Encouraging Stories from FUEL Gatherings Across the Diocese

FUEL is a monthly evening gathering that brings together youth groups from across Nottinghamshire to worship, pray, and hear a Bible message. FUEL Central was originally started by Trinity Church Nottingham and Tanya Wilson (Emerging Generations Pastor at Trinity), and the vision has since grown across the diocese, with gatherings now taking place in Newark, Worksop and Wilford. These evenings provide opportunities for young people, including those new to faith, to encounter Jesus and grow together in community.

Its been so great to hear encouraging stories and testimonies from FUEL gatherings across the diocese.

Nick Carter, Contemporary Worship and Youth Team Leader for St Mary Magdalene with St Leonard, Newark (FUEL East) shared:

“Since we starting FUEL (East) last summer, we’ve seen the event grow both in number and depth. We’ve had young people leading us into worship and sharing the Word, as well as bringing words and pictures for the room. It’s been such a joy seeing those new to FUEL starting out feeling a little awkward but, over time, learning from others and now entering into worship with joy. At the most recent FUEL, we saw around 25 youth accepting an invitation to kneel at the cross, repent and accept or reinvite God into their lives. He is so on the move. Please do be praying for protection and for more!”

Selina Archer, youth leader at Anne’s church, Worksop (FUEL North) also shared:

“We’ve been running Fuel North, for nearly a year now. In the beginning we ran it as leaders, with the youth supporting in the worship band. However, as time has gone on, the youth have taken over the leading of it. Each month, they organise the band practices, and have taken on the preaching and hosting. Its been such a joy to watch the group grow, both in numbers, but also in faith and leadership.  My favourite part of Fuel North, is the testimony time. It is a real joy to see the youth excited to tell their stories of what God is doing in their lives, and seeing them challenge each other in their walk with God. We’re  Excited to see what God is going to do in this next year.”

Charis Roberts, Youth Pastor at St Wilfrid’s Nottingham (FUEL South) shared:

“We always make space after worship for people to come up and share stories of what God is doing in the young peoples’ lives or what he might be speaking to them about, and we had one girl come up and share how she had a lot of back pain coming into the evening which meant she was sat at the side on a chair. Her pain was distracting her a lot and she wasn’t able to stand up because it was uncomfortable, so during worship she was just praying to God and asking Him that he would take away her pain/ how much it was stopping her from worshipping and after she’d prayed she was able to stand and raise her hands in worship and was then able to focus on God!

Also have had lots of stories of people coming into the evening feeling really empty and anxious, but as they started to worship this has faded away and they were able to have the confidence to come up to the front to share this.

In November we had the sermon on the kingdom of God and how living for Jesus means surrendering everything to Him and there was a beautiful moment of response at the end where the room was encouraged to kneel in prayer if they wanted to give their everything to God again and the whole room was on their knees! I also had the opportunity on this same evening to pray with someone who wanted to recommit their life to Jesus!”

Fuel Central meets on the second Thursday of the month, 7-8.30pm, at Trinity Church Nottingham.

Fuel East meets on the third Thursday of the month, 6.30-8.30pm, at Magnus Academy in Newark.

Fuel South meets on the fourth Thursday of the month, 7-9pm, at St Wilfrid’s Wilford.

Fuel North meets on the fourth Thursday of the month, 7-8.30pm, at St Anne’s Worksop.

We are thankful for how God is working through young people across the diocese, and we join in prayer that they will continue to encounter Jesus and have the courage to share His good news with everyone.