Street Pastors for Bristol

Videos: Christmas Guardian Angels & Cheltenham street pastors

Announcing a new initiative for Bristol.

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. There are now nearly 200 Street Pastors initiatives running across the country, with 9000 trained Street Pastors. There are already several schemes in the South West including Bath, Kingswood, Weston-Super-Mare, Chipping Sodbury. I believe that 2012 should be the year when we a Street Pastors scheme running in Bristol.

Practically, Street Pastors are teams of Christians who go out in teams from around 10pm - 4am on a Friday and Saturday night, and are there to listen and look after people who are vulnerable (and after a night on the town, that can be almost anyone!) For more info, see www.streetpastors.org.uk or search for 'Street Pastors' on YouTube! (Two videos available above)

One of the strengths of the organisation is the working together of different churches (the Ascension Trust requires commitment from at least 4 different churches), and working together with the Police and Local Council. In this way, it promotes unity and respect from the wider community as well as impacting the lives of individuals. I'd appreciate prayers for wisdom and that God would put me in touch with people who will also catch this vision. Thanks for your time - and please do pass the news on to anyone you know who may be interested.

Mike Pout
StreetPastorsForBristol a_t gmail d_o_t com
07843 217843