Unite Southampton

I was really encouraged by my friend Tom today. He is a good friend who lives and works in the Shirley Warren estate. He used to be in the youth group I helped run but now I think he teaches me more than I teach him. I'm happy to be able to say that. That's what I call church.

We were there doing our usual Friday lunchtime bible study. The lads were their usual state of half interested. Later on some new kids came in. It didn't take long to find out that they considered reading the bible "f**king s**t". However they did then challange us to find a bit that wasn't. Tom jumped up straight away with John 3:16. "What do you think of that, you interested?". It seemed they weren't. I was slightly back footed.

Tom wasn't. "You don't find that interesting? You know the world, the stars, the whole universe? God made all that. He did that, and then he came down here to die for you. For you. Who are you? He's God and he dies for you. You think that's not interesting? I think it's increadible" was the gist of Tom's reply, but it was the excitement and enthusiasm that was important and doesn't come across too well written down. I was not on the back foot any more. I thought that it was amazing too. The lads? Difficult to know. Obviously they had to say they thought it was still "f**king s**t". But who knows. It was great to be there.

So tonight on StreetLight (a detached youth project in Millbrook) I felt that bit more confident when telling the kids why we were out there. Tom has helped me be better at being like Jesus. That's what I call church.