Hope in the Main Street
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Rev. Rob Cotton demonstrates how we can effectively bring the good news to our towns and cities.
Rob shows how we can practically engage with our local communities, building relationships that enable social action, presenting the teachings of the Bible in ways that contemporary audiences can relate to and presenting Christianity as genuine good news.
Rob has led a number of churches, as well as being Senior Campaign Manager at Bible Society and on the leadership teams for national campaigns such as Hope 08, Biblefresh and The 2011 Trust (celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible). From the humorous to the heartbreaking, these stories from his years of ministry will equip you, encourage you and challenge you to bring ‘hope on the main street’.
“Rob Cotton demonstrates how our churches can engage with the community around … presenting Christianity as genuine good news.”
About the Author
Rob Cotton
Superintendent Minister
Rob Cotton is the Superintendent Minister at a large Methodist church in Knutsford and also the village of Plumley in Cheshire. He has previously served in Arnold, Nottingham and Ingol, Preston. He is known as being passionate about mobilising the church to meet needs within local communities and to bring hope into the lives of individuals.
Rob’s book ‘Hope in the Main Street’ tells the stories of where he has seen churches reaching out to bring hope to people. As he tells of his story and the amazing experiences that he has had, from dealing with the national press after the murder of Marian Bates in the town of Arnold, Nottingham, to meeting royalty and a Prime Minister, he hopes to empower others to tell their stories too.
Prior to his current appointment, he was the Senior Campaign Manager at Bible Society, working on citywide media campaigns relating stories in the Bible to soap stories, and also on the leadership teams for national campaigns such as Hope 08, Biblefresh and ‘The 2011 Trust’ (celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible).
Events
March 2018
Stand at Representative Synod.
April 2018
Seminar at ECG (Methodist event) in Scarborough.
June 2018
9th. National book launch at Knutsford Heritage Centre.
13th. Author interview on Cross Rhythms radio.
17th. Local book launch at Alderley Edge Methodist Church.
July 2018
1st – 3rd. Book signing at the Methodist Conference 2018.
2nd. Local book launch with Freddie Kofi at Arnold Methodist Church. 7.45 pm for an 8 pm start. All welcome!
8th, 4pm. Author speaking at Fulwood Methodist Church in Preston.
8th. Book profile at Civic Service in Preston.
11th, 7.30pm. Author speaking at Town Church, Northwich, for the first worship service of Zac’s House.
August 2018
31st. Congleton Bible Weekend – Wellspring 7.30pm – Testimony and book promotion event with Ian Coffey preaching.
September 2018
16th, 2.30pm. Author speaking at the Harvest Festival of Whiston Methodist Chapel in Staffordshire.
23rd. Local book launch and author speaking at Leek Trinity.
October 2018
4th, 7.30pm. Congleton book launch event at New Life Community Church and Words and Music bookshop.
5th, 7.30pm . Whiston Village Hall Multi Media Book Launch event with mainstream music band Sapphire presenting ‘Our life story in music’.
21st. Local book launch at Lymm Methodist Café Church.
November 2018
6th. Firefest Celebration at Longton Central Hall, Stoke-on-Trent with worship leader Shane Rootes.
7th. Firefest Celebration at Gornal and Sedgley with worship leader Shane Rootes.
Rob Cotton book signing
Publisher promoting Hope in the Main Street
With Tony Campolo
Civic Service in Knutsford
Hope in the Main Street profiled at Civic Service in Knutsford
Hope in the Main Street display
Book Launch
Beechwood House
Book signing conversation
Rob Cotton signing books
‘Meet the author’ event to take place in Matlock
Rob Cotton, author of Hope in the Main Street will be speaking at an event at Steep Turnpike Evangelical church in Matlock.Come along at 7 p.m on Wednesday 1st May and be inspired as Rob shares his passion for local churches to become active in their...
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Book launch for Hope in the Main Street
Author Rob Cotton will attend a book launch at Lymm Methodist church for his inspiring book ‘Hope in the Main Street’ this weekend.
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Rev. Rob Cotton to speak at Firefest
Review of Lizzie White’s 26 Years to Eternity in Woman Alive Book Club column promises ‘it will touch your heart like it did mine’.
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Sapphire present ‘Our Life in Music’ at book launch
The local launch of the book Hope in the Main Street will be held on Friday 5th October, 2018 at Whiston Village Hall, at 7.30 pm. Come along to get your signed copy of the book and hear the band present “Our Life in Music”.
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Retailers queue for a copy of Hope in the Main Street
Over 150 retailers and authors received a copy of Rob Cotton’s book, Hope in the Main Street, at the Christian Resources Together 2018 retreat.
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Hope in the Main Street at Congleton Bible Weekend
If you are attending the Congleton Bible Weekend this year, don't miss the opportunity to hear Rob Cotton, author of Hope in the Main Street, sharing the testimony behind his book. What? Rev Ian Coffey will be the speaker, taking as his theme,...
read moreEndorsements and Reviews
Andy Hawthorne OBE, The Message Trust
Rev. Rob Cotton demonstrates how our churches can engage with the community around, building relationships that enable social action, presenting the teachings of the Bible in ways that contemporary audiences can relate to and presenting Christianity as genuine good news. Rob has led a number of churches, as well as being Senior Campaign Manager at Bible Society and on the leadership teams for national campaigns such as Hope 08, Biblefresh and The 2011 Trust (celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible). From the humorous to the heartbreaking, these stories from his years of ministry will equip you, encourage you and challenge you to bring ‘hope on the main street’. Rob Cotton is the real deal and as such is constantly provoking the church to take our message of hope out to where it’s really needed. He’s learnt so much over the years and anybody who is serious about mission will love this book.
Andy Hawthorne OBE
Founder and CEO, The Message Trust
Freddie Kofi, Singer / Songwriter
Great to see first hand a dream – once just a spark, spoken of and prayed about so faithfully for so many years – come to fruition and into being. This is a timely book with a message downloaded from the realm of expectation to a season of realisation; where many will without doubt be blessed by the unflinching arrogance of hope in the face of devastation; a book that will leave you not a moment longer without the beautiful fragrance of hope. Rob Cotton is a great pastor, leader, author and even greater friend!
Freddie Kofi
Singer/Songwriter
Loraine Mellor, Methodist Conference 2017-2018
Rob, as a Methodist presbyter engaged in circuit ministry and with his many years working with the Bible Society, has encountered people who needed to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. In this book he shares his rich experience of mission and ministry while trying to bring hope and healing in seemingly hopeless situations. I hope this book will encourage each of us to share our stories of hope and faith during the year of HOPE 2018.
Loraine Mellor
President of the Methodist Conference 2017-2018
Andrew Lunn, Manchester and Stockport Methodist District
Rob Cotton’s book invites churches to take hope into public places, and to be the presence of Jesus on high streets and in town halls, at bus stops and school gates. I warmly commend ‘Hope in the Main Street’ for study and as inspiration for mission.
Andrew Lunn
Chair of Manchester and Stockport Methodist District
Rt. Rev. Bishop Mike Hill, Bishop of Bristol
I first met Rob Cotton when he inspired Bristol Church Leaders with his presentation ‘Engaging Contemporary Society’, the story of his Arnold Church in Nottingham meeting need in the local community after the tragic murder of Marian Bates. As a result, I commended him to other church leaders as he then helped to develop Bible Society’s citywide media campaign in Bristol, and became his friend. More recently, I have been pleased to return to my childhood home of Knutsford and to support Rob’s ministry in that context. I now commend his book ‘Hope in the Main Street’ as he seeks to inspire the wider church with his story.
Rt. Rev. Bishop Mike Hill
Bishop of Bristol
“…many will without doubt be blessed by [Rob’s] unflinching arrogance of hope in the face of devastation….”
“I warmly commend ‘Hope in the Main Street’ for study and as inspiration for mission.”
In the Media
Methodist Recorder is ‘enthralled and inspired’ by Rob Cotton’s book
“Get a copy of this book. Read it. Talk about it. Pray about it. Be inspired. And then go out and do it.” – Rev. Dr Adrian Burton, The Methodist Recorder
Knutsford Guardian reports on Heritage Centre book launch
The successful launch took place at the Knutsford Heritage Centre with Lord Lieutenant David Briggs, Tatton MP Esther McVey and Cllr Andrew Malloy, Knutsford’s deputy mayor as key speakers.
Ruth O’Reilly to interview Rob Cotton on UCB2
Rev. Rob Cotton will be discussing his recently published book, Hope in the Main Street, during an interview with Ruth O'Reilly from 11.00 to 12.00. About 'Hope in the Main Street' Rev. Rob Cotton demonstrates how our churches can...
The Knutsford Guardian reports on ‘Hope in the Main Street’
The Knutsford Guardian reported that “Rev. Cotton is known as being passionate about mobilising the church to meet needs in local communities and to bring hope into the lives of individuals.”
