Firelighters

Mercy Projects

From time to time Mission Partners have tried to be a practical arm of Firelighters by bringing help, comfort and aid to those in need. On the whole, as our home staff are so small in number, we have done best by launching these projects and allowing those who are running them to do this in the way that suits them best.

Robin Hood Ministries

Started as the “practical arm of Firelighters,” but it was soon apparent that the ministry, was being supported and blessed in big ways and it seemed best to us all that they become a Charity in their own right. They are supporting a Childrens' Home in Iasi, Romania, are involved in Neema Crafts run by Suzie Hart (see our Mission Partners page), and take Business people to see the work particularly in Romania, thereby generating far more interest and support.

Find out more at the Robin Hood Ministries website

Project Doreen

This project was started as a vision of Firelighters to build a house of rescue for children at risk of trafficking and prostitution in Eastern Europe. The money was generously offered to us by a tiny Church here in England, instead of building their own church, and as a result there is now a Rescue House which offers residential care for girls who have been victims of, or at risk of, sexual abuse. In just the first few years of the house being up and running, it became home to four precious girls who had been rescued. Although initiated by Firelighters, the project is now run by the Director of the Rescue House.

Click here for more information on Project Doreen

Time out Project

This is run by Fiona Keyte of Canterbury who is a Families worker with a local Church of England school. Fiona had deep concern for Mums who were on the estates and unsupported, for those in the Womens' Refuge and the Rehab Centres. Ladies' Night was born, providing a banquet for these ladies, a time to relax and be spoiled, and to hear the gospel. Over 50 of them professed faith after the first two of these nights, and Breakfast Club followed, where they could meet weekly for coffee and doughnuts and talk about faith and move forward.

Some husbands began to feel left out so Men's Night came next and as many of these folk could not afford to have a holiday with their children, there was a Weekend Away at an adventure centre, where the children and adults had huge fun, and also a time to meet with God (Grace Turner of Firelighters has had the privilege of speaking at the Ladies' nights and weekend).

Time out, now runs weekly clubs and one off events including a yearly banquet to serve the socially deprived communities. At the weekly clubs they provide breakfast followed by a time of sharing, where they invite specifically qualified speakers and cover subjects like money matters, cooking, pottery, educational resources and relationship issues. They work in partnership with the local Churches, the Council, Colleges and Community police and facilitate communication be inviting speakers from these institutions. The project provides a means which enable these people to find love, support, practical advice, information, help, friendship and a good meal, in a way which helps to build community. Also by facilitating communication with local authorities and giving people the resources to train, it has enabled these people to grow in self esteem and greater fulfilment.

Treasures of Darkness

In September 2007 a new Charity called “Treasures of Darkness” was launched by Firelighters. The name comes from Isaiah 45v3 “I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth in secret places, that men may know that I am the Lord.” The aim is simple: we ask people to donate a piece of auctionable jewellery or, failing that, another 'treasure' to purchase freedom for those enslaved in different parts of the world. Our first two projects have been passed to us by Stop the Traffik, one being the rescue of children sold into slavery on the Cocoa plantations in W.Africa, and the second, the Chab Dai Project, rescues those trafficked into prostitution in Cambodia.

Treasures of Darkness is a registered charity, no. 1123082, and you can find out more at TreasuresofDarkness.org.uk. Our Council of Reference includes Baroness Caroline Cox, Chief Executive of HART, Martin Geake, Chief Executive of Send A Cow, and Stephen Rand, co-Chair of the Jubilee Debt Campaign.

Kidz Klub, Canterbury

Chris Penfold originally worked for an Anglican Church in Canterbury, working with children on the local estates. Kidz Klub grew and Chris and his team were soon visiting 200 children a week. The vision was then born for a City-wide Kidz Klub, so buses collect children on a Saturday morning and they spend the morning doing games, songs and activities geared to teaching them about Jesus.