Eden – from both sides

Every new Eden is a partnership between the Eden Network and a visionary local church.

We spoke to ‘tent-making’ missionary Anna-Marie, and church leader Mick, to find out more about the brand-new Eden Preston Road in Hull.

Anna-Marie Moorhouse – Eden Preston Road volunteer

My Eden journey started when I was a teenager. I was really inspired to hear about these people who were trying to bring Jesus’ love and hope to poor communities. There was something about it that just captured my imagination.

I knew Hull a little bit and I knew what the area was like. I could see the potential and the hope that this place that has been forgotten about could come back to life. But it was mixed with sorrow because I could see what was right in front of my eyes. It made me think ‘OK, God, is this the next place that you want me to be?’

A number of young people I’ve met in my day job in the local school are from broken families, living between different parents or family members. They have no or very few aspirations. I’ve found the students I work with struggle with a real lack of self-worth – trying to get them to take pride in something they’ve done is very difficult.

One of the things I love about Eden is that it’s about being in it for the long haul. I really want to grow old here and invest in this community.

Rev Mick Fryer, Vicar, St Aidan’s Church

We’ve been involved in Preston Road as a church for a long time – we’ve got members of our congregation who are from the estate. You just see the broken lives, the number of people who talk about a hopelessness. Your heart goes out because you just want them to know about Jesus.

Up till now, it’s felt like it’s hit and run – like we’re trying to do good things and then come away again. Now there is a real desire to make a lasting impact.

We’re seeing the funding coming together, the people coming together and a belief that this is the moment. This is a time when God wants to bless us and the Preston Road estate with the work of Eden.

For us it’s very exciting. We’re looking forward to an unknown future but one in which we know we’re going to see God moving very powerfully.

Eden Coast to Coast

‘Extending Eden “coast to coast” has long been a goal of ours – sort of a prophetic statement,’ says Eden National Director Matt Wilson. ‘With the appointment of regional directors overseeing the development of new Edens in Merseyside and the Humber Region (including Hull’s Preston Road estate), we are now very close to achieving it.’

In a beautiful piece of symmetry, regional directors Carl Belcher (Humber) and Dave Nuttall (Merseyside) were both with Matt on the very first Eden team in Wythenshawe, 15 years ago.

For more information on how you can support Eden or even join one of the teams up and down and the country, go to www.eden-network.org.uk