Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz, Mayor Aden Brinn and the Bishop of St Davids were among the guests at the well-attended Street Pastors AGM at Pembroke Town Hall. 

Also present were local councillors, street pastors, prayer pastors, police representatives and members of the community.

Chairman Les Johnson set the scene by describing leaving the comfort of home on a rainy winter night, perhaps to stay with someone in need well into the next morning. He said street pastors could be described as a bit “unhinged”, then read from the Bible the parable of the Good Samaritan, demonstrating that the impetus behind street pastoring is the love that comes from God. 

Each Saturday in Pembroke, Street Pastors are out patrolling the streets from 10pm to at least 1.30am, ready to listen, care, help and support anyone in need without discrimination.

Pembroke Street Pastors has a rigorous recruitment and training programme which includes DBS checks and over 50 hours of training. They work in partnership with the police, local councils and a range of voluntary and statutory organisations. They also work alongside the Tanyard Youth Project, local churches and those involved in the night time economy.

Street Pastor Lyn Edwards said that in the last year the street pastors have given out nine pairs of flip-flops, 14 bottles of water and 181 bags of Haribo’s! They’ve returned 20 glasses and collected 45 glass bottles off the streets, avoiding potential accidents or fights.

“We have supported those sleeping rough and those feeling suicidal and those with various addictions and mental health issues signposting them to the appropriate agencies,” she said. “We are often approached by people who thank us for the difference we have made in their lives.”

“We have helped several veterans,” she added.

“What we do on the streets varies from helping people get home safely to finding lost keys, wallets and phones to return to the owners. You might find us singing in the pubs, being dragged onto the dance floor or making people laugh.”

The group has 13 active street pastors and is looking for more recruits; prayer pastors too. Their role is to ‘cover’ each shift with prayer support. “Most incidents and encounters happen late at night and into the early hours and many lives are touched by God’s love,” added Lyn.

Thanking the Street Pastors for their “very important ministry,” Rt Rev’d Dorrien Davies said: “I rejoice that you are there; I lament that you have to be there.

“Some time or another, you may have saved somebody’s life,” added the Bishop of St Davids.

Samuel Kurtz quoted St David’s advice to ‘do the small things’. “On my evening out observing with the street pastors, it was the small things that I really took great pride in: offering those Haribo’s, being a point of contact, being able to share with people enjoying festivities out in Pembroke, and that camaraderie was really something I thought was great value.”

“Pembroke should be immensely proud of the Street Pastors,” he added.