Chance to join vital work of Norfolk Pastors
 Norfolk Street Pastors will be running another training course in the autumn, and are looking for people who would like to join this varied group of Christian volunteers to go out on the streets of Norwich – or Dereham or Great Yarmouth – on Friday and Saturday nights, or to join one of the local groups working in Lakenham and East Norwich. Gail Halley reports.
One of the joys of being a street pastor is finding yourself working with those who may have a completely different church background from your own, and realising how much you have in common.
As James Moar, one of the youngest street pastors, said, “What I loved about the training was the camaraderie that evolved in the group during the training sessions … you feel like you’re being made a part of something bigger than yourself, with God’s support every step of the way.”
Isabel Minister, a recent trainee from Great Yarmouth, endorsed this, “As important in these sessions was the opportunity to get to know others who were often from different churches who would challenge our ways of doing things. From these training sessions have emerged many friendships.”
There isn’t room here to describe in detail ‘a night in the life of a street pastor’ and in any case no two outings will be the same. You will meet at 9 30pm and after praying and taking Communion together you will be part of a team of four to take to the streets while the other part of the team – the intercessors – stay behind to pray. Contact between each group is made by mobile throughout the evening.
You may find yourselves talking to a group of rowdy young women on a hen night; or helping someone who has lost their friend(s) to find them again, or steering someone who is in a bad way through drink – or whatever – to the SOS bus. You may talk to the revellers, the homeless, doormen or the police; you’ll be part of what’s happening on the street, and everything you do and say will be backed by prayer and every person you talk to will be prayed for. Whether you’re handing out flip-flops or chocolate, speaking calming words to someone smarting from an argument or giving a warming cup of coffee to someone sleeping rough, you’ll be serving God by serving your community. James Moar again, “It gave a real sense that we were doing something useful for the city.”
Graham Wray, one of the older Street Pastors, and recently confirmed at his church, had similar sentiments. “For me, the real test of faith is on the streets of Norwich … helping those in need … being out there for them, working through the night on a Friday or Saturday as part of a united team … demonstrating true care for those in need or distress.”
Those who want to be street pastors must fill in an application form and supply references, including one from their church leader, and be willing to do four consecutive training days on a Saturday, followed by another eight days which will be set up in the year following. They need to be over 18 and a regular worshipper at church for 12 months.
The training includes a day with representatives from Ascension Trust, founders of Street Pastors; sessions on drug and alcohol awareness and on the relevant statutory bodies; the purpose of the work.
The next training dates are: Saturday 12, 19, 26 September and 3 October 2009 from 10am to 4pm at Gage Road Chapel, off Wroxham Rd, Sprowston.
Anyone interested in taking part should contact Gail Halley for an application form (tel: 01603 617598 or email hailgail@btinternet.com Street Pastors are also always looking for intercessors, so if you feel you are being called to this, please contact Val Chipperfield on valchipperfield@onetel.com or on 01603 465129.
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