“We are an organisation that wants to engage with young people, the vast majority of whom have disengaged with, or never been near, church.
Therefore, we must go to their places and spaces bringing the person, presence and good news of Jesus with us.”
As new Urban Saints Groups slowly start to emerge after the pandemic, it seems that a number of these are being formed in schools. Research has shown that while less than 5% of adolescents are found in church, 99% of children and young people attend school. With secondary age pupils currently spending an average of six and a half hours at school per day (approximately 1,170 hours per year), it’s evident that education is a powerful influence in their lives.
We have witnessed God moving mightily across our nations following the lifting of the pandemic restrictions, with an increasing number of doors being opened for school’s ministry. Through a variety of methods, ranging from individual mentoring to establishing Urban Saints Groups, children and young people are being welcomed, nurtured, and engaged on a weekly basis. We believe that by investing into this ministry, we will build a bridge between schools and the local church community that sows the seed for many more children and young people to be introduced into a loving, personal relationship with Jesus. Therefore, an active presence in schools must be a non-negotiable aspect of our ministry.
“Ask the Lord of the harvest … to send out workers into his harvest field.”
(Matthew 9:38)
Like any other mission, school’s ministry does come with its own challenges. There are often constraints placed on the time that we have with young people, the setting in which we can congregate, and the intensity of the message we can share. Yet week in, week out, we demonstrate love for our children, young people, and local communities by reaching out with the gospel message through service and compassion. It is true that from school’s ministry alone, we may never reap what we have sown ourselves. But we celebrate the fact that God is always faithful to his promise. A plentiful harvest will be gathered in. No seed sown is wasted and there are more harvesters yet to come. Whether it be through an Urban Saints Group, or a volunteer connection to a local church, others may continue to harvest what we have been privileged to plant.
ACTION: If you and a group of local volunteers would like advice about how to start a new Group in a school, or you would like to support our school’s ministry through prayer, individual service, or donating, please do get in touch with Sara Taylor.
"We must go to their spaces"
Wilson Beare (Impact Team Leader in Ireland) explains how school Groups are working in his locality
"This is the highlight of my week"
Anthony Narain (Impact Team Leader in Central England) explains some of the journey he has been on in launching a new Urban Saints Group in a local school.