Bring good news to the poor...
Every day we all meet such a cross section of people. There are those for whom life is "just great thanks very much": the visible hurting and injured. Those for whom it not obvious but who are hurting just the same. Look closer and you will see some are casualties because someone has attacked them, others it's unfortunate, even tragic circumstances. But there are those for whom it is just their own stupid fault. They knew it could end badly but did it anyway. It can be hard to sympathise.
The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was known as a "hot spot" for criminality. No intelligence led policing plan to reduce crime here and no-one in their right mind would travel alone. Yet a reckless guy did exactly that, the inevitable happened and he got a "doing". A Priest and a Levite left him for dead passing by and journeyed safely onward, or did they?.....We will all have to account for our actions? 
A Samaritan gave his time using his own stuff to help this casualty of his own stupidity. He (the Samaritan) also used his contacts in the hotel industry to assist. He must have had good relations with the innkeeper as he was willing to give him credit if needed.
Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street on Saturday nights between 10pm and 4am is bursting at the seams with revellers (police reckon over 80,000) having a great time. But look just a little closer and you'll see the casualties. Young girls blitzed out their brain, separated from their pals and walking alone....so vulnerable. Young guys sleeping in doorways overcome with drink.....easy prey. Men and women distraught by circumstances, some ready to end it all. The homeless, the junkies and the vast majority who are simply having a great time: how do you bring "Good News" to all of them?
Street Pastors have been on the streets of Glasgow since January 2009. They are also in Aberdeen, Dunfermline, Edinburgh, Inverness, Perth and Stirling with several other towns and rural Initiatives at varying stages of preparation for launch. Glasgow Street Pastors represent 22 different churches from 7 different denominations. They all are quite literally the church on the street - a wonderfully united church on the street working together to bring about the Kingdom of God.
In partnership with the Police and Council, we call it "The Urban Trinity", Street Pastors listen, care and help in any way they can both revellers and casualties. Every Saturday night they heal the sick (yep even when they do vomit all over you), give sight to the blind, often just see the blind drunk get home safely, bringing them all the Good News that Jesus loves and cares and is so passionate about them.
Street Pastors have made a significant difference. The "spiritual temperature" on the streets is changing. Young men and woman readily ask for and accept prayers for their situations. Others are just blown away when they find out we don't get paid and do it simply because we care about them. When asked why - and we are often asked why - opportunity knocks to tell them of a God who loves us and them, unconditionally and all that means.
Street Pastors are recognized by the police who value enormously the contribution they make to the night time economy. They regularly call on them to help in situations where a police presence might mean an arrest whereas Street Pastors calm the situation. They often ask why?
Glasgow's Lord Provost invited Street Pastors to afternoon tea. He had heard amazing stories of people caring for others on his streets and he wanted to know more. He asked us why?
God always does so much more than we can ask or imagine. Our aim was and is to show God's love in practical ways to bring "Good News" to people on the streets at night. God has blessed us and used us to do that in ways too many to mention in this short piece. Lives are being transformed, people are healed, some have even come to a living faith. But now the police, councillors, health service, bouncers and so many others looking on are asking: who are these people? Why are they doing this? And opportunity knocks even louder.
So many churches struggle to "connect" with their communities. "Street Pastors are an example of community engagement at it's finest" so sayeth the Provost and the Police. Yet we are simply Christians working out how to bring "Good News" and be the church on the street.
Carole McQueen is Co-Cordinator and a Trustee of Glasgow Street Pastors. Also a Trustee of the Ascension Trust Scotland which is the governing body of all Street Pastors in Scotland. She is also a member of Whiteinch Church of Scotland and an elder.
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