Joy expands it's reach into another Greater Manchester borough!!
Ryan who serves as part of our Operation Joy project is set to open a new Drop-In in Ashton-under-Ly…
Fabulous response to New Life Group in HMP Forest Bank
During the pandemic Nick Stirling began holding regular gatherings on Wednesdays at the Windsor Chri…
Success in finding a home after leave to remain granted...
Cath, our Next Stage Housing co-ordinator, works with people at various stages of the accommodation …
They prayed together and she shared how much she is loving her Bible...
For the past couple of months our Restart project leader has been working with a young Asian woman w…
Soul Children choir join other singers to rehearse for Festival Manchester...
The Soul Children Saddleworth choir will be joining hundreds of other children on stage at Festival …
Meeting spiritual needs as well as being a friendly face.
Paul Winter, from our Operation Joy, has years of experience getting alongside the street community.…
What's going on? Chance meetings with the same people over and over again!
Paul didn't need his notebook to remind him about two members of the street community that he first …
130,000 Salford homes hear about our Family Food Fayre satellite Food Club!
The partnership between our Nourish project, that sets up and runs the Family Food Fayre Food Clubs,…
It can be months before you hear anything about a funding bid!
Ryan from Operation Joy has been working hard on funding bids to enable the Drop-In to continue and …
Connected teamwork between MCM team members to bring glory to God.
Although our projects are distinct from one another there is often opportunity for working together.…
People experiencing Food Poverty need more help than just a bag of food!
Take a walk around the Nourish Family Food Fayre Food Club at the Windsor Christian Centre and you'l…
A new Food Club is about to be launched in Eccles...
Barry, our Nourish project leader, has been working hard with local Christians in Eccles to plant a …
Mary & Debs exceed expectations at a recent Diary of a Disciple workshop!
Coming out of lockdown Groundbreakers has had the opportunity to do face to face work in some new sc…
Diligent prayerful ministry over many years lead to new opportunities...
Paul Winter, one of our Operation Joy team, has kept a notebook to remind himself of everyone he mee…
Telling of what God is doing through the Manchester City Mission projects...
Ryan, from Operation Joy, has been visiting a couple of churches recently to tell of all that God is…
A Brief Encounter, well about 20 minutes anyway!
Paul Winter, from Operation Joy, is always on the look out for people to speak with... Paul picks up…
Another soul finds peace in Jesus.
This morning as I arrived at the chaplaincy office at one of the prisons I work in I was asked to go…
At MCM we encourage our staff to eat frogs first thing every day...
At a staff meeting recently Barry Matley, project leader of Nourish, encouraged us all to read "Eat …
God is faithful! The Groundbreakers June assembly has gone online!
Mary and Debs recorded the June assembly before the half-term break. It's up online and ready for sc…
Girl flees family dispute and receives freedom in Christ.
Ryan, who works on the Operation Joy project, also acts as resident evangelist at the Nourish Family…
A chance conversation that has added significance with God...
Ryan, who serves in our Operation Joy project, was thrilled with the turn out for the last Drop-In s…
Do you, or could you, shop at Tesco in Greenfield or Shaw?
Groundbreakers have been sucessful in an application to the Tesco Community Grants scheme and our pr…
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrated at Spruce Court Food Club...
Our Nourish Project and Pendleton Together made sure that the Food Club was all ready to celebrate t…
Getting to know people is all part of what our missionaries do...
Paul Winter, a member of the Operation Joy team, tells us how simply getting to know information abo…
"You must bless this girl, she needs a prayer saying"
Paul is out on the streets of Manchester speaking to the people he meets every week. Sometimes oppor…
Cleared to joined another prison chaplaincy team…
Nick Stirling, our "On The Wing" Prison Chaplain tells us he has just completed 4 days of training a…
What would you want the staff at Manchester City Mission to pray for you?
A few weeks back Paul from Operation Joy was out on the streets of Greater Manchester speaking to th…
We have some sad news but then we also have some good news!
Let’s start with the sad news first, as you may know for the last eight months Ryan from our Operati…
It was good to see him in a much better situation.
We always like to read Paul's stories, unfortunately our email system has been hiding them away whic…
Chris has been volunteering at MCM for nearly five years...
Volunteers' Week takes place 1-7 June every year. Volunteers are an essential part of the work we do…
“What an inspiring and timely assembly!!" the Headteacher exclaimed.
Mary & Debs from Groundbreakers visit primary schools six times a year, that's once a half-term, del…
Singing, dancing and a truck load of fun, bring on Festival Manchester...
Chip Kendal, head of Soul Children UK visited the Soul Children Saddleworth rehearsal last night. …
You can weep and nothing changes, or engage and show compassion.
Many of the clients that our MCM missionaries meet in the day to day routine of their work are livin…
Fuel Poverty, the escalating crisis for the people MCM seek to help!
Ryan from Operation Joy has been working hard to find funding to help those impacted most by the cur…
The bewilderingly long and frustrating wait for the front door key is over!
Some time ago we shared that one of the guys who had been living in our supported accommodation had …
Lidl give Nourish more not a little, this time from Head Office.
Regular readers will remember Barry, our Nourish project leader, celebrating a donation of £500 from…
The mum of a volunteer comes to the Nourish Food Club and finds Jesus...
Regular readers will remember we told you about the young woman that came and used our Food Club. Sh…
Operation Joy are finalising plans to step out in a new borough...
As we know Operation Joy does many things in the Greater Manchester area, we have the Oldham Drop-In…
Living With Loss course being run at HMP Buckley Hall
Nick Stirling shares about the latest Living With Loss course currently being run at HMP Buckley Hal…
She was going home to tell her Dad that the Bible's not boring!
Debs and Mary from Groundbreakers are out in schools delivering the Diary of a Disciple workshops th…
Manchester City Mission stands the Test of Time
When I took up my post as Director of Manchester City Mission, back in 2004, I quickly became aware …
A brief evaluation tells us that Groundbreakers produces fun videos which teach about God.
Manchester City Mission is determined to be good stewards of all that God provides. That involves ev…
Manchester Airport Chaplaincy team play important role in welcoming Ukrainian refugees to Manchester.
Nick Stirling, our On the Wing chaplain, tells us that the Chaplaincy team at Manchester Airport are…
Nourish partner with others to challenge the scourge of food poverty...
Barry, our project leader of Nourish, continues to develop his network of partners across the city. …
Luke’s Gospel brings Jesus to life in Diary of a Disciple workshops!
Mary and Debs are currently delivering "Diary of a Disciple " workshops in local primary schools. Th…
What do the members of Bury Food Club have to say about the Food Club?
It is really important to Barry, our Nourish project leader, that finds out the views of our Food Cl…
First steps for a volunteer evangelist working alongside Ryan at Nourish.
Ryan is finding that being connected to other organisations has massive benefits. Ryan, our Residen…
Soul Children, the perfect balance to SATs in Mental Health Awareness Week!
This week for Year 6 children across the land it has been SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) week. Sch…
When was the last time you did yourself some good?
The latest edition of Clear Call, Issue 34 Spring 2022, our reguar newsletter, will be dropping on p…
Housing Association provide a publicity banner for the satellite Food Club.
The satellite Food Club run by our Nourish project at Spruce Court has been well supported by Pendle…
The story continues for one of our Food Club members...
You may remember we told you about a young women that came to use our Food Club and Ryan, who is our…
It took time but finally they can say "A new home at last!"
Not everyone that Cath helps is homeless but they are all struggling with their housing situation. M…
A donated bag of groceries can make a real difference to an individual life...
Barry, our Nourish Food Poverty project leader, has many many contacts across the city. Winners Chap…
The true story of the Old Lady and the Motor-bike Thief
While I was conducting a Bible study group in one of the prisons I work in, one of the young men tol…
What would you put in Room 101 given the chance?
Mary and Debs are both delivering the same assembly in primary schools across Greater Manchester. La…
The people MCM work with are always on a journey, Ryan updates us on progress...
It is always good to here how our clients are getting on... Not so long ago Ryan supported J with hi…
"He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners ..."
Nick, from On the Wing, visits HMP Hindley every week, he had been asked to take the Bible Study as …
Kind words and prayer lift the fog and lead to volunteering...
The Manchester City Mission staff are always looking for volunteers to contribute to their projects,…
The unchangeable God can help us with change...
When Debs and Mary from Groundbreakers go into schools to deliver assemblies it's the individual con…
Operation Joy volunteers grow in confidence as they reach out to the homeless community.
Ryan who serves in our Operation Joy project, is out on the streets of Manchester at least twice a w…
The May online assembly, God Is Merciful!, is up and ready for use!
Mary and Debs have been producing an online assembly every month this term to go alongside the Groun…
Nick has an opportunity to step in and lead the Bible Study group...
Nick serves as member of the Prison Chaplaincy team at HMP Hindley, this is a multi-faith team and i…
Good News for our Narrowgate Next Stage Housing project!
This week we recieved £820 from the Aviva Community Fund for the Narrowgate Next Stage Housing proje…
Groundbreakers are having a busy week, the Easter holidays feel a long time ago!
Having gone into the Easter holidays feeling very under the weather Mary and Debs have hit the groun…
Lidl provide support for our Food Clubs, support 'In Kind' and financially!
Marcin, the Centre Manager of Lidl at West One paid a visit to the Nourish Food Club recently. We co…
Having come to serve a volunteer choose to follow the Servant King.
Ryan from Operation Joy is our resident Evangelist, for our Nourish Family Food Fayre project, at ou…
It's the annual Workers Memorial Day service at Manchester Airport this week.
As a member of the Manchester Airport Chaplaincy Team, Nick Stirling has been asked to partake in th…
The power of prayer to bring light and hope in desperate situations.
Restart work in partnership with various agencies to support women they are in contact with. Recentl…
This bank holiday was business as usual but God had another plan.
Ryan from our Operation Joy project, is also resident Evangelist at our main building in Salford, on…
From fear to elation Cath's clients come with the full range of contrasting emotions.
Cath, our Next Stage Housing Co-ordinator, works with people from many nations, helping them as they…
Homes of Hope find accommodation for an Operation Joy client.
Ryan, from our Operation Joy project, has been working with a young man for the last six months who …
How will Nigel Langford from the Bible Society answer Terry's five questions?
Nigel joined the Bible Society in 2015 before becoming Director of Domestic Mission he held the role…
The Restart team go to places the rest of us don't even speak about!
One area of work for the Restart project is visiting the brothels across Greater Manchester. Sometim…
ACTS 435 funding accessed so deaf client can watch TV with sub-titles.
Ryan from Operation Joy was approached by a client we had referred for housing to Homes for Hope wit…
It’s encouraging to get good news from our Next Stage Housing clients.
Cath stays in touch with the clients that she places in accomodation, providing a listening ear and …
Pendleton Together obviously think the Family Food Fayre Food Club is still relevant now it's weekly!
The satellite Food Club at Spruce Court has seen a 'refurbishment' in the last few weeks and now it'…
Scripture Union providing support for Soul Children Saddleworth.
Mary who is registered with Scripture Union as a Faith Guide, applied for a grant from the Scripture…
Free connectivity for Manchester City Mission clients!
Manchester City Mission projects have access to free connectivity for their clients thanks to the Vo…
Nick tells us about the Living With Loss Course at HMP Buckley Hall
Now that the Covid-19 restrictions have eased, the chaplains at HMP Buckley Hall are able once again…
Restart team tell us about when agencies came together for a client...
The clients that the Restart team work with are very vulnerable, they will often appear to make as m…
Our Operation Joy team have to rely on the Holy Spirit to lead them to the right people to speak to when they are out on the streets.
Ryan who works for Operation Joy, our street ministry to the homeless, was out with some volunteers …
Barry's been on holiday this week, but the Food Club has still run successfully.
Has Barry been missed? Yes, of course, but his team of volunteers have worked together well to ensur…
Coming alongside people is something Cath finds herself doing a lot of the time.
Cath is our Narrowgate Next Stage Housing Co-ordinator and works with people who are homeless or at …
Mary and Debs never cease to be amazed by the children they work with!
It may be the last week of term before Easter, but Mary and Debs are still busy in schools this week…
New people keep coming along to the Operation Joy Drop-In in Oldham town centre. One man stayed behind the first time he came to speak with Ryan...
The Drop-In is a place for the men to talk about the issues that trouble them and to hear the Good N…
Nick gives us feedback on his latest shift as a member of the airport Chaplaincy Team.
Last week was Nick's third week at the airport and he's learning more about the role each week. Nick…
Dave, our Operations Support Co-ordinator, was volunteering with Groundbreakers on Friday at the Experience Easter event in Saddleworth. How did he get on?
He really enjoyed the day, helping us set up and then running one of the stations. We thought we'd a…
Paul has been out on the streets of Manchester and Bolton reaching out to the street community for around 8 years, given the number of people he's spoken with and helped he can be forgiven for not recognising everyone immediately out of context!
When he is in Manchester, Paul parks at the Windsor Christian Centre and walks into the city centre.…
Deciding to follow Jesus is not the end of a process, it's the start of a journey. Ryan brings us up to date on one of his clients who choose the narrow way...
A few weeks ago we told you the story of a guy who we first had contract with through the Operation …
Glasgow City Mission invited the Restart team north to share and encourage the team there. What happened next?
Two members of the Restart team visited Glasgow recently and tell us of how God was at work during t…
Chaplaincy at HMP Forest Bank Prison
Nick made enquiries last year regarding taking on the role of volunteer prison chaplain at HMP Fores…
Groundbreakers are working with local Christians to enable primary school children to Experience Easter.
Having produced a virtual Experience Easter video last year when the team were unable to visit schoo…
Deputation visit
Ryan, from Operation Joy, visited "The Methodist Church in Saddleworth" for their joint service on M…
Rock & Roll Chaplain
Nick is a member of the Chaplaincy Team at HMP Buckley Hall in Rochdale, where several old pianos ha…
Details of support for Ukrainian refugee hosts
Manchester City Mission can help hosts in the process from initial arrival through the resettlement …
Spruced up Spruce Court
Pendleton Together have been at work in the Community Room at Spruce Court. Barry says "It has been …
We're actively bidding on a property for supported housing as you read this news item.
Will you pray with us that we get this property? Bids are now being taken for a house that we recent…
Yay… it’s the jelly baby lady!!
Do children really remember and learn anything from school assemblies? Mary definitely thinks they d…
Salix help their tenants...
Last week we told you how a charity had paid the Bury Food Club annual membership for a group of ass…
All that's needed is a miracle...
There are times when Manchester City Mission missionaries just need a miracle to be able to leave a …
Paul meets up face to face with a contact first met online...
Members of the homeless community often have access to social media and Paul took advantage of that …
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28.
Nick was “working the floor” as he likes to call it, as part of his duties as chaplain at Manchester…
"I had the best night's sleep..."
Last week Ryan, who serves in our Operation Joy project, made a successful referral for accommodatio…
Tune in to find out about Manchester City Mission's contribution to the Ukrainian refugee crisis...
Terry has been invited into the studio to be interviewed by BBC Radio Manchester's Mike Shaft on Sun…
Growth in Bury
Just three weeks ago we celebrated over 50 members at Bury Food Club, it's continuing to grow! There…
An amazing response
After two years of schools being closed to visitors the Groundbreakers diary continues to fill up. M…
Change
The women that Restart work with are incredibly vulnerable… A team member tells us about one of the …
Before you trust, you have to listen.
Ryan has been running our Operation Joy Drop-In in Oldham for nearly six months now. In that time w…
Living with others is just as hard for the others!
Cath is our Next Stage Housing Co-ordinator, here she explains how difficult it can be living with o…
Oldham Borough COVID Community Champion
Operation Joy and Restart have received funding from Action Together for their work in Oldham over t…
Teach (me) to pray Luke 11:1
Recently on one of Nick's visits to Manchester Airport to work with the chaplaincy team there, a man…
Remarkable
The Restart team always work in collaboration with professionals from a range of services and often …
He dropped in and found the answers to life...
A few weeks ago Ryan was just about to finish up the Operation Joy Drop-In in Oldham when a guy came…
Off agenda!
This week Mary attended an RE Network Meeting in Oldham, Groundbreakers was on the lips of her colle…
Hope from homelessness
Ryan who serves in our Operation Joy project has been working with a gentleman called P, who has bee…
It's not what's on the outside that matters...
When Groundbreakers deliver a Diary of Disciple workshop in a school they leave a copy of the full L…
Support for Ukrainian refugee hosts
Manchester City Mission has many years of experience working with refugees and the victims of war th…
Remember the freezer?
As many of you already know, we had a breakdown of our Food Club freezer at the Windsor Centre recen…
FIRST DAY AS AIRPORT CHAPLAIN
I have recently been accepted onto the chaplaincy team at Manchester Airport. Last week I attended t…
Our Director, Terry Durose, interviews Dave Silber, Chief Operating Officer of the Eternal Wall of Prayer, for his Five Questions Podcast...
Dave Silber, as well as being Chief Operating Officer of the Eternal Wall of Prayer, is also the fou…
Views!!!
As you may be aware, Manchester City Mission is looking to extend our supported housing provision. W…
Two years on...
Lockdown has separated so many people from each other... ...and although a significant number of con…
It's growing...
They started with 13 last week and this week... 18 very excited and enthusiastic children turned u…
God can do far more than we imagine!
Restart reach out to the sex workers of Greater Manchester in Jesus name... The Restart team, and pa…
God is at work
Our projects seek to meet people where they are, compassionately do what we can to meet their needs …
God loves you so much...
Psalm 8 verse 2 says, "You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your…
Prison Chapel Services Reopening
The pandemic, as everyone is aware, has caused much disruption in all areas of society over the last…
What a welcome!!
Well... what a welcome Mary had this morning at an Oldham Primary School when she arrived to take an…
Who's watching?
The Amplified Bible, Classic edition, translates Jesus' words in Matthew 6 verse 4 like this, "So th…
Right time, right place to pray
The Restart team are called upon at all times, sometimes just becuase they happen to be in the right…
A fun way to learn about God...
Groundbreakers have been back in school delivering assemblies this year and as schools have settled …
Freezing homes
Last week BBC Morning Live reported about the heating issues in the flats opposite our base in Salfo…
Chip Party
Soul Children: Saddleworth was launched on Tuesday, there were no pancakes in sight but plent of Chi…
Taken by surprise
Ryan, a member of the Operation Joy team, also serves in our Nourish Food Club, on Mondays and Thurs…
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
If there's one thing you don't want in the Food Club it's an alarm on the freezer! And that's just w…
Just what he always wanted...
Our guests may only need to be in our supported accomodation for a short while before they are ready…
Bury Food Club grows...
The Food Club in Bury that Barry, our Nourish project leader, established with the local church is g…
For God...
Paul, project leader for Operation Joy, says, "During the last two years I've witnessed a significan…
It's half-term but excitment is growing for the launch of Soul Child: Saddleworth!
Mary & Debs are taking a well earned rest this week as the schools are on half-term, but final arran…
God is at work in individual lives!
Our Restart team seek to befriend the women involved in sex work across Greater Manchester. God uses…
People are watching
Ryan who serves on our Operation Joy project has been a follower of Jesus Christ for six years now. …
Food Club membership grows to over 200
The Nourish Family Food Fayre membership keeps on rising, recently toping 200 members here at the Wi…
Do you want to know more?
We publish Clear Call, our newsletter, twice a year. But do you know how to sign up to receive it? Y…
23 families blessed by a Box of Hope
Last Wednesday saw 23 families on the Sholver estate in Oldham receive a Box of Hope, full with tins…
Stepping through the door
Most of us probably get a few butterflys before joining an established group of people, think what i…
What do you know about Acts 435?
Terry, our Director, recently interviewed Jenny Herrera, Chief Executive of Acts 435, for his 5 Ques…
Another Box of Hope
Working again today with our friends at Fresh Church in Oldham to make a difference in the lives of …
What's a typical day for a Prison Chaplain?
In an attempt to answer that question, Nick, our On The Wing Chaplain, has updated the project webpa…
So much more than a Food Club!
Barry, project lead for Nourish our food poverty project, changed the times of one of the Food Clubs…
Allelujah!
The pandemic has led to many of having to change the way we keep in touch, none less than our missio…
Bible Detectives…
Mary, project leader of Groundbreakers, was asked to visit a school on behalf of The Bible Society, …
Restart in the local papers
Cllr Shah spent Tuesday evening out on the streets with Restart, both local papers have covered the …
Bags for Life
The Nourish satellite Food Club at Spruce Court have recently been taking part in the Start Inspirin…
Prayer matters
Answers to prayer are the best news ever. Ryan, from Operation Joy, joined a prayer and fasting grou…
Childrens Mental Health Week
It is Childrens Mental Health Week this week and Mary, project leader for Groundbreakers tells us ab…
Postal Problems
Yesterday, Terry, our Director, sent the following message to our email contacts. You too are invite…
Airport Chaplaincy Opportunity
Some time ago our director, Terry suggested Nick, our On The Wing Chaplain, contacted the Chaplaincy…
"Do you believe in God?"
Paul, our Operation Joy project leader, visits Manchester city centre specifically to meet people ex…
A visit to the Operation Joy Drop-In
Cath, our Next Stage Housing co-ordinator, regularly receives referrals from Operation Joy, last wee…
The Food Club - Bury makes an impression
The Food Club - Bury, open on 26th November '21 and making such an impression that recent visitors w…
Feedback on training
Ryan, from Operation Joy, has been running the course Working with HoPe course for volunteers that a…
Soul Children: Saddleworth Choir launch
Covid infections led to the original launch in January having to be delayed, now we're ready to laun…
Significant Gospel Conversation
Nick, our On The Wing Chaplain, tells us about a recent conversation with a group of young men. On o…
How ant like are you?
Groundbreakers are delivering a half-termy face to face assembly, where this is possible, and contin…
Terry and Michelle meet with the Leader of Oldham Council.
On Monday 31st January, Michelle Delaney, lead for MCM’s Restart project and Terry Durose, Directo…
A proud mum
Paul, from Operation Joy, often meets members of the street population and then doesn't see them aga…
Donated Goods
Barry, project leader of Nourish, is always on the look out for contacts and sources for the Food Cl…
Answered prayer
Michelle, project leader for Restart, recently heard that the location of her weekly drop-in was clo…
It all adds up.
Projects, Operation Joy and Restart, recently made a successful funding bid that covered a proportio…
What an impact!
Receiving feedback is hopefully helpful, this was amazing! Mary tells us what happened today... Toda…
Despite the passage of time...
Nick, our Chaplain, looks back over the past few months in which he has been a part of the Prison Ch…
Operation Joy moving forward...
Exciting new developments at the Operation Joy drop-in in Oldham. The Operation Joy drop-in at Soul …
A God Ordained Appointment
Paul, from Operation Joy, can often go quite long periods between seeing individual members of the h…
What part are you?
Although disappointed that assemblies have been cancelled due to Covid this week, Mary, project lead…
Hearing about Manchester City Mission
Our Operations Support Co-ordinator, Dave, visited long term supporters of MCM Glenbrook Chapel yest…
The hunt is back on
Cath, our Next Stage Housing Co-ordinator, is back on the hunt for a house... As the New Year has be…
New Times
The Family Food Fayre Food Club at The Windsor Centre is changing it's times from next week. Inca…
What question would you ask?
Terry Durose, Director of Manchester City Mission and Chair of the City Mission Movement : UK, is as…
Do you spot the answers to your prayers?
It is so easy isn't it to pray and forget to look for the answer, it must happen all the time! Even …
Wednesday New Life Group
Nick, our Chaplain, runs a weekly New Life Group in the Narrowgate Support Hub, here at the Windsor …
Prayer recommendation
Our street workers are so well known and respected that their regular contacts recommend others in t…
Thank you Jenny
Director of Manchester City Mission, Terry Durose, said good-bye and thank you to Jenny Lemmon at th…
Covid cancels Soul Children: Saddleworth choir launch
Debs and Mary from Groundbreakers were looking forward to launching Soul Children: Saddleworth choir…
When a flat becomes a home
Ryan, from Operation Joy, helps a client turn his flat into a home. Operation Joy has been working w…
An apartment for Christmas
Cath, our Next Stage Housing Co-ordinator, was thrilled that one of her clients recieved the keys fo…
Joy at receiving a Bible
If Paul, from Operation Joy, say's he'll get you a Bible, he means it. He tells us here of a recent …
Making a difference one life at a time
God uses Restart and partners to put a roof over the head of a vulnerable young woman this Christmas…
Answer to prayer
Despite children being excited by news of the Soul Children choir starting next week, very few had s…
Local support matters
Barry, our Nourish Project Leader, is encouraged by local financial support for the Food Club as mem…
When plans have to alter...
Paul tells us how God used changed plans to touch a woman in need. MCM Missionaries can often find t…
From client to volunteer
Great things have been happening at the Operation Joy Drop-In in Oldham. Ryan tells us how two of th…
Welcomed to visit and pray
Michelle visited a brothel with bags of hope and all the women were happy for her to pray. Restart w…
Prepared
Nick goes into prisons across Greater Manchester as a member of the Chaplaincy team, this week he sa…
Terry on USB Radio
Terry was invited by Ruth O’Reilly-Smith, presenter and producer of UCB’s “This is My Story” program…
Groundbreakers on the radio...
After nearly two years producing online assemblies for primary schools, Mary & Debs finally made it …
Sholver Community Centre Children's Party
Groundbreakers were asked by Fresh Church if they would run the games for a community Children's Chr…
Volunteers Sign Up
Ryan, from Operation Joy, has been recruiting volunteers to work with the street homeless community.…
Set an alarm...
Mary & Debs are on the radio! Mary and Debs from Groundbreakers will be on Mike Shaft's show on BBC …
It's Christmas!
Well, nearly anyway! Barry has published the Food Club opening times for the Christmas and New Year …
Groundbreakers in the spotlight
Mary, from Groundbreakers, was interviewed today for a Scripture Union publication... At the recent …
Nick's resilience pays off!
After four weeks with little sign of progress, Nick, our On The Wing Chaplain, tells how the "Living…
Keeping in touch
Paul, one of our Operation Joy missionaries, missed his usual time on the streets of Manchester due …
Clear Call Newsletter (No. 33) Winter 2021
The latest edition of Clear Call, our regular newsletter, has been dropping on people's door mats th…
Answered prayer for a friend of a previous client
From sleeping in a van to his own flat, it all came together as a result of prayer for the friend of…
Moving in the right direction
Michelle (Restart) has been working with 'A' after her life became particularly chaotic recently. As…
"Just One Question"
Ryan (Operation Joy) asked a client, ‘P’, to consider the answer to one question, the next day ‘P’ h…
The Food Club, Bury
Great news from Nourish this week, the Food Club, Bury launches tomorrow - Friday 26th November Link…
“I want that Jesus in my life…”
Michelle (Restart) tells us of the joy and hope a recent Acts435 gift brought to a client. While mee…
Resilience rewarded!
Paul's (Operation Joy) resilience in going out on one of the wettest Manchester days he's ever exper…
One reaps another sows
God used colleagues, Ryan (Operation Joy) and Michelle (Restart), to bring ‘G’, a client of Michelle…
Soul Children: Saddleworth choir to launch in the New year
Debs and Mary are working with St Thomas' Delph church to launch a Soul Children choir on Tuesday 11…
The data shows Food Club members more confident now regarding mental well being than before the Club started.
The Food Club recently conducted an anonymous questionnaire, the resulst show the positive impact th…
Harvest Giving
Our Nourish Co-ordinator, Barry Matley, says, "It was great to meet up with Wes and Margaret from Br…
Working together
Ryan from Operation Joy has been working with two gentlemen that have both made decisions to follow …
Lendlease volunteers make a difference
It was great to be reunited with Lendlease again after all the amazing help we had from them when th…
God knows...
"God knows everything about us", Debs had said in a lunchclub. "Even that I'm being bullied?" ask a …
Bank the Food app
Barry Matley, our Nourish Co-ordinator, was interviewed by BBC Radio Manchester's prestenter Mike Sh…
Online assembly applied...
Groundbreakers are delivering a blended programme of online and face to face work this year, the onl…
Recommended
Narrowgate Next Stage Housing helps a lady find find her own place to live, and with the finances an…
Waking up on Sunday morning and wanting to go to church
Ryan, from Operation Joy, has been running a drop-in in Oldham for a whiel now, change takes time bu…
"Why focus on prisoners?"
Nick our chaplain tells us why he is focusing on prisoners and the importance of God's grace to each…
"It was great to see the children get so much out of it..."
The Headteacher of an Oldham primary school is looking forward to working with Groundbreakers again …
How does BanktheFood work?
People often say, "What does the Food Club need?" The BanktheFood app answers the question for you, …
Prison Bible Study Group
Our Chaplain, Nick, tells us about being dropped into the deepend with his Prison Bible study group.…
Diary of a Disciple motivates class more than anything this term...
Mary and Debs from Groundbreakers visited a new school this week and the children loved the workshop…
Now Operation Joy has a Drop-In in Oldham too...
It quickly became apparent when the Restart Drop-In opened in Oldham recently that the men experienc…
More Time More Contacts
Paul increased his route around Manchester and offered prayer for old contacts as they are about to …
Download the app
Nourish, our Food Poverty project, is now registered with the BanktheFood phone app, download it and…
Support from inside
HMP Manchester used to support the night shelter, now our Nourish Food Club is their chosen charity …
Keys to the door
Finally a client of Cath's, our Next Stage Housing Co-ordinator, gets his one bedroom flat. Caths te…
WOW!
Assembly interupted by a boy exclaiming "Wow!" Debs, a member of the Groundbreakers team, was delive…
Widening influence
Chaplain thanks God for increased opportunities in the Greater Manchester prisons. Nick, our Chaplai…
Being back in schools is more than just the planned activities.
Back in schools and the Groundbreakers team are being recognised by children in the shops and by sta…
Satellite makes impact
The Nourish team are looking to help a customer from the Satellite Food Club who is unable to get to…
Helping at a distance
Restart put young person from Oldham in touch with help while they are living in Birmingham. Last we…
Things we take for granted...
Help to purchase a countertop cooker means 'J' can prepare himself a proper hot meal. 'J' has been c…
That's why...
Paul Winter bumped into members of the Roma community that he'd last seen 18 months before and came …
Right Person Right Time
Restart client take right steps after talking with a new volunteer. At Restart this week we had a re…
From Drop-In to Rehab via prayer.
“…when I woke up on the Sunday all I could think about was going to church” ‘VH’ had met Ryan and Sa…
"I Thank God for you"
Every conversation is important! Having finished the Restart street work for the evening, Michelle g…
What one thing did 'C' want Paul to pray for?
Remembering birthdays makes people feel valued, and it also important to know what their immediate n…
Freedom
A man who came seeking help as he struggled with his finances, finds faith following the Keys to Fre…
Back To School
Groundbreakers have been welcomed back to schools for face to face assemblies. Mary and Debs have be…
The homeless are not just on their own.
Michelle tells how she met a vulnerable young woman with two children on the verge of loosing her ho…
Volunteer Day
A really big thank you to Mazars who have not only supported the Food Club financially, but gave us …
Hope on the streets
Restart team hand out bags of hope every week. Michelle and Sandie from the Restart team are out on …
Restart Drop-In
Meet the team... This is the team in the newly established, influential and specialised Restart Drop…
The Lost Bible
Paul Winter from Operation Joy told us about a lost Bible recently. I had met L a number of times d…
Dawn project able to visit care home
Last week Jenny, who heads up Dawn Project called in at Pendleton Court after leaving the mission. W…
Life Saver
Barry tells us about a Food Club member from Spruce Court. We have recently had a new member come to…
The small things matter
Remembering birthdays is an important part of Operation Joy. Around this weekend there are at least …
Giving Support
Michelle, who heads up Restart, tells of support offered to a young woman referred to Restart. “The …
Collaborative work in Oldham
The recently opened weekly Restart Drop-In in Oldham town centre, that is focussed on providing a sa…
Not just accepted, but read as well...
It was a few Sundays after 'E' had requested a Bible that Paul met her again in Piccadilly Gardens a…
Food Club in Pendleton flats
When we first started the Family FoodFayre Club at the Windsor Centre back in January we started wit…
Job opportunity - Partnership Manager
Green Pastures and Manchester City Mission working together to eradicate homelessness in the next 10…
Music while you wait
People coming to shop at our community food club have been arriving a little early and gathering at …
Lights, camera, turned off for now...
Yesterday Groundbreakers sent out the link to their final assembly of the school year! Back in Septe…
A Simple Bag Of Snacks
Paul Winter, Operation Joy, visits Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester city centre most Sunday afternoo…
All Around The School
Mary, from Groundbreakers, is a member of the Oldham SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for RE). Foll…
Spruce Court Family Food Fayre opens next Wednesday
Barry has been working hard to get the Community Room at Spruce Court ready. Wednesday sees the open…
Finding Hope After 20 Years of Street Life
Ryan and his volunteer team, met in Piccadilly Gardens. After a short time of reading Hebrews 11, an…
The End of an Era
On Friday 25th June Terry and Janet Durose visited Lionel Cook and his daughter Shirley at their hom…
Bubble wrapped truth...
Paul Winter (Operation Joy) was out in Piccadilly Gardens at the weekend and came back a Bible light…
New at Family Food Fayre
Working with Visit from the Stork CIC there is more on offer at the Family Food Fayre. Are you a par…
Accomodation Opportunities
Contact Cath at Narrowgate Next Stage Housing if you are interested in either of these opportunities…
Scripture Union Interview
Mary from Groundbreakers was interviewed by Scripture Union for their regular 95 News email, we are …
Family Food Fayre is at Spruce Court
A satellite Food Club opens in Spruce Court. Last Wednesday, 14th June, Barry Matley from Mancheste…
Operation Joy asked for a Bible in Piccadilly Gardens
Paul Winter from Operation Joy has been visiting Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester City Centre on Su…
Stranded
Ryan listens to a man stranded in Manchester on his way home... Ryan, from Operation Joy, and a team…
Clear Call
Have you had your copy of the latest edition of Clear Call? Contact the mission office if you have n…
Birthday Celebration
One of the key tasks of Operation Joy is know when people are celebrating their birthday. I had got …
New Opportunity for Prison Ministry
Since the closure last year of the Narrowgate Homeless Shelter, the team at Manchester City Mission …
Resettlement
I have been continuing to work with those who were previously in the night shelter but who have now…
Restart Drop In
Where do you go if you need help? It’s hard enough for you and me to get the help we need sometimes,…
My cup overflows
Ryan (Operation Joy) and Michelle (Restart) went into Manchester City Centre to reach out to street …
The food club
The Food Club started out in order to help child hunger and families in particular, that may have be…
Journeying together
Peter was referred onto Ryan (Operation Joy) by Michelle (Restart). Ryan met with Peter in Manchest…
Narrowgate Hub News
Since the closure of our “Narrowgate Homeless Shelter” due to Covid-19 we have continued providing …
The Cottage
In November and December, we saw two residents move on from the cottage into their own flats. We wi…
Green Pastures
Following the successful outcome of our application to Green Pastures, I am now actively looking fo…
Unexpected opportunities from pandemic lock-down
Due to covid, the Dawn Project have been unable to go into care homes, so they have sent messages vi…
We love to hear how schools have built on what we have done in Groundbreakers assemblies
In an assembly about the tongue and how we use it, we gave the children a way of thinking before th…
Experience Christmas… Experience Easter!
A local team in Saddleworth, supported by Groundbreakers usually puts on Experience workshops at Ch…
Turning Life Around
We are supporting another girl who has now come out of the sex work and is trying to change her life…
Social media contact, Good News in the pandemic
The pandemic has placed limitations on street ministry, and the use of social media has been vital i…
A prodigal returns
Ryan Ackrill was out in Manchester City centre visiting some homeless people, when he was drawn to a…
A food club success story
A key part of the Food Club is our amazing set of volunteers, who go the extra mile to help our mem…
What do you do when the school doors are shut, and you are a school’s worker?
Back in April 2020, I emailed the 34 schools we regularly visit to see if they would be interested …
Peace for a family member
Ryan was on his way home from Manchester City Mission one night and decided to call at his mum’s to …
Contact Card
On a recent evening out meeting the girls, we met a young woman who we’ve known for some time. It h…
Helen back at the food club
With Covid-19 really affecting so many people, it was really encouraging to see Helen again at the …
Salvation on the streets of Manchester
Ryan (Operation Joy), Michelle (Restart) and Emelda one of our volunteers, were out in Manchester, r…