0121 427 1286 Resources |
We are often asked how successful friendsfirst is?If you judge success by the number of marriages we've had then we are very successful. And if you add in the numbers of people making new friends (which is what some people join for) then it's even better |
Enhance your social skills! Would you like to be better at meeting people, feel more confident and do it more often? We've teamed up with The Dating Doctor giving you preferential rates on a whole range of his services. |
friendsfirst Press Releases |
 |
21st January 2004
LOOKING FOR LOVE?
‘friendsfirst’, the Christian dating service is proving popular with single Christians looking for love.
New ways of finding a date are becoming increasingly popular among Christian singles, such as using dating agencies, online and speed dating. Churches, including St Johns Harborne in Birmingham, who support friendsfirst, are looking at new ways to address the rise in the number of singles across the UK and especially within the church.
‘friendsfirst’ was set up by Katharine Gray, who took up the challenge to offer an alternative for a growing number of single Christians within the Church who were struggling to find life-partners.
Canon John Hughes, leader of St John’s Harborne and chair of the House of Clergy for the Diocese of Birmingham, says, “We believe it is meeting a real need, and the response to it suggests this is clearly the case.”
'friendsfirst' has recently featured in the Evangelical Alliance’s IDEA magazine. The article ‘Make me a Match’ explores what some Christians are doing to find Mr or Mrs Right. The article also addresses the issue of being single in church – it is thought that single women make up more than a quarter of the adult evangelical church population and many believe there is insufficient teaching on singleness and relationships.
However ‘friendsfirst’ reports that singleness is not just an issue for people in their 30s, as so often portrayed in articles on dating. 44% of 'friendsfirst' male members are over 50, and 40% of female members are in their 50s and 60s. 'friendsfirst' has witnessed a real need for the service for older people – especially those who are coming at relationships a second time round.
Typical feedback about the service includes comments such as:
“Your service is excellent and the qualities of people who join you are super. I’ve met some lovely people. I regard 'friendsfirst' as a top quality introduction agency.” (Philip – 59 – Technical Sales Manager)
“I just want to thank you for your ministry of 'friendsfirst'. I know that it is ‘God lead’ and has the Lords stamp of approval on this valuable service. After my painful divorce I felt that I would be doomed to a life alone, and then heard about 'friendsfirst' and have not looked back since. My life has completely changed. I am now married to a ‘fellow 'friendsfirst'’ member and have also retained friendship with another. For me a life of singleness after being married was very daunting but thank God for this service – ‘God provided a way for me’ and I give him the glory. Many thanks again.” (Jo – 42 – RGN)
Ends
Media enquiries: Katharine Gray
‘friendsfirst’
0121 427 1286 or 07944 054 144
www.friends1st.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
‘friendsfirst’ was established in 1999 with the support of Christian leaders in Birmingham including The Reverend Canon John Hughes (St. John’s, Harborne), The Reverend James Langstaff, Bishop Jo Aldred (Executive Director of The Centre for Black and White Christian Partnership), and Reverend Brian Nicholls (General Superintendent of the West Midlands Area of the Baptist Union of Great Britain). It also has the support of theologian and sociologist, Elaine Storkey. It has members from all Christian denominations.
To date there have been 14 marriages and 6 engagements between ‘friendsfirst’ members. These couples span every age group including couples in their 60’s and 70’s. The couples involved come from the following area’s Dudley, Tamworth, Essex, Liverpool, Manchester, Rugby, Wigan, Bolton, Birmingham, Bath, Cambridge, Darlington, Sheffield, Basingstoke, Bedfordshire, Cheltenham, Malvern, Walsall, Solihull, Cornwall, Stamford, Preston, Halesowen, Wolverhampton, Cambridge and Loughton, Essex.
The Evangelical Alliance UK, formed in 1846, is an umbrella group representing over one million evangelical Christians in the UK and is made up of member churches, organisations and individuals.