Stepping out with the Street Pastors

By Amy Woods
Amy is a leader at Everyday Kingston and serves as a Merton Street Pastor; she is currently working through a New Ground Impact year. Here she shares some of her thoughts and feelings about being a street pastor – if you feel like you might like to volunteer as a street pastor then contact us and we’ll put you in touch with someone from Everyday who can help you… 
“In 2003, 18 Christian volunteers took to the streets of Brixton, because they believed that, with God, they could make a difference in the community. This was the beginning of Street Pastors, pioneered by Les Isaacs, which now reaches more than 270 towns and cities around the UK, with a growing number now across the globe.
Street Pastors are now in partnership with the police and local councils because of the positive effect they have had on the community, bringing down the crime rate and aiding safety.
With each borough made up of Christians from all different denominations of the Church, each team has a diverse group of people all joined for the same purpose, to see God’s kingdom come on the streets of our community and His love to shine through us.
I will make you a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth – Isaiah 49:6
 
I joined the street pastor team because I think it’s a really great way to serve your local community, but also because it wasn’t so long ago that I was exactly like a lot of the people we meet on a Friday night. It isn’t very likely that most people you’ll meet will remember you or what you spoke about but when I recognise myself before I had a relationship with God in someone I meet then I’m reminded exactly why I love going out on patrol, trusting that even the shortest encounter you have might mean they see a fraction of Jesus’ love for them.
When it’s cold and raining outside, and you are in your warm house it can be very hard to get up, put your uniform on and head out to the streets of Wimbledon. After going out in the winter months you very quickly learn how to fit as many layers on your body as you can and how many pairs of socks you can fit in your shoes! But every time we go out, God always shows up and gives me the energy and excitement I need to try and love the people of Wimbledon the way he does.
They say that talking to a stranger is easier, and from my experience people are very surprised that we give up our Friday nights just to care and look after people that they can sometimes very quickly open up to you. I have come across a few people that have had bad experiences with the church and are angry to see us, but it has been amazing to be able to talk to them and show that we are not there to just preach but to love and care.”
Amy Woods
Street pastors Amy (KNG), Janine (WIM) & Sean (WIM), shining bright inside… 

 

and out…