CONCRETE FAITH

About the Eden Network
Eden is an exciting approach to urban youthwork and missional community. It originated
in Manchester in 1997 flowing out of the innovative youth and schools’ work pioneered
by The Message Trust.
In a nutshell, Eden’s mandate is to go to the most challenging urban areas and share
God’s life-changing love in word and action. The really special thing about Eden is the
way teams live in the community, sharing the problems of those growing up there and
ministering to their needs.
Recently the network has begun to extend beyond Manchester to other cities with
teams being formed in disadvantaged communities in Sheffield, Bradford, Newcastle
and London.
Wherever Eden teams operate they do so building upon ‘5 Cornerstones’ and seeking to
live out ‘5 Distinctives’.
Eden’s 5 Cornerstones
Rooted in a local church
As members of a local church or church plant we seek to impact our community
positively by the consistent witness of our presence and our proclamation. We desire to
be a blessing to, and enjoy fellowship with, the whole body of Christ.
Focused on the toughest neighbourhoods
That is, communities widely recognised as suffering from multiple deprivations, such as:
high crime, poor health, low educational achievement, dilapidated environment, broken
families and few opportunities for young people.
A large team of people establish homes in the heart of the community
Devoted individuals with a recognised calling to live an incarnational lifestyle of
integrating with the community. Dozens of such people join together in a missional
team dynamic and make themselves available long-term for the benefit of their
community.
The first priority is reaching youth so their full potential is unlocked
Young people of high school age are seen to be a key part of the transformation of the
whole neighbourhood. Our goal is to help them to achieve all their God-given potential,
introducing them to Jesus by creating repeated and varied opportunities for them to
ABOUT THE EDEN NETWORK
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