Back Full-Time – and Excited for What’s Ahead!

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Today marks something quite significant for me personally, I’m now back working full-time with Llandudno Youth for Christ after a period of sick leave. It’s a real joy to be able to say that, and I’m stepping into this season with a lot of gratitude and expectation!

The past few weeks have already been full in the best kind of way. We’ve been in schools delivering Easter assemblies, creating space for young people to engage with the story at the heart of the Christian faith. Alongside that, our detached work has continued, meeting young people where they are, building relationships, and being a consistent presence.

Our youth groups have been full of life, conversation, and laughter, and one of the highlights recently was hosting a movie night at our house watching the Princess Bride! It was one of those simple but powerful times of community; young people gathered together, feeling at home, and just enjoying being together.

What’s been striking is the sense that this isn’t just a busy period, it feels like a foundation. Relationships are deepening, trust is growing, and there’s a real openness among young people to connect, to ask questions, and to explore faith.

As we move forward, we’re stepping into what feels like a new season. There’s momentum, opportunity, and a growing sense of anticipation about what God might do next. We’re looking forward to continuing in schools, expanding our reach, and creating more spaces where young people can belong, be heard, and encounter something of God for themselves.

Thank you, as always, for your support, encouragement, and prayers. This work is never done alone, and we’re so grateful to have you with us as we step into what’s ahead.

Letting Young People Meet God for Themselves at Redefine

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Let me tell you about some of the content from the last three Redefine sessions…

A few weeks ago, we leaned into the Valentine’s Day vibe – but we didn’t just do a quick, “God loves you!” Instead, we explored the question: what is love? Is it an action, a feeling, something you intend, or something you receive? We looked at the Greek words used in the New Testament for love, noticed how Jesus switches from agape to philia when speaking to Peter at the end of John’s Gospel, and examined 1 Corinthians 13 to see how love is described. We also looked at which of these words the Bible uses to describes Jesus’ sacrificial love on the cross.

The session after this we looked at the story of Absalom and David, thinking about Justice and examining what the complicated story does to our understanding of some Psalms written around those events.

Last night we looked the story of Joseph and really dug into the meaning behind Gen. 50:20, ‘you meant it for evil, God meant it for good’, while thinking about the difference between controlling what other people do, and controlling how we respond to what people do.

Now, all this might sound pretty complicated, right? And here’s the kicker, not everyone at Redefine has a church background or would call themselves a Christian. So why dive into complex Bible study with them?

Because that’s the DNA of Redefine.

Helping young people love the Bible

For the last 15 years, we’ve made it a priority to open the Bible with young people. Not just to tell them what to believe, but to give them the tools to read it for themselves. Our Bibles are (just barely) held together with tape, we encourage everyone to bring their own, and we buy one for anyone who doesn’t have one. We print off sections of Scripture, give pens, and walk them through the steps of proper Bible study together.

So why isn’t this too much for young people, especially those who have never read the Bible? There are three reasons:

– The material is powerful! Luke 24 tells the story of Jesus explaining how all the Scriptures points back to himself after the Resurrection. The disciples then say, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he opened the Scriptures to us?” There’s nothing wrong with the material, the challenge for us as youth workers is to know it well enough to teach it relevantly to young people.

– We explore, we don’t dictate. We’re not trying to “get to a conclusion.” We want young people to engage with the text, share their insights, and think for themselves. Giving them agency over their learning is incredibly transformative when it comes to God’s word. It makes them need to trust their relationship with Him more than their relationship with us.

– We always start with the same question: “What did you notice?” No matter their background or prior knowledge, this simple question allows everyone to join in and contribute. It’s this question that takes up a lot of our time together!

I love this approach! And I’ve done it in classrooms and groups where no one had ever even touched a Bible. We don’t rely on pre-written materials. We just open the Bible, have some discussion, and dig into thoughtful questions, always looking for how the passage points to Jesus, and what it means for our lives today.

Why do we do it this way?

First, because God’s Word is powerful. Our job is to help young people grapple with it at their level, not to filter it through our own interpretations or opinions.

Second, because we might be wrong! In fact, by virtue of being human, we probably are at least some of the time, whatever our study or good intentions. By digging into the source material together, instead of gatekeeping behind the illusion of ‘we always know best’, young people can test what we say against Scripture for themselves.

And finally, because these skills last a lifetime! When young people leave Redefine, move to university, or start work, our number one aim is that they’ll have the tools to maintain their own relationship with God, choose healthy churches, and take responsibility for their own faith.

Over the past year or so, we’ve worked through Mark’s Gospel, the miracles of Jesus in John, a good chunk of Philippians, sections of Wisdom Literature, and more recently justice issues through the minor prophets.

This is central to how we believe youth work should be done. Let the Bible speak, give young people the tools to understand it, then step back. In 1 Samuel 3, Eli does exactly this. He recognises God is speaking to Samuel, shows him how to respond, and then gets out of the way.

Redefine isn’t just a youth group. It’s a place where young people can meet God for themselves, wrestle with big ideas, and grow in ways that will last far beyond the evening session.

Presence Matters: A Week of Assemblies at Ysgol Aberconwy

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Last week offered one of those gentle reminders of why this work matters so much. Over five days, I had the privilege of speaking in assemblies at Ysgol Aberconwy, gathering each morning with a different year group and, across the week, encountering the whole high school community.

There is something significant about the simple act of showing up. Assemblies are, by nature, brief and structured, yet they create a shared space where a school pauses together. In those moments, amid the busyness of lessons, deadlines, friendships, and the often-unseen pressures young people carry, there is an opportunity to speak about things that rarely fit neatly into a timetable.

The focus of the week was presence — what it means to be truly there for another person — and the closely related practice of active listening.

Presence can sound like an uncomplicated idea, but it is surprisingly countercultural. We live in a world of constant distraction, where attention is fragmented and silence can feel uncomfortable. For many young people, life is filled with noise. Against that backdrop, being fully present with someone becomes not just a social skill, but an act of care.

We reflected on the difference between being physically nearby and being genuinely attentive. To be present is to offer more than proximity, it’s to communicate, often without words, “I see you. I’m here. You’re not alone in this.” It is choosing to slow down long enough to notice the person in front of us rather than rushing past them.

Active listening sits at the heart of that presence. Listening is sometimes misunderstood as passive, as though it were simply the absence of speaking. Yet real listening requires effort. It asks for patience, curiosity, and the discipline to resist the urge to immediately solve, correct, or redirect. For young people especially, whose experiences are often interpreted or managed by adults, the experience of being heard without interruption or judgment can be quietly incredibly powerful.

Alongside these themes, I shared what it feels like to know God’s presence in seasons when life feels heavy. Not as a distant religious concept, but as comfort, steadiness, and reassurance. The assembly explored the possibility that presence — whether human or divine — has the capacity to reshape how we experience difficult moments. That being known, accompanied, and listened to can soften isolation and strengthen resilience.

What stood out across the week was the depth of engagement. Students listened thoughtfully, and the feedback from both pupils and staff was really encouraging. There was a sense that these were not abstract ideas, but realities already familiar to many in the room. Young people understand loneliness. They understand the relief of being understood. And They recognise authenticity when they encounter it.

Perhaps the most exciting outcome came after the assemblies had finished. Through connections formed during the week, around 200 young people linked in with our online project as a result. That movement from a morning assembly to ongoing digital engagement represents something new to us, and we don’t want to take it lightly. It speaks of trust, curiosity, and a willingness to continue exploring questions around wellbeing, identity, faith, and life.

Weeks like this reinforce an important truth. A few minutes in an assembly hall can prompt reflection, spark conversations, and open doors that extend far beyond the school gates.

We are hugely grateful to the staff and students at Ysgol Aberconwy for their welcome, openness, and generosity throughout the week. It was a joy to spend time with your community.

Brand new detached project in school launches successfully!

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Last week we were really pleased to launch a brand new detached youth work project at Ysgol John Bright, marking an exciting new chapter in our work with young people in the town.

We were present in the school’s outdoor spaces across the lunch period for Year 7, Year 9, and Year 11, simply showing up, being visible, and creating opportunities for conversation. We brought along a couple of informal activities, including a simple game and a chalkboard inviting pupils to respond to a question about God. What started as curiosity quickly turned into connection.

Across lunchtime, we engaged with over 50 young people, leading to a wide range of conversations; some light-hearted and playful, others thoughtful and surprisingly deep. The chalkboard sparked interest, questions, and honest reflections, giving young people space to share their thoughts without pressure.

One of the most encouraging aspects of the session was the chance to renew relationships with young people we hadn’t seen for quite some time, while also meeting and getting to know many new faces. Detached work often begins quietly, but this first session felt full of energy, openness, and genuine engagement from the pupils.
The young people were respectful, welcoming, and enthusiastic, and the school staff were pleased with how the session went. We’re grateful for the support of the school and for the opportunity to be present in a way that prioritises relationship and trust.

This first session felt like a really strong start. Detached youth work is about being there, listening well, and creating safe spaces where young people can explore questions of life, faith, and identity at their own pace. Next time we’ll be there for the other lunch, for years 8, 10 and the sixth form. We’re excited to continue building on this foundation and to see how these lunchtime connections grow over the coming weeks. Keep praying for us! 🙂

What to Expect from Llandudno Youth for Christ in 2026

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As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited about what God is doing through Llandudno Youth for Christ — and what’s still to come. The year ahead is shaping up to be one of growth, deepening relationships, and new opportunities to walk alongside young people, families, schools, and churches across our town.

Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect from us in the year ahead.

Celebrating 15 Years of Service 🎉

2026 marks a significant milestone for our Centre Director, Tim, who celebrates 15 years working for the charity!

Our AGM – March 7th

Our Annual General Meeting & Celebration takes place on March 7th, and we’d love for you to join us. This is a chance to reflect on what God has done, hear stories from the past year, look ahead to the future, and reconnect with supporters, volunteers, and partners. More details will be shared soon — but for now, save the date!

Free Training for Parents, Carers, and Churches

Equipping adults to support young people well is a key part of our mission. In early 2026, we’ll be running two free courses:

  • Safeguarding Training – helping churches, volunteers, and parents create safer spaces for young people.

  • Parenting the Digital Generation – a brand new course designed to support parents and carers navigating social media, online culture, gaming, and digital wellbeing.

Redefine: Exploring Justice and Grace

Our youth discipleship project, Redefine will be tackling the theme of “justice and grace” exploring big questions about fairness, forgiveness, faith, and what it means to follow Jesus in today’s world. As always, Redefine will be a space where young people’s questions are taken seriously and honest discussion is encouraged.

New Detached Work in Local Schools

We’re excited to be launching two brand-new lunchtime detached youth work sessions in a local secondary school. This means meeting young people where they already are; building relationships, listening well, and being a consistent presence during the school day.

Expanding Our Schools Work

We’re also pleased to share that we’ll now be delivering termly assemblies in two schools, not just one. This expansion allows us to engage with even more young people, offering messages of hope, resilience, and faith in ways that are relevant and accessible.

Growing Our Online Youth Work

Online spaces are increasingly where young people ask their biggest questions, and we want to be there too. In 2026, we’ll be stepping up our digital youth work, especially through our ‘Ask Redefine’ TikTok account, where we respond to real questions submitted by young people themselves. It’s an exciting way to engage honestly with faith, life, and the issues young people care about most.

Developing Our Mentoring Work

We’re looking to grow our mentoring provision, walking one-to-one with young people who need encouragement and stability. Mentoring remains one of the most impactful ways we can invest in young people’s lives over the long term.

Partnering More Closely with Local Churches

Finally, we’re committed to deepening our partnerships with local churches. Whether through shared events, training, support, or collaboration, we want to serve churches well and work together for the good of young people across Llandudno.

We’re deeply thankful for everyone who supports, prays for, volunteers with, and partners alongside Llandudno Youth for Christ. As we move into 2026, we do so with hope, expectation, and a renewed commitment to seeing young people’s lives transformed by God’s love.

If you’d like to be involved in any of the work mentioned above, please get in touch — we’d love to hear from you.