And it really will be a case of, “Dry yours eyes, mate…” as the Love Southend Street Pastors go out to where the people are. Not to preach, but to administer loving kindness, advice, prayer and a listening ear. To the places where the streets ain’t paved with gold…
…but rather, covered in litter, urine and vomit. To where the nightclubbers and the partygoers go. To where the churchgoers should go – but often don’t. To where Jesus would go.
But first, it’s a case of Coronation street. It started on Tuesday 11th January, in the upper room in The Stables, at Leigh Road Baptist Church. 33 people attended the inaugural meeting, where Eustace Constance from the Ascension Trust gave an excellent presentation; and where the role and responsibilty of the Street Pastor was opened up to all. With six more volunteers and three others confirming their initial interest, there’s now 26 volunteers – 13 women and 13 men. Would you like to join them?
They now have to attend four day-long training events: two in April and two in May, before going ‘live’ from 28th May. Please pray for them. They’ll eventually be getting their Street Pastors ‘uniforms’ and will be breaking into teams, to go out onto the streets – to places like the High Street or the seafront. Places where they’ll encounter people who are upset, vulnerable or confused…and where they’ll show unconditional love.
Of course, there’s a cost…a cost to the volunteer in time and commitment. There’s also a financial cost of £250 for the training of each volunteer. Love Southend undertakes to provide the funding but if a church or friend is willing to sponsor, it will give them a degree of ‘ownership’ and will likely involve them more, in praying for, and supporting the volunteer.
If you’d like to know more, please contact David Ince.
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