Youth group takes a stand against addictions
Released: 15.07.07

 

Young people in across the UK are making a public stand against destructive addictions. Acknowledging that too many young people are getting themselves hooked and failing to reach their potential in life as a result, a church youth group has stepped in. The performance - Hooked - takes place on Sunday 24 June at UCKG’s Bullring branch on Suffolk Street at 2.00pm, and is free.

Led by Pastor Luke Castro, the Victory Youth Group teams are using music and drama to show the city’s 14-25 year olds that it is possible to escape addictions of all kinds. “Whether it’s a serious vice like drugs or alcohol abuse or obsessive addictions such as the use of computer games, they all get in the way of careers, study and fun,” said.

“People don’t like to admit to addictions, but it’s all too easy to develop them in some shape or form,” he continued. “We want to help people overcome these problems before they take over. We understand entirely how hard that can be with the tremendous pressure youths feel to conform these days, but we’re here to help,” he added.

The one and a half hour performance will also include testimonies from young people who have experienced addictions at first-hand. Often these started out as fun but later turned into a problem. Members of the VYG will talk about how their addictions affected their lives and how, with the help of their local UCKG HelpCentre, they beat them.

Pastor Luke Castro who heads up UCKG’s youth ministry in the UK said: “An addict is a person who cannot stop doing or using something that produces a harmful effect of some sort. However addictions can range from chocolate to shopping.”

Pastor Luke continued: “The aim of Hooked is to persuade young people that it’s possible to turn their life around and escape destructive addictions. I’m pleased to say that VYG members are promoting the show in UCKG Helpcentres all over the UK. We want a big crowd to hear an important message.”
 
UCKG Pastors are available to talk in complete confidentiality with anyone who wants help in taking this challenging step.

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For more information please contact Jenny Walton or Lucy Andrews on 023 8071 3020 or Francessca Lewis at UCKG on 0207 686 6033.

Notes to editors:

• Performances of Hooked will take place simultaneously in 12 UCKG Helpcentres across the UK on Sunday 24 June.
  
• UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort.
   
• For more information please visit www.uckg.org/vyg.