wfn.org | Title: Christians urged to stand by evidence for the Resurrectio

[press@eauk.org (EAUK Press Office)]

For Immediate Release: 12th April 1998

In a society whose 'pick & mix' approach to religion sees many people
turning to belief in the paranormal and UFOs, Christians must redouble
their efforts to present the overwhelmingly strong evidence for
Christ's Resurrection, said Rev Joel Edwards, general director of the
Evangelical Alliance UK, in his Easter message (12.4.98).

Addressing a congregation of 5000 people in Skegness attending Spring
Harvest, Europe's largest worship and teaching event, Rev Joel
Edwards, said: " For the many people who do not believe the story of
the Resurrection it is not that they don't believe the evidence. It is
simply that they have not been presented with it.  We must remember
that as Christians we belong to the only body that exists for the
benefit of its non-members."

Mr Edwards, whose Alliance seeks to reflect the views of more than a
million church-goers from 20 denominations, cited a Mori survey
showing that 44 per cent of 18-24-year-olds had no clear idea what
Easter Sunday meant.  Added to this, he said it increasingly appeared
that people had no problem believing in just about any faith system or
superstition.

He stated: "The great irony here is that the historical evidence for
the physical rising of Christ from the dead on that first Easter Day
is incredibly strong.  It is so strong, in fact, that a former Master
or the Rolls Lord Darling said that any intelligent jury would return
a verdict concluding that the Resurrection did happen.

"Jesus' death on the cross is a true and believable story. It can
bring wholeness, forgiveness of sins and reconciliation to individuals
and whole communities."

Ends

For further information, contact:

Keith Ewing, kewing@eauk.org 
0171 207 2116 or + 44 171 207 2116 

or
Gavin Drake, gdrake@eauk.org
0171 207 2117 or + 44 171 207 2117

Evangelical Alliance UK,
Whitefield House,
186 Kennington Park Road,
London, SE11  4BT

http://www.eauk.org