Goldthorpe has been in the news lately, featuring in the controversial series about benefits on Channel 4 this week. Such portrayals are inevitably negative, focussing on the poverty in the area and the problems that crime, drugs and alcohol cause. This view of Goldthorpe has been summarised by a local resident using the acrostic ‘Goldthorpe‘:
Grim
Ordinary
Litter-strewn
Dirty
Trashy
Horrible
Outdated
Rotten
Poor
Evil…
As Christians, however, we refuse to believe this is the only definition of the place to which God has called us. We believe that God is still interested in Goldthorpe, still caring for Goldthorpe and still working in this place. Not all residents are on benefits; not all those who are cause problems or are criminals. Moreover, we believe that God’s heart is for each one of us to come back to Him. We see by faith what Goldthorpe can become when God is at work, changing hearts, changing behaviour. We yearn for all to come to know Him and for His kingdom to come in this place.
‘Your Kingdom’s coming, salvation day
A time of breakthrough is on its way
Only our God is strong to save
Only our God is strong to save
We believe for the day
When the prodigal heart
Will run home to the One
Who has loved from the start.’ (‘Kingdom Coming‘, Worship Central)
We believe that God is in Goldthorpe:
Gracious
Omnipotent
Loving
Divine
Tender-hearted
Holy
Our Father
Righteous
Purposeful and Passionate
Ecumenical and Enthusiastic