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GSUS Live gives students the opportunity to explore their choice of the themes of Rejection, Fear and Forgiveness through the lens of a fictional character. They look at Jesus’ teachings on these issues, how he himself experienced them during his life, and what Jesus’ death and resurrection mean to Christians.

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One aim of the resource is to improve students' religious literacy, the other to inspire and encourage them pastorally amid the problems they may face. During the lesson students are free to ask any questions about God. One student was particularly interested in heaven and who will go there. We chatted about how, for Christians, Jesus is the way to be reconciled to God, and how his death demonstrates God’s love for us.

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About 1,200 pupils came through the doors during our fornight with GSUS Live. During one lesson a boy said, ‘We’ve still got 25 left (of the lesson)! This is sick!’ (in the positive sense of the word!) One day two Year 11 students popped into the GSUS Live room at breaktime, saying that they remembered taking part in it when they were in Year 7. They could even remember which theme and character in the programme they chose.

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We often find that students leave the lesson feeling inspired and equipped in making healthy choices, whether it be forgiving someone, ‘letting go’ and ‘moving on’; processing emotion and dealing with anger in healthy constructive ways; or the importance of talking to trustworthy others and to God about worries and fears.

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It is evident that so many students face anxieties, and that they and are desperate to be accepted and included by peers. Please pray for the young people who experienced GSUS Live last month, and for ongoing opportunities for BCM's Youth Team following its visit to Birmingham.

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Standing up for Jesus

At the end of April the Youth Team, supported by musician Rickeal Rix, were invited to lead an event called ‘Stand Up’ at Junction Road Evangelical Church. Its aim was to equip and encourage children and young people in standing up for Jesus with confidence and grace at their school and in their community. A number of the young people had been experiencing name-calling and bullying at school for their faith.

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Over 35 came, plus their parents and youth leaders. We heard the story of God standing alongside the three faithful young men in the Babylonian fiery furnace. Deep questions were asked in small groups. In one group young adults spoke of the pressure they have faced from relatives of other religions, but how Jesus has helped them stand firm. BCM Intern, Lily Buttery, shared her testimony of God's help to her amid challenges at school, enabling her to stand up for her faith to her peers.

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Summer Youth Camp 2026

Whilst this year's BCM Youth Camp has been scaled down to reduce the cost, its purpose remains the same - to provide a fun getaway full of activities to stimulate the young campers, catering for their needs physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. From 7th to 10th August, around 30 young people, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, will stay at Peck Wood in Worcestershire. Each day they will learn from the Bible, go on walks, play wide games in the woods, and take trips off site. More about Youth Camp 2026

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If you would like to help towards the £3,000 Youth Camp budget, please call Finance on 0121 766 6603 (option 3).

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