We’ve been interviewing some of our volunteer Street Pastors to hear about what being a Street Pastor is really like. This week, we spoke to Elaine, who is a volunteer Street Pastor and also one of the Chester Street Pastors Trustees.

Hi Elaine! Tell us a bit about yourself:

I am a retired Project Manager, I previously worked in the Voluntary Sector. I am married with 4 children and 5 grandchildren.

How long have you been involved with Chester Street Pastors?

6 years.

What made you decide to become a Street Pastor?

Seeing the need for support that many young people need when out in the City Centre late at night and the opportunity for Christians to be church in action in a practical helpful way.

What skills or abilities do you have that help you as a Street Pastor?

Nothing special – just a heart to help!

What’s your favourite thing about being a Street Pastor?

Meeting the public, offering support and sharing my faith. Bringing Jesus onto the streets. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing a vulnerable person safely on their way home after arranging for transport or friends to accompany them.

Tell us about one of your best experiences as a Street Pastor, for example a night where you feel like you really made an impact on someone’s life, or helped someone:

Contacting the father of a young lady who had drunk too much alcohol and also lost her friends. His journey took him 50 minutes and we kept his daughter warm and safe until he arrived to collect her. He was so relieved to collect her and so grateful for our help. He asked us why we did what we do and we had the opportunity to share our faith a little.

Tell us about an experience you have been involved with or seen, where without Chester Street Pastors, the outcome could have been very different:

A mother so very grateful after we traced and recovered her lost mobile phone. Photos, not backed up anywhere, of her children were on the phone and she was devastated when she discovered the phone was missing. We were able to take the phone to her at her hotel after finding it.

What would you say to someone who was thinking about becoming a Street Pastor?

Its fun, its so rewarding being of help and having the chance to share your faith in an easy, natural way. Great to work as part of a team with other Christians.

Thanks Elaine!

If you’d like to find out more about getting involved with Chester Street Pastors, or if you’d like to try it out and join us for a shift as an observer, get in touch with us here!