Hurting?

Think no-one can help?

Think no-one cares?

Need someone to speak to, or share a problem?

crossline is here to listen to you, no charge, no commitment, we are just here to help and show you love and compassion.

Just click to find the nearest crossline centre to you

What is crossline?

"I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears" Psalm 34 v4

crossline is a confidential, Christian staffed help-line established in Hull and the surrounding area. It is part of the ministry of evangelical churches and it seeks to be a representative of the diversity of evangelical witness. crossline is different from other help-lines because of the specifically Christian content of its listening, caring and sharing. Our aim is to be available to listen and to pray with those who call to show Jesus's love and compassion for them and to provide a listening, compassionate ear whatever their problem. Face to face counselling can be arranged with trained counsellors if appropriate or callers can be put in touch with other specialist agencies. The work of crossline is overseen by a board of trustees drawn from evangelical churches in the area.

All volunteers are committed Christians who have completed an intensive listener training course with some having approved training in counselling.

Click here: to see a video about crossline

History of crossline

Background

crossline began as a result of Mary Whitehouse (the moral standards campaigner in the 1960s) calling Gordon Wright, a Christian counsellor working in Plymouth. She asked him what he was going to do about the disturbed people coming away from the cinema having watched the film "The Exorcist". This film, like many films today, was having a profound effect on the people who had been to see it, many of whom needed counselling afterwards. In response, Gordon got together a number of Christian counsellor friends and handed out leaflets telling people where they could get help if needed. That helping hand became known as crossline. From that initial organisation, a number of crossline organisations were formed.

crossline Hull opened on September 14th 1998. In the first month, we only took three calls; however, we are now taking well over 100 calls per month. crossline Hull opened with the support of 24 churches in the Hull area, that number has now risen to over ninety. crossline Hull was officially opened on January 5th 1999 by the late Kathy Staff (who was a Christian and was best known for playing Nora Batty in "Last of the Summer Wine"). Since then, we have had many Salvations, been able to place people not only into face to face counselling but also into a number of churches. We can also refer people on to other specialised agencies if the nature of their need requires it.

Quotes and Testimonies

Quotes

Cliff Richards	"People often say to me that they have nowhere to turn for help. That will no longer apply because people will be just a telephone call away from a listening ear and wise practical counsel."
Mary	"Without crossline's help I would never have survived all my problems and the distress of the past few years."
Peter	"I came to live in Bransholme in October 1998 and lived alone for 12 months. I discovered crossline and they gave me help on how to live a better life. I've tried other organisations but found crossline more helpful."

Testimonies

A man who was feeling particularly low rang crossline and found that even the message on the answer machine helped him to feel a lot better because it meant that somebody cared. A lady called to say just how grateful she was that we were able to put her in touch with a face to face counsellor and thanked us for our prompt action and compassionate handling of her case. Another lady caller wished to thank all the listeners, she said that every time she calls crossline a lovely feeling of peace comes over her, we really make her feel 'somebody'. A gentleman called to say how much he valued us being here. Another gentleman said that if it wasn't for crossline he would not be leading a normal life now. We sent a UCB "Word for Today" book to a caller and not only was she encouraged, she in turn shared the good news with someone in hospital and gave them hope for the future too! A lady said the crossline had restored her faith. It's all about you, Jesus. A gentleman wanted to thank us for the support and help that he had had and said he would always be grateful to crossline. Another gentleman thanked crossline for the help he had received and offered to be a volunteer. A lady wanted to thank a listener who had spoken to her twice - she said she was feeling a lot better and calmer and how glad she was that there is a crossline phone line. A lady called for prayer for someone else. The lady had called crossline herself previously and started to share how things had changed enormously for the better in her life. She wanted to thank the face to face counsellor who crossline had put her in touch with.

A gentleman called because he was lonely - we were able to give him a few pointers with some Christian agencies that would be of help to him. He was so grateful that he later rang back to offer financial support to crossline. A lady called to thank one of the listeners for all of her support and prayers and said to tell her that all was well with her now. A regular female caller says "I do not know how I would have survived all my problems and distress of the last few years without crossline". A lady expressed her thanks to crossline for supporting her. One of our listeners was asked to pray for someone who was seriously ill; they made a remarkable recovery. Praise the Lord! A regular male caller rang to thank crossline for all of the encouragement the listeners had given to him. A lady said that her daughter phoned crossline who put her in touch with a face to face counsellor and she has improved greatly. A gentleman called to say that if it wasn't for crossline, he could be dead on the street. A lady who shared her concerns with crossline wanted us to know what had happened to her that day. The Lord had really touched her in a mighty way. She was elated at what God was doing in her life and wanted us to share in it. The listener felt that they were sharing the glow of a miracle. A lady who had previously called crossline whilst going through a particularly difficult time, called again two years later. Although the prayer support crossline had given her two years earlier had not meant anything at the time, she had called to say that now she and her family had become Christians. She was most grateful to crossline and her life had totally changed.

Who are we here for?

The Lord is near to the broken-hearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34 v18

We are here to listen to your problem, hurt, or situation - whether you are a Christian or non-Christian - confidentially and with empathy.

Behind the harsh public face of our communities many people are hurting and crying out to know that someone cares.

crossline listeners are here to listen to your cries and to show the same compassion that Jesus did. We are here to give you time and acceptance for you to share your burden of grief, loneliness and frustration, indecision or guilt; to help you talk through a particular problem; to put you in contact with others who may be able to help you; to pray with you; and to continue to pray for you. crossline is here to listen to anyone who needs comfort or just someone to listen.

Whether Christian or not, Jesus treated each person he talked to as unique and special. No problem was either too big or too small for him. We aim to follow his example.

Telephone contacts can also be put in touch with supportive churches in their area where they can receive further fellowship and spiritual encouragement.

crosslines in the UK

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Christian Helpline Association	Other Organisations
Faithworks Web Site:www.faithworks.info God TV Web Site:www.god.tv Mulberry House Web Site:www.nationwidechristiantrust.com Premier Lifeline NCH Web Site:www.premier.org.uk/lifeline Restoration Christian Counselling Web Site:www.revelationtv.com UCB Web Site:www.ucb.co.uk	The Association of Christian Counsellors Address:29 Momus Boulevard, Coventry, CV2 5NA Phone:0845 124 9569 / 0845 124 9570 Web Site:www.acc-uk.org Email:office@acc-uk.org Days of Wonder Trust Web Site:www.daysofwonder.org.uk Lovelines (USA Central Point) Address:Minneapolis St Paul Phone:+1 651 379 1199 Web Site:www.lovelines.org Email:counselor@lovelines.org

How can I get involved?

The spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed. Luke 4 v18

Christians changing the face of the world with prayer and compassion

God is calling His people to listen with Him and through his Holy Spirit is equipping us to act.

What are we looking for?

1. Listeners: To man the phones one evening a week and / or a midday shift on weekdays. Full training will be given.
• Are you able to show love and compassion?
• Are you a good listener or willing to learn?
• Are you able to keep confidences?
• Are you able to give 3 or 4 hours a week to listen to others?
2. Prayer Partners: Who will support us on particular shifts by praying for the listeners.
3. Financial Backing: A poster on a bus can be sponsored for the sum of just £25 a month by either a church or an individual.
4. Secretarial and administrative help.
5. Trainers with specialist knowledge.

Are you ready to set the captives free and bring good news to the poor? If so, please join us by contacting us via telephone or email as detailed below.

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