In the sector of creative evangelism, the Good News paper serves as a dynamic force for Christian media, carrying the transformative message of Jesus Christ into communities across the UK. You may have seen copies at your local church or at collection points in surrounding towns and cities.
At the guts of this evangelical initiative is Andrew Halloway, a dedicated Christian editor whose personal journey of religion, ethical journalism, and commitment infuses every aspect of the publication.
At first glance, Good News resembles every other classic British red top; yet, this one is full of positive news and powerful real-life Christian testimonials. It all adds as much as a brilliantly effective solution to get the Gospel message and a calling card straight out onto the streets of recent Britain, including churches, hospitals, and even prisons – reaching people at grassroots, exactly where they’re on the earth.
A publication for the people
“I’m Yorkshire born and bred, brought up in a Christian family,” Andrew Halloway reflects on his early commitment to Christ in Halifax on the age of 14. This commitment became a cornerstone for Andrew’s life, shaping his experiences and influencing his path through various Christian denominations, including Baptist, Pentecostal, and Anglican churches.
Andrew’s journey was not confined to geographical boundaries but prolonged across the country through various job roles and diverse church memberships. His editorial training at CWR (Crusade for World Revival) in Surrey under the leadership of the late Every Day With Jesus creator Selwyn Hughes marked a pivotal moment in his skilled development.
His subsequent roles as editor and publishing manager at CPO (Christian Publishing Outreach), a literature-publishing charity in Worthing, and as an editor and deputy editor at New Life Publishing in Nottingham, all laid the groundwork for what would grow to be a providential reference to the Good News newspaper.
“It was one in all those ‘God-incidences,'” Halloway remarks. “My previous work contract had just come to an end when the founding editor of Good News rang up and asked if I desired to take over as editor.” Despite financial uncertainties, Halloway, driven by his passion for evangelism, saw Good News as a perfect platform to utilise his skills in spreading the Gospel.
The starting and evolution of Good News
Good News, first published in 2001, has roots dating back to Challenge newspaper from the Nineteen Sixties. Halloway assumed the role of editor in 2007, initially committing to about five years. Today, his enduring dedication to Good News illustrates the profound impact of the newspaper.
Andrew identifies two key strengths that make evangelistic newspapers like Good News invaluable in any church’s outreach toolkit. “Firstly, Good News helps odd Christians to share their faith,” he notes. Recognising the challenge many face in initiating conversations about faith, Andrew underscores the simplicity of the newspaper’s approach: “If you ask someone, ‘Would you want some excellent news for a change?,’ most individuals say ‘yes,’ and you’ll be able to give them a duplicate.”
This approach, rooted in relatable content and jargon-free language, empowers odd Christians to have interaction in meaningful conversations about faith. As Halloway emphasises, “Good News empowers odd Christians to witness, and let’s face it, the Church within the UK just isn’t going to grow unless odd church members are gossiping the gospel.”
Secondly, Good News’s monthly publication schedule facilitates regular, consistent outreach. Andrew dismisses the effectiveness of “the one-hit outreach” approach, asserting that for most individuals, hearing the Gospel repeatedly is important for it to sink in. He encourages churches to distribute copies every month, fostering relationships with non-Christians that bear fruit over time.
Through Outreach UK, a partner organisation, Good News also offers training for church members in personal evangelism and door-to-door work. Andrew Halloway highlights the importance of those initiatives, especially door-to-door visits which have been abandoned by many churches. He notes, “The ‘skilled’ evangelists and pastors that use Good News in door-to-door visiting are surprised by what number of persons are willing to proceed receiving Good News.”
Challenges inside the Christian church
When asked concerning the best challenge facing the Christian church within the UK, Halloway turns inward. “It’s that word ‘compromise,'” he cautions. Expressing concern about churches veering from their core mission, he advocates for a steadfast refusal to evolve to the world’s patterns. “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould,” he quotes from Romans 12:2, underscoring the necessity for an unwavering commitment to the transformative power of the Gospel.
Halloway’s insights are grounded in a keen awareness of the interior dynamics shaping the church. He identifies this subtle drift towards compromise, as some churches, rattled by declining attendance, deviate from sharing the Gospel effectively with their communities.
“Instead,” Andrew observes, “leaders may conform to societal norms, diluting the Gospel into an optional self-help project or concentrating solely on social work.”
He cautions against losing sight of the core message, stressing that, “Social work, while a part of the Gospel, just isn’t the entire Gospel.”
Once again, this red top editor draws inspiration from scripture, urging believers to withstand conformity and be transformed by the renewing of their minds.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you’ll have the option to check and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and ideal will” Romans 12:2 (NIV).
Equipping a generation of kingdom builders
In the ever-resourceful world of Christian outreach, Good News, under Halloway’s guidance, stays a steadfast source of hope. Beyond its pages, it serves as a catalyst for conversations, empowers believers, and fosters relationships that endure.
For those desperate to engage with Good News newspaper or place orders for his or her church or outreach, contact details are as follows: PO Box 9831, Nottingham, NG2 9JN, telephone 0300 102 7206, or via email at goodnewseditor@ntlworld.com
Additional information is obtainable on the official website: www.goodnews-paper.org.uk
