Youth for Christ

Skateboarders explore Christianity on ‘Switch’ course

“Switch is amazing, you get to learn more about God and skate.  It has really affected my life.  I have become a Christian and learnt more tricks.” 

Jack, 12

Bath Youth for Christ have seen an evangelistic discipleship course called ‘switch’ make a real impact on young skaters in the last few years.  The course lets young people who skate explore the Christian faith for themselves in a way that is both relevant and exciting.  The 12 session course has been so successful that it is now being launched in America, where Skate ministry is a much more accepted and structured form of evangelism.* [BBC News website – 03/08/09]

Jo Dolby, Skate Outreach Manager at Bath YFC describes how each year they “run the course for 2 hours on a Sunday afternoon for 12 weeks and young people turn up, skate on the ramps, do 45 minutes of course content* and then we all eat a meal together which local churches provide.”  Half way through the course the young people go on a weekend away which is based around the weeks looking at Jesus’ death and resurrection.  “22 people have taken the course so far and this January we start our third one” says Jo.

Mixing group work, skateboarding and discussion it addresses such questions as “Why does God let bad things happen?” and “Is Church boring?”  The team have seen young people become Christians and some have even gone on to become Junior Leaders of the course themselves. 

Sam, 14 says, “I’ve learnt loads about Christianity and how to live my life by God. Switch has helped me switch my life”. 

Pictures available on request.

* http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/world_news_america/8182630.stm

 Contact: Tim Adams: 07595 821998,  Merisa MacInnes: 07817 304397 or Jo Dolby on 07876524695

 Notes to Editors

YFC has 64 local centres throughout the UK, from Inverness down to the Isle of Wight, working with - and for - the local church to ensure that evangelism and youth work is relevant to local young people.  Each month 300,000 young people hear and see people living out the gospel of Jesus Christ in their local areas.  For more information go to: www.yfc.co.uk.

British Youth for Christ.  Registered Charity No. 263446, SC039297

Today is: 7 February 2012, Tuesday