Nightlife News
Baptist Times article
Saturday 9th January 2010
Baptists rewarded with New Year's honours
From www.baptisttimes.co.uk/news1.htm, 9-1-10
BAPTISTS have been recognised in the New Year's Honours List for their service in the community at home and abroad.
The Revd Vic Jackopson received an MBE for his work through the Hope Now charity in Ukraine.
Mr Jackopson, 68, experienced life on the streets as a homeless young man and spent time in prison before training for the Baptist ministry at Spurgeon's College in the 1960s.
After two pastorates he moved to a wider ministry with Evangelism Explosion, before founding Hope Now in 1985.
Hope Now is now a major provider of social welfare services in the Cherkassy region. It has established homes and foster care for homeless children, works in prisons, sponsors 90 college students, runs a children's holiday centre and resources local churches in evangelism.
Mr Jackopson said he was 'shocked but at the same time pleased for the recognition of 17 years of working in Ukraine' when the British Ambassador there telephoned him with the news. 'Of course the honour is as much for my wife Sue, who has worked tirelessly with me and for the staff and volunteers, who over the years have taken over so much of the work,' he added.
'The greatest reward is in seeing the difference it has made. This very day we have been in Shpola Orphanage where we have put in new indoor toilets, gas fired central heating and provided a whole new system of education designed to give the kids a better start in life. Just to see the happy faces where once there was loneliness, sadness and emptiness has made it all worthwhile.'
The award was welcomed by BUGB general secretary the Revd Jonathan Edwards, who said, 'Hope Now has responded to the overwhelming needs of the Ukraine in a bold and imaginative way and I pray that the recognition that Vic has received will cause this vital work to be more widely known and supported.'
Another MBE went to a member of Leavesden Road Baptist Church in Watford. Margaret Perfect - known as Peggy - received it for her work with the church's Boys' Brigade company, which she has served for more than 70 years. 'We are delighted for her,' said church secretary Brenda Gibbons. 'It's a wonderful accolade and she deserves it totally.'
Her daughter Nicola Andrews - herself a Boys' Brigade leader at the church - said, 'It never occurred to her that anyone would be particularly interested in her enthusiasm and unwavering commitment over the past 70 years to her voluntary work in the Boys' Brigade. She has enjoyed every minute of the time she has spent alongside "the Boys". As a family we are both pleased for her and very proud of her achievement. She continues to be a hard act to follow!'
Many other citizens received recognition for their work, several engaged in Christian ministries of various kinds. Paul Blakey was awarded the MBE for services to community safety in Halifax for his work with Street Angels, which he founded four years ago. Church volunteers from the town - including members of Lee Mount Baptist Church -patrol the streets on Friday and Saturday nights to ensure that people using the town centre are safe. The project has helped reduce violent crime, and has been launched in nearly 40 other towns and cities across the country.
'To receive the MBE is a testimony to all Street Angels and the amazing teams of volunteers and all they have achieved, not only in Halifax but in towns and cities across the UK,' said Mr Blakey. 'Street Angels is a very simple idea that is God-inspired and works. I am overwhelmed and humbled to receive this accolade.'
Loretta Minghella, now director of Christian Aid, received the OBE in recognition of her previous work as chief executive of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Ruth Sims was made CBE for voluntary service to palliative care in Uganda, chiefly through Jajja's Home supported by Mildmay Hospital. A Mildmay spokeswoman said, 'We believe that all the recognition she receives is well deserved and we were very excited to see her name on the New Year's Honours list.'
