Four exceptional youngsters and a pioneering group from Greater Manchester are to be honoured on Friday at our third annual Urban Hero Awards.

The awards recognise young people who have made exceptional contributions to their local communities over the last year – or have bravely overcome a major obstacle in their lives.

All of the nominees have been directly impacted by the work of The Message Trust, a Christian charity working with the hardest-to-reach young people in Greater Manchester’s schools, communities and prisons.

Five category winners have already been named as winners of the Achiever, Champion, Courage, Inspiration and Volunteer Awards.

They include a former drug dealer now helping young offenders in prisons; a school drop-out now back in full-time education; and a notorious community trouble-maker who is now an active local volunteer. A pioneering group which worked together to help combat antisocial behaviour among young people in Oldham is also receiving a special award.

The overall Urban Hero of the Year will be named and presented with their award at a glitzy red carpet ceremony at the Palace Hotel, Manchester.

This is the third year the Urban Hero Awards have taken place. In 2008, teenager Anthony Martindale from Harpurhey scooped the award for services to his local community. Last year, Stephanie North from Openshaw (pictured above) won the award for courageously pursuing justice in the face of bullying and threats to her family.

The event, which will feature performances from In Yer Face, Twelve24 and Lz7 is sponsored by Stagecoach and a host of north west businesses: Wigwam, Safe Records Management, Stephensons, The Grand and Jurang.

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What makes our schools bands different from ‘regular’ bands? We look back at the history and impact of our schools work, from The World Wide Message Tribe to Twelve24.

Back in 1988, Andy Hawthorne and his brother Simon ran a week-long youth mission at the Manchester Apollo. Thousands of young people turned up and hundreds responded – clearly God was at work.

Soon after, Mark Pennells approached Andy and Simon and started to work with them full-time in schools, singing and taking lessons, whilst music producer Zarc Porter honed his skills by working with Manchester’s popular rave bands in his home-built studio. What followed was ‘The Message to Schools’, a team dedicated to taking the gospel into Manchester’s schools, and a fore-runner of today’s Message Trust.

In 1992 Andy joined Mark as a rapper and communicator and Zarc as a producer and formed The World Wide Message Tribe (WWMT).

Andy explained their vision in an interview with Cross Rhythms in 1993, ‘God has called us to work in Manchester’s schools. There are so many kids here for us to reach with the gospel. Our long term aim is to have more than one team working in the area. We want our music to be as good as possible, but everything is a servant to evangelism.’

Over the next twelve years, the WWMT (just ‘The Tribe’ by 2001) performed in hundreds of schools weeks, concerts and festivals, released ten albums and led thousands to Jesus. The line-up changed over the years, as did their sound (and their outfits), but their vision remained the same: to share the good news in a relevant, meaningful way, to as many young people as possible.

In another interview in 1997, Andy Hawthorne commented, ‘All this stuff can easily become religion: trying to be funky, getting new haircuts and clothes, pushing the boundaries…it becomes the focus. If that’s an end in itself, it’s rubbish…it’s whether Jesus is at the centre of it. That’s what really matters.’

As the ministry developed, the band become overwhelmed by the number of requests to go into schools. In 2001, a second band, Blush, was formed to help cope with demand. The band is made up of young women who have a heart for teenage girls and takes lessons on issues such as self-esteem and ‘real beauty’.

In 2004, The Tribe took their final bow, but their influence didn’t stop there. Ex-band member Tim Owen took on the dream of forming a training centre (called ‘Genetik: The Tribe Academy) for potential new youth workers, musicians, and communicators. Tim and fellow ex-band members Lindz West and Andy Hawthorne regularly teach at the centre, which has seen two new bands form: LZ7 (fronted by Lindz) and Twelve24.

LZ7, formed in 2005, use a fusion of hip-hop, rock, free running and DJing in their shows. Two albums in, the band are planning an assault on the pop charts later this year: ‘This Little Light’, a song from their latest album ‘Gasoline’, has already received well over a hundred thousand views on YouTube and was used in a government-backed youth initiative, Shine.

Front man Lindz West comments, ‘When we’re in schools or at gigs, we want to be the best rappers, singers, drummers or DJs we can be, so that more people will get the opportunity to hear about our awesome God. We want young people to see, from our shows, that it is possible to live your dream and use the skills God’s given you in a positive way.’

Our newest band, Twelve24, are picking up the trail blazed by The Tribe, Blush and LZ7. They are named after John 12:24, where it says, ‘unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.’ The band is made up of three 20-somethings fresh out of the Genetik training programme.

Band mentor Tim Owen comments, ‘They’re taking the big issue facing young people today and hitting them head-on…they’re not watering down the gospel. They are committed to the young people of Manchester…their passion is growing by the day.’

In a culture where success is determined by how much money you earn, and how popular you are, The Tribe, LZ7, Blush and Twelve24 come as a shining light in the darkness. With a heart for showing young people that they are loved, and with Jesus at their centre, these bands show that they care more about the young people of Manchester than about selling records or rising to fame.

*Get The Message in your school*

You’re just one call away from having one of our bands or theatre company coming to your local high school. If you’re a church, please ask email Alan Saunders. For schools, please email Nathan Milnes. Our contact number is 0161 946 2300.

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The 2009-10 school year looks set to be the busiest year by far for our bands and theatre company working in Greater Manchester’s schools.

A total of 75 schools weeks are planned for LZ7, Blush, Twelve24 and In Yer Face next year and we are working harder than ever to ensure that the majority of schools weeks are done in partnership with local churches.

Check out the ‘Day in The Life with Nathan Milnes’ story for a behind-the-scenes look at our schools work in action. And there’s more.  Look out in the new year for news of our biggest ever evangelism event in Manchester. We can’t say too much yet but it’s going to be… big.

Also next year, we are attempting to get the LZ7 anthem This Little Light into the UK charts, not so that the boys can be stars but so that we can reach even more young people. ‘White label’ versions of the track will appear in clubs from the summer and a release is scheduled for next autumn.

Manchester born and bred, Nathan Milnes has been part of The Message team for seven years, working first as Eden Team Leader in Failsworth and now leading our outreach in schools.

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7.30am

Early start today… we’ve got Blush, LZ7 and In Yer Face all in schools across Manchester this week. I arrive at a high school to check in with LZ7 and to meet the link teacher. Our church contact is also around all this week, helping establish a really strong relationship with the school. The sound check goes OK and after a few small tweaks to the timetable, I head off.

9am

Back to the office in time for Staff Prayers. I love this part of the job – what other job starts the day with prayer?

10am

Time to check emails, return a couple of phone calls and log on to Facebook. This isn’t a chance to check my own page (well maybe a cheeky peek!) but to check all the bands’ pages – it’s a great way for us to keep in touch and answer questions from past school weeks. We also use Facebook to continue follow-up with young people and encourage them to get along to church.

11am

Update meeting with Alan Saunders. Alan and I work closely together on finding local churches that want to do mission in their local high school. Our goal is to run every schools week as a partnership with a church because they are absolutely vital in providing prayer, follow-up and finance.

Alan tells me he has met with a local church leader who is excited about a possible schools week but they are struggling with one aspect: it’s likely to cost £1,500 and they can’t afford to pay for it. We agree to go back to them and say that we’ll find a way to make it work: the opportunity for mission is too good to let it pass by. We’ll say to them to raise what they can and we will underwrite the rest.

12.30pm

Head off to Starbucks to meet up with a local youth leader to catch up with them and find out what’s going on within their church and youth ministry. I try to meet with youth leaders across the city as much as possible.

2pm

Find a quiet space in the office (not easy to be honest!) to do some prep for a church I’m speaking at on Sunday. When a church decides to partner with us on a schools week we’re committed to helping the whole church buy into the vision of a schools week and pray for it. I will be preaching about mission and the call we have to tell people about Jesus.

4pm

Get on the phone to find out numbers for an upcoming curry night for youth leaders. We do these quarterly for youth leaders in the area to network and get some quality input that will benefit them and their ministry. It is a fact that all youth leaders love a good curry.

5.15pm

Snatch a few minutes off before the evening gets going.

6.30pm

Arrive at Costa Coffee. Tonight we’re doing the second part of a four week follow-up course for young people who became Christians at a recent Unleashed gig nearby. We like to do these at neutral venues like coffee shops where kids can feel relaxed. We always do it in partnership with the local church. We talk through the programme and the team prays together.

7.30pm

About forty young people have arrived and are sipping drinks and chatting. The programme kicks off, led by the local youth leaders and with contributions from the Message team. The girls are particularly excited that a couple of guys from LZ7 have put in an appearance!

Tonight we’re looking at more of what it means to be a follower of Jesus and how to live as a Christian. You can tell that the young people are really responding to the talk and building quality relationships with the youth leaders. At the end of the four weeks we hope that most of the young people will feel really at home with the local church and become members of the youth group.

9pm

The young people have gone so there’s just time for a quick debrief about the evening and to share encouraging stories from our small groups. We then pray for the young people and do the job that everyone loves… pack-down!

9.30pm

The day is done and I’m on my way home.

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Get The Message in your school

You’re only one call away from having one of our bands or theatre company coming to your local high school. If you’re a church,
 please contact Alan Saunders. For schools, contact Nathan Milnes.
 Or call 0161 946 2300.

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Message bands LZ7, Blush and Twelve24 spent time in six schools in the area, taking lessons and running workshops.

The gig, hosted by Ian Henderson and Nathan Milnes, featured performances from each of the bands including a moving performance of ‘The Avenue’, a track from Twelve24′s new album, by band member Ryan. A total of 95 young people texted a response at the end of the show, and have been given the opportunity to take part in a four-week follow up course.

The first follow-up session took place this Wednesday (October 20) at The Hub, a Community Centre in Altrincham. The sessions, run in partnership with youth leaders from local churches, will look at issues such as ‘Who is Jesus?’, ‘What is a Christian?’, ‘Building a relationship with Jesus’ and ‘Church and the importance of church in a Christian life’.

The schools weeks and subsequent gig were carried out in partnership with local churches, in an effort to provide the young people and their schools with a well-rounded and positive experience.

These two weeks are just the latest in a series of schools weeks happening across Manchester this year, part of our busiest year in schools ever.

A total of 22 confirmed schools weeks are already booked in with another four potential weeks in the pipeline for LZ7, Blush, Twelve24 and In Yer Face.

‘It’s really exciting to see the demand for our schools teams this autumn,’ comments Nathan Milnes, the Message’s schools outreach coordinator. ‘We want to keep this pace up for the rest of the year which means that more young people than ever are going to benefit from our positive message.‘

In 2008, our teams were received by a total of 38 schools and an estimated 40,000 pupils, delivering excellent RE and PHSE lessons, assemblies, extracurricular activities and concerts.

Here are just some of the positive comments they received:

‘These are “real life” Christians talking about their faith … pupils were engaged and focused. A positive input without alienating non-Christian children. You made our pupils feel valued by listening and taking an interest in who they are.’ Ann Robinson, Head of R.E at Hathershaw College of Technology and Sport.

‘The week they spent in school was excellent. Their energy, enthusiasm, commitment, faith and professionalism were immediately apparent.’ Vincent Ryder, Acting Curriculum Leader for R.E at North Chadderton School.

‘Very professional – in assemblies, lessons and around the school. We would welcome you back anytime!’ Mr. G J Ward, Headteacher, Macclesfield High School.

‘I was delighted with the work of LZ7 in our school. They were able to engage all ages in their assemblies and RE lessons. The enthusiasm and energy they put into all their work was remarkable.’ Mr T. J Gartside, Headmaster, Altrincham Grammar School for Boys.

To express an interest in having one of our teams visit your school, contact Nathan Milnes.

If you’re a church looking to partner with us on schools work, please contact Alan Saunders.

The sessions take place on six dates during August. All sessions are taught by top professionals with industry experience and take place at The Message’s state-of-the-art facility in South Manchester.

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Past participants on the Summer School have gone on to become full-time students on the Genetik course.

‘This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to develop new skills in their chosen area and also builds up teamwork, personal confidence and self esteem,’ comments Tim Owen, Head of Creative Development and one of the course tutors.

Sessions take place on August 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 from 11am to 1pm.

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The cost is £10 per session. All 6 sessions can be booked together for £50.

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Young people can choose from the following sessions:

• DJ-ing
• Streetdance
• Rap/MC
• Pop Vocals
• Breakdance

All of the above can also be offered all year round in a 6-8 week workshop format for schools or youth groups or as special one-off workshops arranged with a group organiser.

For all bookings please call 0161 946 2300 or email info@message.org.uk.

The Message’s bands, theatre company and CEO Andy Hawthorne are all on the road throughout the summer taking part in festivals and events around the country.

Andy Hawthorne, Matt Wilson, Ian Henderson and In Yer Face will be hosting the EmPower venue at New Wine North and East during July 25-31.

Andy is also leading various seminars in New Wine Central and South.

Andy is a platform speaker at Harvest 09 during August 19-21.

LZ7 are playing CreationFest (Aug 9), Soul Survivor (Aug 15, 17), Flevo Festival (Aug 20-23) and Greenbelt (Aug 31).

Blush are playing CreationFest (Aug 9)

All our bands are also playing the Audacious Unleashed event on August 8.

Stephanie North was presented with the Urban Hero of the Year Award by Awards sponsor Brian Souter (Stagecoach), at an event hosted by city youth charity The Message Trust. Earlier in the evening Steph had also been announced winner of the Courage Award.

See more pictures from the night here.

Local dignitaries including Chief Constable of GMP Peter Fahy, Rt Hon Hazel Blears, local councillors and several hundred business people including ‘Secret Millionaire’ Chek Whyte gathered to honour young achievers from Manchester who have made a difference to their communities across the city. Each award winner has overcome serious obstacles – drug addiction, tough backgrounds, and in Steph’s case, violent bullying – to emerge as a hero.

Back in 2008, Steph began hanging around with a new group of friends. Though they had seemed friendly to begin with, they began to change and one night turned on Steph and violently attacked her, breaking her nose and leaving her with two black eyes. The police were involved and charges were made.

Steph was encouraged by her youth workers to stand up and tell the truth. She chose to pursue justice to make sure it wouldn’t happen again to others. Steph took her attackers to court, despite a lot of intimidation from others in the community. ‘To do that when people know where you live is really hard,’ explains Openshaw community worker Pete Askew. ‘In communities where crime is high, the only thing that can make a difference sometimes is to say “No, we’re not willing to say nothing… we’re going to speak out against what’s happened.”

‘It’s been really quite a tough thing – she’s not the sort of person who normally mouths off at people so it’s taken a lot of courage to do that and that’s why we think she’s well deserving of this award.’

Like Steph, all of the Urban Hero Award winners have been directly impacted by The Message Trust’s work in schools, communities and prisons across Greater Manchester.

Congratulations to all our 2009 Urban Heroes:

The Volunteer Award

Allan Cocking (pictured with Mick Spratt, Award Sponsor).

Watch his nomination video in our Media Player.

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The Courage Award

Steph North (pictured with Gordon Haynes, Award Sponsor)

Watch her nomination video in our Media Player.

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The Champion Award

Bob Foster (pictured with his family)

Watch his nomination video in our Media Player.

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The Inspiration Award

Naomi Buckley (pictured with Award Sponsor Paul Nadin)

Watch her nomination video in our Media Player.

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The Achiever Award

Mohammed Timbo (pictured with Award Sponsor Chek Whyte)

Watch his nomination video in our Media Player.

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The event featured live performances from LZ7, Blush, Twelve24 and theatre company In Yer Face.

Thanks to everyone who came along to make the Urban Hero Awards 09 such a special occasion, particularly our sponsors and everyone who donated on the night.

If you would like to get involved with helping future ‘Urban Heroes’ discover their potential, please consider bidding for a unique prize in our ‘Best of Manchester’ Auction. All proceeds from this auction of money-can’t-buy experiences will go towards our vital work in schools, communities and prisons.

Twelve24 met on The Message Trust’s Genetik training course for trainee evangelists. Band members Ryan, Josh and Christina are aged between 18 and 26 and hail from the US and around the UK.

The band’s uncompromising sound is matched by their approach to schools work. We met up with the band recently to discuss their heart, vision and influences.

1. Describe a day in the life of Twelve24…

Everyday with Twelve24 is different. Some days we’re at Message HQ preparing lessons and shows. But mostly we’re in high schools around Greater Manchester sharing the gospel relevantly and creatively to young people.

2. What’s the heart behind what you do?

The heart behind what we do is two things: one, the young people of Manchester and two, Jesus Christ. This is what drives us to do what we do. We have a passion to see all the young people we come into contact with, through schools work or through the music, give their lives to Jesus and live for him.

3. What is your vision for the band over the next couple of years?

We’re striving to get better musically, pushing ourselves to reach where God has called us to. We want our music not only to entertain and encourage but also to bring discipleship. Ultimately we pray that we will be used by God to bring revival in this generation.

4. What are your influences musically and spiritually?

Musically, we are all from different backgrounds, so our influences come from all over. Spiritually, we find inspiration from people like Rick Pino, Misty Edwards, John Tancock, Ravi Zacharias, James Aladrian, Chuck Missler, Charles Stanley, Smith Wigglesworth, Tim Owen, and ultimately Jesus!