Youth First

Set in an area of high deprivation,the Blackbird Leys estate, the Youth First project seeks to work within the community to bring about real change through supporting families, aiding education, and providing learning experiences for young people to engage with issues related to the Christian Faith. The project is led by an ordained Anglican minister from Kenya and is delivered in partnership with The Church Mission Society, Oxford Youth Works and Holy Family Church, Blackbird Leys.

Youth First is a joint venture of Oxford Youth Works, Church Mission Society(CMS) and the Churches on Blackbird Leys, primarily Sacred Heart, the Leys Community Church and the Holy Family Church. Patrick and Helen are are CMS mission partners from Kenya. They are the youth work team leaders of the Blackbird Leys Youth First Project. The aims of the project are to develop long-term mentoring relationships with local young people (11-18yrs), develop a programme of clubs, activities, workshops, trips etc in response to young people’s needs and interests. Through the mentoring relationships formed, appropriate ways of communicating the Gospel and engaging the young people in worship are to be developed.

Patrick and Helen's Story

The moment Patrick and Helen knew they would be moving to Britain:

"Patrick, there is an opportunity for you and your family to go and share your lives with young people in England. The Church Mission Society East Africa Area Manager thinks you re the sort of people Oxford Youth Works would need. Pray about this and see if God gives you peace about it and get back to me as soon as possible.” This was Bishop Julius Kalu of Mombasa Diocese Kenya, reading the riot act to his Diocesan Youth Director, Rev Patrick Mukholi. “But Baba Askofu (Lord Bishop)", Patrick protested, “what about the work we have started here?” "The Lord will take care of that if it is Him taking you to England. It isn’t that we don’t need you here, but your experiences and links will enrich you and also the Church of Christ. Trust His guidance!"