Canterbury Pilgrimage to Commit Youth to Mission on Easter Monday

Easter Monday will see a youth pilgrimage take place at Canterbury Cathedral where a new global gap year initiative will also be launched.

The annual event organised by the Canterbury Diocese will see young people coming together over the Easter break to consider how they can be useful for God's kingdom and their generation.

Up to 1,000 young people will take part in the pilgrimage on Monday when they can renew themselves "in their walk with God" and explore the many opportunities they have to do something positive in their generation.

Mark Russell, CEO of Church Army, will join the event to remind young people that anyone can be used by God.

Russell says, "Throughout the Bible, we see God uses people who are far from perfect, whether David, Noah, Moses, Peter, Paul, or Solomon....and that means he can use us too.

"Ordinary men and women at Church Army have been making a difference since 1882 and we're about communicating the unchanging message of an unchanging God to a fast-changing culture and new generation of young people.

"Seeing young people give up their Easter bank holiday to make a difference is really encouraging and it brings to life what we're trying to achieve with our new gap year programme which focuses on how important it is for young people to commit to mission."

Church Army's new global gap year initiative Xplore, will be launched by Russell at the event. Xplore aims to give young people the opportunity to serve God and their community both at home and abroad for a year.

Headed by Phil Clark, Xplore is for young adults aged 18-25 who want to be motivated, trained and equipped for relevant 21st century mission, and are prepared to set aside personal ambition, career success and financial security for the sake of the Gospel.

Russell added, "I am very excited about Xplore, and see this project as central to our aim to get more younger people interested in Church Army's work. As a youth leader I was always looking for exciting gap year programmes that would transform young people for mission. Xplore is one such programme, and I can't wait to see how it grows under Phil's leadership."

A display of the work of Church Army will also be on show at the Canterbury Cathedral to celebrate Church Army's 125th anniversary from April 9 to 23.

More information about the Global Gap Year can be found at: www.churcharmy.org.uk/gapyear