NHS statistics reveal that the number girls under 18 admitted to hospital after self-harm have doubled in the last 20 years – there were 13,463 treated last year, compared to 7,327 in 1997.

Annie Cluley has been a counsellor for 30 years, with most of those visiting her being Christians who want her to include the gospel in their sessions.

She told Premier that a lot of her time is spent on correcting things that her clients have heard at church which haven’t helped:

“I think I’ve had to undo an awful lot of very unhelpful remarks that Christians make and I think what I want is a good pastoral training in every church because I really feel quite strongly that people are so uneducated in this area.

“Christians make a huge amount of mistakes, and people out in the world, and thank God the (government) are spending £300 million on educating in schools – and I think I don’t care where they get good education from about what’s going with self-harm and bullying as long as there’s good input.

“On the whole I would say Christians can be quite un-doing of some of the good works – they just say – ‘Oh, let’s pray about it'”

Cluely explained what other phrases can be unhelpful but are commonly used:

“‘Bring it to foot of the Cross’ or ‘You shouldn’t be doing this, you’re a Christian’, ‘You should know better’…it’s all out of ignorance because they don’t know how to deal with it…

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the decision in Ankara during his ‘100 days performance’ meeting on Saturday and said Turkey had been “patient” since the US sanctions were imposed.

“Those who think that they can make Turkey take a step back with ridiculous sanctions have never known this country or this nation,” Mr Erdogan said.

“We have never bowed our heads to such pressure and will never do so.”

Andrew Brunson, a 50 year old evangelical pastor from Black Mountain in North Carolina, was arrested in December 2016 and later charged with links to a failed plot to overthrow the Turkish government in July 2016.

He faces a prison sentence of up to 35 years if he is convicted of espionage and terror-related charges.

Despite the announcement of sanctions, Erdogan called for a return to the two country’s partnership.

Mr Erdogan insisted the row over the pastor shouldn’t come between the two country’s relationships.

“We think there is no problem we cannot solve with the American administration,” he said.

A total disgrace that Turkey will not release a respected U.S. Pastor, Andrew Brunson, from prison. He has been held hostage far too long. @RT_Erdogan should do something to free this wonderful Christian husband & father. He has done nothing wrong, and his family needs him!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2018

President Donald Trump and Vice…

Steve Carter (pictured above)who has been described as one of Hybels’ heirs, wrote on his blog that he had made the decision some time ago following the church’s handling of the allegations.

Hybels has been accused of sexual misconduct, with the latest claim being made in the New York Times that he indecently touched a former assistant.

While Hybels stood down from church ministry when the allegations first surfaced, he denied wrongdoing but apologised for being “unwise” and potentially misleading people.

Willow Creek has faced much criticism over its handling of the situation. Previous to the allegations being made public and internal investigation cleared him of any misconduct.

Ten women have now come forward with allegations.

Responding to the situation, Steve Carter wrote: “Since the first women came forward with their stories, I have been gravely concerned about our church’s official response, and its ongoing approach to these painful issues.

“After many frank conversations with our elders, it became clear that there is a fundamental difference in judgment between what I believe is necessary for Willow Creek to move in a positive direction, and what they think is best.

“That is not to say that I am right and they are wrong. But I must follow the path that I believe God has laid out for me to live with integrity,…

Founded in 1993 – when the internet was still in its infancy – Bible Gateway has since received more than 14 billion visits and grown to offer translations of scripture in more than 70 languages.

Content manager, Jonathan Petersen told Premier: “We’re thrilled with God’s blessing on Bible Gateway.

“You never know where God is going to take you.

“We’re just very happy with how people are interacting with us – and how they are able to use Bible Gateway for their own benefit, Bible reading and study.”

More than 200 versions of the Bible are now available on Bible Gateway, which also offers audio services featuring readers including David Suchet.

The service was originally used as internal Bible research computer tool for theology students at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Explaining how people use the free website in different ways, Jonathan Petersen said: “People will come and quickly look for a Bible verse. When they find, then they leave.

“Other people come to Bible Gateway on a regular basis. They are wanting to read different Bible translations side-by-side, comparing them.”

Click here to listen to Premier’s Tola Mbakwe speaking with Jonathan Petersen at Bible Gateway:

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