The CYO Celebration is a brilliant gathering for CYO staff, volunteers, Mission Partners and trustees to gather with our valued supporters to share inspiring impact stories and the reach of the ministry. God has been so good to CYO over the years, and it is only by His grace, favour, and kindness that CYO continues to deliver chaplaincy in schools while also equipping and enabling the local church.
The morning centred around coffee, croissants, kids activities, and updates from across the ministry. CYO staff interviewed two of our Mission Partners to hear what they are doing in their local school, how children and young people are finding their way into church, and how CYO helped make that a reality.
From our Mission Partners:
“One of the best things about being a Mission Partner of CYO is the on-going support…the opportunity to keep checking in, ask questions and have that support to get you thinking of how else you can support students in school. We’ve launched The Drop In, a drop in style youth club at the church after school, and it’s been great to see students I see through chaplaincy take those next steps engaging in a church event.” Joe
“CYO’s support, and particularly their training, has helped give confidence and skills to our congregation. It’s wonderful seeing members of the congregation now serving in the local school with mentoring and Playground Pastors.” Rev Sue
Scope and Reach
I shared an encouraging update on the effectiveness of the Mission Partner strategy. With eight Mission Partners we’re seeing churches take the lead on chaplaincy in their local school and it’s translating to students attending church, just as we hoped! So far this academic year we know of 96 children and young people that have attended a church event because of chaplaincy in their school. Across the board we are seeing vast numbers of students engaging in mentoring, lunchtime clubs, prayer spaces, and more.
See the snapshots from the Winter and Spring terms below: God is on the move!
Adrian, one of our trustees, shared an important financial update – and a huge thank you to those who gave on the day in response, and for all who give and pray. We’re hoping for more regular givers over this coming year so we can grow the staff team and equip more churches for chaplaincy. Please pray for us as we move forwards, it is only by His power that we can do all that we do.
If you’d like a copy of the slides from the day, which include some brilliant stats and the financial figures, you can download them here: Celebration-PPT-2026
written by Sam Fowler