Parish church takes on first paid youth worker

A 23-YEAR-OLD has made history at England’s largest parish church – by becoming its first employed youth worker in 700 years.

Ben Brady says he is “excited and daunted” at the prospect of joining the team at Holy Trinity Church, in Hull, where his brief is to engage with more teenagers. At the moment there are few youngsters in the congregation, apart from those in the choir.

Mr Brady said: “I’m really excited about the challenge ahead but obviously daunted.

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“There is so much potential and I’m really keen to get out into the community and build fruitful relationships with young people.”

Mr Brady, who will be introduced at the monthly service at The Mission pub in Posterngate this Sunday, has moved to Hull from York where he did a wide range of church youth work, based at St Paul’s Holgate.

He plays and teaches bass guitar, has a theology degree and recently completed a worship leaders’ course at a Christian music college. His salary has been raised by wellwishers.

The Rev Matt Woodcock said: “Traditionally people have brought their children to church, they have joined the choir and that has been the route. For a lot of teenagers and young people the idea of being in a robed choir is not where they are – they are into rock music and game stations.

“Ben will be bringing much more of a modern touch.”

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He added: “I think if churches aren’t investing in youth work we may as well give up and go home – that’s just the reality of it.”

The project will run as a six-month pilot, but hopefully develop into a three-year role.

Mr Brady, who has moved into a church-owned flat on the Thornton estate, will also work at the estate’s Holy Trinity’s daughter church, Holy Apostles church.

He added: “I feel really honoured and privileged to be Holy Trinity’s first employed youth worker – I just hope and pray that I do the role justice.”

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