Charity Tandem Skydive!

Aim

I am raising money for a charitable cause that is very important to me so please donate and help me to raise money for Restored.

I am doing a tandem skydive to raise money for Restored. It’s an amazing charity that speaks up about violence against women and girls, and equips the church to stand against domestic abuse and supports survivors. 

Domestic abuse robs people of their value, their security and their hope. Restored journey with survivors as they rebuild their lives, making sure that they know they don't need to choose between their safety and their faith. Alongside this they work to help the church to take up its role as a light in the darkness for the broken, advocating for justice and never tolerating abuse. 

Restored host an online survivors network for female survivors of domestic abuse, creating a safe space for them to explore the challenges they face, and most importantly, providing them with community that lets them know they are not alone.

Online community is good but Restored don’t want to stop there. It is so important that survivors are able to find  face-to-face support and a loving community in places where they are. It’s why they are developing a network of churches that provide a place of safety and welcome for survivors in their communities as they journey with them on the road to recovery and demonstrate God’s deep love for them. These churches are known as Restored Beacons. 

Christian survivors of domestic abuse often have had the bible twisted and used against them by their abuser and sadly, sometimes by the church too.   It can cause them to question their faith and although they may long to be part of a church again, it can be a scary prospect. Actually finding a church that understands domestic abuse from a theological perspective is invaluable. It means survivors can find hope and healing.

So where can survivors find a church that is part of the Restored Beacon Network?

It’s a new initiative, about a year old but already there are Restored Beacons in England, Ireland and Wales. There just need to be more of them to help survivors. Restored regularly get asked if they can signpost to a Restored Beacon nearby but often the nearest one is a hundred miles away or more. Find your nearest Restored Beacon here: 

https://www.restored-uk.org/partner/churches/restored-beacons/find-a-restored-beacon/

I am part of New Hope Baptist Church in Coseley which is a Restored Beacon. I have seen first-hand the difference it makes to be accepted and loved. I want others to benefit from these blessings too.

"Leaving an abusive marriage also meant leaving my church as they weren’t equipped to deal with domestic abuse within the congregation. Sadly their handling of the situation made things even more difficult. I was devastated. They tried to support me but they didn't know how. I had lost the man who was meant to love me, my dreams for the future and my church family. I also very nearly lost my mind and my faith. Leaving the abuse felt like taking a step out of a plane, It was a massive step but one I knew I had to take. Not having suitable support from my church was confusing and frightening. I felt like I was free falling through the air at 120 mph but then something amazing happened, It was like the parachute had finally opened! Restored helped me to find a local church where I was accepted, welcomed and loved. It was so healing for me." 

"God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. Psalms 68:6

 He definitely does!    

*Molly, a domestic abuse survivor and member of a Restored Beacon Church. (*name changed)

Anything you can donate to help make this possible for others would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

If you would like to find out more about the work of Restored why not join us at the Changing the Story Conference on 2nd November? 

https://www.restored-uk.org/changing-story-conference-2022/

This project successfully funded on 17th October 2024