EARLIER INFORMATION: 'Street Pastors' is an inter-denominational Church response to neighbourhood problems, engaging with people on the streets and in night-time venues to care, listen and dialogue also offering practical help. more

Pioneered in London in January 2003 by Rev Les Isaac, Director of the Ascension Trust, it has seen some remarkable results, including drops in crime in areas where teams have been working. There are now some 9000 trained volunteers in around 250 teams around the United Kingdom - in 5 years, Devon and Cornwall have gone from 2 towns to 22 towns - Penzance being a recent addition.

Each project is set up under guidance from the Ascension Trust and run by local church and community groups, in partnership with Police, Council and other statutory agencies - the “Urban Trinity”.

Individual street pastors are Christian adults with a concern for their community, who are willing to engage people where they are, both in terms of their attitudes and location. They undergo 12 days of training in order to voluntarily patrol the streets of towns and cities at night, helping and caring for people in practical ways. To be a Street Pastor you need to be over 18 (no upper age limit), a church member and able to commit to our training programme. 

A Street Pastor’s calling is to listen, care and provide practical help on a non-judgemental basis to anyone and everyone they meet. It is not to preach or evangelise but to be the Gospel and to be ready to share their faith if invited.

Each Street Pastor team consists of a group of four, who work a minimum of one night a month, usually from 10pm to around 3.00am. Also two Prayer Pastors (see below)

Street Pastors have been working in Camborne since 2008; Falmouth since 2009 and Truro since 2010.

Prayer Pastors (sometimes called prayer supporters) are a vital part of the Street Pastors team. A team of at least two will be at the base. Others may also be supporting from home and in contact by 'phone.
As Christians we believe in the power of prayer, God moves and changes things when we pray. So although we do not specifically offer prayer to people on the streets – the whole evening and every situation the Street Pastors come across is prayed for. Street Pastors 'phone the base every 15 minutes or so, letting Prayer Pastors know what is going on, what to pray for, as well as 'phoning in specific situations to be covered in prayer.

* Prayer is such a vital part of 'Street Pastors' work, to the extent that the Street Pastors will not go out without the Prayer Pastors being back at the base. "Prayer is the fuel that drives our actions."

To be a prayer pastors, You simply need to be a church member, willing to pray and serve, and over the age of 18 years, no upper age limit.

Another type of prayer support is by becoming a Prayer Partner to individual Street Pastors. see links for more >>

* Jesus said, ‘love one another’. John 13: 34
* "Preach the Gospel at all times... if necessary use words!" - St Francis of Assisi
* "By their fruits ye shall know them" ~ from Sermon on the Mount - Matt. 7:15-20 
* "Some of the best tasting and nutrient filled fruits are rather small. We don't need to do something big. We just need to do something that bears fruit." ~ Ray Lammie

click for Questions and Answers pdf

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 updated Feb 2023 v1.19 - ê¿ê - spanspam protected

Local progress: The great response to an initial meeting in July 2012, enabled CTIPA to go ahead with the National Street Pastors organisation and sign the Ascension Trust licence agreement'. Training was arranged and is ongoing.
The Commissioning Service took place on 14th December 2012 at St. Mary's C of E in Penzance. Street & Prayer Pastors and their supporters assembling together for prayer & worship. (local press links below)

Street Pastors are out in Penzance on Saturday nights (10.30pm ~ 3.00am) They welcome your support in prayer.

Volunteers are needed as Street & Prayer Pastors. Interested? You are very welcome to come and observe during part or all of a shift.

copy & paste e-mail address: penzance@streetpastors.org.uk

Co-ordinator: 07795 936455 / Night Patrol: 07795 936247 (Sat 10.30pm - 3:00am)

CTIPA (a registered Charity) needs financial support to keep 'Penzance Street Pastors' running. Regular gift aided donations are very welcome. please e-mail or 'phone to request Gift Aid / Standing Order forms 

Links external websites open a new window or tab

• Penzance Street Pastors facebook

• Street Pastors website | Booklet download | Listen to Rev. Les Isaac (MP3) | A short film (MP4) | Les addresses the Greater Manchester Prayer Breakfast, June 2011 YouTube link | Magazine pdf link

• SP prayer | 3 Levels of Prayer - A guide to praying for Street Pastors | How to set up a Prayer Pastor team - "Prayer is the fuel that drives our actions." | Street Pastors’ prayer | National year of prayer 2012

• Street Pastors - Be 1 of the 12 YouTube link

• Ascension Trust is the parent body of Street Pastors. It needs your generous prayer and financial support.

• CTIPA website > Street Pastors page

• Questions and Answers pdf

Stats after 1st year, during 2013: 
1,300 glass bottles and broken glass items disposed off
114 pairs of flip-flops given out
121 bottles of water given out
16 foil blankets given out & over 380 sweets handed out