Christian faith, edir macedo, Finsbury Park, Rainbow Theatre, Seven Sisters Road, Temple of Solomon,
Wednesday 13th May 2015
The ground floor of the UCKG HelpCentre in Finsbury Park, north London, was turned into a museum on the life of the UCKG HelpCentre’s founder, Bishop Edir Macedo, for the launch of the third and final volume of his autobiography, Nothing to Lose, on Saturday 9 May.
A queue that stretched for three blocks along Seven Sisters Road from the Rainbow Theatre by mid afternoon on Saturday, was indicative of the interest the book generated among HelpCentre members, their families and the public. Just under 10,000 copies of the book, either pre-ordered or purchased on the day, were signed by four UCKG HelpCentre bishops on behalf of Bishop Macedo during the launch event.
Although the book buyers may have thought they knew what to expect after the launches of volumes one and two of the trilogy, the museum was certainly a surprise. On entering the Rainbow Theatre HelpCentre from Isledon Road, they were treated to an exhibition on the Bishop’s life.
Highlights included a 3D image of his wedding to Ester Bezerra in December 1971 and the replica Temple of Solomon, which the UCKG built in Brazil and opened in 2014. The temple serves to remind people of the links between Christianity and the land of Israel where it started some 2,000 years ago.
Visitors eagerly took selfies beside the displays or studied the exhibits before moving upstairs where they were entertained by a string quartet while waiting for their books to be signed. The four senior UCKG HelpCentre bishops who performed this role were Bishop Randal Brito, leader of the UCKG HelpCentre in the UK, Bishop Frank Rathebe from the Brixton HelpCentre, Bishop James Marques who organised the launch and Bishop Carlos Oliveira, a Trustee of the charity.
The event was created by the UCKG HelpCentre’s Graphics Department and the visitors were certainly impressed. Londoner Vivian Mowy said: “The museum was absolutely beautiful, it made me feel like I was part of the story”. Benjamin Odum, from south London added “I felt like I was walking through history, the scene really brought the book to life.”
Rossana Amado, of West London focused on the content of the book, however. She said: “Normally when you read a trilogy you feel like you know what will happen next, but when I read through the first two volumes of Nothing to Lose I was left amazed. I am excited about the final installment although it somehow feels like the start of something else.”
Volume 1 of Nothing to Lose came out in 2013 and became an immediate global best seller. It was followed, a year later by Volume 2, which was also a big success. Copies of Nothing to Lose Volume 3 are now available at all UCKG HelpCentres in the UK at £12.50. For a list of HelpCentres nationwide, visit uckgnew.org/addresses.
ENDS
Notes to editors
UCKG is a Pentecostal Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort and welcomes all-comers. It reached the UK in 1995 and has gone from strength to strength, providing support and spreading the Christian faith. There are UCKG HelpCentre branches in England and Wales.
For further information please contact the UCKG HelpCentre Press Officer via e-mail on press@uckgnew.org or direct line 020 7686 6033.
