‘Good News’ Bob still going strong

ByDave Hall

‘Good News’ Bob still going strong

Bob Parsons (above) celebrated his 90th birthday in August – but that hasn’t stopped him delivering the Good News newspaper to local people in Southampton.

Shirrell Heath Methodist Church began distributing copies more than 30 years ago (it was called Challenge then). Around 400 copies go out every month and Bob still personally gives out 50.

‘Delivering the Good News is a great way for people to read how Jesus can change lives,’ he said, ‘especially if the stories are about a well-known people.’

‘Good News, and Challenge before it, has always included a mix of “celebrity” stories as well as “ordinary” Christians’ testimonies,’ explained editor Andrew Holloway, ‘because people who read secular newspaper and magazines are used to seeing famous people featured and reading about their lifestyles. The difference with Good News, of course, is that celebrities are only featured if they have something positive to say about faith, God, Jesus, the Bible or Christianity in general.

‘People start reading the paper because of the recognisable faces, but often then go on to read the testimonies of other people in the paper. This is why we include well-known people like singers, actors or sports stars – because Good News can’t reach people with the Gospel unless they pick up the paper and start reading it. Many evangelists who use the paper tell us this strategy works.’

Good News also features apologetic articles and a clear gospel message, plus familiar newspaper features like a film review, recipe, crossword, sudoku, cartoon – all with the aim of attracting different readers.