Tuesday 07th September, 2010 
KT Home

Preparing the Next Generation for Action

As the tide of secularism continues to sweep through our nation, where other religions seek to dominate the vacuum - schools, colleges and universities are the major battleground for influencing formation of the next generation.

Our country's education system plays a key role as it shapes the development of their minds. From the age of five until sixteen, most children will spend approximately twenty percent of their waking hours soaking in the teaching, ethos and culture of school. That's a huge amount of time for children to be under the influence of teachers and their peer group. In the education forum, we are seeking to push back the tide as those in influential positions use wise words and actions that glorify God. The education forum this year will continue to encourage and equip teachers and students to stand up for their Christian faith despite the opposition. The youth department, on a weekly basis head into schools and universities to support Christians and reach out to non-Christians.

Pray for:

  • The government to have God's wisdom as they develop the curriculum to educate the next generation; The Christians in government to be wise and bold as they stand up for truth.

  • The teachers to be good role models for the students by their lifestyle and are able share their faith with wisdom, despite opposition from their colleagues.

  • The students to be salt and light in their schools and universities that God would give them boldness and opportunities to speak out about their faith.

Current news on education:

  • Recently, "More than 230 schools have applied to councils for exemption from the legal requirement to hold a daily act of collective worship of a "wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character"." (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/ educationnews/6956365/More-than-230-schoolshave- ditched-Christian-assemblies.html)

  • The Labour government continues to oppose faith schools with investigations from the Office for the Schools Adjudicators. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/6964995/ Labours-secular-tyranny-torments-faith-schools. html)

  • New plans have been posed to educate children from the vulnerable age of five on different types of relationships and sexuality in an attempt to raise awareness and reducing bulling in schools. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/ apr/28/sex-education-faith-state-schools)

Equipping our Children…

In 2010 the Children's ministry aims to:

  • Help every child in the children's ministry grow closer to God so that they will be salt and light in their schools each day.

  • See every child filled with the Holy Spirit so that they will have the boldness to make a stand against unrighteousness in their schools.
  • Equip every child with the resources and knowledge to be able to share the Gospel in their schools in a relevant way.

  • Train some of the children to be cell leaders in their schools so that they can disciples their friends as they lead them to Jesus.

  • Encourage parents to be involved in their children's schools so that they can be an influence for change in local schools.

… Youth and Students

This year the Youth will:

  • Train and equip KT's youth to be bold and effective witnesses in their schools colleges and universities.
  • Support of Christians and develop outreach at Burlington Danes Academy, White City.
  • Work with Chelsea Academy, Kensington and Chelsea.
  • Launch a student's cell in a major London university.
  • Link with other student groups to reach out to university students in London. For example, UCCF's Free Mission.

Impacting the City Through Sports Activity

The New Hope Academy was launched in October 2005 as an initiative to tackle the giant of Sport, founded by Eddie Walsh our Academy & Club is aimed at financially disadvantaged people who are part of the local community.

Box-fit Pilot Programme

In December we were awarded £1,800 for a new pilot box-fit programme that we plan to start by the end of February, at the Venture Centre, Wornington Road W10. Aimed at 16+ for 1hr per week, over a 12wk period to start with, we hope to increase this to 3hr after the start up period.

'Mother and Daughter' Football

We will be starting a mothers & daughters football session on a Monday afternoon from 4pm till 5pm at Avondale Park, Walmer Rd, W11 4EE, starting 15th February. Sports at Chelsea Academy We will also be extending our schools work with the launch of the new Chelsea Academy School in the SW10 area, we have been invited to coach football and take PE class during school hours.

Expansion into Worlds End

In June we plan to start a project in the Worlds End Estate, SW10 aim at local youth which would like to be involved and trained in sport or be educated in coaching.

New Qualified Coaches

Last year we sponsored 7 FA qualified coaches who now involved in community projects and work across Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster, Hammersmith &Fulham and Lambeth boroughs where many of them are working in youth programmes. We plan to continue this in 2010 with further 10 targeted for the borough of Brent where we hope to start a new youth project by July.

If you would like to get involved with the New Hope Academy vision please contact Eddie Walsh on 020 8799 6186 or eddie.walsh@kt.org for further details.