John Kirkby created the Christian debt charity in 1996 which has served tens of thousands of individuals each year by helping those struggling with debt, unemployment and life controlling habits, equipping them to live well despite a low income. 

Speaking to Premier, Kirkby said how he and his wife found out he would receive a CBE: “Believe it or not, I just got a letter and Lizzie was laughing at me. It says On Her Majesty’s Service on the letter and I thought, ‘have I filed my tax funds in properly – what possibly could it be?’

“And then we opened it and it’s just a very matter of fact letter and we just couldn’t believe it.”

A number of other people who work to serve the Church, communities and vulnerable people have also been recognised on the Honours List, which recognises the achievements of a wide range of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom.

Edward Hudson is the founder of Bibles for Children and will receive a British Empire Medal (BEM).

He told Premier what this means to him.

“It comes at a great honour but not just for me but for all those who’ve helped with the work of Bibles for Children over the…last 21 years,” he said.

“The trustees and associates that have been appointed, and many people up and down the country that we’ve never met of course, so it’s an honour for all of them I believe – not just for myself.”

Awards include:

• A damehood for…

It adopted the new policy at an annual meeting in Belfast on Friday.

The measure will not prevent anyone from attending worship, coming into church, receiving communion, or having access to pastoral care, a spokesman said.

He added: “On many issues the Church provides guidance to our ministers and elders in Kirk sessions and we wanted to consider what a credible profession of faith means for same-sex couples who want to become communicant members of the Church.

“The same principle also applies to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance and those who want to baptise their children.”

Earlier in the week, the church voted to loosen its ties with the Church of Scotland because of its more liberal attitude towards same-sex relationships.

The head of the Church of Scotland (moderator) will no longer be invited to the annual meeting of the Presbyterian General Assembly in Belfast.

Last month the Church of Scotland took a step towards allowing ministers to conduct same-sex marriages.

Its General Assembly asked a committee to draft church law on the issue.

The Church of Scotland is considered the mother church of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland.

Presbyterians in Ireland have also agreed their moderator, the Rev Dr Charles McMullen, should meet Pope Francis when he visits Dublin in August.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland is the largest…

Zofija Kaczan suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured cheek bone, in an attack on 28th May and died in hospital on Wednesday.

Arthur Waszkiewicz, 39, was charged on Friday and spoke only to confirm his name, address and nationality when he appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

Wearing a black jacket and grey jeans, Waszkiewicz looked at the floor throughout the 10-minute hearing.

Flanked by two dock officers, the Polish-born defendant was not required to enter any pleas.

Ms Kaczan, who was held in a Nazi training camp during the Second World War, was approached from behind, knocked over and had her green handbag snatched at 8.45am, close to the junction of St Chads Road and Empress Road in Normanton, Derby.

It has been reported that she had left her home to go to a service at St Maksymilian Kolbe Polish Church where she attended daily services.

Undated handout photo issued by Derbyshire Police of Zofija Kaczan’s green handbag which was stolen when she was attacked.

The bag, made of fake leather with gold clasps, was found at the junction of Moore Street and Normanton Road.

Waszkiewicz, of Hilary Road in Shepherds Bush, west London, was remanded into custody to appear at Derby Crown Court on 6th July.

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Pierre Boena, a pastor with an Assembly of God church, four family members and a church member were kidnapped on Sunday evening in the village of Bilhore, near the border with Mali.

Local sources told national broadcaster Omega Radio that Boena, his son David and his daughter-in-law, Ami Sawadogo were released yesterday, however no mention was made of the two granddaughters, Fasne-wendé Ouédraogo and Pélagie Sawadogo, who were also abducted.

It remains unclear if a ransom was paid to secure their release.

Meanwhile, catechist Basnéré Mathieu Sawadogo, and his wife Alizeta, who were abducted two weeks earlier still remain in captivity.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the recent kidnappings, World Watch Monitor reports that the perpetrators are believed to be members of the Fulani ethnic group.

Access to grazing land and water has caused tensions between communities in the African nation.

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Sister Imelda Poole, president of Religious in Europe Networking Against Trafficking and Exploitation (RENATE), has been made an MBE for services to combating modern slavery.

The nun, also president of Mary Ward Loreto (Albanian Mission Against Human Trafficking), previously spent many years helping vulnerable people in the UK including in Manchester, Glasgow and Middlesbrough.

Sister Imelda said: “This is an honour which I accept on behalf of the female religious and co-workers who are contributing, through the mission of many international networks such as RENATE, to combating modern day slavery and on behalf of the dedicated staff of Mary Ward Loreto in Albania who are passionate in this same cause.

“May this award expose even further the terrible crime of human trafficking which, as Pope Francis has declared, is a crime against humanity itself.”

RENATE fights against modern slavery in 24 countries in Europe, helping to support victims of human trafficking and working to bring perpetrators to justice.

Sister Imelda, originally from Edgbaston in Birmingham, has a UK base with her Sisters of Loreto congregation in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, but is currently living and working in Albania.

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