Les Isaac, the founder of Ascension Trust which spearheaded the Street Pastor Movement in the UK is currently in Jamaica, where he and his team have joined forces with local street pastors who are preparing to go into the nation’s schools.
The visit comes as educators, the police, and government officials grapple with waves of violent attacks in schools that are being perpetuated by students.
Isaac is encouraging Jamaicans to get involved as they seek to instil positive values in
students and address the root causes of the delinquent attitudes being displayed.
CHURCH HAS TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION
“I think it is important for us to recognise that the issue of young people and violence is not exclusive to Jamaica; it is global. I was speaking to some police officers and church leaders across the Caribbean and they have got similar problems,” said Isaac who noted that there are identical challenges in Britain, where he launched the Street Pastors initiative.
“If there is a problem, there has to be a solution and I believe that the church is very much a part of the solution; working with the schools; working with parents; working with the authorities; working within the community to help address the issues and there are many that young people are facing. They are played out at times into violent activities,” he said.
Street Pastors is an interdenominational network of Christians who spend time in their communities assisting people who are in need of help while spreading the messages of their faith. The initiative was based on a model from Jamaica where individual churches came together to take their messages out onto the streets. The focus has moved away from just the streets to the schools where volunteers commit to addressing issues such as bullying, anti-social behaviour and drug use, among other social issues at places of learning.
SCHOOL PASTORS’ INITIATIVE
Isacc said a street pastor does not have to be an ordained minister; however such an individual would need to be a Christian; must be willing to be trained and must be willing to wear the uniform and adhere to the policies. They must also be from a local church and must get a reference from their local church leader.
“Anyone who fits those criteria can train as a school pastor or as a street pastor,” he said.
Isaac said efforts to start the School Pastors’ Initiative in Jamaica was set in motion before his arrival in preparation for the launch of the programme. They are now in the process of communicating with school administrators.
“We have to recognise that there are some great teachers, great principals who are saying ‘look, we’ve got a challenge, just to teach children the main curriculum. They have children coming to school who are not getting the TLC (the tender loving care) that they need at home, they are not getting a good breakfast, they are not sleeping well. We need to look at how we can support the teachers,” said Isaac who is the president for the Ascension Trust.
Chief executive officer Bejoy Pal, said the aim is to listen, support and encourage the young people to grow and develop to their fullest potential. The School Pastors Initiative started after a group of teachers met with some street pastors, whilst they were out on a weekend. As a result of that engagement, the street pastors learnt that there was tension in the schools. The animosity was between the young people and the wider community, but the street pastors were able to help to reinforce peace, build relationships and move and grow the community further. The teachers saw the impact and were encouraged.
“All over the UK, we have a variety of different ways our school pastors operate, from providing assistance during the lunchtime [to] having board games and activity clubs,” he explained.
“Not only do we support the student, [but] we are also there to support our staff community as well; we are there to listen to our teachers, to pray with our teachers and be there when times are hard,” he added.
“Jesus said ‘bring the children unto me’ and so that is what we are doing. We are lifting up these children on to him, making sure that we are investing in them, surrounding them with love, with compassion, with encouragement, but also challenging them,” said the street pastor.
