Caring For Life, more commonly known as CFL, is founded on very clear Christian beliefs. People often question what that actually means and how it affects the way we work.

Caring For Life is a registered Christian charity (registration no. 519138) with the aim of sharing the love of Jesus with homeless or vulnerable people by providing accommodation, ongoing support, love and friendship, and when necessary, providing that care 'for life'! Such care enables people to develop dignity and self-respect. Our motto is simple, "Sharing the Love of Jesus."

We believe that all men and women are made in the image of God, and that leads us to treat people with dignity and respect. Most of those we support have been afforded little respect in the past. Our principles of care spring from the example of Jesus Christ and the way He reached out to those who needed help.

Jesus brought much criticism on Himself because He cared for people whom society rejected. We see very clearly the way in which He loved the needy and vulnerable, e.g. Matthew 9:36:

"When he saw huge crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harrassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd".

A verse we find very challenging here at Caring For Life is Matthew 25:34-36, 40. We are clearly given a commission to care for those in need:

"Then the King will say to those on his right,'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me..'

 

 

Whilst homelessness is often the problem that brings a person to us, we usually find this is just the tip of the iceberg, and a whole range of other problems lie beneath the surface. A large proportion have experienced physical or sexual abuse, some have learning difficulties, others a psychiatric disorder or psychological problems, and some have been involved in offending or drug abuse.

We seek to address all these issues as we share the love of Jesus in the most practical of ways. As we do so, many ask questions about the Christ who motivates our team of staff and volunteers. Many have to come to know the Lord Jesus Christ for themselves and have found in Him true peace and the ultimate answer to their problems.