Amplified Youth Ministry

By Revd James Gibson, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Hurdsfield

Hi folks, I’m James, based at Holy Trinity Hurdsfield in Macclesfield. I want to tell you about a brilliant project in our town — one that, truth be told, I don’t actually run! It’s called Amplified, and while I can’t claim any credit, I’m delighted to see what God is doing through it.

In Macclesfield we’re fortunate to have strong relationships between churches through Hope in North East Cheshire (our equivalent of Churches Together). Out of that partnership grew a Youth Forum, bringing together everyone involved in youth work across the town. A few years ago, two churches had paid youth workers, each running small groups of about twenty young people. They wondered what might happen if they joined forces to do something bigger, open to all churches. And so, in 2019, Amplified was born — a youth-led service designed by and for young people.

The first few events were led by the youth workers, but now, five years on, the young people lead everything themselves. They choose the songs, form the band, invite the speakers, and run the service. Our role as clergy is simply to cheer them on and pray for them. It’s wonderful to stand at the back and watch it all unfold.

The aims are simple but powerful:

• To give young people real opportunities to lead — not just to take part but to step up and take ownership.

• To build fellowship between young Christians across our five [JG1] local secondary schools.

• To provide worship and teaching in a style that connects with them.

One of the unexpected outcomes has been the growth of Christian Unions in every local school. That wasn’t the plan, but as young people from different churches met at Amplified, they realised they could support one another back at school — and so they did. These are run by students and supported by youth workers in the town.

Typically, between sixty and a hundred young people come along to Amplified three or four times a year. The event moves around different churches, so no one owns it — the young people do. That sense of shared space has been crucial.

Amplified is also ecumenical, involving Baptist, Methodist, New Frontiers, Free Church and Anglicans. Because it’s a bigger gathering, we can invite speakers who might not come for a single-church youth group — people like Jesse Fellingham from The Way UK who really connected with the young people.

There’s real consistency and quality too: a strong worship band supported by experienced musicians who mentor the younger ones, and a clear commitment to keeping the space for young people. Early on, we had a few well-meaning adults who wanted to be part of it, but we soon realised it only worked when the youth led it themselves — and they’ve risen to the challenge brilliantly.

Good social-media promotion has also helped, getting the word out through local schools and networks. The next challenge is sustainability: ensuring Amplified doesn’t depend too heavily on the original youth workers, but continues to grow new leaders who can take it forward.

For me, Amplified is a shining example of what happens when churches work together. No single church could have managed it alone — in resources or numbers — but together, it’s thriving. Twelve churches now send young people, and no one worries about “losing” them to another congregation. It’s about unity, discipleship, and giving our young people the space to lead.

And that, I think, is something worth amplifying.