Nobody's Child

Forewords

I well remember the first time I met John Robinson at Soul Survivor '99. He was keen to talk to me about The Tribe coming to Southampton to work with him. All I could think was that God was saying that this was the man to head up the new bus ministry in Manchester. I don't specialise in "words of knowledge", but that afternoon I knew we had our man. Even though it wasn't the best recruitment practice, I offered him the job! Only a few weeks later he was moving the 250 miles to Manchester with his wife and two lovely daughters. It has proved to be quite literally and inspired choice. There are few people I know who can relate as well to damaged, dysfunctional teenagers as John, and again and again I've seen him introduce them in the most relevant way to a living faith in Christ. I absolutely love the excited messages I regularly get on my mobile phone whenever John has had the privilege of helping to start someone on that wonderful eternal journey.

John's extraodinary story says two things to me. First, this gospel really works! If you don't believe me look at this life and many others who have come to faith through his ministry. And secondly, this gospel needs to be out there on the streets where it works, not hidden away in our churches. I hope more than anything else that this book will convince many people to do just that: get out from under the bowl and let their light shine, because "The darkness simply cannot overcome the light."

Over the last few years of knowing John I have learned to love him greatly and have regularly heard him share parts of the dramatic story that is written here. Every time I'm amazed and feel like shouting at the top of my voice, "Now you try and tell me there isn't a God!"

Only God could take such a broken life and not only put it back together again, but then use it wonderfully to bring healing and wholeness to many others who have had a similarly bad deal out of life.

It's a priviledge to know someone like John and an even greater priviledge to know his God who loves to take "unschooled, ordinary" men and women and use them to fulfil his amazing eternal purposes.

Andy Hawthorne, Director of The Message Trust

And they say that Christianity is boring! After reading this book it won't be possible to say this again.

By any standards this is exciting stuff. A lonely adolescent drifts into petty crime and finds himself in the dark underworld of the street where drink, drugs and violence are part of everyday life. Yet running through this fascinating human story is a parallel "God story". A story about how God never gives up on us, however bad or hopeless we might be. A story about how God never stops loving us, longing for us to come to him for hope, help and healing.

Few of us have had experiences like those described in this book. John's life (so helpfully reported by Brenda Sloggett) stands in stark contrast to the lives of most who will read these pages. Nevertheless it is worth remembering that the God who rescued John from these dramatically difficult circumstances is also interested in rescuing those of us who have come from less colourful backgrounds. In fact God thinks the situation of every human being is dark and difficult and that all of us are in need of his rescue plan. The nice, the rich and the "problem free" are just as much sinners as the prisoner, the addict and the alcoholic! In fact, one of the compelling lessons of this book is about the power of God to save us, whatever our background or situation.

But this is not a Hollywood tale with a sentimental message and an unbelievable ending. John still lives with some of the scars of his past life. Some of the issues will only be resolved in heaven. There are still problems to be faced and tensions to be resolved.

The sheer honesty of this book should encourage us. Life presents us with question marks which are never entirely resolved, even by those with a strong Christian faith. Christians are not perfect; neither does God wave a magic wand to bail them out of every problem. However, as this book describes, God is real, powerful and loving. His rescue act is available to all who come to him in faith. He guarantees deliverance from some problems and his special presence in the problems he does not remove. Added to this he provides a guarantee of a future in heaven which will be free from violence, betrayal and pain of every kind.

I thank God that one day I will join the authors in that special place!

Stephen Gaukroger

The first time I ever met John Robinson was at Alton Towers during a rally called Youth on Fire. It was a Christian event and the place was buzzing with 7,000 kids from all walks of life. I was in one of the tents talking to my wife, Yvonne, when I felt a hand touch my shoulder. I turned around and there stood this guy that looked as if he belonged in a New York gang: his arms were covered in tatoos and he certainly looked out of place at a Christian event. When he told me he was writing a book I wondered who on earth he was.

When I read his book I couldn't put it down. Now I know who John Robinson is: he's truly a man of God, who has been where many Christians don't go. Most of us have lived quite a secure life, but John hasn't. His life was far from secure; he's been to hell and back and God saved him. I think this is a wonderful book. When we feel that we're being persecuted or that life is difficult, just read this book - then we'll see what a difficult life really is.

Bobby Ball