Jan Greenough

Peter Gladwin was barely one when a domestic fire left him horribly scarred. The third of nine children, he was raised on a rough council estate in Halifax. Peter was always in trouble with the police, in and out of care homes, spending his time on the streets. Then he was stabbed and effectively lost the use of his right arm. Every relationship failed. For years Peter took refuge in gambling, drinking and drugs. His sister Annette, four years senior, was called after Peter contemplated suicide. She insisted he accompany her to a local church. 'Little did I know that God was there For the first time in weeks I went to sleep without being drunk or high on drugs.' It was the start of Peter's profound transformation. In 1993 he started a two-year course at the Elim Bible College in Cheshire, and met a lovely Swiss girl, Sarah, who is now his wife. After several years working in drug rehabilitation, and as a probation officer in a cat B prison he now works as a full time evangelist.

Why is there such a distance between the churches and the young people living around them? How can Christians engage with young people? How can they build relationships? How can they plan and develop their youth ministry? What practical skills do they need? Chapter headings include: First things first; Go where they are; Making connections; Outreach strategy; Working together; Being professional; Handling aggression; Long term discipleship. For years John worked on Manchester's broken down estates, frequently dealing with aggressive, often drugged or drunk teenagers, and has learned the hard way how to diffuse tension, establish contact quickly, maintain boundaries, and also how to develop relationships over time and establish mutual respect.

Mental illness is common - one person in six will suffer depression at some point. Christians are often fearful of it, seeing it as a matter for guilt or, too frequently, blame and aggressive prayer. Should Christians accept psychiatric help - and what does this imply about their faith? Dr David Enoch, an experienced psychiatrist, explains what forms mental illness takes, why Christians are not immune, how various conditions can be identified, and what help is available. He discusses the roles of therapist and pastor, and the wisest responses the church can offer. "The sufferer is never forsaken by God," says the author. "God has given us the knowledge and medication to heal the sick."