Page 2 - The Plain Truth Spring-Summer 2026

The Plain Truth Editorial | Mary Hammond

A fond farewell…

t was back in 2002, when its previous writers like Br David Jardine and the late Revd Canon Roy
publishers had made the decision to Lawrence. (And we mustn’t forget the book we published
Icease printing The Plain Truth, that a in 2019, which was a collection of inspirational articles
by Roy Lawrence which had previously appeared in our
separate independent charity was established magazine. With the title: Plain Truths about Life, Faith and
by a handful of people with a shared vision to Healing, over 1,000 books were given away free to those
continue producing a Christian magazine. An requesting a copy.
,,! ( "+. Ƃ* * % ( /1,,+.0 3 / ( 1* $! 0+
%0/ .! !./ 0 0$ 0 0%)!Ī * /1Ɖ %!*0 "1* / 0+ Reaching further audiences
,1 (%/$ 0$! ) # 6%*! "+. 0$! Ƃ./0 "!3 %//1!/ 3 / Another of our initiatives over the past few years was to
launch our podcast ‘Plain Talking’ which was hosted and
secured. edited by Rev Gethin Russell-Jones and has been well-
Against all odds and under the editorship received. And to date, 27 episodes have been produced
of the late, John Halford until 2008, The Plain and uploaded for the world to hear the great variety of
Truth continued in print and was sent free of interviews, testimonies and inspirational thoughts from
charge to all those requesting the magazine. a wide range of topics from those involved in Christian
At that time, there were about 20,000 copies ministry, charitable work or local and national initiatives.
These podcasts have reached many thousands and will
printed and posted – mainly in the UK, but remain on the internet for ever. Gethin has been with
reaching over 80 countries worldwide. The Plain Truth since we started in 2002 as a popular
regular writer as well as columnist of ‘A View from the High
Upon request, bulk copies of our magazine were sent to Street’, looking at current affairs and topics and giving
a church congregation in New Zealand, to churches and us all food for thought. His contribution has be highly
Christian bookshops as well as schools and universities appreciated and valued.
where its contents were used as a basis of discussions,
assemblies, Bible studies and house groups. Changing times
Over the years, the magazine attracted some significant With technology evolving so fast over the years, a growing
attention by many Christian organisations and charities, list of our current and new readers have opted to receive
churches and authors, as well as individuals who had our magazine in a digital format to read on their phones,
encouraging lived experiences to share based on their Tablets or computer screens at their leisure. Producing
Christian faith. a digital-only version of The Plain Truth could of course
The Plain Truth secured interviews and attended saved tens of thousands of pounds in print and postage
events with key Christian figures and theologians such costs, all of which have escalated tremendously over these
as Desmond Tutu, Jonathan Sacks, Joni Earekson Tada, last few years.
Alister McGrath and Prof David Wilkinson to name a few. However, with a majority of elderly readers with either
(Many went on to write further articles which we have poor eyesight, or not wanting or unable to access a digital
published in our magazine.) copy of the magazine we have continued to offer printed
copies as funds allow.
Timely and relevant But sadly, over the last three years, our charity has
We have carried a wide range of topics in our articles over suffered a sharp decline in income and at the same time
the years on church growth and initiatives around the UK, escalating costs. And despite our best efforts to seek outside
as well as reporting on more serious topics that rarely reach funding from grant-making trusts, our requests for funding
the media about the suffering and brutal persecution of our have been unsuccessful. (At the same time, my own health
Christian brothers and sisters across the globe. has suffered quite badly with a recently diagnosed auto-
Working closely with agencies like Open Doors, Release immune disease.)
International and CSW has enabled us to keep you informed So after much thought, discussion and prayerful
– and prayerfully involved – of emerging and on-going deliberation, the Trustees have made the sad decision that
crisis faced daily by many whose ‘crime’ is merely accepting this will be the last printed issue of The Plain Truth. Our
Christ’s sacrifice and identifying as a ‘Christian’. website with free downloads will remain open in the short
Of course, exploring the Bible more deeply through term – as will our admin support. But as the year comes to
regular articles, features and themed series has played a big a close, so will the charity.
part in our magazine. It has been an exciting and inspiring journey over more
And over the years we have been very privileged to carry than two decades, and we thank all of you for your support
articles on key Christian principles such as forgiveness; over the years and we ask that God will bless you all.
prayer; repentance and salvation from highly regarded From all of us to all of you – a very fond farewell. ,

2 The Plain Truth Spring-Summer 2026 Find us online at www.plain-truth.org.uk