We asked one of our long serving Street Pastors what it means to her to be a Street Pastor on the streets in Basingstoke. This is her amazing response.
Street Pastors
So, thinking of becoming a Street Pastor?
Or Street Pasty, Pastille or Pasta,
As they say on the street.
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet!
The revellers will love ya.
Come to trust ya.
‘You’re a legend,’ each weekend
To those that you’ll meet.
In a SP jacket, with rucksack
(and fluffy socks…
And thermals, if you’re cold like me).
On Fridays and Saturdays
Backed up by CCTV.
Yet, no feeling of dread.
Instead, faith led
Round the local clubs and bars.
Famous for …
Our lollipops and flip-flops.
A way into every situation.
The start of a life changing conversation?
And with time, and their permission
Our chance to live the Great Commission.
Long hours, there’s no denying.
And a body crying
In hail, wind and rain.
But I’ve gained
So many life skills
Ministering to those whom life’s killed.
His hands and His feet.
Out here on His streets.
Passing on
The faith -baton
To those who thirst
For a life in Christ.
Always non-judgemental.
Remember – God got there first.
Ever prayerful.
Always careful
To be a stepping stone
Not a stumbling block
To those whom life has knocked
Flat.
We bring tea, coffee
And hot chocolate
To those of us
Less fortunate.
To those seen as idle.
Shirking.
Should be working.
Not true!
You see…
It’s more complicated
When you’re incarcerated
In a life of poor mental health, homelessness or poverty.
They ask, “Who cares?”
Those who dare …Will you?
Yes, we meet those with big attitude
But our chance to live the Beatitudes.
Blessed be the peacemakers.
To stop those known haters
In drink fuelled aggression
From heightening the tension
And go.
And we don’t always know
Just how little or how much
Of the lives we have touched.
But it’s always wonderful
To have been part of the Vulnerable’s Story.
To God be the glory
It’s clear.
And why I volunteer?
It started as self centered
Around my own family.
The God entered
Unexpectedly.
And gave me His wake up shout.
Now, I’m in no doubt.
That there’s no end, indeed
To what a mustard seed
Of faith can do.
What about you?