History - The Good News Trust

History

This was our first logo when the vans first started back in the 1980s. Most people have heard of the miracle of the two loaves and the five fishes feeding the 5,000 people who had followed Jesus to hear his teaching.

Our story beings with “The Ark,” a Christian book shop and coffee shop, started in Stamford and is told in “Out of the Ark,” written by Rosalind Allan.

Once “The Ark” was running and while Rosalind was recuperating at home from an operation she had what she called “A waking dream.” In her dream there was a toy helicopter, made of wood flying overhead. Soon she was up in the helicopter with the pilot… Seen from the helicopter, a little white mini-van is buzzing its way through the bright summer hedgerows. On its side are the words CHRISTIAN BOOK SERVICE.

Soon we are in the van, driving it along the country lanes to a group of houses. On the right are grey stone cottages, the villagers eager to see what the van has brought. On the left is an open-plan housing estate; the hostess and her friends, inside the house where we have drawn up, are embarrassed and puzzled. So are we.

We go round to the back of the little van, open the two doors and discover many boxes of books. Soon these are in the house and everyone is looking at them, arranged as they are on the table.

“The Hiding Place, who’s read that? I’ve heard of it somewhere.” Silence. Then came the answer; “Look out of the picture window, over the fields. Do you see that roof-top peeping up? Mrs X lives there. She’s read it. Pop your boots on and go and see her. She’ll tell you about it and probably give you a cup of tea by her fire.”

This was the beginning of an exciting period looking for a suitable vehicle, finding people to form a team and of course finding lively Christian books suitable for lending all types and ages of the general public.

Once Rosalind wrote the book, she began to get enquiries from all over the country from people who had read her book and felt drawn to starting a team in there area. Soon there were several teams and Rosalind’s duties changed to include supervising the teams. Making sure that all was well, and that the van teams were following her original concept. This included keeping a check on the theological thinking of new team members. She was ably supported by a clergyman and his wife.



	History This was our first logo when the vans first started back in the 1980s. Most people have heard of the miracle of the two loaves and the five fishes feeding the 5,000 people who had followed Jesus to hear his teaching. Our story beings with “The Ark,” a Christian book shop and coffee shop, started in Stamford and is told in “Out of the Ark,” written by Rosalind Allan. Once “The Ark” was running and while Rosalind was recuperating at home from an operation she had what she called “A waking dream.” In her dream there was a toy helicopter, made of wood flying overhead. Soon she was up in the helicopter with the pilot… Seen from the helicopter, a little white mini-van is buzzing its way through the bright summer hedgerows. On its side are the words CHRISTIAN BOOK SERVICE. Soon we are in the van, driving it along the country lanes to a group of houses. On the right are grey stone cottages, the villagers eager to see what the van has brought. On the left is an open-plan housing estate; the hostess and her friends, inside the house where we have drawn up, are embarrassed and puzzled. So are we. We go round to the back of the little van, open the two doors and discover many boxes of books. Soon these are in the house and everyone is looking at them, arranged as they are on the table. “The Hiding Place, who’s read that? I’ve heard of it somewhere.” Silence. Then came the answer; “Look out of the picture window, over the fields. Do you see that roof-top peeping up? Mrs X lives there. She’s read it. Pop your boots on and go and see her. She’ll tell you about it and probably give you a cup of tea by her fire.” This was the beginning of an exciting period looking for a suitable vehicle, finding people to form a team and of course finding lively Christian books suitable for lending all types and ages of the general public. Once Rosalind wrote the book, she began to get enquiries from all over the country from people who had read her book and felt drawn to starting a team in there area. Soon there were several teams and Rosalind’s duties changed to include supervising the teams. Making sure that all was well, and that the van teams were following her original concept. This included keeping a check on the theological thinking of new team members. She was ably supported by a clergyman and his wife.