RUGBY STREET PASTORS
Street Pastors
A New Initiative for Rugby
Street Pastors is an inter-denominational Church response to urban problems, engaging with people on the streets to care, listen and dialogue. Pioneered in London in January 2003 by Rev Les Isaac, Director of the Ascension Trust, it has seen some remarkable results, including drops in crime in areas where teams have been working. There are now over 100 teams across the United Kingdom.
Each city/town 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.
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A Street Pastor is a Church leader/minister or member with a concern for society - in particular young people who feel themselves to be excluded and marginalised - and who is willing to engage people where they are, in terms of their thinking (i.e. their perspective of life) and location (i.e. where they hang out - be it on the streets, in the pubs and clubs or at parties etc).
Street Pastors will also be willing to work with fellow activists, church and community leaders, and with agencies and projects, both statutory and voluntary, to look at collaborative ways of working on issues affecting youth, and initiatives that will build trust between them and the Street Pastors.
As the Street Pastor gets to know people in the community he/she will find out their needs are and what can be done to help. A presence of Street Pastors will earn credibility in the community, so that people know that the Church is there for them in a practical way. The role is not about preaching, but one of listening, caring and helping - working in an unconditional way
To be a Street Pastor you need to be over 18 (no upper age limit), a church member and able to commit to Ascension Trust’s training programme (12 modules totalling 50 hours).
Rugby’s first Street Pastors have been carrying out their training since April and will be patrolling the streets on Friday nights from 10pm – 4am commencing the 6th August.
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For further information contact:
Rugby Street Pastors Coordinator: Bob Reeve
Tel: 01788 544608 / 07706 124394
Email: rugby@streetpastors.org.uk
Web: http://www.streetpastors.co.uk
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