'Just Walk With Me', written by Jude Simpson is the Book Authentic Media have helped us to produce to tell our story. It includes contributions from the staff and young people and describes what life and youth work is really like here in inner city Bradford. The book has had lots of really encouraging reviews from people like BBC2 Romance Academy's Rachel Gardner, and our very own Bishop of Bradford. It has been commended as a great book for anyone involved in, studying, or interested in Youth Work, particularly that which happens in an inner city context such as here in BD4.
If you'd like to get hold of a copy get in touch with us here at e:merge, click on the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Just-Walk-With-Me/25592683448
"Just Walk With Me" is pick of the month in Youthwork magazine's August 08 edition. Here is their review of the book:
Can you imagine the surprise you’d get if you bit into a carrot but it tasted like an onion? I think that describes the overwhelming sensation this book left me to deal with – what appears predictable enough from an unpretentious, though clichéd cover and title, turns out to be potent and eye-watering. Just a simple account of an inner city youth ministry? It leaks the humbling kind of theology that comes directly from living a commitment to youth work on the sharp edge.
Perhaps I was expecting a safe, nutritious feed on sound Christian principles: stuff that would touch me comfortably between my head and heart. What I got was life experience that grabbed me by the nose hairs and pulled vigorously. Certain parts, such as one girl’s struggle with recurring domestic violence, had me snivelling into my tea in a way that normally only raw onions or too much introspection would.
Jude Simpson proves herself an expert ghost writer, presenting to us the work of e:merge in inner city Bradford through the eyes of two of its youth workers; Yan, a twelve year BD4 veteran and co-founder of the project; and newly recruited ingredient Niki; typical middle class, “nice” Christian. The cliff hanger is “will she stick it out?” Will she cope with the social deprivation and crimes that are a daily reality to these young people?
To read the rest of the review, you'll need to get hold of a copy of Youthwork magazine - their site is http://www.youthwork.co.uk/magazine/
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This is an extract from a review from the website of Redcliffe College:
In style the book is easy to read; in content it is challenging and emotionally engaging...
I have read too many books tracking Christian mission, from which I come away thinking, "Wow, that sounds really impressive...if only I could be someone like that and do something like that!" And though I may come away with a particular high regard for that person or organisation or work, the main result is that mission becomes something more removed from me in my mind – something that super-holy people who know all the answers do – not people, like me, who have questions and struggle.
Just Walk With Me is not one of those books. It is impossible not to be drawn into engaging with the issues and situations that it presents because it honestly presents real people, struggling with real life. Its writers talk openly about mistakes they have made, questions they have and don't know the answer to, but equally how they have grown and what they have found helpful...
Some of the questions asked in this book are difficult. And I didn't always agree with the solutions or suggestions that its writers had offered. But if nothing else, it broke my heart for people that God is broken-hearted for, and that, in my mind, can only be a good thing.
To read the full review, go to http://www.redcliffe.org/standard.asp?id=4981