Ex Butcher Receives Bishop Bardsley Evangelism Award

Dynamic Youth Project Co-ordinator Honoured At Church Army Synod Luncheon

Part of the dynamic Thanet Churches Youth Project known as React and headed by Phil Hulks (40) has developed so effectively that last August it was exported to Lens in France after ten days activity in Kent, and could possibly reach as far as India. He says: "God is doing something among a whole generation of people and that cannot be locked up in the Church." React is the scheme that enables teams of young people to visit local communities, engage people with the Christian message, and conclude with a fun-day and free barbecue. Nearly 10,000 people have attended these events and 63 have made first-time commitments to Christ.

For his particularly imaginative contribution to evangelism, the Co-ordinator of the Project was presented with the £1,000 Cuthbert Bardsley Evangelism Award on Wednesday (15 Nov 2000) at the Church Army luncheon in Church House, Westminster, attended by nearly 150 members of the new General Synod. Phil's wife, Rosa, was also present.

Commenting, Phil said: "I may have won the award but there is a team from the area of different denominations that works together in prayer, unity and evangelism." 

This is the second time Phil has been invited to London to receive an award. The first occasion was 23 years ago when he won the Woodhouse Hume Award as a 17 year old for prowess as a butcher in his father's Herne Bay shop. He asked for the prize to be sent to him by post! 

The Thanet Churches Youth Project is based in St Philip's Church, Margate, and grew out of what had been a Deanery Youth initiative when Phil was appointed Co-ordinator three years ago. Now involving 57 local churches, the Project includes many varied training and outreach activities. Phil established after school clubs with a Christian flavour called 4-2-6 for small groups of latch key youngsters. Help with homework is offered, one-to-one teaching takes place, and a forum is provided for tackling drugs, loneliness and sexual issues. 

Another aspect of the work is De-tach, an initiative that works in close liaison with Kent County Council and the Police and trains teams to visit tough areas where the young "hang out". This year, the focus was on the Ramsgate harbour area and during the team's stay, there was no reported crime. "The police were amazed," said Phil. 

Over the past two years, Phil has helped set up 36 five-a side and nine full football teams for those who cannot make the school team, all this being really appreciated by the girls and boys taking part. 

In making the presentation, Church Army Board member Jenny Sainsbury warmly congratulated Phil. Two multimedia presentations of Church Army work were given. Peggy Boynes illustrated her evangelism to and with older people in the Clacton area and Chigor Chike outlined his ministry among homeless people around Birmingham's Bull Ring.