Bus helps 'bridge the generational disconnect'
 

The Message Bus is a state-of-the-art mobile youth centre based in Teesside which is partnering with four Baptist churches

The North East Message Trust’s Message Bus has been on the road across the region, helping church outreach with youngsters, thanks to a Baptist Insurance grant.

The bus is a mobile resource for four Baptist churches – Oxford Road in Hartlepool, Portrack in Stockton, Darlington Baptist Church, and Coulby Newham in Middlesbrough.

A big double-decker vehicle kitted out with cool lighting, darkened windows, screens, a climbing wall, a nail bar, and gaming seats and tables, it’s designed to appeal to a teenage demographic that is often otherwise uncatered for.

‘The idea is to create outreach opportunities to help bridge the generational disconnect,’ said northeast Message Bus leader Terry Young.

‘Older folk sometimes see younger people as a problem, because they don’t understand the issues they face.

'Younger people think their elders have it easy, but don’t see their responsibilities and difficulties. Church is one place where people of all demographics come together with a common purpose.

‘We’re a mission enabler – we work alongside churches, with expertise and opportunities that they may not have, to help engage marginalised youngsters, to help them to kickstart youth work, taking the Word to where young people are.

‘It looks cool, it’s exciting and interactive, and it attracts youngsters wherever it turns up. We can introduce the volunteers from the local church and help them to form relationships, and gradually create the foundations so that they can build in the Gospel message when the time is right.’

Since receiving the grant of £8,980 in September 2023 – which enabled the provision of free sessions with the bus for the partner churches – it has become a familiar sight at events, such as a recent fun day at Coulby Newham Baptist Church.

‘That was a cracking day,’ said Terry. ‘Often church events cater for really young children with things like a ball pit or hook-a-duck, and older folk with stalls and a place to sit and chat.

But teenagers can feel a bit left out, and if they want to go then the family has to go, too. Coulby Newham was a great example of how the bus gets over that – it really stood out, there were hundreds of people all over it, and it helped the day go well.

‘It’s not a silver bullet – we’re only facilitators. But I’d hope that before long we’ll have four new church youth clubs established where young people are meeting weekly and being discipled in faith. We were overwhelmed and so blessed by the support from Baptist Insurance.’ 

Anne Bishop, chair of the Baptist Insurance Company Grants Committee, said, 'The Message Bus is a great example of innovative thinking.

'Young people need to know about Jesus just as much as anyone else, and the bus offers a wonderful way to start that vital relationship-building process.'
 

The Baptist Insurance committee has given over £2 million in grants in the past ten years to Baptist outreach and evangelism

Learn more about the Baptist Grants Programme 

This article originally appeared on the Baptist Insurance website, and is republished with permission