Rethinking young people and church

8 June 2007

The work of Church Army evangelist  Paul Little and the team at the Grafted project on the Scottish Borders has been featured in a new book Mission-shaped Youth published last month by Church House Publishing.

Mission-shaped Youth written by Tim Sudworth with Graham Cray and Chris Russell, collects together stories of people and projects that are responding to the call to mission made in the landmark Mission-shaped Church report. These case studies – ranging from monthly worship events organised by a group of churches, to church youth workers employed in secondary schools – are used to draw out some of the key challenges and encouragement for the wider Church, as well as offering inspiration for churches seeking to develop their work with young people both inside and outside the Church building.

The Grafted project reaches out to young people where they are through a year-long programme that uses a blend of contemporary youth work and outdoor activities. The programme aims to change lives through developing leadership and personal skills with young people. In the book, Paul shares all about how he came to start the project as well as the process of 'pre-evangelism' and new approaches to honest dialogue that is needed in this kind of work.

Since 2003, Paul has also been working with young people who are at high risk of offending. "Using outdoor activity training we have seen some great results and changes in the lives of the young people," says Paul.

Paul's work is respected as a successful way of reaching out to troubled youths and those on the margins of society and he travels all over the UK and Ireland with his mobile activity trailer to assist others with mission all aimed at seeing transformed lives through Jesus. He is also a driving force in Soulspan, an event that attracts 150 young people from around the Scottish borders and runs every six weeks as a fresh expression of church for young people. God is moving powerfully and directly in the lives of young people and Paul is delighted to be at the centre of this.

Mission-shaped Youth (ISBN 978-071514082-6) is priced £7.99 and available from Christian bookshops including Christian Research Bookshop, telephone 020 8294 1989 email admin@christian-research.org.uk, or on the web at: www.christian-research.org.uk