02 December 2025
A look at what’s been going on at Church on the Street in November:
People are dying every day: Are we making a difference?
This month we’ve said goodbye to two larger-than-life members of our church family. As we approach Christmas, in the midst of winter’s cold, we feel deeply the weight of loss that so many in our community are carrying.
In an emotional moment, Pastor Emma shared,
Her words echo how many of us feel.
Mick and Emma have recorded a message speaking honestly about the reality of serving on the front line of ministry.
This year alone, we have walked through nearly twenty premature deaths. Each one represents a precious person—with a story, a family, and a life that mattered. As a team, our hearts break with every loss.
In the midst of so much loss, a question was raised: Does what we do make a difference?
Pastor Mick reminded us that even though we’ve seen a heartbreaking number of deaths in our community this year, we are also witnessing an even greater number of people finding their way to safety, stability, and hope. People are getting clean, moving into housing, accessing healthcare, and stepping into a future they once thought impossible.
Some of the ways our church helps make that difference include:
- Operating a community kitchen, providing warmth and a hot meal to anyone who needs it
- Running the Genesis Group for those still in addiction
- The Exodus Project, supporting those who are already abstinent and building new lives
- Hosting medical clinics in our self-funded, NHS-standard treatment room, ensuring proper physical health support
- Regular drop-in sessions with an NHS mental health practitioner
In-house counsellors, offering a safe space for healing and recovery
As Pastor Mick said:
“There are people coming out the other side. You’re not seeing the ones that are getting well.”
And he’s right—victory doesn’t always make the headlines, but we see it every single day.
There is still more work to be done, and we believe we can find better solutions together. But in the meantime, we continue to do everything we can.
We hold in our hearts the families, parents, and children who are grieving. And we pray for comfort, strength, and hope for every person left behind.
Raising awareness of Clare’s Law
The COTS team supported an event run by the Police Crime Commissioner’s Violence Against Women and Girls Fund to help broaden the awareness of Clare’s Law in Lancashire.
Hosted at Ewood Park, the session discussed what Clare’s Law is, also called the Domestic Violence Protection Order Scheme and the importance is brings in protecting women and girls.
To see more about Clare’s Law, watch the video here: Clare’s Law Launch Video
The crime survey for England and Wales shows that an estimated 1.6 million women and 712,000 men aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse in the last year. Clare’s Law, or DVPO allows the Person Potentially At Risk (PPAR) of abuse to confidentially seek out if their partner is a risk to them.
Both men and women can use the service and if someone enquires on behalf of a PPAR they are not named in the enquiry and can enquire anonymously.
Church on the Street were delighted to attend and partner in this launch to protect men and women for Domestic Violence. It was a fantastic opportunity to increase the resources available to our members and network with other agencies to work together cohesively for the benefit of the people we serve.
Is the Gospel hate speech?
If you’re following Mick through the Church on Wheels YouTube page you may have seen that a friendly officer warned him that the biblical text on the back of his motorhome could be perceived as hate speech.
This has exploded across the press in the last few weeks and caused all kinds of discussions to arise. If you’ve not seen the video, take some time to watch it here and think about how you would answer the question Pastor Mick poses to us all, could this verse be seen as hate speech?
“For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
GB News picked up the story and spoke to Mick on Sunday evening.
Launching the CAS Appeal 2025
We are launching our CAS Appeal: Winter Coat and Shoe Appeal once again this year to help tackle Child Poverty in the UK.
100% of every donation goes directly towards buying brand-new winter coats and shoes for children most in need.
The areas served by our church continue to experience some of the highest rates of child poverty in the UK, which is why your support is so vital.
Our team is ready and raring to go, with donations already starting to come in. Please consider supporting the campaign using the link below.
In 2024, we were able to give away over 150 brand new pairs of shoes and coats to children living in poverty, helping keep young people warm and dry throughout the winter season.
Last year, families shared how much a new coat and pair of shoes meant to their children—how such a simple gift brought comfort, confidence, and pure joy. We can’t wait to bring that joy to even more children this year.
“Giving back is what I’m called to do.”
If you’ve ever been inside the COTS building, you’ll know the heart of our ministry beats from the kitchen. Recently, Jez stepped into leading this vital space, and we felt it was time you heard his story.
When you ask Jez how he ended up at COTS, he’ll tell you that in the depths of his addiction, God spoke to him and told him he needed to come to church. During a service, he felt a deep conviction that he needed to stop using. In desperation, he reached out to Mick for help and soon after went away to rehab for five months. It was there, on a journey of surrender, that he truly encountered God.
Returning to Burnley and needing further support to address the core issues behind his addiction, Jez joined the Exodus Project, which helped equip him with the tools he needed to cope.
Reflecting on his time in Exodus, Jez said:
“Being in a group brought honesty. I was finally able to get everything out while being sober. Now I have the tools to maintain my sobriety.”
After graduating, Jez stepped into the role of kitchen manager, developing a heart to serve God by feeding people and caring for the community. He gathers the team each morning in prayer and has worked to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere—a place that feels like home.
“I love what I do because it’s giving back, and that’s what Jesus calls me to do.”
Join us for a Christmas Concert
An afternoon of festive entertainment with Cliviger Ukulele Band and Water Village (Brass) Band.
£5 entry to support our Winter Coat and Shoe Appeal.
In our pain, our loss, and our suffering, we come to You. We lift before You the families and children of those who have died this past year.
Surround them with Your presence, and grant them the peace that surpasses all understanding.
We thank You that even in the darkest and most difficult times. You continue to bring life, healing, and joy.
Help us to walk faithfully in Your goodness and mercy. May we honour Your name in both our joy and our grief.
Amen
We cannot continue to do the work we do without your generous support:
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