| Street Pastors make a difference |
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'Not a week goes by,' the Rev Isaac said in a recent interview, 'without there being some story in the media about a young person being stabbed or shot. Our urban communities are becoming very violent places and it is important that churches take seriously what is happening, and learn how they can make a difference in the lives of young people and communities affected by this culture of violence.
'I was inspired to set up Street Pastors five years ago following the shooting of four teenage girls outside a hairdressers Since the scheme was introduced, crime levels have reduced, often dramatically and no street pastor has been injured. Volunteers are active church members. They undergo a series of training sessions on youth culture, drugs and homelessness. 'Our Street Pastors have stopped fights, gang wars, advised and prayed with young people who want to leave behind their life of crime, as well as provided support, assistance and a listening ear to members of the public who just want to speak to someone.' Over 1000 people, of all races and cultures, have trained as Street Pastors. They patrol in over 60 towns and cities across the UK, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Blackpool, Leeds, Perth, Inverness, Southend, Norwich, Swindon, Portsmouth, Maidstone and Weston-Super-Mare. 'Many of the communities where Street Pastors patrol the streets have said that they feel safe when we are around and say that we have restored their faith in human nature,' said Rev Isaac.
How does the scheme operate?
Each project is set up by Ascension Trust and run by a local coordinator with support from Ascension Trust and local churches and community groups, in partnership with Police, Council and other statutory agencies.
Who are Street Pastors?
A Street Pastor is a trained Church leader/minister or church member who is concerned for and prepared to go where there is a need to help.
For more information see www.streetpastors.co.uk
A night on the town
Flip-flops, bus timetables and thermal blankets - not what you'd usually take on a night out. But at the end of the evening when your feet are killing you or you've missed the last train home or you didnít bring a coat and its freezing, such items are very welcome. Street Pastors are prepared for almost anything when they go on patrol 'after hours' as they give out practical as well as spiritual advice. Many of those they help are young, drunk and potentially vulnerable. One reveller said: 'It's a brilliant idea. I'm actually quite gobsmacked.' While another said it was 'unreal as they were the peaceful people on the streets'. Extended opening hours and the increase in the drinking culture has changed the late night atmosphere on town high streets in recent years. One experienced Street Pastor said his town was 'busier with drinkers on a Friday night than it is with shoppers on a Saturday afternoon'.
The Street Pastors' motives are based on faith in action. 'We find little ways of making people's evening better - even if it's just having a chat. When there is a fracas, we don't intervene, but we stand back and pray or call the police if it is really serious. Then we help calm the fears of the people around us who are frightened by the fight.í Another Street Pastor said: 'We all want to get out of the cosy environment of our churches and homes to where we can make a difference.' There's no upper age limit to becoming a Street Pastor - one new recruit to the team is aged 80. He said; 'I'm not scared of going out on the streets. We hear so much about knife crime, but not one street pastor has ever been injured.' 'The role is about building relationships and getting alongside people.' |
Violence on the street has brought tragic consequences for many young people and their families and friends this year. The government and police are desperately seeking ways take knives off the streets. One Christian group is taking practical action to make the streets safer after hours.
Street Pastors is an inter-denominational Church response to urban problems, engaging with people on the streets to care, listen and dialogue. It was pioneered in London in 2003 by Rev Les Isaac, Director of the Ascension Trust, and has seen some remarkable results, including drops in crime in areas where teams have been working.
in Aston, Birmingham on New Years Day in 2003, because I strongly believed that having trained Christians patrolling the streets late at night who provided prayer, support and protection to young people would play a part in stemming youth violence and it has.
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Every year millions of shoe boxes are lovingly packed, wrapped and dispatched through Operation Christmas Child (OCC). You too can take part by sending a ëpreciousí gift to a child in need this Christmas. The contents may not be valuable but they will bring joy to a disadvantaged child.
This annual project enables caring individuals, families, schools, churches, businesses, and other organisations to fill ordinary shoe boxes with small toys, school supplies, sweets, and other gifts for needy children around the world.