CR spoke with Robert Mountford about the Stoke on Trent prayer movement

Robert Mountford at the book launch on 5th November 2011 for Healing The Land

In September 2001 an Experian report labelled Stoke-on-Trent the worst place to live in England and Wales. This report became the spark for the birth of a prayer movement seeking the transformation of the city. It was into this context that the first Cross Rhythms Community Radio Station was launched in February 2002. With the launch of a new book Heal The Land, which offers reflections on that corporate prayer journey, Heather Bellamy spoke with author Robert Mountford, one of the leaders in the prayer movement.

Heather: You've had various roles in the city and church life of Stoke-on-Trent for many years. Can you give us a brief overview of what you've done?

Robert: Yes. Stoke-on-Trent is my home and the place of my calling and over the years I have found myself doing many things. Here is a brief overview:

• Led Penkhull Christian Fellowship from 1982 - 1993


• Published 'Treasure in Jars of Clay' 1994


• Founded City Vision Ministries 1994 - present


• Chaired city-wide Pentecostal grouping 1987 - 1990


• Preached in many local churches of all denominations


• Taught local history/culture in many secular venues


• Co-led '2C7' and 'Connect' prayer networks 2001 - present


• Led St Paul's, Edensor, 2003 - 2007


• Wrote 'Heal the land' 2011

Heather: You've got a new book out, launched on 5th November 2011, but you're not a new author are you. You previously wrote Treasures in Jars of Clay, what was that about?

Robert: Treasure in Jars of Clay was an attempt at an overview of the social and spiritual history of Stoke-on-Trent, covering the past right up to the contemporary, and considering the future direction. The writing of it was about the development of a vision and I was trying to write down a vision, so I called the book Treasure in Jars of Clay. It's a little snippet from 2Corinthians 4 from the New Testament, because it seemed like if the Lord wants to speak to potters, he will talk to them in language like that. Treasure in Jars of Clay was an attempt to give a very brief survey of all that God had done, historically speaking, in the potteries. It looked at where we were today, that is, 20 years ago and then to lay out some plan for the future. Looking back I think, actually you did a pretty good job of setting the scene and fantastically a lot of what I put in the future section has now been fulfilled. It is happening and things have been developed, which is a wonderful thing to see.

Heather: Was that book a foundation stone for this new one?

Robert: Yes in many ways. It was a paragraph about everything. Whole revivals or whole time periods were summarised in a paragraph. The aim wasn't to go into massive detail about one person, denomination, or aspect of life in the city. It was an attempt to put a paragraph about everything, so that we were seeing the big picture of what really makes North Staffordshire tick and what God wants to say to us.

Heather: So does Stoke-on-Trent have a rich spiritual heritage?

Robert: Definitely. From the roots in Celtic Christian faith around 700 AD, to John Wesley and the Methodists, through the 19th Century revivals, into the 20th Century Pentecostal movement, there are many rich spiritual veins coursing through the city.

Heather: Your new book is called Heal The Land, what is the book about and why have you written it?

Robert: 'Heal the land' is a chronicle of the last 10 years of prayer in the city, with special focus on the '2C7' prayer movement. From the heart of prayer, friendships developed, connections were made to the city leaders, churches were planted and grew, hope was strengthened and faith built.

The title Heal the Land is another snippet from the Bible, this time from the Old Testament, 2Chronicles 7:14 of which the last three words are actually heal their land, where God promises that he will heal the land of the people of Israel if they would come to him in prayer and repentance; if they'd seek his face and if they'd humble themselves.

Ten years ago we began what became known as our 2Chronicles 7/14 prayer meeting for the city and we came together to humble ourselves, to pray, to turn away from sin and to seek God's face so that he would heal the land.

Heather: What do you cover in the book?