Where are they now?

Through music lessons, workshops and dance classes, Genetik Sessions are all about helping young people develop new skills whilst walking alongside them in the situations they face each week and pointing them to the hope of Jesus. Over the last two decades, the impact of these sessions has rippled through young people’s lives as they’ve flourished into who God has created them to be.

Here are some of their stories.

Rachael

‘I first came to Genetik Sessions when I was 14. I used to be so star-struck because I was being taught by members of bands I loved! Things were really tough at home for me during the years I attended, and my singing tutor would always make time for me at the end of every session to listen and pray with me. I felt so seen and valued – she will never know how significant that was for me. It was the lifeline I needed every week. To have amazing Christian role models take time out to invest in us was so powerful.

‘After Genetik, I did a gap year with The Message and I have been working with them for nine years since then! I now get to help create material that the bands use to reach more young people with the same message of hope – it really feels like a full circle moment!’

Harry

‘The biggest blessing God put in my life during my teenage years was Genetik Sessions. Having God at the centre of my favourite hobby kept me strong in faith at a time when the world was really trying to pull me from him. Every week, we were reminded of how much Jesus loves us, and getting to release the week’s stresses as I danced in a supportive environment was always a highlight. I didn’t care that it took a 90-minute bus journey to get there from college!

‘As I grew in skills, I was given amazing opportunities to perform at events and festivals in front of thousands of people and this spurred on my passion for dance – which I’ll soon graduate from university in. Throughout it all, the Genetik team continued to support me and pray for me, which has been invaluable. I’ll forever be grateful for The Message and Genetik Sessions for pushing me and others into God’s best for us.’

Josh

‘I started going to Genetik Sessions when I was 13. I absolutely loved it and learnt a lot, but I particularly loved how there was an underlying focus on God and worship.

‘I’d grown up in a church, but didn’t find it cool or exciting, so Genetik helped me to stay plugged into church. I’m now 29, a qualified doctor and also a volunteer at my church’s youth group. Through these things, I try to shine Jesus’ light in all I do. I’m grateful to Genetik for encouraging me to stay in church, and that I now have the opportunity to share God’s love, both with the young people I work with and in my day job.’

These are just a few stories from the hundreds of young people we’ve journeyed with over the last two decades. Some stories we won’t even know about until heaven, but we love planting the seed of faith, trusting God will work in the lives of the young people as we walk alongside them in life.

With Genetik Sessions now in Manchester and Derby as well as in Germany, South Africa and Brazil, we’re so excited by what God continues to do through young people as they grow in their creativity and their faith.