Our third birthday!

June 2009 sees the third birthday of Ipswich Town Pastors. Give yourself a piece of cake to celebrate!

"Massive Difference" 

Ipswich Police Sargeant Neil Boast, speaking to an audience of 2,500 at the Ipswich churches' Pentecost '09 gathering on the Cornhill on Sunday 30 May 2009, said, "Town Pastors have made a massive difference to Ipswich".

Pastors for Chat & Coffee

Would you like the chance to meet a Town Pastor for a chat and coffee? Well now is your chance - during June and July 2009  two Town Pastors will be available each Monday evening from 5 pm until 6.30 pm at Costa Coffee, Carr Street, Ipswich.

The venue is on the corner of Upper Brook Street and Carr Street, diagonally opposite The Great White Horse hotel. Click here to see a map. If you want to know more you can ring the Town Pastor hotline: 07947 615 260. 

Why not pop in and see us?

Town Pastors on Network Ipswich

A very interesting article on Town Pastors appears on the Network Ipswich Christian portal website. Click here to read it.

A Town Pastor Speaks

“I never thought I could do it – but I can!”  Barbara W has been a Town Pastor in Ipswich for two and a half years now, working in the bar and club area of the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights.  Most Town Pastors are on patrol one night a month, but Barbara enjoys it so much she often does two.

Barbara says: “To start with I was nervous about how I was going to cope in different situations, but because we are trained well, and work within a strict set of protocols it’s fine – we are not just left to do our own thing.” 

Barbara and her husband Pete (who is a regular member of the Town Pastor prayer team) have children of the age who go clubbing, and like many other mums and dads they are pleased as parents to know that folk are out there looking out for the young people. 

“I honestly can say I don’t feel scared out there, and never have a problem talking to people or looking them in the eye.  Until you get out there no-one has a clue what it’s going to be like, but the majority of young people are there to have a good time with friends, not to make trouble.  After three years Town Pastors have built up a good reputation, we are seen as ‘nice people’ and lots of the young people have stories to tell about how they or their friends have been helped”, says Barbara. 

Town Pastors always work in male/female pairs as part of a team, which also includes an active prayer group for all the time they are on the streets.  As well as supporting each other on the streets, the Town Pastors are very aware of the power of prayer, and the fact that the prayer team is working away behind the scenes. 

Asked about the qualities needed to be a Town Pastor Barbara listed things like an ability to listen, but also to know when to walk away; a tolerant, non-judgemental attitude; a genuine care for young people and a desire to show the love of Jesus to them. 

“We don’t instigate conversations about our faith”, says Barbara, “but we have to be willing to answer questions when they are asked.  We also have to be prepared sometimes to make decisions and act as appropriate to situations, but always confer with our partner, remembering that there is a Team Leader who takes ultimate responsibility on the night.” 

“Sometimes the prospect of staying up until 4am can be daunting but team spirit and prayer keeps us going, and God re-energises us afterwards.  The positives far outweigh any doubts – we meet some lovely people, are part of a brilliant team working with people from different churches and denominations, and the best thing is knowing we are making a positive difference to the town and to people’s lives.” 

Town Pastors are very keen to recruit more women from the local churches to join the team.  If you are unsure about your suitability contact the co-ordinator for a chat, or arrange to spend a night in the prayer room, meet some Town Pastors and have a look. 

New members for the prayer team (praying at home or at the town centre base) are always welcome if you feel that’s more ‘up your street’.  Training is in June 2009 and the deadline for applications is May 11^th.  Application forms can be downloaded from here To contact Liz (the co-ordinator) phone 07867 633672 or email liz.beaton@townpastors.org.uk.

Town Pastors Spreading

The Town Pastors scheme has been running for three years in Ipswich and is now spreading across Suffolk. TPs are established in Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket. Woodbridge is ready to go. Stowmarket and Sudbury are in the pipeline. We give thanks to God for what is being done. Town Pastors represent the love of Jesus to those who need care on a Friday or Saturday night.

People who care

"Town Pastors are seen as people who care."
Lis Henderson, BBC Radio Suffolk news editor, speaking at a meeting of the East Suffolk Theology Forum.

A Slogan for Safety on a night out

This is a slogan suggested by Nightsafe Suffolk. You can find their website at: www.onesuffolk.co.uk/nightsafe.

Advice for your feet

Click here for advice about your feet on  a night out, girls. (Town Pastors worrying about my feet? Whatever next?)

Click here if you are looking for help