From Derby Church Network, Mid November 2008

Street Pastors coming to Derby

National initiative set to start in city

It’s Friday evening: the end of another week. 9.30 pm sees the end of many church’s busy week of activities. Buildings are locked and people go home to bed.

Yet at the same time, something is stirring in our towns and cities. A whole generation is getting ready to go out for a night of parties and clubs, through to the small hours of the morning. Many will be worse for wear at the end after too much to drink, and maybe drugs.

It is into this growing scene so typical of many places that Street Pastors are going, to show the revellers the love of Jesus. Not so much to preach to them, but reach out in practical ways.

It could be something simple, such as getting people to a taxi, or giving girls flip flops that they can walk in more easily after they’ve consumed ‘one too many’. Or it could be helping to diffuse arguments before they get out of hand.

Since they first launched in London back in 2003, Street Pastors have been tried and tested in many places across the UK, including Nottingham, Loughborough and Leicester, and now they are coming to Derby.

The Derby venture is being spearheaded by Derby City Mission, with it’s director Alasdair Kay, YWAM’s Paul Way and John Augustin from the African & Caribbean Churches of Derby heading up the project. But the scheme has the support of congregations across the city, across denominations and across traditions. It also has the support of Derbyshire Police and Derby Community Safety Partnership.

Representatives of these organisations gathered on 15th October at the Riverside Centre on Pride Park to find out more about how it will work, and officially bring the organisation into being for Derby. Les Isaacs from the Ascension Trust, who founded the first Street Pastors, came and spoke on the vision for it.

Then city Christian leaders put their names to an agreement which officially launched Derby Street Pastors.

Later that day, an information evening was held at All Nations for Christ Christian Fellowship for potential volunteers to be pastors, as recommended by local church leaders. From these, an initial group are being selected who will then undergo training and be given uniforms, before hitting the streets some time in the new year. Training for each person costs around £600, and they will each go out about once a month on either a Friday or Saturday. They will be going focussing on places where there are pubs and clubs across the centre of Derby, simply being available to people as needs arise, to befriend them and help where there is a need. They don’t replace the police, but can often help out in situations where people’s view of the police limits what they can do.

To find out more about Derby Street Pastors, or to support them contact Derby City Mission on 01332 606489 or email derbycitymission@gmail.com

For the national scene, visit www.streetpastors.co.uk

 
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