Eden Network miniblog

a window into Eden's world
About Me

You've landed on the Eden Network miniblog - it's more than a tweet but not quite a full blown blog! Expect a regular stream of thoughts, moments and reflections all accompanied by quirky image content.

If you've never heard of the Eden Network then here's the blurb...

We're a national network of Christians who are trying to be authentic disciples of Jesus by following his footsteps into challenging urban neighbourhoods.

We lead pretty normal everyday lives, do our jobs, have a laugh, raise our families, and try to generously sow our lives into our communities hoping and believing for transformation. The lion's share of our work is with teenagers, but not to the exclusion of their families too.

Day by day, in over 20 neighbourhoods in 5 cities we're seeing the Kingdom come, which is pretty exciting!

You can check out our main website at http://www.eden-network.org

My Other Sites
TwitterFacebook
Contributors
Tags
Archive
2012 (15)
2011 (32)
 

The Op Shop

P86

I've spent the last 24 hours showing a couple of visitors from Australia around Manchester. So much great urban ministry going on in this city - and not just Eden - ace ministries like Betel and Mustard Tree flourishing here too. This place is one of my faves - the Sally Army charity shop in Openshaw run by the Eden team here. If you're ever looking for a bargain this is the place to come... ;-)

Posted by Matt Wilson 
 

I hate to see headlines like this... #moveinlivedeep

P77

I stayed over in Bow, Tower Hamlets last night, it's a great part of London, visually arresting, atmospheric. Sadly though the area has lots of problems too and has seen a deficit of Christian presence and witness going back generations. I'm reminded of the Lord's words to the prophet Isaiah: 'Whom shall I send, who will go for us?'

Posted by Matt Wilson 
 

Beautiful day in The Meadows estate, Nottingham

P63

Here with 20 Eden Team Leaders to spend time with Peter Farmer of Mission Britain. Great stories of God at work on the margins.

Filed under  //  mission  
Posted by Matt Wilson 
 

Filming the promo video for my new book tonight #concretefaith

P41

It's getting dark and it's getting spooky. Can't wait to see how this turns out. First chance to get your hands on a copy of the new book will be at the Inside Track events happening in London at the end of this month.

Posted by Matt Wilson 
 

New data on child poverty in England released

2012childpoverty
This new data is extremely revealing because it originates not from the government but from credit company Experian - who have access to a scary amount of data about people's financial state of affairs. CLICK HERE to view the interactive map which is hosted on the website of The Guardian newspaper. 

Posted by Matt Wilson 
 

Local landmarks are really important to making a patch of earth a true place

P136

It was whilst having a pint and a game of pool in this historic pub on the Devon's Road in Bow that I first sensed we ought to plant an Eden in this part of East London. That was two and a half years ago - its amazing how time flies. I just spotted this morning that another historic Devon's Rd pub has been pulled down to make way for flats. Change is often a mixed blessing.

Filed under  //  london  
Posted by Matt Wilson 
 

Great day with church leaders in Liverpool today, also signed our first partnership agreement, with Emmanuel Baptist, Netherton

P104

Quite moving actually to feel a tremendous sense of unity in vision and purpose between us 3 Mancs (myself, Andy Hawthorne & Dave Nuttall) and 50 scouse church leaders. Nothing is impossible for God!

Posted by Matt Wilson 
 

A bunch of mates... changing the world!

P95

Missio-boffins can sometimes be heard using the word 'Communitas', it's a very deep Latin word. It's an idea at the heart of what Eden's all about - except we just like to call it 'a bunch of mates changing the world!'

Posted by Matt Wilson 
 

Arriving early at St Francis Community Church, gloriously pink on a chilly January morning!

P74

Home of the Eden Dalgarno team. The story behind the pink is lost in the mists of time I think.

Filed under  //  london  
Posted by Matt Wilson 
 

Inside Track fliers just arrived back from the printers! #InsideTrackLDN

P67

Look pretty good - mmm - smell good too ;-)

Filed under  //  events   riots   youth  
Posted by Matt Wilson 
 

Just found this in the kitchen. Made by Izaac. Without adult help. He's 5. Yikes!

P37

Think he'll be building Hadron Collider machines by 15!

Filed under  //  kids  
Posted by Matt Wilson 
 

Looking forward to... Inside Track!

New_it_art
Everyone seems to have forgotten that 6 months ago London was erupting in riots. Eden and XLP have teams at the grass roots in lots of needy inner city neighbourhoods - places where young people are living pretty desperate lives. Funny thing is - having this unique vantage point doesn't induce despair, rather it brings hope, because we get to see God working redemptively in the midst of really tough situations. Come along and hear the stories for yourself.
www.eden-network.org/InsideTrackLDN

 

 

Posted by Matt Wilson 
 

Theology of place... needs work...

P184

What resources does the bible hold for us when we're seeking to imagine what transformation might look like in the fast-moving spaces of the city. If the spirit was drawn to emptiness in genesis one where does that same spirit seek to bring fullness today?

Posted by Matt Wilson 
 

Sneak preview of the talk I've been preparing for the Retreat to Advance conference this weekend...

P103

Really looking forward to spending the weekend with New Wine at Center Parcs. Expecting to meet lots of great new friends. If you're there make sure you check out my seminar on Saturday afternoon.

Posted by Matt Wilson