Norwich street pastors plan moves closer

JULY 2006: A  Norwich Street Pastors project has moved one step forward after its steering group held a public meeting held at City Hall in Norwich.

 

The open meeting in the Council chamber on July 18, 2006, identified a number of potential street pastor volunteers, prayer intercessors and candidates to fill the key role of project co-ordinator.

 

Transforming Norwich chairman John Betts, said: “We feel God is leading us in this move to bring street pastors to Norwich. We want to build relationships with all others working in the late-night city centre.

 

“We do not have all the answers but feel that we can make a contribution with a distinctly Christian presence.”

Chief Inspector Gavin Tempest, from Norfolk Police, said: “If you have people with good communication skills and training out on the streets it creates a better, safer atmosphere and can help reduce crime.”

Richard George, pastor of Cornerstone church, said: “Potential street pastors need to be able to get on with people, be gracious and patient. They must also be over 18, linked to a local church and feel the call of God. They would be required to work a 10pm to 4am shift at least once a month on a Friday or Saturday night.”

Theresa Cumbers, former project director of the Magdalene Project, said: “We are looking to appoint a project co-ordinator whose job will be to make this project happen, hopefully with a launch next spring.”

 

Jill Gower, from Call to Prayer, said: “If this project is to be successful in reducing crime we need to have strong prayer support behind it with people praying for those who go out on the streets. A prayer team would operate each night from a central location.”