Churches Unite to Combat Summer Knife Violence with Supportive Events

As the summer holidays approach, a coalition of churches and Christian groups is mobilizing to address the surge in youth violence, particularly knife crime. The collaborative effort aims to provide safe havens for young people during this risky period.

The Synergy Network is spearheading an initiative called “Standing Together Saturday and Sunday,” scheduled for July 19 and 20, which coincides with the end of the school year. This initiative calls upon churches across Britain to host events that offer both sanctuary and support.

Recognizing the uptick in knife violence during the summer, the network is urging churches to remain open, providing youth with a secure environment. Bishop Lenford Rowe, Chair of the Synergy Network, emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating, “This is the third year in a row that we have been running our Standing Together events, and we are still encouraging churches to both pray and take action on VAYP [Violence Against Young People].”

Bishop Rowe further highlighted the potential impact of church volunteers, who can offer “wisdom and guidance” to young individuals, transforming churches into peaceful retreats. The Synergy Network has also developed resources to assist congregations in prayer and proactive measures against violence.

St Mark’s Church in Kennington will participate by hosting a variety of activities on July 19 and 20. These will include personal accounts from former violence-involved individuals, as well as workshops, poetry, and drama sessions.

Bishop Rowe underscored the need for ongoing engagement beyond the designated weekend, noting, “Although we want churches to engage with our Standing Together Weekend on the 19 and 20 July 2025, they need to be cognizant that this work must continue throughout the year if we are to see any transformation in this tragic situation.”

He concluded with a call to action, urging communities to actively participate in creating positive change, stating, “We cannot sit on our hands and hope for the best. If we truly care about our young people, we need to get involved and be the change that we want to see.”