Thrive is a brand new initiative of Innovista. These teams are designed to bring hope and transformation to young people in communities that are often written off, forgotten or ignored.Thrive teams will live in the community and take the gospel relevantly to those around them.

In response to research carried out by Innovista and the UK Evangelical Alliance (see article ‘UK mission to the emerging generation: essential but under-resourced’) Innovista are establishing teams of youth workers to lead mission in communities where churches are the most under-resourced. In response to the findings of the research, Innovista is establishing teams of youth workers to lead mission in these communities where churches are the most under-resourced and least present.

This new initiative and project is called Thrive, an innovative approach to doing mission in this particular context. Thrive is all about bringing hope and transformation to young people in communities that are often written off, forgotten or ignored. Thrive teams live in, and as part of, these disadvantaged communities and aim to take the Gospel relevantly to those around them. It's a new way to pioneer mission and to raise up young leaders for mission from these contexts.

Thrive is an outflow of Innovista's passion to make Jesus known to young people who would otherwise have little or no chance of hearing the Gospel; Innovista's endeavor is to "scatter the seed" in a field ripe for harvest, so to speak. Innovista's vision for Thrive is that young people in disadvantaged communities have the opportunity to experience thriving relationships with their peers and their families, accomplish things they had never dreamed of, and work together to transform their communities. We dream of seeing young people starting to value themselves and raise their aspirations of what they can become and make of their lives. We dream of seeing young people mentored one-on-one; of having them experience healthy relationships and acquire a framework for making moral decisions; of seeing them start making wise choices within relationships. We're dreaming of seeing whole communities transformed by Jesus' power, and watching a harvest grow out of good and honest hearts, receptive to the Gospel.

This new year, Innovista is planning to establish the first Thrive team in Barton, just outside Oxford, UK, in partnership with Headington Baptist Church (HBC). HBC is a local church which has already been laying the foundations for a new church in Barton. Innovista and HBC seek to integrate the work of the Thrive team in Barton with the development of the new church there.

"In ordinary church life it is hard to carve out the time to do the reading, networking, experimenting necessary to find new ways through old problems. It can condemn us to repeating old, failed approaches. With Innovista we are hopeful that we will be able to break a few moulds. One local minister has called Barton the 'graveyard for churches': we want to buck that trend, with God's help." Rev James Bloice Smith, Minister of Headington Baptist Church

Practically, the Thrive team in Barton will consist of a full-time team leader, a full-time team member, and volunteers who work in other careers and contribute approximately 5 hours per week to the work as part of the team. Innovista is currently recruiting for these roles so if you are interested in this opportunity, or know someone who might be interested, please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

If you want to get involved or want to learn more, please check out the links below, send us an email or give us a ring. Ask for Andy (+44 (0) 1865 510 313), our Thrive teams coordinator. Though we have only just begun we are seeing a response, particularly from the young; a cry for change.

Innovista is also looking for a group of pioneer givers who will give just £5 per month to establish this first Thrive Team and enable it to have maximum impact. If you are able and willing to be a part of this group, please download the standing order form and return it to the address at the bottom of the form. Your generosity will build the foundation for many Thrive teams to launch across Europe, each bringing the gospel relevantly to young people.

Find out more:

• Jobs with the Thrive Teams: Barton
• General Information about Thrive
• Contact Us
• Give Now to the Thrive team for Barton