Churches and schools in Durham Diocese joined together to welcome a group of special visitors from America.
About 20 young people from Long Hollow Church near Nashville headed for Sunderland as part of a UK-USA Ministries Mission Team visit, which
saw them bas
ed in the Parish of North Wearside, where they spent several days at both Northern Saints Primary and Southwick Community Primary.
The programme saw them work with around 600 children on a wide-range of fun and engaging activities.
The trip, in July, followed a similar ministries event in May, when young Americans from Louisiana visited Hope Family Church in Washington, Sunderland.
Stuart Main, church warden at the Parish of North Wearside, said the latest event was another resounding
success.
A variety of sports and games, from simple tag to dodgeball, were enjoyed before some of the American visitors shared their own stories of faith and classic Bible stories were told.
“It was a wonderful experience for everyone,” said Stuart. “The team from America were made very welcome and they were absolutely fantastic. It was lovely to have 20 enthusiastic volunteers willing to
share the gosp
el in such a fun and engaging way.
“From personal stories of faith to the sharing of classic Bible stories, such as Moses as well as David and Goliath, was truly inspirational and it certainly resonated with the children. There was such a buzz and a very happy atmosphere.”
The children took away ‘four-point’ bracelets which were used as a tool to talk about the gospel, but also acted as fitting mementos of a memorable time.
Given the success of the visit, Stuart said plans are already afoot for the team to travel back to Durham Diocese next year, to build on the good relations which are now firmly in place.