Eden - it's a way of life As the temptation to be a ‘consumer Christian’ increases, more and more people are questioning their faith-life and making radical decisions about authenticity and community. Many have discovered Eden to be exactly what their heart was yearning for. It’s not comfy and it's not easy – but it's 100% real. Contrary to popular belief, Eden team members are not actually a shiny, well oiled, fully trained crew of Action Super Heroes. In fact, most of them are just the opposite! An Eden team member is an ordinary guy or girl with a call from God who has chosen to do something a bit different with her/his life. Instead of the usual aspirations of nice house, nice job, nice area, nice life-style, they have chosen to put their roots down in areas that most people wouldn't choose to visit even if the chance was offered. Eden team members have recognised that in order to make a real difference in the lives of the most broken, hurting and hopeless people, you have to be right there, in it with them. Just by moving into an area that many locals dream of moving out of you make a bold statement. Replying to the question "...but why have you moved here?" must be one of the easiest forms of evangelism and shows that you really believe what you're saying. Eden team members lead fairly normal everyday lives. Most have jobs to support themselves though some work full time for Eden. It's a long-term commitment to a neighbourhood - to your street - to your neighbours. It shows them there is another way, there is a hope. As relationships are established, people know where to go for help. The young people know where they can go to for a brew, to be safe, to be loved. It's about living everyday as Jesus would - and in a dark community you can't help but shine out like a light on a hill. The Menus in this section (left hand links or top menu bar) offer information related to the various ways of becoming involved in Eden, including details of any staff positions as and when they are available. Steven describes in his own words his impressions of the neighbourhood he relocated to: “When I first moved, the difference between living in Studentville and living in Longsight was huge. When I made the move in June 2002 my first impression was simply the sense of hopelessness that hung over the place. The poverty, the run-down properties, the negativity and just sheer lovelessness of the relationships between most of the people I saw and met. After two years I think differently about the place. It has been regenerated physically, with house prices up and crime rates down. The people seem softer and less suspicious of the Bible-bashers who moved into their neighbourhood. The area still has big challenges of course but there is a sense of a hope and a future where perhaps there wasn’t before. The truth is that after much prayer and presence, it seems like God’s light is slowly rising over the area, and in fact the whole of Manchester.”