Speak Life began as The Hour of Revival Association in 1952. Founded by Eric Hutchings (“The British Billy Graham”) it has always sought to reach out through proclamation and the media. In Hutchings’ day that meant evangelistic ‘crusades’ alongside radio and films, today it means preaching and online witness, through video, social media, podcasts and the like.
For decades the ministry has sought to take advantage of the opportunities Christmas affords in Britain and has devoted special efforts at the end of each year. In 2016, Speak Life won two awards for its Christmas film of 2015 Four Kinds of Christmas. This outreach involved a quiz, a website, a video and a short book which was read by tens of thousands. This Christmas, the outreach exceeded all expectations. He Came Down – a film about a special needs nativity – was the charity’s most viewed video gaining plaudits from journalists, historians, high profile pastors and even the Archbishop of Canterbury. He said of the film: “I can’t recommend it highly enough – a whole new angle on the beauty of Jesus.” On Facebook alone the reach was 1.3 million and it lead to great interest in Speak Life’s other Christmas videos. Santa vs Jesus gained over 350 000 new views.
But the outreach of Speak Life is not just online. Glen Scrivener, the ministry’s director, was invited to speak at multiple carols services around the country. At Durham Cathedral, for instance, he preached and invited over 3,000 people to receive Jesus: “O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to me I pray; Cast out my sin and enter in, Be born in me today!” The opportunities at Christmas are astonishing and we trust that the seeds sown to many will have been fruitful in eternity.
Source: Speak Life
Bible Study: Luke 2:10
MARCH Pray for the many who hear about the Good News of Jesus (and continue to hear it) through this ministry – that the gospel would be powerfully at work in each person, drawing them to faith.