Faith Guide Rachel Stirland explains how an apparently backward step has revolutionised how her church in Cromer does mission with the 95.
Each Monday after school, Rachel’s church hosted a meal for local families. A Sunday School-style session followed, but the children (many with Special Educational Needs) would not settle or engage, and understandably the church team felt defeated.
Rachel, who recently retired to Cromer, became a Faith Guide and took over running the group. With help from Matt Farley (SU Mission Enabler), she realised the cause of the issues. ‘Faith and church were completely alien to these children, and we’d gone straight to “Explore”. They just weren’t ready! So, we went back a stage to “Connect” and focused on building relationships with them.
‘We started setting up crafts and games at the back of the church and we’d get to know each other as they played. I’d take the teenagers to Faith Guide Rachel Stirland explains how an apparently backward step has revolutionised how her church in Cromer does mission with the 95. another room and we’d just chat, and they started opening up. Afterwards, I’d invite them to join me in the church to pray. Initially reluctant, they now enjoy praying with me.
We’d gone straight to “Explore”. They just weren’t ready!
‘One teenager said a boy at school was constantly annoying her. We prayed about it together and two days later she says he stopped. Yet last year this same girl had said she was “sick of hearing about that Jesus bloke”. Another teen in the group had a friend who, like her, has mental health issues, and she told him “You need to find Jesus!”
‘We have a signing-in book, and I write an encouraging phrase at the top. One week I wrote “Smile, Jesus loves you!” and one of the children had written “And we love Jesus too!”
‘Using the Revealing Jesus framework has made a huge difference in a short time – it really works.’
The Revealing Jesus mission framework
Although each child and young person is different, our research and experience show us that most go through the same stages as they become and grow as a Christian: Connect, Explore, Respond and Grow.
The Revealing Jesus mission framework provides shaping principles for each stage, but also offers flexibility in expression as we recognise that contexts, and children and young people themselves, vary hugely.