Cliffe Knechte is the senior pastor at Grace Community church which was formed following several families wanting an informal bible study. Cliffe is a parson who loves to converse with skeptics and truth seekers. The church opened in 2001 - a church for people who do not want to go to church !! In 2013 the expansion resulted in the opening of Grace farm spread over 80 acres. ( see enclosed information). Lets go back to the beginning. In 1979, aged 25, Cliffe would be found on a university campus talking, in the open air, to undergraduates. After opening proceedings he would encourage questions and he would endeavour to answer them. In the book Ambassadors for Christ , in the contribution from Will Metzger, a clear picture is drawn on Cliffe evangelistic approach by speaking and listening to questions from his listeners. {See paragraphs about lanky preacher, listening , Boston bars, dialogue preaching, the local church and motivation). Dialogue preaching was the key to how he encouraged undergraduates to talk to him. His motivation is that when Christ returns he will not have anyone say to him, Cliffe, why didn’t you have the guts to tell me? Included title of Cliffe’s five books. Sources used Ambassadors for Christ, general editor John B. Woodbrigde and The New York Times

Saint Philip was one of the twelve apostles originally selected by Jesus. He is mentioned several times in the Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles. He was an eyewitness to Christ’s ministry on earth. It is believed after Christ’s resurrection that he went on to teach in Greece, Syria and Phrygia. Later stories about saint Philip’s life can be found in the anonymous Acts of Philip. In the Appendix it suggests he died a martyr. Another legend suggests he was martyred by beheading in the city of Hierapolis. Sources used wikipedia and The Chuch’s year by Charles Alexander

I started to look at the life of Guy S, Garner. I found a lot about information about him as an astronaut but not very much about what happened after he left the United States Air Force except to say as a veteran astronaut he speaks in churches on the reality of God. I decided to broadened my research. 17 of the NASA astronauts were committed Christians (see list). Four died during the Columbus Shuttle disaster. Frank Borman, commander of the first space crew to travel beyond the Earth’s orbit, quoted Genesis 1 * In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. * I had idea no idea that Buzz Aldrin, on landing Apollo II on the moon, celebrated the landing by having communion with Neil Armstrong on the surface of the moon. Charles Duke, another moon ‘lander’, became a missionary. * I make speeches about walking ON the moon and walking WITH the Son of God.* Read Guy Gardner’s thoughts (See information from* Ambassadors for Christ). Guy went on to become first of all a teacher and eventually became President of the Williamson College of the Trades who also did a lot of voluntary work for the church. Sources wikidedia, Astronauts who found God, God,the Bible and the space Race

Catherine of Siena is one of the outstanding figures of Medieval Catholicism She was the youngest of 25 children. She was a nun and a mystic. She was both clever and good so even popes sought her advice. She is remembered for her role in encouraging the Pope Urban V to return to Rome and for her letters. She never actually learnt how to write- dictated letters to secretaries. She died at the young age of 33 through exhaustion. She remains a greatly respected figure for her spiritual writings and political boldness to ’ speak truth to power ’ - it being exceptional for a women in her time period (Middle Ages) to have such an influence in politics and on world history. There were two tasks she set herself to accomplish. She wanted the Popes to move from Avignon, in France back to Rome so that ancient tradition was restored. Secondly she wanted peace between the pope and the people of Florence. She accomplished both of those aims/tasks. Her ’ Dialogue ’ , 100s’ of letters and dozens of prayers also gives her a prominent place in the history of Italian literacy. Pope Urban V1 celebrated her funeral in the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome. She was the first woman to be declared ’ doctor of the church ’ by Pope Paul V1 in 1970. Sources used wikepedia, The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander, Historicas Women and Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

Saint Anselm was born at Aosta in northern in c1033 and died in 1109. Aged only 15 he decided he wanted to become a monk. After his mother died he and a friend made their way to a monastery in Bec ,Normandy where Lanfranc was Prior. There he stayed for the next 37 years. After 4 years he became a Benedictine monk. He then became the Prior and eventually the Abbot. By the Catholic church he is recognised as both a philosopher and theologian. He came to England in c1085 to visit his friend Lanfranc who was now Archbishop of Canterbury. Here in England he was respected for his powers of thought - he knew Christianity could stand up to any inquiry. He used all his powers of mind to make its truths clearer. Lanfranc died in1089. King William Rufus delayed appointing a successor for 3 years until he became ill in Gloucester. He pressed Ansel to become the next Archbishop but he wanted 2 points cleared up first - revenue to be restored to the see of Canterbury and that he would be invested with the pall. ( The pall - a special scarf/cloak which Roman Catholic archbishops are invested by the Pope). A compromise was reached and Ansel became archbishop in 1093.They then disagreed . On the death of William Rufus in 1100 Henry1 became king - more disagreement and Ansel spent time in exile. He was in exile twice from 1197-1100 and 1093- 1109 (Read notes ) In the history books it is known as the* Investiture Controversy*. Today he is remembered more for his writings then the controversy. (see list). I have included a list of editions of Saint Anselm’s works Sources used - wikipedia and The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander Wikipedia has pages of information

Tom Mahairas (1949 to present) was born in Greece but aged 8 moved with his parents to New York City. Just two months short of graduating from George Washington school he was a expelled for having a fist fight with the principal - he was a fully fledged rebel. He was into flower power and a hippie life style. He with his girlfriend Vicky, who he later married, considered themselves seekers of the truth. He then met Bruce. After two hours of questions and answers Bruce invited him to Word of Life Island. On their trip to the island Tom, who was hallucinating, met Robbie Robertson, a white haired man carrying a Bible. Within two days both Tom and Vicky gave their lives to Jesus. ( read note on looking for Jesus) For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3v16. Since 1968, over 50 years, Tom has never stopped sharing that the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. I have included his testimony story , the growth of the church in Manhattan and the list of Church organisations he has founded. Sources * Ambassadors for Christ****** John Woodbridge -general editor Citivision

The L’Abri Fellowship was founded in 1955 by Francis and Edith Schaeffer in Switzerland. They ran the centres together until Francis death, through cancer, in 1984 - nearly 40 years. L’Abri communities are study centres where individuals have the opportunity to seek answers to honest questions about God and the significance of life.are communities. L’Abri is the French word for shelter. Edith was born In China. Her parents gave her a Chinese name Mei Fuh which means beautiful happiness. Both Francis and Edith were missionaries and also recognised as authors. They met at Beaver College in Glenside, Pennsylvania, USA. (see short note). Dr.Francis Schaeffer was an American evangelical theologian, philosopher and Presbyterian minister. His complete set of books are still available. Few Christians have had a greater impact during the last half of the 20th century (See information sheet on Francis The Time magazine recognised Edith as the world famous missionary to the intellectuals. She wrote numerous books . Her book The Hidden Art of Homemaking (1971) has been influential among women in the Christian Patriarchy movement. In 2000 Edith was listed in Helen Koolman Hosiier’s **** 100 Christian women who Changed the Twentieth Century***. She died, aged 98 at home in Gryon, Switzerland. Sources used Wikipedia, L’Abri Fellowship International and Ambassadors for Christ - John D. Woodbridge (Editor) - author - Frank Schaeffer (son)

Alphage was born in the village of Weston near Bath. He became a hermit, then a monk, then an abbot. Saint Dunstan appointed him abbot of Bath. He later became Bishop of Winchester (984) and then Archbishop of Canterbury (1005-12. He lived when England was invaded by the Vikings/Danes. He was sent by King Ethelred in 994 to seek peace with Anlaf and Swein. Anlaf became a Christian and kept his promise not to invade England again. In 1011 the Danes overran much of southern England although the tribute had been paid . Canterbury was captured and prominent persons were held for ransom. Alphage refused to pay the £3,000 - fortune in those days, for his own release. ( Following a drunken feast the Danes threw bones etc, at Alphage and an axeman delivered the death blow. Thorkell the Tall, the Danish leader had tried to save his life.On his death Alphage became a national hero. He was originally buried in St. Pauls London . King Canute, in 1023 , had his body transfered to Canterbury. His martyrdom took place in Greenwich, London, where there is now a church dedicated to him. Alphage was declared a saint in 1078. but there were doubts whether he had died for exercising his Christian virtue of of justice rather than professing his Christian faith Sources used Canterbury history, justus. anglican and The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander

Josh McDowell is an Evangelical Protestant Christian apologist and evangelist. He is a living power house for Jesus Christ. Josh has probably spoken to more high school and college students than anyone else in history. Over the years he has talked to more than 7,000,000 young people in 84+ countries including 700 universities and college campuses. He is also author, or co-author, of over 150 books. His book * Evidence That Demands a Verdict* was listed 13th in Christianity Today in list of most influential evangelical books published after World War 11 Not bad for someone brought up by an alcoholic father and someone who as a child/teenager was abused. He went to college to study law. He went to college an agnostic and decided to write a paper examining the historical evidence of the Christian faith in order to disprove it. He found evidence for it and it changed his life. Instead of studying law he studied theology. In 1964 he became a travelling representative of Campus Crusade for Christ International. He continues to have close affiliation with the organization. In 1983 the Josh McDowell Ministry headquarters moved to Richardson and moved to Plano, Texas in 2009. He is also the founder of Josh.org and Operation Carelift. Sources used Wikipedia and Ambassadors for Christ - John D. Woodbridge -general editor

Ravi Zacharias is an Indian born Canadian- American evangelist. Billy Graham in 1986 introduced Ravi as one of the most articulate young evangelists of our time. That was 34 years ago;. he is now in his early 70’s . In 1984 the Ravi Zacharis International Ministries (RZIM) was founded in Toronto, Canada to pursue his calling as a classical evangelist in the arena of the intellectual resistance. RZIM looks at evangelism, apologetics, training, spiritual discipline and wellbeing. Today it is based in Atlanta , Georgia with offices in 11 countries. He is renown for his sermons and lectures across the world. he routinely speaks on the coherence of the Christian worldview. saying that Christianity is capable of withstanding the toughest attacks. He is the author of 32 Christian books. He has spent the last 56 years commending the Christian faith and addressing life’s existential questions - origin, meaning, morality and destiny with elequence and grace. There is a great of information on Goggle. He can be both seen and heard. Sources wikipedia and* Ambassadors for Christ * John .D. Woodbridge -general editor

Leo 1 was the first Pope to be called great. He was Bishop of Rome from 440-461. He was a Roman aristocrat of the fifth century when the Roman Empire was being invaded from all directions. He is probably best remembered for persuading Attila the Hun not to invade Italy. With 2 unarmed men he persuaded Attila not to advance on Rome. He is also one of the four doctors of the church and is remembered for his* Tome* which was a major foundation to the dabates of the Ecumenical Council of Chalcedon which dealt primarily with Christology. He galvanized charitable works in Rome which had many famines, an influx of refugees and poverty. He is also associated with the practice of charity and alms giving - especially quarterly Ember days Former Pope Benedict XV1 (2005-2013) said that Leo’s papacy was undoubtedly one of the most important in the Church’s history. Sources - britannica, wikipedia and* TheChurch’s Year* by Charles Alexander

Saint Ambrose was fast tracked from being an unbabtized layman to a bishop in 8 days. The bishop of Milan suddenly died and there was an argument who should succeed him. Ambrose made a speech in church to calm the excitement caused by the election. The crowd cheered him and a child shouted Ambrose is bishop. The people took up the cry, he was baptized, ordained priest and consecrated bishop of Milan. This had not been his intention. He had studied law and had been appointed governor of a district in northern Italy. He gave all his possessions to the church, studied religion and became a very learned writer. As bishop of Milan he was able to dominate the culture and political life of Italy. He challenged the authority of the Roman emperor, through his ability as a diplomat, on more than one occasion and provided a model for medieval concepts relating to church-state relations. His writings have been acclaimed as masterpieces of Latin eloquence and his musical accomplishments are remembered through his hymns. He is one of the original 4 doctors of the church. He is also remembered as the teacher who converted and baptized Saint Augusto of Hippo. Sources used Britannica, wikipedia and The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander.

.Richard Wych or Wich lost his parents, who were of a gentry family, when he was very young. He and his brother were left as orphans and cheated of their inheritance. Richard was clever and became a student at Oxford University. In 1223 he became chancellor of the university. In 1233 he was whisked away by Saint Edmund Rich, the Archbishop of Canterbury to be his chancellor (1233-1240). Edmund quarreled with King Henry III and went into exile in France where he died in 1240. Richard studied to be a priest at Orleans and came back to the UK to become a parish priest. The new archbishop, Boniface of Savoy, asked him to become his chancellor and wanted him to become the archbishop of Chichester. The king was unhappy and declared no one should shelter him! With the intervention of Pope Innocent IV he became the archbishop. He was a reforming archbishop, of simple habits, generous in his charities and held the post form 1245 until his death in 1253. He provided vicarages for his clergy but insisted they remained celibate - unmarried, said the Mass reverently and instructed their congregations in the meaning of the sacraments. He was aa kindly, good man who was much loved by all the people. Included Richard’s prayer, and a black/white outline of Saint Richard. Sources The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander and catholicireland website.

Saint Chad was a prominent Anglo Saxon Churchmen who became abbot of several monasteries. Bishop of Northumbrians and subsequently Bishop of Mercia and the Lindsey people. He was the brother of Cedd who also became a saint. Theodore, the new archbishop of Canterbury, was impressed by Saint Chad’s humility. The Venerable Bede said that the two years Chad worked as bishop in Mercia were decisive in christianising Mercia. Apparently he walked nearly everywhere but was eventually persuaded by Theodore to travel on horseback. Read about how seven days before he died a guest visited him to fore warn him. Saint Chad died during a plague. I have included information about the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica of St. Chad in Birmingham. Saint Chad is the patron saint of the Catholic archdiocese of Birmingham. Sources used The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander & catholicireland. Note wikipedia has a great deal of information about him.

Charles Haddon Sturgeon was strong figure in the Reformed Baptist Tradition. Although he died over a 100 years ago his work is still read/quoted/used by preachers today -such is his influence still. He has been called the Prince of Preachers. His oratory skills are said to have held his listeners spell bound in the Metropolitan Tabernacle where he preached for 38 years. Converted at aged 15 he gave his first sermon aged 16 . The quality of his sermons were very quickly recognised and aged only 19, following three months on probation, he was called to the pastorate at London’s New Park Street Chapel which had the largest baptist congregation in London. His ability as a preacher soon made him famous His sermons, which lasted up to two hours were carefully prepared. He wrote it out in full but only took notes up into the pulpit.in 1855 the first of his sermons were published in the* New Park Street Pulpit* Stenographers would write his sermon down. Charles would check it and it would then be immediately published and sold for 1 penny a copy. In 1861 the church moved to the new purpose built Metropolitan Tabernacle which held 5,000 seated and 1, 000 standing. He published a vast amount of religious material - see works list. He was anti slavery . His ministry was not without controversy. He opposed the liberal and pragmatic theological tendencies in the church of his day - see information about Downgrade Source- wikipedia and have included a short crossword and word search.

He is probably best remembered as J.B. Phillips the translator/ author ofThe New Testament in Modern English which was published in 1958. During World War II (1939-45), while down in the bomb shelters, he began to translate The New Testament, from the original Greek, into modern English. He started with the epistle to the Colossians. The results appealed to the young people. The positive feedback after the war resulted in him translating the rest of the New Testament into colloquial English.Initially he had problems to find a publisher but with the help of C.S. Lewis, author of The Narnia Chronicles, Geoffrey Bles agreed to help. ** Letters to Young Churches came first in1947. Eleven years later in 1958 the complete New Testament was published. From someone who suffered from clinical depression throughout his life this was an incredible achievement. He described the revelation he received, as he translated the New Testament, as ’ extraordinarily alive’. Main source - Wikipedia

John Robert Walmsley Stott was an English Anglican priest and theologian. He founded the Langham Partnership International (1974) and the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (1982). John was ordained a deacon in 1945. he went from being a school boy at All Souls Langham Place C.of E. school to becoming first a curate (1945-1950), then rector (1950-1975) at All Souls Langham Place. John remained at the church and was appointed rector emeritus. He was one of the authors of the Lausanne Covenant in 1974 which had a major influence on how to bring the Gospels to 20th century men. (see notes) He wrote 50 books - some in Chinese, Korean and Spanish -he had studied modern languages at trinity College, Cambridge. In 2005 the Time magazine ranked John as being among the top 100 most influential people in the world. He has also been ranked in the top 10 preachers of the 20th century. When he died tributes came from across the world. His close friend Billy Graham said The evangelical world has lost one of its greatest spokesmen, and I have lost one of my close personal friends and advisors . I look forward to seeing him again in heaven. They had known each other for over 50 years. John and Billy’s joint work on the Lausanne Covenant established a movement that became a watershed for evangelicals. I have included the titles for the 15 Lausanne Covenants. Sources used - wikipedia and lausanne.org

Saint Matthias was the person chosen, by the disciples to replace Judas Iscariot. In the Acts of the Apostles we read that Peter stood up in the company - there were 120 of them in the room at the time and spoke about the need to replace Judas Iscariot who had betrayed Jesus. Two followers were nominated Matthias and Barnabas. The company prayed and the ‘lot’ fell upon Matthias. Five traditions are mentioned in wikipedia. The tradition of the Greeks say he planted the faith about Cappadocia and the coasts of the Caspian Sea, living near the port of Issus. According to Nicephorus he preached first in Judaea and then Aethiopia (modern Georgia) - and stoned to death. The Synopsis of Dorotheus suggests he went to Ethiopia and was buried near the temple of the Sun. Another suggests he was stoned in Jerusalem by the local populace and then beheaded. According to Hippolytus he died of old age in Jerusalem. His Feast day, in the Roman calendar, was 24th February (25th on a leap year) . In 1969 it was transfered to 24th of May. I have included the prayer for Saint Matthias . Sources wikipedia and the Church’s year by Charles Alexander.

Saint Matthew or Levi was one of the twelve original disciples of Jesus. According to the Gospels Matthew was a 1st century Galilean. He is referred to as being a publican or tax collector in Capernaum before becoming one of the twelve apostles. He would have witnessed first hand Jesus carrying out his miracles and speaking parables. He would have witnessed much of Jesus’ last three years of his ministry including the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. His ministry after Christ’s resurrection is vague. Christian fathers such as Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria claim that Matthew preached th gospel to the Jewish community in Judea before going to other countries. The Catholic and Orthodox Churches each hold the tradition that he died a marytr. Did Matthew write the Saint Matthew’s gospel ? The author is not named within the text. Papias of Hierapolis (c60-163 AD) is cited by church historian Eusebius (260-340 AD as saying *Matthew collected the oracles, in the Hebrew language and each interpreted them as best he could. Sources used wlkipedia and The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander.

It is difficult to separate Valentine’s Day from Saint Valentine. Valentine means -worthy, strong, powerful. 14th of February is celebrated with balloons, cards, flowers, with romantic meals and proposals of marriage. There are many legends about Saint Valentine. He restored the sight of a judge’s daughter. He is supposed to have helped Christian couples to get married so the husbands could avoid being conscripted into the army. Valentine is said to have cut hearts from parchment-first valentine cards? Helping Christians was a crime. Emperor Gothicus Claudius is supposed to have quite liked the prisoner until he attempted to convert him - he then had him condemned him to death Saint Valentine, from prison, is said to have completed a letter to the jailer’s daughter he had healed, with the words ’ from your Valentine Saint Valentine having been imprisoned and tortured was a short time later to be martyred, by being behead, for his Christian faith. Sources used wikipedia and awareness days.