Baptist youth groups connect at Satellites
Connections between Baptist youth groups up and down the country were developed at this year's Satellites festival
More than 40 Baptist youth groups representing nine Associations participated in this year's event, which is organised by the team at Youthscape. Satellites is a five-day gathering designed to inspire teenagers to live with God at the centre of their lives for the other 360 days of the year.
Now in its second year, it took place at the Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet earlier this month. As in 2022, there was a sizeable Baptist presence.
On the final day a Baptist 'Donut gathering' was organised in the chapel, which saw around 130-140 people come together.
The gathering was facilitated by Isabella Senior, Young Leaders Development Coordinator; Glenda Chadwick-Down, South West Baptist Association Mission Enabler for Children, Youth and Families; and Clare Hooper, Children, Youth and Families Round Table Facilitator.
They encouraged youth groups to find the next closest geographical group to them and spent some time connecting with everyone.
One of the testimonies shared with them was of a young person who had given up going to church as they didn’t feel like they belonged there - until they went to a local Baptist church where they’ve felt so welcomed straight away and they described it as ‘it feels like home!’
Glenda, Clare and Isabella headed up the Chapel venue where they led daily office prayers inspired by the
Northumbria Community and explored different prayers approaches such as prayer beads and images of Jesus with the young people.
A highlight for them was when a young person who was initially shy to pray out loud led prayers on the last day.
Isabella was also part of a Gap Year lunch with young people exploring gap year and internships (pictured above, with Isabella, right).
She shared the
internship opportunities in Baptist churches alongside a current intern. Throughout the festival Isabella met up with two current and four former interns. One of the interns shared with Isabella then, ‘I didn’t think I could lead because I hadn’t seen anyone close to my age doing it, only older people. But my youth leader gave me a chance to learn and lead and now I lead the 11-14’s group in my church.’
Isabella says, ‘It was wonderful to catch up with interns, hear their stories and see them in action investing in the next generation at Satellites.’
Satellites is happening again at Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet from 2-6 August and their theme for 2024 is prayer. If you book your tickets now, the first five go free! Check it out now and save £645.
Satellites is a summer event for young people organised by the team at Youthscape. It’s a five-day gathering, designed to inspire teenagers to live with God at the centre of their lives for the other 360 days of the year.
Baptist Times, 30/08/2023