Chris Cliff tells us about evangelism with a difference at Winterley
At a weekend house party at a country house in 1930, the calm of the afternoon was interrupted by the sound of a pistol shot and the host, Lord Roxbury, was discovered slumped over his desk, shot through the back of the head with one of his own revolvers.
Which of the weekend guests, or indeed the staff, had carried out this dreadful deed? Was it the powerful, self-assured Earl of Newbury, or his lovely Countess, or Lady Roxbury the grieving widow? Was it Joanne, a family friend whose inheritance was controlled by Lord Roxbury, or her friend the enigmatic Freddie? Or was it Peter, the nou-veau riche social climber, or his wife Emily? Or maybe even the faithful butler, James? And what could be the motive?
Consider the evidence
Earlier this year, some 65 members and friends from Wheelock Heath Baptist Church and St Peter’s Parish Church, Elworth, gathered for a dinner at Winterley in Cheshire to consider the evidence presented to them at their tables by the various suspects, all WHBC members(!). In due course all was revealed by Hercule Poirot (a.k.a. Pastor Paul Gibson) complete with bowler hat, moustachios and dreadful Belgian accent. Appropriate scene-setting transport was provided by local members of the Riley Register.
Short evangelistic talk
More importantly a short after-dinner talk was given by Ben Griffin, shortly to return as missionary to Burkina Faso, who spoke powerfully of another mystery, that of a man proven to be dead who was supernaturally raised to life to give life to us all – the resurrection of Jesus, of course. Testimony books and gospels were offered.
A fun evening greatly enjoyed by all and a particularly memorable one as subsequent conversations proved. Autumn is coming and the longer evenings it brings are a good opportunity to hold imaginative evangelistic events such as this one where relationships can be built with our communities and the gospel and the claims of Christ can be presented in a relaxed and natural way.
