Baptists and Ascension Trust to hold violent crime conference

The growing problem of violent crime is to be discussed at a one day conference in Brixton this July that is being organised by the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) and Ascension Trust.

Aimed at young people and youth leaders, the Bite the Bullet conference will seek to help young people resist the lure of 'glamorous crime' and help church leaders in developing relationships with young people in an increasingly violent world.

The conference will include stories and discussion of the causes and effects of gun and knife crime from the Metropolitan Police, former gangsters, and churches/agencies. Speakers include Les Isaac of the Ascension Trust and founder of Street Pastors; Kwame Kwei-Armah, actor best known for appearing in BBC1's Casualty; and youth worker and actress Amie Buhari.

Following the conference there will be a gospel concert featuring artists including Hidden Man, All Bout Christ, Jake Isaac, Transformers and Watchman.

Already this year, nine teenagers have been murdered in London, and recent statistics indicate that violent crime is not limited to the capital, but the Midlands, Manchester and Glasgow have also been targets of knife and gun crime.

"The huge escalation of gun and knife crime in recent years must be a concern to everyone, and we as Christians have a special responsibility," says BUGB General Secretary, Jonathan Edwards.

"I am delighted that the Bite the Bullet conference is being held. We need to learn more so that we can be more effective in showing God's love in a situation of brokenness and pain. I am sure that the conference will be an important way of helping us to make such a response."

Speaker at the event, Amie Buhari agrees. "One decision - life or death. Bite the Bullet is about helping to make that right decision."

Bite the Bullet will take place at Brixton Baptist Church, London on Saturday 12 July 2008. For more information visit www.bitethebullet.info