With financial and social resources and investment running dangerously low, Desborough in Northamptonshire sits in constant need of fresh energy, new ideas and strong determination. The young adults of Desborough URC aren’t afraid to answer that call.
The church began with an ageing congregation with an inward-looking focus, but some youth leadership training, with the support of East Midlands Synod Children’s and Youth Development Officer (CYDO), Jane Henderson, opened up new ideas and possibilities for engaging with families and young people in the area. By opening themselves up to understanding and responding to the needs of the youngest in the community, the church was able to encourage more people, who perhaps wouldn’t have got involved otherwise, to see a role for the church in their lives.
Being so close to the seafront and the neighbouring town of Blackpool, St Anne’s is a very popular holiday destination, bringing a whole range of people and issues for the congregation of St Anne’s URC to cater for. With the help of regional Missional Discipleship Mentor, Daleen ten Cate, this small church has been able to make a big impact on the community around it.
With declining memberships in both a beautiful Grade 2 listed medieval parish church and a small United Reformed Church (URC) Victorian flint chapel, Broad Chalke URC and All Saints Church of England congregations had some decisions to make about their future. 
Living the life of Jesus today means recognising and responding to God’s presence in our everyday reality. For many people, one of the most important parts of that reality in terms of social interaction, fellowship, relaxation and joy, comes in the form of the pub. And, like everywhere else in creation, God is very much there, as the young adults of St David’s Uniting Church in Pontypridd are well aware.
When the chair of the board meeting asked if anyone had any other business, he certainly didn’t expect Tracy Buckby, a member of Wade Street Church in Lichfield, to reply as she did.
