Night Pastors
What is Night Pastors at St Mark’s?
Night Pastors is made up of volunteers from St Mark’s who want to help make Clapham Junction a safer and better place at night. We work alongside the police and ambulance services. Volunteers walk around the station and adjacent roads between the hours of 10.30pm – 2am on Friday and/or Saturday nights; looking out for, practically helping and listening to people in vulnerable or difficult situations.
How does it work?
Each Friday and/or Saturday night at 9.30/10pm a group of volunteers meet at St Mark’s to pray for the evening ahead. We ask God for words and pictures to encourage and direct us to people and situations. We then split into groups of three, with a recognised leader of each group, and for the next three hours we will walk/stand around Clapham Junction station and the adjacent roads, including ‘The Grand’ venue opposite.
Each volunteer wears a reflective ‘Night Pastor’ jacket so that they are easily recognisable as a safe person to approach. As a recognised Night Pastor, we are likely to be approached by individuals needing help or information; from directions to the nearest taxi rank, to where to find a safe place to stay for the night.
We are also looking out for those in vulnerable situations: single girls who need to be dissuaded from using unmarked taxi cabs or needing someone to wait with them for a bus; teenagers who have lost their mates and their mobile phones; guys and girls who’ve had too much to drink; a homeless man who’s fallen over or had some guy pour a can of beer over his sleeping bag.
We are there to care for anyone in need, to provide a listening ear and to be a safe and approachable person. We might take out flasks with hot drinks, hand out bottles of water, administer basic first aid or provide flip flops for the inevitable girl whose stilettos have taken their toll.
The night ends at 2.00am with a short time of debriefing and prayer, either nearby or back at St Mark’s. Bed by 2.30am!
Why do we do it?
It’s past midnight, freezing cold, and Night Pastors are still out and about round Clapham Junction. Why do we do it?! It’s because we care and want to make a difference. We believe that our faith involves serving our community. We believe that partnering with God in prayer and action sees communities and people transformed. But we need to go, as Jesus did, to where people are.
The Lord’s Prayer says “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven”. Every time that prayer is said, we are asking God to bring his kingdom of love, peace, hope and life to our communities. How does God do that? Through us – people who are committed to making a difference!
Who can be a Night Pastor?
You will need to be over 18 years old, but there is no upper age limit! We are simply looking for people who are ready to love, care for and bless the people going in and out of Clapham Junction.
What is the time commitment?
One Friday or Saturday evening a month (or more if we’re keen!) from 9:30pm till 2.30am approx.
Is there training?
To be a Night Pastor you need to attend one of our introductory training evenings. The training will cover topics such as roles and responsibilities, personal safety, drugs and alcohol, homelessness and relating effectively.
How do I volunteer?
Email: 
So sign up and come join in this new ministry and let’s look forward to seeing God at work in and around CJ during the night hours.
