|  Street Pastors

The Church in action  ...on the streets

A growing number of cities and towns in the UK have "Street Pastors" in their town centres on weekend nights from late evening into the early hours, to give care and assistance to young "clubbers" and others who may need some help.  Christians on the streets (trained, and identified by "Street Pastor" clothing) can deal with people in ways that the Police are unable to.  In places where Street Pastors are active, crime decreases in those areas at that time. 

Street Pastors are coming to Harlow

In Harlow we have been working towards having such a team, and are now preparing selecting apllicants and start the training.

The plan will then be active in the town centre on the night of Friday 10th September after a Commissioning Service that evening. 

The project in Harlow has the full support of the local and county Police and of Harlow District Council.  Chelmsford and Colchester already have Street Pastor teams out each weekend. 

We are looking for a first set of 24 Christian volunteers in Harlow - sponsored by their churches and with the support of their ministers - who will become Street Pastors in Harlow (probably giving one night every 4 weeks to serve in this way). 

Start-up funding is from grant funds, but once the project is running the operating costs will need to be found locally. 

Next Steps

The official launch has taken place and Application Packs are availalbe.

These packs need to be completed by 10th May 2010.  If you need an Application Pack please contact Dave Evans (Light House Church) who is coordinating the adminsitration.

This will be followed up with an interview prcoess, references taken and CRB checks.  They plan to get these done in May and to start the training in June and July.

Be part of the Street Pastor Prayer Support Team

Along with Street Pastors out on the street we also want a prayer team shadowing them based at St Paul's Church the High and people praying from their homes.  Give this some prayerful consideration.

Again their is an applcation form available from David Evans.

What you need to do?

You can email David Evans if you are interested in getting involved or if you just want more information.  His office number is 01279 415575 and his e-mail is david.evans@light-house.xtn.org

 

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 January 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.  There are now over 100 teams around the United Kingdom.

Each city 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.

Find out more about  Street Pastors