5th APRIL 2012
Christians to quiz candidates for mayor
Christians will quiz the main candidates running for Mayor of Liverpool at a special hustings debate on 18 April.
The event will provide a chance for Christians from churches all over Liverpool to challenge the candidates about their plans for the city, and help to set the agenda for the next four years of Liverpool politics.
The event will take place at St Andrew’s Church Clubmoor (176 Queens Dr West Derby, Liverpool, Merseyside L13 0AL) on Wednesday 18th April starting at 7.30pm. Christopher Gibaud former Chief Executive of The Mersey Partnership will chair the debate.
Churches have played an active part in organising hustings in other elections in the city and Together for the Harvest, a network of churches across the Mersey region, is committed to encouraging Christians to engage in all aspects of the life of the city region. This hustings will demonstrate the passion and involvement of Christians in the life of the city.
The Venerable Ricky Panter, Archdeacon of Liverpool said “I think that it is really important that Christians engage with this election. The new office of Elected Mayor will affect how things are done in this city.”
John Manwell, the Chairman of Together for the Harvest, said: “This is a great opportunity for churches to engage with the mayoral candidates and hear them respond to our questions and concerns. It will help us make an informed and effective choice for mayor when we vote on 3 May.”
Dr Dave Landrum, director of advocacy for the Evangelical Alliance said: “The Church in Liverpool plays a significant role in this city’s vibrant communities by bringing hope and encouragement. As Liverpool prepares to vote for a mayor, this hustings offers a unique chance for each of the candidates to engage with Christians, to hear more about their motivations to work with society's dispossesed and to continue the good relationships that the church already has with Liverpool’s leaders”
For more information and to submit questions in advance, Facebook ‘Together for the Harvest’
ENDS
For press enquiries: John Manwell 07909 970 206
Email: jm@tfh.org.uk
Notes to editors
Together for the Harvest was formed 15 years ago to strengthen the churches working together on Merseyside as they bring the Christian message of hope and transformation to the whole region. There are currently over 80 churches who are active members of Together for the Harvest, and several hundred organisational and individual subscribers. Together for the Harvest is the local expression of the Evangelical Alliance. For more information, go to www.tfh.org.uk
The Evangelical Alliance, formed in 1846, is the largest body serving evangelical Christians in the UK. Its membership includes denominations, churches, organisations and individuals. The mission of the Evangelical Alliance is to unite evangelicals to present Christ credibly as good news for spiritual and social transformation. According to a Tearfund survey (Churchgoing in the UK, 2007); there are approximately two million evangelical Christians in the UK. For more information, go to www.eauk.org
