Thousands to Unite in Evangelistic Outreach to Transform London at SOULWEEK

|PIC1|Thousands of young people from various churches, denominations and cultures are set to unite for one of London’s largest and most unique evangelistic experiences of the year – SOULWEEK. The social action and evangelism initiative has been organised by SoulintheCity and TRUCE, and will take place from 29th July until 5th August 2006.

The summer mission has been introduced by TRUCE throughout July, where in Hackney the organisation has embarked on a massive anti-guns Campaign backed by the Metropolitan Police in partnership with Nicky Cruz and crew from New York, USA.

SoulintheCity and TRUCE plan to start SOULWEEK with a huge gathering at Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), London on Saturday 29th July.

The growing matrix of over 1000 churches, charities and agencies that were involved with the SoulintheCity phenomenon in 2004, 2005 and 2006, is set to become the largest grassroots youth movement in any City within the UK.

|TOP|British Prime Minister Tony Blair has been an avid supporter of the initiative, saying, “SOULINTHECITY LONDON is an immensely worthwhile venture. I am delighted to give it my support.”

Many initiatives have been planned throughout the week, with numerous projects, local events and community outreaches aimed at blessing thousands of people.

Events will culminate to a climax on Saturday 5th August 2006, when Brixton Academy will come alive with 5,000 young people from various churches, denominations, and cultures to attend a unique evangelistic experience dubbed ‘The Big Event’.

Pastor Jonathan Oloyede, Senior Associate Pastor of Glory House, East London, and Patrick Regan, National Director of XLP, a charity working with young people in communities across South East London, who have been central in the organisation of the initiative, have jointly said: “Our vision is to see a transformed London through the united church releasing its young people in their communities. We are from different cultural backgrounds but united in common purpose to be catalysts for change in our capital city.

|QUOTE|“This summer will witness a colourful expression of raw youth ingenuity and creativity through the many projects, events and outreaches. Our prayer is that SOULWEEK be a launching pad for the church to become a ‘Solution in the City’ by being a blessing to the millions of souls in the City.”

All over London, SoulintheCity has helped various youth groups and local churches unite together to impact their neighbourhoods:

An example of churches working together is ‘Soul 2’, in West Drayton. They are planning initiatives for young children, concerts for youth, as well as activities to reach out to older people. The team will consist diversely of Americans, Brazilians and Koreans.

Another model is ‘Soul in Barking and Dagenham’. Over the past year more than 300 young people in the area have benefited from Soul in the City events. They have been providing high quality, fun sessions for young people that enable them to experience arts and sports in creative ways.

|AD|Throughout the wide variety of events SoulintheCity has provided, the movement has seen churches become the central hub for local community life.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Dr Rowan Williams has given his full support, saying, “SOULINTHECITY LONDON is one of the most exciting initiatives around in showing the kind of difference that the Christian gospel can make to our public life, and I am very enthusiastically looking forward to it."

Sir Ian Blair, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service also stated, “SOULINTHECITY LONDON stands as an excellent example of the part that people of faith can play in the regeneration and transformation of local communities. Partnership with SOULINTHECITY LONDON offers our dedicated Safer Neighbourhood teams an outstanding opportunity to work alongside local people in making their neighbourhoods safer, better places in which to live and work. SOULINTHECITY LONDON has my full support.”

The finale of the SOULWEEK will take place at Brixton Academy on Saturday 5th August, and tickets are being distributed for free. The current line up includes 29th Chapter, Jahaziel and Judah and Secret and Lou Fellingham. For more information on SoulintheCity please go to www.soulinthecity.co.uk.