Engage Report

The following is a report as featured in the Engage Newsletter Spring 2011 Edition:

‘Urban Saints Transform is a mission team set within West Belfast, an area deeply affected during the recent troubles. As part of a team of seven, we worked alongside the existing Youth Initiatives project in the area.

We set out to improve the locality through practical service activities, such as gardening, painting and litter picking. This gave us ample opportunity to build relationships.

Transform saw two cultures come together with all their baggage. I was able to interact with people from backgrounds who I wouldn’t normally have an opportunity to meet, and to form valued and lasting friendships. I was enlightened to the vast amount of serious issues facing people a mere 30 minute drive from my home. I left the mission feeling inspired by how well the local young people face the issues in front of them and have such a strong longing to better themselves and their locality.

Since Transform, I have a much greater determination to help both practically through service as well as bringing something of the hope we find in Jesus Christ. Above all, as a leader in my local group of Gilnahirk, I now have a passion to see young people who love Jesus trained and released to make a difference in their locality.’

Stuart Gibson