Page 10 - News Magazine - AutumnWinter 2026_Web

A FairWay to Open
hearts and minds!
The 2026 Open Championship at
Royal Birkdale provided a wonderful
opportunity for GOOD NEWS for
Everyone! to share the hope of Jesus
Christ with thousands of visitors from
across the UK and around the world.
Each day, members gathered at St James C of
E Church, Southport, which kindly provided a
welcoming base for the outreach. Coordinated
by Philip Bunting, the team prayed together
before heading into Southport town centre,
Birkdale Village and the areas around the
championship.
Our main resource was the specially produced
HOPE magazine, containing selected Psalms and
the Gospel of John. Featuring the testimony of
two-time Masters Champion Bernhard Langer, it
proved to be an excellent conversation starter,
helping people see that lasting hope is found not
in sporting success but in Jesus Christ.
The Lord opened many opportunities for
meaningful conversations. Members spoke
with people from across the UK and overseas,
including visitors from Norway, Germany and
the United States. Police officers, marshals, golf
spectators, hospitality staff, taxi drivers and local
residents all gladly received copies of HOPE.
10 AUTUMN / WINTER 2026
Several people asked for prayer. Sharon
shared how unsettled she had felt after
moving home, while Darren spoke honestly
about difficulties in his work and relationships.
Others shared experiences of bereavement,
illness and struggles with faith, giving members
the privilege of praying with them and pointing
them to Christ. In the town centre, Martin met
with Stephen who said he died after an illness
but was brought back. Their meeting went on to
explore faith. And finally, Lyn being prompted
to pray for someone with a tumour.
There were also many unexpected “God
moments”. One member discovered a visitor
already reading a HOPE magazine someone
else had distributed earlier that day, while
another simple request for directions led
to two more magazines being received.
Local golf clubs and hotel staff also welcomed
copies to share with guests and colleagues.