I loved the first series of Field of Dreams (see this blog) where former England cricketing legend, Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff formed a cricket team of lads from his home town of Preston. Most had never played the game before and they all faced various challenges including neuro-diversity, homelessness and mental-health issues. (And before people who… Continue reading Let’s all be more Freddie Flintoff
Category: Youth work
“Though this world is broken, we know His justice shall win”
Lee Abbey Camp 2024 banner - created by Sabryanne I am just back from another brilliant week at the Lee Abbey Youth Camp. The camp is all about building a community with 150 others bonded by God's love. We sleep in tents in a field by the sea, eat food cooked over open fires and… Continue reading “Though this world is broken, we know His justice shall win”
What I have learnt from my ‘Soul Survivor’ Bible
We have a Bible my daughter was kindly given by her former youth group designed and marketed for young people: The Soul Survivor Youth Bible. I bet thousands of other young people have a copy too. But since the closure of the Soul Survivor festival and the scandals caused by Mike Pilavachi’s abusive and manipulative… Continue reading What I have learnt from my ‘Soul Survivor’ Bible
Finding our ‘Why?’ and helping young people do the same…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyzWPiRbnl0&t=3 I first met Mike Palin thirty years ago when we were both leaders on a youth camp in Devon. Its no exaggeration to say that this youth camp changed our lives. It formed us as people by solidifying faith and helping us find purpose, meaning and a host of brilliant friendships. In the years since… Continue reading Finding our ‘Why?’ and helping young people do the same…
The worst prepared youth work ever
I was at church last Sunday. As is normal after about 20 minutes, the children and young people left for their groups. About 5 minutes later, one of the young people came and tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘Jon, we are all waiting for you.’ My heart sank with a rush of panic.… Continue reading The worst prepared youth work ever
Something better than happiness
In the last 2 weeks I have been struck by the incredibly positive reactions of young people coming back from Christian summer camps. Even from those normally more reticent with their enthusiasm, I have seen faces light up and heard the superlatives flow: 'Amazing', 'brilliant', 'so good', 'incredible', 'definitely going back next year'. These camps… Continue reading Something better than happiness
The best thing I did last summer – Lee Abbey Camp 2012
It was a great summer: the Jubilee, the London Olympics and my 40th birthday. The weather was not great but our family holiday in Costa Del Kent coincided with the hottest week of the year and my birthday picnic was only slightly dampened by a torrential downpour… But for me, the best week of the year… Continue reading The best thing I did last summer – Lee Abbey Camp 2012
Grace + Truth 