Ministry News

British Pastors Taking It to the Streets

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Tuesday, 08 December 2009 17:21

QUOTE: "We have to be ambassadors of the reality [who] are willing to share the good news as well as address the serious problems which we all face in our urban living. There is a vast gulf between aspiration and reality, which is only broken down by pastoring and pastoral engagement. Street Pastors on the street pastoring is a wonderful sign to the wider Christian community." —Christopher Chessun, area bishop of Woolwich in Canterbury, England, addressing a conference full of street pastors assigned to offer a higher form of peace every Friday and Saturday night on urban streets throughout Britain. A government-backed ministry, Street Pastors began in London in 2003 and has since expanded across the United Kingdom. Police officers and local authorities have credited the program for making urban settings safer on weekends, including a lower crime rate. “It’s marvelous coming together and serving the Lord on the streets," said 74-year-old street pastor Vivien Chasmar, who attended as a representative from Enfield Street. "Jesus loved the poor and the people in need, and that’s our love. It sounds so hopeless, but God’s got a plan for this nation and it’s really good to be part of what’s going on and to be there for young people. I want to see young people restored again." [christiantoday.com, 11/12/09]