The Manna House Mission Statement:
To establish an inter-denominational Christian centre of good standing which reaches out to the community and acts as a support and catalyst to churches in the locality.
The idea of the Manna House was originally conceived in the early part of 1980 and started with a very simple thought, much enthusiasm and £240 as a seed sown. Since then the idea has developed into a vision, the vision into a reality and the seed sown has been watered, grown and been blessed of God. The desire was that the Manna House should be like Old Testament manna - "a Godly provision in the wilderness" - reaching out to the unsaved community whilst being a complimentary support ministry to and a catalyst amongst local churches.
The vision for the Manna House was originally given to three young men, all working in different areas of the local business community, whose heart was to reach out in a practical way to the people of Northampton. An encouragement received very early on was found in Zec 4:10 (Living Bible) "Do not despise this small beginning, for the eyes of the Lord rejoice to see the work begin." After some 15 months of prayerful consideration, it was realised that others needed to be involved in order to make the concept become a reality. Contact was made with Rev. Harry Whittaker, whose advice and experience took the work into the next phase. A charitable trust was registered and a balanced team was drawn together to form the first Management Committee under the Rev. Whittaker's able Chairmanship. A feasibility study was undertaken and the idea was slowly made public, a growing interest encouraged the Committee to begin to look at properties. The thinking had developed and was to include a bookshop, coffeeshop, counselling service and youth outreach.
Miraculously, in the Autumn of 1982 a large Victorian building (in need of much renovation) was purchased and a contract was arranged with the Manpower Services Commission to help with the extensive work required. Twelve months of hard work saw the building transformed and completely remodelled to provide the new facilities and by October 1983, the first phase was ready. Throughout the first year, almost daily, financial needs were met and bills were paid.
On Saturday, 29th October 1983, the Mayor of Northampton officially opened the building and the Bookshop was launched. The aim being to operate an efficient and welcoming shop through which Christian literature and resources are available. After further reconstruction, the ground floor was completed which enabled the Coffeeshop to open in March 1984 - a pleasant environment where people could meet and be refreshed. It was, and continues, to be the intention that any profit from the commercial areas would be used to support other avenues of work and ministry.
As the Bookshop and Coffeeshop were finding their feet, so training began for the Counselling Service. The first group of trainees, personally trained by Selwyn Hughes and Trevor Partridge of CWR, completed their course studies and in June 1985, the Manna House Counselling Service was started. The aim of the Service being to provide free, Christian based, confidential help on a wide range of issues to the local community of all ages.
Selwyn Hughes has always been an enthusiastic supporter of the work :-
"I have followed the progress and development of the various ministries which go on at Manna House for a number of years and I am increasingly impressed with the vision and dedication which characterises them. Whenever I am asked if I know of a Christian centre or Christian centres in Britain which model the principles that are close to my own heart - the principles of Christian love and care - I unhesitatingly point first to Manna House. It is always top of my list and as far as I can see is likely to stay that way."
Once again, continued redevelopment led to Phase 4 being made ready. In November 1986, the Youth Work was launched through a coffee-bar facility called "Daniel's" and was completed by the arrival of a full-time Youth Worker in January 1987. This work continued for four years, serving the needs of many youngsters around the town.
Over the next few years there was a steady growth in all areas: however, development was not without its battles, its challenges and its difficulties, but there were also many encouragements and blessings.
Another important development came through a series of complex negotiations with the Borough Council. A joint project between the Council, a Housing Association and the Manna House led to the creation of 5 two-person maisonettes for the homeless on the, up to then , unused 1st floor of the building. The work was completed in July 1993 and the accommodation was officially opened and occupied in September 1993. This 20 year agreement has been working very well since Rt Rev Paul Barber, Bishop of Brixworth and a Manna House patron, opened the flats in 1993.
In July 1995 a short term outreach via the local market was started. A Once-A-Week stall opened up tremendous opportunities to make new contacts and talk to people, informally, about life and faith. This work was suspended due to manning difficulties.
Through a combination of the changing economy, staffing and location, a decision was taken in July 1996 to close the Coffeeshop, after 12 years. Whilst disappointing, this decision has opened up new opportunities for the Bookshop and Counselling Centre.
Currently the Bookshop regularly serves some 750 people per week and has a turnover in excess of £215,000 per annum, making it one of the larger independent Christian Bookshops in the country. The Counselling Service has developed and currently caters for up to 120 sessions per month whilst offering a range of counselling courses to individuals and churches alike. Demand has necessitated that more rooms be made available especially for counselling family situations. 1994, once again due to demand, saw the launch of the first satellite clinic in Kettering, a town some 12 miles away and in Autumn 1999 the second was launched in the large village of Brixworth. These are the first two and several more are planned for the county.
Recent sponsorship of a full-time post by the local Borough Council has given the Service an undoubted boost and is opening up many new opportunities, particularly in the areas of training, supervision and consultancy. Level 1 and Level 2 Courses, recognised by the Association of Christian Counsellors, are run regularly in Northampton, and have also been undertaken in places as far afield as Banff and Aberdeen, in Scotland, Dublin, Rugby, Milton Keynes, Peterborough, Bridlington, Bedford, Stoke, Market Harborough, Luton, Barnet and Stanmore in London, then in 1997, Australia and 1998 Malaysia! - reaching an estimated total of over 500 students! Supervision and Day Seminars are also available.
Members of the team are always happy to visit churches, groups, organisations etc to speak first hand about the work. A presentation can be tailor-made to suit any situation, time and setting. For further information please contact the Centre Director, John Nightingale, on 01604 622666 to arrange a visit.