International and local community leaders supported the 10th anniversary celebrations taking place in December 2019 for Cheltenham Street Pastors: Chair Nigel Bennett says, “Gloucestershire saw the Street Pastors’ ministry commence ten years ago and Cheltenham celebrates delivering our teams of pastors who consistently minister to the needs of people every weekend.”
 
The international CEO Street Pastors, Reverend Les Isaac O.B.E. joined the joyful celebration weekend over the 7th and 8th of December and local Church and community leaders came together for a service of thanksgiving and the commissioning of 9 more street pastors to serve the needs of vulnerable people. After the service pastors walked through the town with tubs of celebration chocolates and candles as we took light and love out into the darkness.


The Bishop of Gloucester The Rt Reverend Rachel Treweek, the Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff, the Mayor of Cheltenham, Alex Chalk and Martin Surl the Police and Crime Commissioner headed the list of leaders who joined in our celebrations. We were delighted to welcome Reverend Les Isaac who met people at our Safe Space, the converted horse box, outside Marks and Spencer in Cheltenham High Street. Les was also available to sign his latest book.

There are currently 14,000 pastors serving in 285 centres across the UK. Pastors are aged between 20 and 80 and in Cheltenham they come from over twenty different church families. Reverend Les Isaac says, “Many Church families but one Church of Jesus Christ.”


Former Chief Constable of Gloucestershire and one of the Patrons of Cheltenham Street Pastors, Dr Timothy Brain says, “I am delighted to support the work of Cheltenham Street Pastors. They provide real care and support to people out and about on Friday and Saturday nights. People out to have a good time sometimes get carried away and don’t think about the harm they can cause themselves and others. Street Pastors can step in and help them before things get out of hand. They are a real support to the people of Cheltenham and the Police, and a really wonderful example of Christian charity in action.”


Street Pastors provides a bridge of fellowship to people wherever they find themselves and patrols do what is necessary every weekend. “The first, new safe space on our streets, a converted horse box called The Stable, already proves its worth consistently,” muses Nigel Bennett, “with people choosing to seek help, recharge their phones or have a cuppa and chat with our team. The Cheltenham Street Pastors tenth anniversary celebration weekend highlights what has been achieved during the last ten years and is a launch pad for the next decade of success.”

 

Interview with Les Isaac