All Nations Catholic Charismatic Group: Building Catholic Charismatic Groups by spreading the Good News

By Andy Drozdziak

All Nations Catholic Charismatic Group (ANCCG) is on a mission.

ANCCG, a network of Catholic Charismatic Renewal groups, based in Croydon, exists to help build Catholic Charismatic groups in many parishes.

Bro Simon Maduekwe, the leader of All Nations, spoke of his desire to deepen faith and collaborate with his home Archdiocese of Southwark. He told CCR:"Our mission is to deepen our faith, spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and use our gifts in our community to inspire each other and reach out to others. We also collaborate with the Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis and CHARIS to train leaders of our parish prayer groups."

With over 400 people involved in All Nations, there is plenty of activities with which people of all ages can get involved. A youth club enables young people to experience the love of God in innovative and creative ways. "We are passionate about the general well being of young adults and children," Bro Simon said. "Hence, we aim to engage them in activities that will strengthen and improve their mental, physical and moral/ spiritual wellbeing through different programmes."

"Our aim is to ensure that our youths become leaders of tomorrow and build an atmosphere of love of God and love of neighbour. ANCCG sponsors youth events and activities."

Responding to CHARIS call to serve the poor

One of the aims of CHARIS, given by Pope Francis, is a call to serve the poor and those in greatest need. ANCCG runs a food bank and other projects "to support families and individuals in need."

Bro Simon said: "Through our poverty and hunger alleviation projects and events, we engage in fight against inequalities and social injustice. ANCCG food bank project provides food to the less privileged members of our society and also give grants and vouchers to support young adults, children and family struggling financially and low-income earners."

Life in the Spirit Seminars and days of healing are organised on a parish level, with Bro Simon and his team striving to support people from all races and backgrounds. He said: "We provide spiritual and practical support to all regardless of nationality, belief or race. In the community and parish level, we aim to assist people deepen their understanding about God’s love."

Empowering people to live a life in the Spirit

Their list of activities illustrates how busy they are striving to build God's Kingdom, with a variety of missions taking place, including community and parish-engaging programmes, seminars, retreats, prayer meetings, leadership training, online night vigil, email prayer request network, social media evangelisation through website, Facebook and YouTube, conferences, and community social events.

ANCCG also work closely with the Southwark Archdiocesan CDSC Team, whilst the Archdiocese of Southwark has assigned a chaplain, Rev. Fr. Vincent Omokpakpo MSP, to the group.

Bro Simon is keen to empower people to live a life in the Spirit, and believes the future is bright. He said: "ANCCG assists in faith journey pursuit and helps (people) build a personal relationship with God through the power of the Holy Spirit and baptism of the Holy Spirit."

For more information, visit https://anccg.org.uk/

Pictures: https://anccg.org.uk/