2-5 MAY 2008

Over 6,700 hours of community action were undertaken. Crime figures plummeted. Faith levels soared and many were responded to the good news of Jesus.

by Gary Smith, Executive Director, Ignite

‘We believe in a generation who are not stooped in tradition or ‘churched’ up, but a generation who are willing to get their hands and feet dirty, a generation that takes church to the streets!’

Immediately before IgniteHope these were the words that were passed to the core team from the interecessors. A bold declaration to be spoken over the hundreds of young people that were part of this key initiative for Hope 08.

The vision for IgniteHope was to bring long-term and lasting change by following Jesus’ example of word and action

The plan was bold. To site a marquee and activity village in the middle of Car­diff, invite hundreds of young people to join us mornings and evenings to worship God, pray for his transforming power to sweep through the region and to preach

the gospel to the lost. Then in to take to the streets to be good news by being involved in acts of kindness and social action. Partnerships were built not only with churches but with businesses, local government, South Wales police and a variety of charities.

Over 450 young people were there all weekend. The numbers swelled to 800+ each evening as people we had met on the streets were invited back to hear what was motivating this army...Jesus!

Over 6,700 hours of community action were undertaken. Crime figures plum­meted. Faith levels soared and many were responded to the good news of Jesus.

Prayer was at the heart of this radical venture. There was not one strategy but many. Intercessors for the region were

kept informed, an evening of prayer was undertaken on New Years Eve, there was an Ignite 24 hour prayer event, each day in the 9 month planning period the core workers met to pray, each individual meeting was covered in prayer, at the event each day the team met to pray.

The lasting changes are still being as­sessed but they would include increased attendances in youth programmes, young people on fire for Jesus, churches taking responsibility for their community. Ongo­ing partnerships between the council and Christians and the police. Indeed we are developing an “urban trinity” between South Wales Police, Cardiff County Coun­cil and the churches as we form Cardiff Street Pastors which is an initiative wel­comed by each member of this alliance.

IgniteHope 2010 anyone?

The lasting changes are still being assessed but they would include increased attendances in youth programmes, young people on fire for Jesus.