A generation of teenagers has learned to grow their faith through giving their time to local communities thanks to Soul Purpose, which celebrated its tenth year this weekend.
Inspired by the Soul In The City event in London in 2004, youth leaders from a number of churches in Shrewsbury were inspired to try something similar: Over fifty young people volunteered their bank-holiday this weekend, along with a similar number of leaders, caterers, drivers and garden machinery operators.
Watch the video below to learn more and see this year's participants in action.
The project first took place in 2005, clearing alleyways and helping residents who struggled to maintain their gardens.
"What's amazing is that as the years have gone on, we've had to spread into other parts of town to find suitable projects" says vicar of Harlescott, Revd Mark Salmon. "When we started, the surroundings of the Church of the Holy Spirit here in Sundorne weren't particularly wonderful: we had run down shops, the green had rubbish everywhere. We've expanded over time to cover the whole of the north of Shrewsbury, the Grange, Ditherington, Sundorne. And in the past couple of years we've expanded to include the Meole neighbourhood."
"It's quite moving to reflect on the fact that we've now seen a generation of teenagers join Soul Purpose. Whole families of children have taken part in the teaching, the worship, the graft and the community events. Many have come back as leaders." said project co-leader, Simon Iddon.
"It brings together youth from many churches. It is encouraging for those from smaller churches to realise that they are not alone as young Christians in the town. We have had people from many churches: Anglicans from Bayston Hill, Belle Vue, Harlescott, Longdon, Meole Brace, St Chad's and Sundorne, members of Shrewsbury Baptist, URC, Hope Church