Restored - Ending Violence Against Women

June 2010

Ready to Launch

After two years of meeting amazing organisations and individuals; two years of concept papers, brand design, website creation and lots and lots of prayer, Restored is being launched to the world on Saturday. 

We are only here by the grace of God, and through the love of God shown to us by many individuals and organisations, like you, who have supported us with your prayer, time, resources and skills. To all of you we say a huge thank you. Thank you for your generosity, the spirit in which you have offered so much to us, and your belief that we can achieve the seemingly impossible. Your encouragement to keep going has helped us get to the launch pad. Thank you. 

The launch is only the beginning. We cannot do this alone. We need you. We are grateful for the many people who have gone before us and have worked so hard for so long to engage the church in ending violence against women. We hope that Restored will be an encouragement to you, and a confirmation that God hears the cries of our hearts. 

On Saturday, as a body of Christians, we are rising up to take action. No longer will we remain silent. No longer will we turn a blind eye in our churches. No longer will we justify violence against women with our thoughts or scriptures. No longer will we think it's none of our business. On Saturday we, as a global church, will make a stand and say this is our business. All violence against women is wrong and it must stop. 

Every one of us needs to engage, to speak out against violence against women, to raise awareness in our churches, to support local domestic violence organisations and to pray for a change of attitudes and hearts of those perpetrating the violence - until violence against women has ended. 

In the words of the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, 'Violence against women is never acceptable, never tolerable, never excusable.' 
We long to see it ended.  May it be so in our churches, communities and nations.  Amen. 

So we ask that you continue with us in prayer as we all set out to change our own attitudes and actions, our churches, our communities, our nations. To walk together as we undertake this huge task, remembering that nothing is impossible with God.

The launch

The launch of Restored will be at the Bringing Hope conference, in Colchester, UK, on Saturday 26th June 2010. Go to http://faithandfreedom.webs.com/conference.htm to book and confirm your place.

Please pray for us as we speak at the conference to launch Restored, and seek to share God’s heart for these issues, the story of our journey so far and our plans for the future. 

Prayer points

Our priority prayer requests are:

• For men’s attitudes and actions to change so that violence against women is ended;
• For women to examine their own attitudes and hearts about unhelpful beliefs and attitudes
• For Christians to catch the vision, share God’s heart for this issue and take action;
• For unity in the church to act as one in ending violence against women
• For the many thousands of women suffering daily in abusive situations that they would find freedom, justice and love
• For the continued development and launch of Restored; that it will honour God, know his blessing and make a significant difference in addressing VAW;
• That we stay close to God and don’t take any wrong turnings
• Give thanks for the different types of support we have received for this work to enable us to get this far

Thank you for continuing this partnership in prayer. Please do feedback any thoughts, words, pictures that you may have as you pray. We really do value and appreciate you setting aside time to pray.

It is very much appreciated.

Mandy Marshall
Peter Grant
Natalie Collins