Giving Hope and a Future: Bethany Christian Trust The first 25 years by Anne E Berry (Christian Focus 2009)
It hardly seems possible to those of us who remember its beginnings that ‘Bethany’ is 25 years old. To mark this significant anniversary Anne Berry, wife of the Trust’s founder, Rev Alan Berry, has recorded its history. As one might expect, the book is written from an insider’s point of view. We learn of the personal struggles in the early days as Alan faced up to God’s call for him to concentrate full-time on work among the homeless, which hitherto he had combined with his pastorate in South Leith. A knock on the door or a telephone call from someone seeking his help to find accommodation sparked the whole process which is now a complex enterprise. From the immediate area of the church Bethany has extended beyond the city boundary to the Lothians and Fife.
The story is told on the basis of Bethany’s ‘Seven Levels of Care’ from street work, specialist ministries, training for employment and education. Failures as well as successes are recorded, sorrows as well as joys. Throughout, however, we are aware of the work of the Holy Spirit as lives are changed. It is also a story of complete trust in the Lord who provides for their needs to an unimaginable degree. This is an inspiration and a challenge to us. As Anne writes in her introduction to the book:
God has done some wonderful things. But principally this is the story of what can happen when an extraordinary God shares an idea with ordinary people who decide to act upon it. In a different context therefore IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU. (p. 10)
Copies are available from Bethany’s new offices at 65 Bonnington Road Leith.
Christine Lumsden
