Chris Cole and Prime Minister Gordon Brown

Chris and Kerry Cole, who pioneered and founded Cross Rhythms in 1983, recently attended a 'Christian Christmas Celebration' at 10 Downing Street hosted by PM Gordon Brown.

The event, billed as the No 10 'Christmas Tea', took place on December 7th. This was the second year running that Cross Rhythms had been invited to celebrate Christmas with the PM, and Kerry Cole says she was thrilled to be asked again. "From Cross Rhythms point of view, it is very encouraging that our work with local radio is recognised at the highest levels of government, because we believe that we have something so good to influence our cities with, especially our youth," said Kerry.

During the event, the Prime Minister spoke to assembled guests about how the practice of Christian values can help improve society: "At the centre of our society," said Mr Brown, "perhaps more so than any other country I know in Western Europe, is the belief that churches and faith have a role. At the centre of our society is the belief that the legitimate public debate is how we interpret our Christian values and our faiths to make for a better society. At the centre of that is also a sense that families are important. What we can do to support family life in this country is absolutely crucial."

The Prime Minister went on to say, "...let us not forget that this is a country where the Christian values that were so important over all the centuries are still right at the centre of our national life. Never forget that, when we are reading newspapers or watching television, whatever you see day to day, there are issues far more important than the day-to-day coverage of individual events. They are the basic values that underpin our society."

Chris and Kerry Cole at Number 10

The Prime Minister's emphasis on family values and how they are embodied in the Christian faith resonates with all those at Cross Rhythms. "We've been broadcasting contemporary Christian music that reaches our young people with a positive message for over 25 years," said Chris Cole, "to hear those values endorsed by the PM was truly encouraging. Cross Rhythms radio stations are run by Christians but they are broadcast for the whole of the city. The music is excellent quality, with every genre imaginable represented in all its diversity. At the core of all that we do and all that we broadcast is the profound belief that the Christian faith has a tremendous contribution to make to the well-being of our city, and especially our young people, in these troubled times."

According to Kerry, there wasn't really one particular 'highlight of the day' (apart from the sausage rolls which she apparently really enjoyed); "The whole event, affirming the contribution of Christian organisations to the welfare of Britain, was a highlight in itself," she said.

"Very often, those in leadership in our country have a rough time of it, with little thanks for what they do. For Gordon Brown to take time to encourage other people in their work, when he himself is managing huge crises every day, as well as being a father and husband with family issues to handle like many of us, shows a side to the man that we do not often see emphasised in our media."

With Chris and Kerry gaining increasing recognition on a national stage, and the profile and value of Cross Rhythms beginning to be recognised at the highest levels, it is easy to forget that this influential ministry all started with a half hour radio show on Plymouth Sound local radio. That's a long way from the current success and influence of three FM Community Radio stations broadcasting 24/7 in Stoke On Trent, Plymouth and Stockton on Tees, not to mention the Cross Rhythms website which last year attracted nearly 900,000 unique visitors, 70% of whom were under 35.

Chris Cole receiving the CBC Gold Exploits Award

Yet this recognition is exactly what happened in late November when at a separate event, the Christian Broadcasting Council Conference, CR Founders Chris and Kerry were acknowledged and honoured with the prestigious Gold Exploits Award for their pioneering of the Cross Rhythms media ministry.

Upon presentation of the award, CBC Chair Olave Snelling declared: "The CBC Gold Exploits Award you have received tonight is a passionate tribute to the pioneering work of Chris and Kerry Cole. We applaud Cross Rhythms and the magnificent work it does through music and speech, spreading hope in the community and communicating that precious Word of God with power into untold numbers of lives, particularly among young people. Thanks be to God!