Conscience-stricken people have handed in large quantities of stolen goods, including hotel towels, a bathrobe and cash, after attending a church rally at which a preacher urged them to repent.
The inventory of pilfered items included hospital crutches, library books, CDs, videotapes—and about US$560. There were also several letters of confession.
The items were left in large special containers at the Anglican cathedral in Liverpool, northern England, after May 15 when a congregation of 3000 heard renowned preacher J. John speak at the cathedral on the Eighth Commandment: "Thou shalt not steal."
"John has a gift from God to reach audiences with a life-changing message," said Wayne Clarke, a Baptist minister and spokesman for the event, which was part of a series supported by more than 100 Liverpool churches.
Where ownership can be established, the churches will return to their owners the towels, bathrobe and other items. Some of the hotels are abroad.
Addressing the use of church funds to return the towels, Clarke said: "We have a moral obligation to do so. It's not a question of the best use of money, but of doing what's right."
John, 43, has been preaching on the Ten Commandments in a series of meetings in Liverpool.
His challenge to his audience on the Seventh Commandment—"Thou shalt not commit adultery"—also produced a big response. Pornographic books and videos were left in plain covers in the days after the meeting, and were then burnt.
Clarke expressed confidence that the preachings would have a lasting effect in Liverpool and the surrounding Merseyside area. "Combined with the ongoing work of the churches, these meetings can change Merseyside," he said.
Arun Kataria, spokesman for the Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, said archbishop regards John's work as of "primary importance."
Born in London to Greek-Cypriot parents, John became a Christian as a teenager in 1975. His ability to express the Christian message dynamically to large groups was quickly recognized and encouraged. After studying theology at St. John's College, Nottingham, central England, he joined the staff of St Nicholas, an Anglican city center church in Nottingham.
In 1980, the Philo Trust was established to support him in his mission work. It has four full-time staff as well as freelance researchers and advisers.
John said goods are commonly handed in after his meetings, with stolen items ranging from computers to shovels.
"Stealing any item, however small, is wrong. The commandment doesn't say 'Don't steal over one pound [sterling] at a time," John said.
"A man who is now a vicar took towels from the Wimbledon tennis championships years ago when he was working there. He kept them all these years, and has now returned them."
Guns, knives, crystals and charms are among items handed over in response to speeches on other commandments.
"Giving up the items is a cathartic thing for people to do," John said. Over the past two decades he has completed thousands of speaking engagements at conferences, towns, cities and universities in 26 countries around the world. One million copies of his books have been sold in 13 languages.
He said he launched the Ten Commandments series three years ago, feeling it was "God's timing for a time such as this." He has taught the commandments, which he covers in reverse order, in 11 towns and cities in Britain, with two series (including Liverpool) in progress and two more scheduled for next year.
John estimates that four out of 10 of those listening to his talks are not regular churchgoers.
A video version of the Ten Commandments series, to be available internationally, is planned for release later this year.
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