NORTHFIELD CHURCH
To Bootle and Beyond
Streetlights has a passion to see the lives of women and men, stuck in a life of addiction and prostitution, transformed by the love and mercy of Christ. Streetlights started in 2007 with prayer walks along the Crown Street red light district of Liverpool. It soon became apparent that the Lord was calling us to be the answer to our prayers. Over the two years we have been joined by members of Northfield and other churches.
Our night involves visiting the area and prayer walking up and down the main streets that the girls use for work. We take light snacks, sandwiches, drinks, clothing and toiletries for the girls and if given the opportunity we will offer to pray for them. Sometimes we’ve been able to give the girls additional help in the form of advice for accommodation, taking them to the hospital, and linking them up with social services. Many of the girls are addicted to drugs or alcohol and are trapped in a cycle of abuse and addiction. We’ve been blessed to hear many of their stories and are constantly moved to see how these beautiful daughters of God are daily sold into slavery. We recognise that we have only seen a glimpse of the needs faced by these women (and men) and it is our vision to expand this work in a number of areas.
All of our plans and hopes are underpinned by the desire to see the girls and men’s lives changed by the power of Christ. We believe that Jesus has called us to serve each girl to,
“Love her as the Lord loves her with compassion and kindness proclaiming the Gospel to bring her out of the darkness and into the glorious light.”
(Hosea 3:1, Isaiah 63:2, Romans 15:14, 1 Peter 2:9)
It is our desire to see them saved from their addictions to a transformed life in Jesus and that one day we will stand with them and worship our Saviour Jesus in the Kingdom of peace, hope and love.
If you would like more information about Streetlights please contact Elisabeth and Neil Forsythe at Northfield Church.
A report from Neil given to the Church at the church meeting 28/1/12
Street Lights @ Northfield by Neil
2011 has been a very exciting year for Streetlights. Our hope this time last year was
to increase the size of our team and deepen our relationships with the girls that we
meet on Thursday nights. God has been more than faithful on both fronts. Nine
members of Northfield church stepped up to work with the team, through either
praying for the team, joining the outreach team or being on the text rota. This really
has been an incredible blessing to the team. We’re in an exciting phase of the work
where a few of the girls have shown a genuine interest in connecting with us for more
than a hot drink and sandwich. One of our girls, has even changed the night
she goes out so she can make sure she sees us! We’re pleading with God to let us
build these relationships further, which will involve meeting up with the girls away
from Crown Street for coffee or a meal so we can share the gospel and show them
love in a more comfortable environment. Over the next six months we’d love to be
meeting at least two of the girls in this way. In 12 months time, it would great to see
these girls connecting with a local church group. We’re planning to keep growing the
team so we can reach more girls and make sure each member of the team can have
a break as the cold Thursday nights take a lot out of you! We’re also expecting training
from Merseyside Police and the Armistead Project. We give thanks to God for the
faithfulness of the team, growth in relationships with the girls and continued
investment from the Seedbed Trust. We’re asking God to continue to strengthen our
vision, show us his heart for the girls in brothels and massage parlours, bring
salvation to the girls we know and love and bring glory to Him in all we do. Please
join with us in dreaming big and praying to a God who is mighty to save!
