The Boys’ Brigade has partnered with Youthscape for their Satellites festival.
The Christian organisation will oversee the festival’s ‘Activity Village’. It aims to create “a vibrant, active space” with a football shoot, giant inflatables and axe throwing.
Boys’ Brigade began over 140 years ago, and runs sports and activity groups for young people. Since 2009, it has expanded to include young women in its ministry.
This year, Boys’ Brigade groups from Christchurch Abbeydale, Gloucester and Starbeck Methodist Church, and Harrogate will attend the festival camping in a designated "BB Village".
Rev Dez Johnston, President of The Boys' Brigade, said he is “delighted” at the partnership.
“It's vital our members connect, grow spiritually, and see they're part of something bigger. The BB's presence here shows our commitment to shaping confident, Christ-centred young leaders for today's world,” Johnston said.
Last month, research by Youth for Christ indicated that young people are more open to spirituality than their parents, with over 53% willing to attend church for the first time if invited by a friend.
Peter Andrews, Boys’ Brigade Ministry Lead told Premier News that this is in part due to the unique mental pressures they face, from living in an increasingly isolated, online world.
“It can be quite hard for them to establish what the truth is,” he said. “So what we're trying to do through our work is to give them really strong role models. Firstly, that they can look up to and can help them as they grow and develop, but also Christian leaders who can introduce them to faith and introduce them to Jesus as an ultimate role model – the ultimate truth in their lives.”