Growth in North Kensington!

Eman Henein, a member of the YMIC Team, shares about the exciting growth in North Kensington churches.

My name is Eman, and I have been involved in youth ministry at the parishes St. Clement’s & St. James’ (North Kensington) and St George’s (Campden Hill), since August 2023.

When I joined St George’s, there was no existing youth work. However, along with the small parish team there, we saw a clear opportunity: a large secondary school just down the road, with most students passing the church every day. Though the vicar was unsure how to start, I was determined that we could reach out.

Together with the help of a self-supporting minister, we began engaging with young people on the streets, initiating conversations for six weeks. Afterward, we invited them to a drop-in session at the church with free hot chocolate and donuts. The response was overwhelming—over 80 young people showed up. Today, around 60 young people come every Friday to the youth session, and the club has become a consistent space for fun and faith.

For the past year and a half, the youth club has been running every Friday. Despite the influx of new attendees, we have had to limit numbers due to space and the number of leaders we can muster. However, it has become a place for natural conversations about faith. We have had one-on-one discussions with young people regarding their faith, and a few have asked for Bibles. Some have even begun exploring faith and six have started attending Sunday services.

The youth club offers more than Bible discussions. It provides sports, games, arts, and crafts, creating a fun and inclusive environment where relationships are built. In addition, I work with the church’s youth, offering one-on-one support to help them develop deeper connections with God and each other. We are also planning a new youth meeting for those aged 16 and up to foster a community for older teens.

At St. James, I run the JAFFA club (Jesus is a Friend for All) for Year 6 pupils. With about 15 students, we explore Bible stories and the character of Jesus. The purpose of JAFFA is to engage these young people and invite them to our youth meetings at St. James’s Church. Additionally, we’ve launched the Light in the Darkness youth meeting, held every other Thursday for ages 11–14. This meeting will soon include the JAFFA club starting in April.

Looking back on the past year and a half, I’m incredibly grateful for the growth we’ve seen. The youth have embraced these opportunities with enthusiasm, and many are taking steps to deepen their faith. God has opened doors for us to build relationships and share the gospel, and I’m excited to see what’s next. The best is yet to come as we continue to reach out to these young people, building a community where they can explore their faith, grow in relationship with each other, and experience the love of Christ.

Eman Henein