Chris Evans, who has worked for over 40 years with Initiatives of Change, launched his new book Did we get it right, Love? at the annual general meeting of Initiatives of Change UK, held at the IofC centre in London on 23 June, 2009.
Evans was also appointed Chair of Trustees of Initiatives of Change UK at the AGM, following Elisabeth Tooms’ two years tenure as Chair. Evans previously served on the International Council of Initiatives of Change for five years, 2003-2008.
“Forty years ago, with a group of friends, I set out to try to remake the world,” writes Evans in the book’s introduction. “No, we hadn’t been drinking, and it was not done on the spur of the moment. But it was still preposterous.” However, he continues, “a surprising number of us are still at it, spread around the world and closely in touch with each other. So how are we getting on?”
The book is a frank, personal and faith-filled evaluation of a work and calling still in progress. Evans’ story takes him from his home in Whitbourne, Herefordshire, on the road with a musical show, into the factories of the West Midlands, to India, Switzerland, Siberia and back to Whitbourne. The book is illustrated with 19 of his poems, which reveal the depth of his own faith as an Anglican. The book takes its title from the first line of one of his poems. He read two of his poems from the book at its launch.
One bookshop owner has described the book as ‘very challenging, courageous and humble all at the same time’.
Caux Books, ISBN 978-2-88037-518-8, paperback, 96 pages.
Available from: Books, Initiatives of Change, 24 Greencoat Place, London SW1P 1RD
English