Judging by the amazing response we've ad so far, the Jesus Centre is already getting known as a gateway through which people can find help of different kinds. "A few weeks ago, for example, a young girl was discharged from mental hospital a very vulnerable state. After a few days staying with relatives she had nowhere to She lived nearly twenty miles away, but then she contacted a professional body advice they told her 'if you can get across Northampton, there's a place called 'the Jesus Centre' there. They'll help you.'

When she arrived, the Jesus Centre team were able to 'open the gate' to find ways of meeting her different needs. And the gate is opening every day for a great variety of people.

"A Somalian refugee came to us looking for accommodation," says Polly. "He stayed in two of our Jesus Army community houses until he found a flat. He is now enjoying our IT classes and hopes to improve his chances of getting an interesting job."

Typical feedback came from the young man who returned to say 'thank you' after he found a room to let through the Jesus Centre. He said "everything had fallen into place" after he came to talk to the team. Another described the Centre as "an oasis of peace and calm" after suffering a burglary and a mugging.

"We are very blessed to be a Christian help agency," says Polly. "It's a joy to respond to visitors' requests for prayer as well as practical help. There have also been times when we've had to face difficult situations and been able to defuse them by calling on the prayers of the warm, committed church that surrounds our work at the Centre."