New trustees boost Norfolk Street Pastors

2010: Norfolk Street Pastors has received a boost with the appointment of two new trustees and news that members from 35 different churches are actively engaged in the project.

 

The two new trustees are Methodist local preacher and Police and Fire Service chaplain, Richard Whall and serving Police Sergeant and leader of the Norfolk branch of Christian Police Association, Rachel Thrussell (both pictured right).

 

Richard is a chartered accountant, until recently a Board member of YMCA Norfolk where he is still on the Community Impact Programmes Committee. Since 2003 he has been a chaplain to Norfolk Police and also more recently, to Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service.  

 

“I have had a heart for the work of Street Pastors since I was invited to the first meeting in Norwich when Les Isaacs shared his vision,” said Richard, “although being asked to be a trustee is my first real involvement.  This and my other activities affirm my belief that the time has long gone when we, as church, can sit back and wait for the world to come to us on a Sunday morning.”

 

Rachel is a Police Sergeant based at Bethel Street police station and some of her duties include working the night-time economy in the city centre on Friday and Saturday nights. Rachel has also recently re-establish a branch of the Christian Police Association in Norfolk, which she leads.

 

Rachel is also joining the Street Pastors Intercessors team.

 

“I am always pleased to see the presence of Street Pastors in the city when I am on duty and they can be a valuable source of extra help in a practical sense as well as the spiritual presence they bring to the streets. I have contacted Street Pastors when on duty to attend to a distressed female who had rowed with her partner.

 

“This is a valuable way for the churches to practically assist in the difficult job the police have during the busy party nights. Long may it grow and continue.”

NSP project co-ordinator, Paul Rendell, recently counted up the number of churches represented in the work of Norfolk Street Pastors including Street Pastors, Prayer Pastors and trustees and the total was an impressive 35 from right across Norfolk and the whole denominational spectrum.