Hope Together : Press Release

NEWS Release
10 March 2019

Brazilian footballers’ baptism boom

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Liverpool Football Club star Roberto Firmino is the latest Brazilian footballer to declare his Christian faith, posting images of his baptism on social media. Teammate Alisson Becker stood alongside Firmino in the pool for the baptism and, in response to Firmino’s social media post, Becker wrote ‘Glory to Jesus for your life my brother.’

The baptism features in Hope for All, a giveaway magazine published by HOPE Together and Hope for Every Home, which also highlights Chelsea’s Willian who was baptised in the River Jordan last June. He shared pictures of the ceremony with his millions of social media followers, along with the message: ‘Joy in reaffirming my baptism, in a place that I consider extremely important.’ Willian’s baptism was followed by another by Brazilian star, Phillipe Coutinho, the former Liverpool player, who currently plays for Bayern Munich in Germany on loan from Barcelona. He was baptised in a bathtub in October.

The footballers’ baptisms are highlighted alongside a second feature explaining the significance of this ancient Christian practice.

Baptism

David and Victoria Beckham’s two youngest children were baptised at a church near their Cotswold home last December. Also showbiz celebrity Kim Kardashian West and her youngest children Saint, three, Chicago, 20 months, and baby Psalm, were baptised last October in Armenia's main cathedral. Hope for All unpacks the history and symbolism of baptism and also features a man who was baptised in prison wheelie-bin.

Other features, which also aim to help prompt discussions about faith, include:

Learn to pray: Leading actor Chris Pratt says prayer is good for the soul
Seeing angels: How a remarkable encounter in the midst of tragedy changed a family forever
An Eastender’s legacy: Meet the ‘father’ of modern charities Cecil Jackson-Cole
Inspiration from India: How a daily habit of generous giving can make a massive difference
Time to give: How IBM’s Vice President is generous with his time
Plus much more…

Roy Crowne, HOPE’s executive director, says, ‘The magazine is great conversation starter. It has loads of pictures and punchy articles to make it an easy read to help people find out about Jesus for themselves.

‘We have been so encouraged to hear how churches have been giving the magazines away home to home with invitations to church events.’

One church in Kidderminster delivered 600 Christmas Hope magazines through people’s letterboxes visiting every house on their estate. They saw between 20-30 new people come to their carol service. Members of the congregation said it was easy to speak to others about faith as the magazine opened doors for conversations.

‘We hope this new Hope for All magazine will be a great resource for churches to use to invite people to Easter services,’ Roy adds.

Preview the magazine at www.hopetogether.org.uk/Easter. Copies of Hope for All are available to order at just 10p a copy from hopetogether.org.uk/shop

For editors
HOPE Together is a catalyst bringing churches together to make Jesus known with words and actions in villages, towns and cities.

To learn more visit: www.hopetogether.org.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/hopetogether
Twitter: @HOPEtogether
Instagram: @hopetogether

Roy Crowne is available for interview – phone 01788 542782 (out of hours 07850 083414)

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