Streetreach 2016 – transforming team & communities | The Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor

Streetreach 2016 – transforming team & communities

Monday July 25th 2016

The Connor Streetreach 2016 team.

John 13v34-35 says “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Connor Streetreach 2016 (photo gallery below) allowed young people from across the diocese to live out their discipleship together while working with local communities in north Belfast. The young people were involved in running kids’ clubs, gardening, providing activities in homes for the elderly, praying for others, hosting community festivals and bringing the love of God to all they encountered.

The team was made up of young people age 15 plus from parishes including Ballymena, Antrim, Belfast and Lisburn. Some of the team had taken part in Streetreach 2015 and for others this type of experience was brand new.

Streetreach selfie!

Many of the young people started Streetreach feeling anxious about new and different experiences outside of their comfort zone, but as the team bonded during morning team time, each young person jumped into each new challenge expectant at what God would do through them.

Diocesan Youth Officer Christina Baillie said: “We saw children learn about our incredible God, young people challenged through the witness of faithful disciples, our team praying for individuals in the community with various needs and we saw prayers being answered.

“We are incredibly thankful for the partnership with the Rev Emma Rutherford and the Rev Tracey McRoberts and their parishes in supporting the team through hospitality and connections within the local community.”

Christina continued: “The Streetreach team is glad to be part of the continuing witness within these communities and the team will continue to pray for all that is being done through the local parishes. Thank you to all who prayed for the team, we are so grateful!”

Outside the Streetreach Prayer caravan.

Each young person left Streetreach with a devotional with 14 sessions to help them personally consider the experience of Streetreach and how it can impact the rest of their lives. Please pray as the young people continue to use these over the summer and put their discipleship into practice each and every day.

The Engage Connor Youth team is thankful for all those who support this valuable missional opportunity for the young people in the diocese which sees lives transformed and faith developing in just a few short days.

Streetreach 2017 will take place from July 4-7 and the diocesan youth council will be inviting parishes to apply to host Streetreach 2017. More details will follow soon.