Epicentre

Epicentre is an innovative evangelistic programme being launched in the UK for the first time by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). The vision for Epicentre is to reach young people with the message of Jesus through the local church, to bring them into a living relationship with Him, and to empower them to build a generation of young people whose lives are full of zeal for Jesus. To encourage young people to have a long-term commitment to Jesus the BGEA believes that young people need long-term support and a strong church community. Epicentre is a seven-phase programme that brings local churches and the BGEA together for approximately 10 months to engage, challenge, and minister to both Christian and non-Christian youth. The Epicentre programme has already proven to be a great success with towns and communities across Canada and the BGEA in the UK is keen to see the Epicentre programme have the same or an even greater level of impact across our nation.

The impact of Epicentre on a community of young people long continues even after the programme has completed the final phase. Church leaders from previous Epicentre cities have seen stronger relationships between churches across the community, and local businesses have continued to come together for the common good of seeing the youth in their communities impacted in a positive way.

PHASES

The Steam Room: Church leaders invite youth from their congregations that exhibit gifts of leadership, to attend group and one-on-one training sessions about leadership and evangelism, and exercise their gifts throughout Epicentre. The Steam Room, stokes up the young people and gets them passionate about servant-hood and leadership. The Steam Room helps local churches develop young leaders that can support and grow existing ministries to reach young non-believers when Epicentre is over.

Tremor: During the whole of the Epicentre programme churches are asked to love their local community by serving with practical and tangible service projects. The love of Jesus is a massive life changing message. Tremor projects will vibrate a local community, the after shock being a community that has been changed into a better place to live.

Explosion: A one night event for the town Churches, which will inspire and burst open hearts with a passion to tell others about Jesus. Through worship and stirring teaching the young people will be empowered to share the message of Jesus with their friends, to re-focus their lives on Him, and to participate in Epicentre. The wider church will be envisioned to lift up the young people of the town in prayer, throughout the Epicentre programme.

Underground: A phase which goes “Underground” and teaches Christian young people the foundations to the Christian faith. During the Underground sessions, the young people will examine their faith, author their own personal story, and learn how to connect with their friends to effectively talk about Jesus.

Earth-Quake: An exciting opportunity for the young people from the local churches, to invite their friends to join them in exploring the Christian faith. The sessions may be taken over a weekend, and involve modules that are activity-based, mini-concerts, dynamic presentations, bible teaching and discussions.

Ignition: A top quality evening, with vibrant music, well led youth-worship and a life-changing spiritual message. Ignition is the perfect place for participants of The Steam Room and Underground phases to take on “event” support roles. Young people from across the local community are invited to come to this event where they will be presented with the gospel message, and given make a decision for Christ and live a life following Him.

Momentum: This phase is an incredible opportunity for young people to become really bold and audacious for Jesus. Travelling to a developing country, the young people will take part in a short term missions project, empowering others to shake their community with the love of Jesus.