This is Exeter -- UNDER the pitch black sky thousands of revellers are descending on the city centre for a night of cocktails, clubbing and carnage. And a small army of God wearing fluorescent jackets, caps and a smile are leaving a church building to bring light to the people walking through the darkness. The Exeter Street Pastors are preparing to spend their fifth Christmas as the shepherds of our streets lending a hand anyone who needs help, guidance, or a listening ear. To witness this Christian outreach initiative, I joined up with a team of volunteers from various churches, all passionate about bringing the love of their lord and saviour onto the streets of Exeter. The team patrol the streets on Fridays and Saturdays between 10.30pm and 3.30am as guardians offering a safe presence and assistance to those in need. Caroline Stone, who has been a street pastor since 2009 alongside a full-time job at South West Water, said: "We speak to a lot of people who have hard things going on in their lives. It's important to be a listening ear and a presence for people who are upset or ill." The Street Pastors monitor activities across the city centre in all directions from the Walkabout pub on Fore Street, up to Arena nightclub on Summerland Street. They are supported by Prayer Pastors who stay back at base through the night to pray for the street team and the rest of city. Prayer - the action of talking to God and asking him to act through the power of the Holy Spirit - is a crucial part of their work. They believe it provides them with protection so invaluable that they would not enter the street without seeking divine help. Prayer pastor Lawrie Brown said: "We don't do anything with our own strength, we do it by God's grace." Team members range from aged 18 to 80s and come from a range of interdenominational churches across the city. Wendy Outlaw, 82, from West Hill, near Ottery St Mary, is the oldest street pastor in the city and is known as "the Mary Berry of the Street Pastors". She said: "Every night is different. You don't know what you're going to see or face. In a sense it's quite exciting being out there and it's absolutely marvellous when people stop and talk to you." Mrs Outlaw was inspired to join the Exeter team earlier this year after the death of her husband. "Jesus had great compassion on people and so do we," she said. "You don't feel judgemental or anything." All volunteers must undergo a rigorous training programme to prepare them for dealing with the challenges of a lively night in the city. The evening begins at the city centre base – conveniently located within 100 metres of three clubs – with practical preparations and prayer. Following the sound of loud cheering from a nearby drinking hotspot, we venture outside and almost immediately witness the first of five fights. As it turned out the police were on hand to deal with each incident, when necessary, but on other evenings the Street Pastors themselves intervene to tame such scuffles. After a relatively quiet first half of the evening, the atmosphere changes at around 1am as people begin to emerge from the pubs and clubs. The so-called "worst case scenario" on any night is when a young person, especially a female, becomes separated from their friends and has no means of getting home. At around 2am one of the pastors receives a call to say the voice of a girl has been heard shouting 'Help! Help!' The scene awaiting us outside a nightclub is nothing unusual – a girl slumped on a bench apparently after having consumed a large quantity of alcohol. Her female companion is quick to "reassure" the team by saying: "She's all right, she's just a bit unconscious." Despite insistence from the second girl that help is not required, the team decide to stay with her until the situation is resolved. Even on a busy night they prioritise the needs of the individual over the masses, doing their utmost to ensure that person gets home safely. This episode lasts around an hour, during which time numerous phone calls are made to family and friends in an effort to find someone to collect her. Eventually, after the girl vomits on a female street pastor in her semi-conscious state and a policeman intervenes, an emergency call is made and her case is handed over to medical experts. Team member Andy Humphreys recounts: "Unfortunately the mother was unable to collect her daughter. We were quite cautious about calling the ambulance because of the resources involved. "But in this case we felt it was the appropriate thing to do because of her levels of consciousness." At a cost of around £250 to the taxpayer, the ambulance is usually requested only as a last resort, to minimise the drain of drunkenness on the NHS. Teams frequently stay out beyond the normal finishing time of 3.30am to help people in need. Team leader Derek Mudge said: "One night we waited until 5am for mum and dad to collect their son who had obviously had too much to drink. When they arrived the back seat of the car was covered in sheets and towels to protect it. They said it wasn't the first time they been forced to come out." The Street Pastor initiative was launched in London in 2003 by the Rev Les Isaacs as an outreach project to tackle the gang, gun and knife culture in Lewisham and Hackney. Over the past decade it has rapidly expanded to involve more than 250 teams across the UK armed not with weapons, but with water, flip flops and first aid kits. They work alongside police, door staff of pubs and clubs as well as city centre management in the hope of making the city a safe and peaceful place at night. Sergeant Mark Wadeley-Jones, of Exeter neighbourhood police team, said: "The Street Pastors are excellent. They take away the problem of dealing with drunk people to allow us to deal with any crime-related incidents. "We all want to make sure people have a safe and enjoyable evening in Exeter." The first Street Pastor team went out in Exeter in June 2009 battling initial suspicion and scepticism to win the trust and respect of the community. John Harvey, Exeter city centre manager, said: "The Street Pastors are a real asset to the city. Their presence is vital in making Exeter a safe and welcoming place to be at night." Derek Daly, manager of Club Rococo, where new Exeter street pastors are commissioned, said: "Street Pastors are the best thing for helping young people who have had too much to drink. They are very professional and help the licensees out tremendously." Their practical action involves directly engaging with groups and individuals in order to help people them, break-up fights and even save lives. Team member Andy Cruickshank said: "It's the church in action on the street. It's not about Bible bashing, but if you get an opportunity to tell someone about your faith then you do. "One of the things that makes it worthwhile is telling people about Jesus." A small activity that makes a big difference is clearing up broken glass that could otherwise lead to accidental injury or even be used as a weapon in a fight. The initiative has coincided with a vast reduction in crime across Devon including a 25 per cent fall in violent offences in Torbay. The crime reduction has been significant in the city where some people are deterred from committing crime simply by the presence of the Street Pastors. Another team leader Scott Bradridge said: "One night a guy came up and said 'Thank you. Because of you, I'm not in prison.' "He explained that he'd been about to get involved in a fight, but changed his mind when he saw us." Another testament to their value in the community is the fact that there has never been a report of an attack on a street pastor anywhere in the UK. As we return to base at 3.30am for a final prayer of thanks, a number of people freely approach us to express their sincere gratitude for the work of these volunteers. Dean Bartlett, who was on a night out in the city, said: "The Street Pastors are really good. "They clean up after the drunks, give out flip flops and are happy to talk with you." What is clear from their presence in Exeter is that the Street Pastors are men and women of God taking an opportunity to step out into the world, meet people where they are, and demonstrate their faith in word and action.
Reported by This is 14 hours ago.
This is Exeter -- UNDER the pitch black sky thousands of revellers are descending on the city centre for a night of cocktails, clubbing and carnage. And a small army of God wearing fluorescent jackets, caps and a smile are leaving a church building to bring light to the people walking through the darkness. The Exeter Street Pastors are preparing to spend their fifth Christmas as the shepherds of our streets lending a hand anyone who needs help, guidance, or a listening ear. To witness this Christian outreach initiative, I joined up with a team of volunteers from various churches, all passionate about bringing the love of their lord and saviour onto the streets of Exeter. The team patrol the streets on Fridays and Saturdays between 10.30pm and 3.30am as guardians offering a safe presence and assistance to those in need. Caroline Stone, who has been a street pastor since 2009 alongside a full-time job at South West Water, said: "We speak to a lot of people who have hard things going on in their lives. It's important to be a listening ear and a presence for people who are upset or ill." The Street Pastors monitor activities across the city centre in all directions from the Walkabout pub on Fore Street, up to Arena nightclub on Summerland Street. They are supported by Prayer Pastors who stay back at base through the night to pray for the street team and the rest of city. Prayer - the action of talking to God and asking him to act through the power of the Holy Spirit - is a crucial part of their work. They believe it provides them with protection so invaluable that they would not enter the street without seeking divine help. Prayer pastor Lawrie Brown said: "We don't do anything with our own strength, we do it by God's grace." Team members range from aged 18 to 80s and come from a range of interdenominational churches across the city. Wendy Outlaw, 82, from West Hill, near Ottery St Mary, is the oldest street pastor in the city and is known as "the Mary Berry of the Street Pastors". She said: "Every night is different. You don't know what you're going to see or face. In a sense it's quite exciting being out there and it's absolutely marvellous when people stop and talk to you." Mrs Outlaw was inspired to join the Exeter team earlier this year after the death of her husband. "Jesus had great compassion on people and so do we," she said. "You don't feel judgemental or anything." All volunteers must undergo a rigorous training programme to prepare them for dealing with the challenges of a lively night in the city. The evening begins at the city centre base – conveniently located within 100 metres of three clubs – with practical preparations and prayer. Following the sound of loud cheering from a nearby drinking hotspot, we venture outside and almost immediately witness the first of five fights. As it turned out the police were on hand to deal with each incident, when necessary, but on other evenings the Street Pastors themselves intervene to tame such scuffles. After a relatively quiet first half of the evening, the atmosphere changes at around 1am as people begin to emerge from the pubs and clubs. The so-called "worst case scenario" on any night is when a young person, especially a female, becomes separated from their friends and has no means of getting home. At around 2am one of the pastors receives a call to say the voice of a girl has been heard shouting 'Help! Help!' The scene awaiting us outside a nightclub is nothing unusual – a girl slumped on a bench apparently after having consumed a large quantity of alcohol. Her female companion is quick to "reassure" the team by saying: "She's all right, she's just a bit unconscious." Despite insistence from the second girl that help is not required, the team decide to stay with her until the situation is resolved. Even on a busy night they prioritise the needs of the individual over the masses, doing their utmost to ensure that person gets home safely. This episode lasts around an hour, during which time numerous phone calls are made to family and friends in an effort to find someone to collect her. Eventually, after the girl vomits on a female street pastor in her semi-conscious state and a policeman intervenes, an emergency call is made and her case is handed over to medical experts. Team member Andy Humphreys recounts: "Unfortunately the mother was unable to collect her daughter. We were quite cautious about calling the ambulance because of the resources involved. "But in this case we felt it was the appropriate thing to do because of her levels of consciousness." At a cost of around £250 to the taxpayer, the ambulance is usually requested only as a last resort, to minimise the drain of drunkenness on the NHS. Teams frequently stay out beyond the normal finishing time of 3.30am to help people in need. Team leader Derek Mudge said: "One night we waited until 5am for mum and dad to collect their son who had obviously had too much to drink. When they arrived the back seat of the car was covered in sheets and towels to protect it. They said it wasn't the first time they been forced to come out." The Street Pastor initiative was launched in London in 2003 by the Rev Les Isaacs as an outreach project to tackle the gang, gun and knife culture in Lewisham and Hackney. Over the past decade it has rapidly expanded to involve more than 250 teams across the UK armed not with weapons, but with water, flip flops and first aid kits. They work alongside police, door staff of pubs and clubs as well as city centre management in the hope of making the city a safe and peaceful place at night. Sergeant Mark Wadeley-Jones, of Exeter neighbourhood police team, said: "The Street Pastors are excellent. They take away the problem of dealing with drunk people to allow us to deal with any crime-related incidents. "We all want to make sure people have a safe and enjoyable evening in Exeter." The first Street Pastor team went out in Exeter in June 2009 battling initial suspicion and scepticism to win the trust and respect of the community. John Harvey, Exeter city centre manager, said: "The Street Pastors are a real asset to the city. Their presence is vital in making Exeter a safe and welcoming place to be at night." Derek Daly, manager of Club Rococo, where new Exeter street pastors are commissioned, said: "Street Pastors are the best thing for helping young people who have had too much to drink. They are very professional and help the licensees out tremendously." Their practical action involves directly engaging with groups and individuals in order to help people them, break-up fights and even save lives. Team member Andy Cruickshank said: "It's the church in action on the street. It's not about Bible bashing, but if you get an opportunity to tell someone about your faith then you do. "One of the things that makes it worthwhile is telling people about Jesus." A small activity that makes a big difference is clearing up broken glass that could otherwise lead to accidental injury or even be used as a weapon in a fight. The initiative has coincided with a vast reduction in crime across Devon including a 25 per cent fall in violent offences in Torbay. The crime reduction has been significant in the city where some people are deterred from committing crime simply by the presence of the Street Pastors. Another team leader Scott Bradridge said: "One night a guy came up and said 'Thank you. Because of you, I'm not in prison.' "He explained that he'd been about to get involved in a fight, but changed his mind when he saw us." Another testament to their value in the community is the fact that there has never been a report of an attack on a street pastor anywhere in the UK. As we return to base at 3.30am for a final prayer of thanks, a number of people freely approach us to express their sincere gratitude for the work of these volunteers. Dean Bartlett, who was on a night out in the city, said: "The Street Pastors are really good. "They clean up after the drunks, give out flip flops and are happy to talk with you." What is clear from their presence in Exeter is that the Street Pastors are men and women of God taking an opportunity to step out into the world, meet people where they are, and demonstrate their faith in word and action.
Reported by This is 14 hours ago.