More street pastors have been commissioned for Stirling, and are ready to care, help and listen on the streets and university campus.
“We weren’t able to recruit and train volunteers through lock down so our new recruits will enable us to increase the number of patrols we are able to put out on a weekly basis.” Christopher Whitehead, Chair of Stirling Street Pastors.
As with many charities in Scotland, Street Pastor volunteer numbers dropped during Covid. In Stirling, we have been greatly encouraged that the numbers are picking up again with four new recruits commissioned this week. Chris Jewell, CEO of Ascension Trust Scotland, carried out the formalities and his message was that we should increase our expectations of what God will do. And indeed, we now have ten more recruits ready to start training next week (there’s still time to sign up if you want to be part of this great team)!
“The inestimable work that Street Pastors do for vulnerable folk in our city is genuinely heart-warming! These volunteers give practical meaning to being the hands and feet of Christ.” Rev Attie van Wyck, Park Church.
A lot of people we meet on the streets think we are crazy when they find out we don’t get paid to do this. What we tell them is that the work is very rewarding especially when some very practical help is given to vulnerable people to keep them safe and get them home. It’s also very enjoyable talking to different people who are out having a good night. It is a privilege too when someone really wants to talk about what’s going on in their life, and how a listening ear is so important. There is no doubt that some patrols can be very challenging and hard work, but that doesn’t put the Street Pastors off. It’s very often in those difficult situations that people need the most help
We enjoy working together with the local Police, Stirling Council, Go Forth Stirling, Safebase, Pubwatch and the University. We look forward to carrying on our work and are thankful for the support from local churches for prayers and funding.
Get in touch; just search for Stirling Street Pastors and you’ll find us on Facebook, Instagram and the Web.
