At Thrive Youth Ministries, we love seeing churches step out in faith to connect with young people—and Allesley Park Evangelical Church (APEC) is a fantastic example of just that! As one of our “Manifesto for 21st Century Youth Work” churches, APEC has been working closely with Thrive for the past three years, seeking to engage both their own young people and those in the wider community.
Nestled in the heart of the Allesley Park estate, the church recognised the need for a youth ministry that could reach across different social backgrounds. But where do you begin when you want to make a real impact? The answer: build relationships, create a welcoming space, and share the good news of Jesus in a way that makes sense to young people.
“Working in partnership with Thrive has helped ignite our work with youth,” says Paul Ferris, church elder at APEC. “As we look back from where we are today, to where we were when we started our partnership with Thrive, it’s clear the Lord has answered our prayers by working through us, so that we are a light and encouragement to our youth.”
APEC Youth: A Place to Belong
The first step was launching a brand-new Friday night youth gathering—a relaxed, fun-filled evening designed for secondary school-aged young people. The concept was simple but powerful: games, a welcoming hangout space, delicious homemade food, and a short, engaging talk about Jesus.
Ryan, from Thrive, helped shape the format, modelling the talks while encouraging the church’s volunteer team to focus on relationship-building. And wow, did they rise to the challenge! As friendships formed over meals and conversations, the team became living examples of Christ’s love, making space for young people to be themselves, ask questions, and feel valued.
“We wanted to engage with young people of senior school age, and Thrive were able to help and encourage us in this work,” says Brian Rollason, another of the church’s elders. “We started with just a few teenagers, but this grew to an average of 16 each session, with a peak of 22. Over time, some have left school, but we now have 10-12 regularly attending. We were unlikely to have achieved this success without the help and encouragement Ryan brought.”
Before long, the gathering was meeting fortnightly—and word was spreading. Young people from the local area, many with no prior church connection, started showing up. What began as a small group soon grew into a thriving community, where faith was explored, friendships deepened, and lives began to change. One young person even made the wonderful decision to be baptised!
“All the youth value Ryan, and we appreciate the contribution he has made in engaging and encouraging our youth and volunteers,” add Paul.
Deepening Discipleship: The Stir Sessions
As Friday nights flourished, the team sensed the need for something more—a space where young people with faith could go deeper in their relationship with God. Enter The Stir Sessions!
Held on Sunday evenings, these sessions became a hub for discipleship, giving young people the opportunity to dive into the Bible, wrestle with big questions, and explore how their faith applies to real life. With Ryan once again helping to set the tone, the volunteer team stepped up to lead and disciple the next generation.
“We have been blessed as a church through working together with Thrive to build and develop our youthwork,” Paul reflects.
Looking Ahead: A Growing Ministry
It’s been amazing to witness APEC’s bold steps in youth ministry and their genuine heart for young people in Allesley Park. What started as a desire to reach out has now grown into a thriving, church-led movement—one that is building real relationships and transforming lives.
But this is just the beginning. Will you join us in praying?
• Pray for the young people—that they continue to encounter Jesus in real and life-changing ways.
• Pray for the leaders—that they are strengthened, encouraged, and equipped as they serve.
• Pray for the future—that this ministry continues to grow and make an impact for years to come.
We are so grateful for what God is doing through Allesley Park Evangelical Church, and we can’t wait to see how He moves next!