They’ve had a serious re-appraisal.
SYFC is one of our local mission partners. The epidemic has not been easy for any Christian organisations but SYFC has had a vey tough one leading them, “to question [our] purpose and role.”
Before the pandemic SYFC saw their role as a “Youth Work Provider”. Their aim was to take the message to young people directly.
What has happened?
Firstly, they experienced a significant fall in financial support. SYFC receives much of its income from local churches. Many churches saw a drop in their own income owing to “Covid relief, filling the resource gap and the costs of putting church online.” (St. John’s PCC has consistently maintained our support.)
Secondly, it was difficult for SYFC to work in schools during the pandemic. Zoom just could not fill the gap. (As I write, whole-school assemblies have been cancelled once again in order to help Swindon schools get on top of Covid.)
Working in schools, youth work residentials and big youth events have always been a major part of SYFC’s outreach. Lockdown put an end to much of that.
As a result of all of this, SYFC they are moving from being “youth work providers” to “youth work enablers”, equipping Swindon’s current youth and children’s workers to lead better. We really need to pray for them as they work out how best to do this. Dave Clark is their current leader and he will need all the wisdom and inspiration he can get as he manages this period of transition and change. Do pray for him.
Two interns, Josh and Jamie, have joined SYFC this year and have been working with youth leaders in Swindon who are doing outreach through football and sports events.
SYFC are planning a collective youth event and a faith /sports event in 2022.
Let’s remember Naomi who is in charge of fund-raising and who also manages the administration. It sounds like she might have a challenging role there.