Roy Crowne isnt ready to give up on Englands cities just yet

HOPE Director Roy Crowne has appealed to Christians to pray and show love to their communities following the riots.

He said that many of the rioting teenagers and young people desperately needed hope and a purpose.

“This can only be found in Jesus,” he said.

“We know that we have a powerful God and that prayer can change situations. Let’s pray and be the ones who respond, act, persevere and never give up on our villages, towns and cities.

“What is happening in response with the clean-ups is brilliant and the Church is playing its part. Now is the time to share love with people and pull together to restore hope in damaged communities.”

The HOPE movement is an umbrella for Christian outreach across the country, with many of the projects involving young Christian volunteers.

As part of HOPE Brighton ’11 last month, more than 190 young Christians donated 2,500 hours, running street dance workshops, football tournaments and other activities.

In Preston, 2,000 people turned up to Avenham Park for a free fun day and gig, during which 35 teenagers responded to the Gospel message.

In Leeds, 75 young Christians gave up five days of their summer to take part in mission and training.

In one summer outreach initiative, Peterborough youth handed out umbrellas to wet shoppers, wrote thank you notes to shop staff, and invited their friends to a LZ7 gig where they had the opportunity to share their faith.

Matt Morton, 18, Street Invasion participant on the city centre team, said: “You get some people who don’t want to know at all but it’s really surprising how some people are really interested and enthusiastic, getting really into it.

“When we are out and about we even had people, who we hadn’t even considered approaching, coming up and asking us questions. We ask God to give us anointed conversation and when we go out he always blesses us, which is incredible.”