What's God got to do with it?

Who could say no to a fully catered meal, down-to-earth speakers and an inviting atmosphere?

Who could say no to a fully catered meal, down-to-earth speakers and an inviting atmosphere? That is the welcome that met visitors to the Mission to the Cities Youth programme, at the Central London church, on Saturday, 19 October.

The evening kicked off with a 3-course dinner. This led into discussions on topics of spirituality and sexual baggage. Young people from all over London gave their thoughts and opinions around questions posed by host, Michael Agyei.

Organised by the South England Conference Youth department, the evening signalled the halfway point in a month-long initiative to reach out into the community. The programme was the last for presenters Roger and Ivona Bernard. Over the week, they had shared their experiences and stories as a couple, both encouraging and warning about real things that could happen in any relationship.

"Tonight was my first night here and I was taken aback", commented Pharez Moodie. "The atmosphere is really laid back, you can easily get into it. The speakers were real, they just gave us the information straight. I really enjoyed that because it's what we need. Sometimes we can appreciate all the preaching, but sometimes we just need to hear what is important to us, now."

At the end of the evening, Roger and Ivona Bernard handed over the reigns to Pastor Vandeon Griffiths, the speaker lined up for the next week of programmes. As Youth Director for the South Central Conference, Pastor Griffiths has had much experience in reaching young people where they are currently.

"This section of our Mission to the Cities project is a sowing event, we need to sow and make a connection with the young people", explained Pastor Steve Thomas, SEC Youth Director. "We want to provide a place where young people are comfortable to ask those tough questions, a place where people understand what they are going through. This is a bonus on top of the CRAVE project, where we have been visiting students at universities around England. This is more of the beginning of an initiative, rather than the end."

As well as captivating performances from female group, 'Royal Diadem', and soloist, Victor Acquah, Christina Thomas led those gathered in a season of prayer. She invited anyone to bring their challenges to God, there and then, to have a special prayer said over them.

After a full schedule of visiting different churches, the second half of this Mission to the Cities programme will conclude on Saturday, 2 November, at the Emmanuel Centre, Central London, celebrating why God has everything 'to do with it'. [tedNEWS]

 22 October 2013 | London, United Kingdom [Katie Ramharacksingh, BUC news] 

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