Street pastor scheme now ready to launch
STREET pastor operations in Bexhill are to be launched at a special meeting at St John’s Church, London Road, on Thursday February 16, starting at 7pm.
Local county councillor Michael Ensor, a prime mover in establishing the scheme in Bexhill, said that it followed two successful years of a similar scheme in Hastings, where Christians provide help and support for vulnerable people who are out on the streets after dark.
Several Bexhill churches have shown interest in the scheme and a small committee set up to progress it, and hence next week’s launch event to be attended by the Mayor of Bexhill, Cllr Stuart Wood, councillors and local police.
Cllr Ensor said that although some prospective street pastors had already come forward and some had agreed to transfer from Hastings, there were still openings for street pastors and the supporting role of prayer pastors to be filled.
A 12-week training programme will start on Saturday, March 10, with the aim of the team taking up its role at the end of May. Police will advise on the most appropriate locations for pastors to be present.
Cllr Ensor said: “Their aim is to make themselves available to care, listen, support and help vulnerable people, especially young people, wherever they are out and about in Bexhill, from 8.30pm on Friday evenings through to 2am the following day.”
Cllr Ensor said the first street pastors were introduced in Brixton, South London, in 2002 and since then more than 250 towns and cities across the country now have such teams in operation, with more than 9,000 people trained as street pastors.
They operate under the guidance of the Ascension Trust, which determines the scope of the training and procedures.
Anyone interested in the local scheme is welcome to attend Thursday’s meeting or to call Martin West, Steve Leabon or Karen Coughlan on 07502 451665.
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Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Monday 28 May 2012
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