Joanna Sopylo-Firrisa
Writer and blogger Joanna Sopylo-Firrisa has worked as a freelance journalist in Poland and has written for various media in the UK. Joanna blogs about faith and everyday life.
A struggle to stay afloat amid the pandemic
12 August 2020Few of us would think that people living on boats need support, whether it is during the pandemic or not. Most of us, when thinking about them, might picture an older but vigorous couple who has finally got the time to fulfil their dreams to live a peaceful life on a comfortable narrow boat. Or, we might think of a young professional that chose an alternative lifestyle. Sadly, the reality can be far less idyllic. Many people living on boats move there following a divorce and are alone and…
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Students on an (online) mission
29 June 2020Shortly after this, when churches around the UK closed to help supress the spread of COVID-19, Josh and his friend joined an online church and a small group. Josh also decided to take part in Fusion UK’s small group online training so he could be better equipped to support his friend in his newfound faith. Josh is one of more than 600 students and student workers who have been trained by Fusion during the lockdown to lead small groups – a number that the organisation wouldn’t be able to train…
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CCND: “Let's unite and say no to nuclear”
23 September 2019These are the words of Russell Whiting, development manager at Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (Christian CND). In this interview, he reveals that after becoming a Christian, he reviewed his outlook on different life issues and, “scared” by the potential threat of nuclear weapons, started to actively campaign for nuclear disarmament. Now he wants to raise awareness of nuclear weapons among the UK’s evangelical community and encourage Christians to pray for peace. What do evangelical…
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Compassion UK: campaigns that change lives
10 June 2019After David Lammy MP lambasted Comic Relief this year for continuously using “tired, unhelpful tropes” in its fundraising for African communities, the London-based politician renewed his plea for fresh imagery that celebrates the progress made within the continent, rather than marketing collateral that may reinforce negative perceptions. Having interviewed Ugandan Lyzabelle Awor, who credits the life she now lives to Compassion UK, I now see beyond the marketing – tired or not – and the…
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Mental health: The church needs to talk about mental health
8 May 2019So, as Joanna Sopylo-Firrisa finds out in this interview, Lade set up The NOUS Organisation in 2015 to raise much-needed awareness of mental health conditions and the steps those who are struggling with their mental health can take to prevent conditions getting worse, aid recovery or avoid a relapse.Talk me through your personal experience and how you came to realise that there’s a gap in mental health support within the church.I never believed that an active Christian could have a mental…
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My paintings are a testimony and witness
28 January 2019In this interview, the British painter shares how he experiences God through art, the mission and journey of his series of Holy Spirit-inspired paintings, ‘Amen’, and talks powerfully about fully trusting and relying on God with his move into faith-based art, despite the challenges. “As faith becomes an increasingly significant factor in my life, I am working on a few rough sketches around the practice and intimacy of worship.” These are your words from one of your previous interviews. These…
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