Double-decker mission from Church Army launches
A former Stagecoach double-decker bus will be launched in Grimsby this Saturday (25th September) as an innovative new-style youth church complete with Playstation consoles, Computers, DVDs and music mixing decks. The project is the brainchild of Church Army’s Paul Jones who, along with a dedicated team made up of a former coachbuilder, lawyer, webmaster and archaeologist have transformed a double-decker bus donated by Brian Souter of Stagecoach into a mobile youth centre and worship venue which aims to give the young people of West Grimsby the fresh expression of church they have been crying out for.
Paul explains: “Young people tell me that going to church is a daunting experience, yet they are keen to engage in discussions around spiritual themes and issues - just like the rest of us they want some answers to the big questions of life. It’s not a case of using the bus to try to get young people to the church - the bus will be their church.” The bus is decked out with a distinctive livery featuring the project logo and the strap line 3:16 - This really is the bottom line. This refers to the scripture John 3:16 which speaks about the sacrifice of God’s son for all.
The launch of the project by the Bishop of Lincoln Rt Rev John Saxbee will be the centre piece of a fun day from 1pm - 4pm on Saturday 25th September – opened by the Mayor of Grimsby. The main aim of the day will be to showcase the project, but the fun day will also include a set by local DJs, Ventura and Griff. The nature of the day reflects the positive way the local community has embraced the project and its aims - recognising something needs to be done that focuses on the needs of young people.
Paul Jones is well known for his work with local schools, drop-in centres and youth clubs, but it has not all been plain sailing for him since he took up residence on the Willows council estate four years ago. When he started to use a caravan for a drop-in centre for young people, it was burned to the ground by a local drug dealer whose influence over the young people on the estate was threatened by Paul’s ministry.
Paul explains: “God gave me a vision for a larger project - the phoenix rising from the ashes of that first caravan is the 3:16 project, and I pray that over the next five years thousands of young people will have the chance to respond to God’s call on their lives. It’s about changing hearts and attitudes and bringing people to a living faith where they are. Evangelism used to focus on bringing people into existing church structures, but that doesn’t work with the kids I see on a regular basis. They need a new form of church and worship which they can relate to and with which they feel comfortable.”
Philip Johanson, Church Army’s Chief Secretary, is confident about the impact the project will have, describing it as “radical and imaginative in showing how we can be more effective in reaching out to young people of all backgrounds.” The project will operate around local estates on three evenings a week from Monday 27th September, and has been designed to meet the needs of young people expressed in survey conducted last year.
This is just one example of where Church Army projects are making a difference to the lives of individuals and communities on the cutting edge of evangelism and responding to the challenge of Mission-shaped Church which affirms Church Army’s approach to effective and relevant work within communities.
