There’s no easy way to say it — our well-travelled, hard-working ministry van was stolen from the driveway of Jo Boyce’s home, on the evening on Sunday 26th October at 6:23pm. 🚐

Jo was away from home at the time, for a few days off over the half-term break. So the culprits got several days head-start to make their getaway! We only found out because a kind jogger spotted some of our CDs and equipment dumped by the roadside and made the effort to contact us.

We’re gutted about the loss of our trusty Transit. But incredibly grateful that good people are still out there, willing to intervene to make a difference. We’re also grateful for the outpouring of messages and prayers we’ve received since. And the more than 300 shares of our Facebook post to try and track our van down.

This hard-working vehicle was gifted to us for our work, and has been a faithful companion for more than 10 years of ministry miles. It was packed with sound gear, presentation equipment, liturgical artefacts, workshop resources and, of course, memories. 

Thankfully we didn’t lose any musical instruments! But we won’t be dressing any prayer focus tables for a little while. 🕯️📖 ✝️

And the insurance situation was complicated… Although the vehicle was exclusively for our use, we were not the actually owners it. So the wonderfully generous company who gifted us the vehicle are dealing with the insurance for that, and really it is entirely at their discretion whether they will provide us with another one.

Sadly, loop holes in the insurance cover meant that the contents of the vehicle weren’t properly covered. (Took us nearly 30 years to find that out!!)

Thankfully, generous donations received from friends and supporters since the theft of the van, have enabled us to begin replacing a few key bits of equipment, and cover some of the lost income from the few events we had to cancel. We are so very grateful for the many people who have contributed to that effort so far.

The bottom line is, we find ourselves at a bit of a crossroads. How and where our team are willing and able to travel to for our various ministry bookings and events will need to change. (At the moment, it means going most places in multiple vehicles.)

It’s a season we knew would come eventually. And the theft of our van will, inevitably be a catalyst in the ongoing evolution of our work and ministry.

Whatever this next chapter holds, we are confident that what what was meant for evil against us, the Lord will use for the good. { cf. Genesis 50:20 }