Who are Challengers?

Why the name "Challengers"

It is a fact that today teenagers are exposed to subjects and topics that used never to be discussed before adulthood. Topics such as relationships, drugs, sex, careers, and money are talked about in playgrounds and common rooms when a generation ago they would be taboo subjects. The movement of life’s ‘norms’ further and further away from God’s standards can be seen everywhere.

One reaction to this among churches has been to refuse to discuss such subjects with this age group, on the basis that talking about such subjects merely encourages the drift. Unfortunately, this simply means that the only viewpoint on these topics that is not heard among the discussions is the Christian one.

Challengers aims to challenge the world's viewpoints on such subjects with the bible. We aim to study and learn what Jesus and the bible tell us about how to live our lives, and use these arguments to first confirm our own standpoints and then to be able to explain to others why we have these views.

What do Challengers do?

There is a weekly meeting, discussing a different topic each week. Challengers are encouraged to suggest topics to be discussed. The aim of each evening will always be to relate the individual subject being discussed to the bible, and to God’s wishes for our lives.

Mixed in with this we have trips out. These can be social (Alton Towers or bowling), for worship (Deeper at Kettering, or Power in the Church at Leicester), or longer - to Soul Survivor at Shepton Mallet or our own beach weeken in July.

Where and when do Challengers meet?

Meetings are held on Sunday evenings at 8.15pm, at 165 Cold Overton Road, Oakham. This time has been deliberately chosen to allow members to attend services at their church - we see Challengers as a way of augmenting, not replacing, the teaching done in church.

Lifts home after the meeting can be organised by the leaders if required.

Who comes to Challengers?

Challengers is inter-denominational, i.e. it does not belong to any particular denomination. We have Challengers who regularly attend Baptist, Methodist, and Anglican churches, and would be delighted to welcome people from any other church - or indeed from none. We do know how difficult it can be to find a church, particularly in the villages around, that encourages youth in worship.

Challengers has never had any intention of poaching people from different churches into one. It is there to support its members in their own worship. Challengers gives full support to specific youth worship services in the area, particularly Let RYP, the Rutland Youth Praise service.

Challengers does not have any 'taboo' subjects that cannot be discussed - sex, money, drugs and alcohol have all featured in Challengers programmes, amongst many other subjects. However, to allow us to do this, we do keep a lower age limit - to join Challengers, you must be 15 or over. For those under 15, we are happy to suggest other church groups, or you may have one at your own church.

Who leads Challengers?

Challengers is led by Martin and Andy Gordon-Kerr. Andy is a midwife and neonatal nurse at Leicester General Hospital, and Martin is, erm, a computer consultant. But he isn’t boring all the time, honest.

We attend Oakham Baptist Church and are both play in the music group there. We have been married for three years.

How do I find out more?

Please talk to us. We need your ideas! You can call us on (01572) 771466 - if you miss us, please leave a message and we'll call you back. Better still, please email Martin or email Andy - you may get through quicker!