More than 230 school children in Lancashire have reportedly responded to the gospel following a tour encouraging them to put down their knives.
The No More Knives Tour from Manchester-based Christian charity The Message, in partnership with local police, has challenged thousands of young people in secondary schools across Lancashire and Manchester to lay down their knives.
As the devastation left by knife crime across the UK increases, the campaign began in secondary schools across Manchester at the start of 2020 and has gained momentum.
Connected with local churches
The latest three-week tour took place in 17 schools across Blackburn and Darwen, culminating in more than 500 young people at a music gig and a presentation of the gospel by Sammy Jabangwe of urban band SOULBOX. As a result, 232 responded to the gospel and have now been put in touch with local churches.
Sammy’s band received a message from one student, Sophie. Her sister attended the school sessions and the final gig, heard the gospel and the band is now talking with her about faith and her questions about Jesus.
Former gang member Mark Bracewell who lost his eye after being stabbed in the face, became a Christian and is also involved in the campaign. He now mentors young people and recently launched Blinded Faith, an organisation that helps change the lives of children and young people.
Mark said they have received no resistance from schools to sharing the gospel. He said: ‘The message remains the same but, ultimately, the way that we share the message has to differ. So for instance if we’re in a Muslim school, we would obviously say we are Christians … We would say openly that we’re Christians; we believe in God, we believe in Jesus and that He’s the Son of God.’
He will be joining the No More Knives Tour in Wythenshawe this January and in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. More than half of knife crimes in Staffordshire involve people under the age of 29, with 23% under 18.
The tours are a combination of music, stories, lessons and assemblies to equip young people with the necessary skills and knowledge to say ‘no’ to knives and help them discover their full value and identity.
