In the hood with Archbishop Tutu and Xplore

                                                                                                                             4 November 2009

Donning his red Xplore hoodie with pride, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the President of Church Army, launched Church Army's global gap-year programme 2009/2010 for young people aged 18-25 this week.

Archbishop Tutu was interviewed in Sheffield by the BBC, see the film at this link, the Yorkshire Post, the Sheffield Star and Assist News Service, which sent the story to over 2,500 media subscribers worldwide. The Archbishop enthused about the first two years of Xplore - prior to the programme being based in Sheffield: "Young people are going off on Xplore and they are changed, and coming back really wanting to change the world. And it is mostly young people at the heart of change in the world today. I root for young people - you are fantastic! Don't allow yourselves to be infected with the cynicisms of oldies like us. Believe that you can make this world a much, much better place and I know you will succeed….God depends on you!"

The Archbishop's address to the press conference can be heard here, and his address at the evening service which followed the Xplore launch can be heard here.

To see another film of the launch go to Sheffield Star.

To see the full articles about the launch go to Yorkshire Post and ANS.

To see the film about the new Xplorers go to Xplore and click on Quotes and Stories.

Please pray for programme leader Lizzie Wallace, team member and Xplore graduate Gemma Bond, and the new Xplorers: Bob, Charles, Jeni, TC, Thom, Abi and Joe.