20-31 August 2009
Notting Hill Carnival Outreach

Once a year a steaming mass of people from all over Europe and further afield descent on one of the biggest carnivals in Europe – the Notting Hill Carnival. 

 Parades of colourful, creative and often wacky floats, costumes, designs and concepts demonstrate their creativity and showcase the best of what they have as well as pound our eardrums with pumping bass and jumping beats.

 Though primarily known as a huge celebration of culture, the Carnival is not so colourful and bright in all of its aspects; in fact it is well known as one of the darkest times of the year for the area.  Just a few days before the Carnival starts you will see trucks going round the area boarding up shops at every turn and securing areas ready for the stream of party goers.  The majority of families and locals choose that time to take refuge in a holiday destination or firmly make sure that they are safe and secure inside their homes ready for the onslaught.

 Attracting many party goers as well as tourists, the atmosphere rapidly becomes inundated with a heaviness and almost sickness about it as the alcohol consumption rises hourly, the drug use spreads and the music helps to induce people into trance like states.  Perhaps not the pleasant and colourful attraction you may have been expecting but very much part of the whole parcel.  

 The police and the local council invest a lot of time and workers to ensure public security and keep the area as contained as possible but to make a real difference we know that it needs more than just bodies; it needs significant intercession, spiritual warfare and God’s people shining their light in the midst of this darkness.

Last year our small team dedicated their time to be right in the heart of the Carnival.  Working with another church and mission group we volunteered at a sound stage area called the God corner, maintaining the facilities, interceding throughout the whole Carnival and taking every opportunity to be out in the crowds doing face to face evangelism.  At the end of our day at that particular venue we moved just outside a church we work with near Portobello road and set up a small table offering water, tea and coffee to passer buys as well as a rose in exchange for a prayer.  In the short time we were there we found a harvest ready for the taking, hence our desire to do something bigger this year and involve many more people to help reach out with faith, love, hope and ultimately salvation that is, Jesus Christ.  You can read all about last year’s effort in our blog (Notting Hill Carnival 2008).

 We want to invite you to make an impact.  To be IGNITED with passion and vision, to get INVOLVED and be part of the battle, and ultimately, to MAKE A DIFFERENCE not just in what is seen, but also in what is unseen.

 Check out our website www.ywamlondonnottinghill.com and the EVANGELISM page where you will find details of the outreach and how to get involved.

 See you on the battlefield.