Sorted: the young leading the young

News Release: 07 June 2010

On Sunday 23 May, six teenagers from Bradford were baptised in the River Wharfe by the Bishop of Bradford - with an audience of hundreds of sunbathers.

The six were then joined by five others to be confirmed and receive communion by the side of the river in Ilkley. They all belong to Sorted: a fresh expression of church for young people, run by young people. Sorted is led by Andy Milne, a Church Army evangelist and keen skateboarder who meets young people through some of the schools and housing estates in North Bradford. Andy says, "It's fantastic to see these young people want to commit to God in this way. It's hard enough for anyone to do, but when you're a teenager, it's particularly admirable!"

Will, who's 15 and goes to Immanuel College says, "I've come a lot further in my faith and just wanted to take the next step. My friends at school are cool about it, although some were messing around and asked what if the Bishop drowns me! Faith for me means that if you've got something on your mind you've got someone to talk to about it".

Sorted encounters around 130 young people each week in the three groups it runs. Andy adds, "Fewer people than ever before have any meaningful links with the church and its culture so we're meeting people where they are at rather than expecting them to come to church. Sorted helps break down some barriers and the young people can see that we are really concerned about them and the issues they face. We're building a Christian community and family for those who have difficulties at home."

Jack, who's also 15, says, "Two years ago I thought this was a load of rubbish, but then one night Andy prayed for me and I really felt God's presence, and I've felt it in my heart ever since. I've had some tough troubles recently and knowing God is there has been a big help."

Andy adds, "We find that the young people often have an experience of God before they follow him. Rather than a gradual intellectual process, they often have an encounter with God and begin to make sense of it later. When they get involved in leadership it really helps their understanding, so we get them to pray for other young people, or they can help lead a Bible study group or get involved in fund raising. When they run it themselves, they really own it and the energy triples."

See a short film of the Sorted project at the Meet Our People page.