A Q&A with Helen Thorne

Cats or dogs?

Definitely cats. I have two – Molly (old and grumpy) and Moo (unendingly greedy). They’re both black and white - I like my pets to co-ordinate – and see it as their highest goal to stop me writing by sitting on my keyboard at every opportunity!

Summer or Winter?

Winter, as long as the central heating is working. I love waking up to crisp, frosty mornings with cobwebs sparkling or looking out of my window at lunchtime, watching branches being tossed around as I down a piping hot bowl of soup. And what’s not to like about a roaring fire? Cosy beats air-conditioned any day.

Cinema trip out or movie night in?

Movie night every time. It’s cheaper, more comfortable, you can eat Chinese food while the film is playing and pick a volume that enables you to enjoy the company of the friends you’re with. I only go to the cinema about once every two years (I fear I may be getting slightly old and grumpy like my cat!) 

What did you want to be when you were younger?

I longed to be a professional musician. As a child I spent hours practising various instruments every day and dreamed of wowing audiences across the world. I became pretty competent on the Piano and the Recorder (yup, really – there’s a huge professional repertoire for the instrument that most children abandon by the age of 7) and I still love to play, when I get the time, but it’s best for everyone that I don’t try to perform in public these days.

Where was the last place you went out for food and drink?

I’m often to be found in my local Thai restaurant. The food is so fresh, the aromatics dance on my tongue – the vegetables beautifully cooked yet crunchy and the ambience a joy. If I’m honest, though, I think the last place I actually ate was Wetherspoons … sometimes a girl just wants some chips!

What were your favourite subjects as school?

English Literature and Biology. I used to love memorizing Shakespeare (though have forgotten most of it now) – the rhythm of his words captured my imagination and I got swept along with the poetry and prose. Equally appealing was the joy of seeing plant cells under the microscope: the intricacy of a leaf, the complexity of a piece of pollen – the world we live in is such a fascination and a delight (and what a glorious signpost to our loving Lord!)

What job or jobs do you have?

I’m the Director of Training and Mentoring at London City Mission. As an organization, we have a passion to work among the least-reached communities of London and – in partnership with local churches – share the Good News of Jesus. Each day I have the privilege of being involved in helping our staff – and local Christians – grow in their knowledge and understanding of God and become ever more equipped for the work of mission. With lots of courses running throughout the year, there’s plenty to keep my colleagues and I occupied. I’m also a trustee of Biblical Counselling UK and love having plenty of teaching opportunities there too – connecting the riches of Scripture to the realities of life.  

What prompted you to write it in the first place?

I come across lots of people who are in abusive relationships. They hail from all walks of life – their stories are very different – but most have one thing in common: the people around them in church don’t know how to help them. So, when Biblical Counselling UK was starting to talk about bringing out a series of books, one on domestic abuse seemed like a good place to start. It’s not designed to be an “all you need to know” kind of book – nor is it a book that goes into any great depth about what people like the Police and Social Workers can do – it’s a book that helps pastors, small group leaders and other Christian brothers and sisters to get involved with people who are being abused in ways that are wise, biblical and fruitful.

What are your hopes for what this book will do in the hands of your readers?

My big prayer is that this book will galvanise our churches to become ever more communities where abuse can be discussed; enable Christians to speak words of hope to people who are being abused and bring about real and lasting change in the lives of some people who, right now, are being hurt. I know that there is true hope for those who are being abused – I’ve had the privilege of seeing many move towards real and lasting freedom – and I long for others to know that joy too as they follow their Good Shepherd each and every day of their lives.