On Monday evening, we had 460 children at our Central Kidz Klub Easter Special! It was a wonderful night, with so many children enjoying themselves, hearing the Easter story and enjoying a chocolate egg each at the end.

Travelling home from Central Club on the bus, I spoke with a boy - we’ll call him Mark. His lovely Grandma had given us very clear instructions to be very strict with him.

During the session, we’d seen glimpses of his energy as he flung his cousin over his shoulder straight onto the floor . That situation resolved - we continued on. 

Returning home on the bus, Mark was enjoying being sat at the front on the top deck but he was particularly drawn to unscrew one part of it. I explained this was not ok - only to return and discover that the screw (holding a panel of the bus in place) had made it's way down the stairs to the bottom floor of the bus.  

'Mark' - I asked. 'How come that screw has come off?'

'Well' said Mark 'It was in my hand.' 

'Yes I guessed that Mark - but how did it come to be in your hand?' 

'Well' said Mark, 'it ended up downstairs.'

'Yes I can see that too Mark - but how did it get there?'

'Well it came out of my hand' said Mark. 

'Mark'  I said. 'You are very funny. In fact I think you need to be on the stage as a comedian. But we still need that screw, the one that's holding the bus together, not to be on the floor downstairs don't we?

This second situation resolved, I thought that I had better stay with Mark for the remainder of the journey. As the bus pulled in I said to him:

'Mark do you know that you are not a bad kid?'

'No' he insisted 'I am a bad kid.' 

'Mark that's not who you are. You are great. You don't need to think of yourself that way you know. Remember what we learnt tonight about Easter? God gives everyone a chance every time and He loves you.' 

What a privilege it is to have moments like these with children who really need to hear that they are special.  

It’s in these ordinary, everyday moments on buses, in conversations, in laughter and questions that trust is built and lives begin to change.

Thank you for making these moments possible. Your support creates spaces where children are known, valued, and given the opportunity to explore life, faith, and their place in the world.

Prayer Points for our Praying Friends

• For the 8 Easter Assemblies happening across the city in schools

• For our 9 Hub sessions as Easter Special  Hub's take place

• For 2 coach trips next week to for a Middleton Woods Adventure where children will explore nature and the Easter story.

• On Good Friday as we support Mosaic Church who are running an Easter Egg Hunt in Beeston Park. Also as we  help to run a second Easter Egg Hunt in Holbeck with our friends from Mosaic and Holbeck Fellowship and then have a special service which the children and their families are invited to on Easter Sunday. 

• For our home visiting rounds, an upcoming Young Leaders Social to Arcade Club, 2 upcoming Play Streets and multiple mentoring trips out that are planned over the Easter holidays.