Sunshine on Leith

It’s finally getting a little bit warmer, flowers and trees are starting to bloom and there is even a little bit of “Sunshine on Leith” in between the rainy days. This past month I’ve enjoyed a lot of time outside running, cycling, reading, visiting the beach, and just walking around beautiful Edinburgh. (If you haven’t heard of the song “Sunshine on Leith,” it’s a great song written in the 1980’s by the Scottish band, The Proclaimers. They also wrote “I Would Walk 500 Miles,” maybe you know that one better. :) )

Leith, the part of Edinburgh I live in and where Bethany Centre is located, has not always been known as the “sunny” side of town though. Leith is recognized mainly as the major port access for Edinburgh but after World War II the docks underwent severe decline. Post war, there was debate to whether some areas of Leith would become industrial or residential and the culture ended up being deprived. It became known for its roughness, prostitution, and drug sub-culture.

Across the street from what is now known as Bethany Centre there is a church called “South Leith Baptist” where Alan Berry was the pastor in the 1970's. Because of the poor condition Leith had become Berry was constantly being confronted by the needs of homeless and vulnerable people who came to the church in need of food, shelter, and money. He felt challenged by the people he was meeting and what he was teaching at the pulpit about feeding the hungry and clothing the naked.

After much prayer, Alan and his wife Anne, along with 2 other friends, became trustees and founders of the Bethany Christian Trust. The original plan was just to open a Christian hostel but finding a suitable and affordable building was difficult and came with many disappointments. Finally, they found the perfect place right across the street from the church: 6 Casselbank Street. While it used to be a night club and then a commercial hotel, through Bethany, the beautiful 150 year old Georgian building became “a place of quiet rest” just like the biblical Bethany. On 4th April 1983 Bethany was opened for business.

Fast forwarding through the rest of the history, 6 Casselbank Street eventually became what it is today: a supported community for men, a Christian recovery centre. 2008 marked the 25th anniversary of Bethany Christian Trust and has expanded greatly since it first began. Now offering a wide range of services, the centre is just one piece of the puzzle. (Check out my “What is Bethany anyway?” post to see the full range of services)

I find the story of Bethany’s history to be encouraging and an awesome testimony of how God can use one man’s vision to do something great.

Alan Berry has a great story to tell but every person has their own story as well. One of my favorite things about working at Bethany is being able to listen to and learn about the story of each guy who comes into the centre. I wish I could introduce you to each person and share with you their individual story and how they've grown but I think that would be considered a breach of confidentiality… From homelessness to wealthy lifestyles, abusive families or Christian homes, generations of addiction to first generation addicts, they are all different while they all long for the same thing: freedom.

Praise God that Bethany helps over 3,000 vulnerable people each year to get their lives back on track. May we never take for granted His power and blessings. Please pray that God’s light will continue to shine upon Bethany, all the service users and the staff.

“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16