|PIC1|Marlene Greaves is Commissioner for Children and Youth Work with the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA). Christian Today caught up with her recently at The Big Event at Brixton Academy, London where thousands of Christian youth came together at the event organised by Soul in the City.

What has ACEA been doing at Soul in the City?

We would like to make sure that ACEA is part of what is going on because we are very much part of London even though we are a national organisation. I am just keeping my ear to the ground and making sure ACEA is making its contribution and is fully aware of what’s going on.

What kind of change are you wishing to see tonight in the young Christians here?

We would love to see much more of a working together and a blending of the youth. It’s lovely to see the mixed bands and the young people really enjoying each other and enjoying festivals like this.

I know black majority churches are used to Gospel concerts and a little bit of hip hop going on. But it’s lovely to see a full mix of all sorts of music and dance.

|TOP|The youngsters really absolutely love the street dance but I know that many of our black majority churches in particular are still struggling a little bit to open up their doors to street dance in their ministries.

Is that what you would like to see them promote a lot more after this event?

Yeah it’s there in pockets but it is almost underground. And it’s just lovely when some of our youth workers from the black majority churches actually come along with their youth group. I know when I was trying to get them involved and pass on tickets there was a bit of scepticism as to whether a hip hop concert...? Brixton Academy...? But I think they will go away with a much more open mind about it.

So you think this evening’s been a success?

It’s absolutely wonderful, it’s lovely.



ACEA hopes that by next year it will be running at least one or two of the weeks of Soul in the City.