Polly is our guest blogger today. She loves the youth of Colchester and works for Hand in Hand.
On a Tuesday evening our church looks different, perhaps a little controversial to say but I think it looks better! That’s because it becomes a base for 13-18 year olds in Colchester. It’s their space to explore faith and relationship. The opportunity to ask the difficult questions, the hilarious questions, to pray or to just chill. Young people are awesome, they are certainly not afraid to take risks and will be the first ones with their toes poking out of the boat and into the water.
Heading off to University is not just poking a toe into the water, it’s a full on dive. Leaving home and family, church and friends to venture into a whole new world requires the attitude of a risk taker. One lesson that I’ve learnt is that a risk taker needs a base. For students heading off to University that base is in a transitional stage. For Churches sending students and for those welcoming them in, it’s important to remember just how brave these awesome people are. It’s our job to be the base.
Being a base is not always glamourous but it’s essential in building up the students that are taking that leap of faith. University can be an incredible experience and for many students this time is invaluable in shaping them for the future.
As churches lets be ready to be the prayerful, empowering base that is always there.