In February 2004, the most radical of the ideas to come out of the Y Church Report came into being as 'The Ezekiel Project'

Late last year we were disappointed to learn that diocesan funding for The Ezekiel Project was to be withdrawn in 2008. The project has been a bold and visionary step forward for youth ministry in the diocese, and has achieved remarkable things amongst the young people of Northampton town. However, as part of a wider review in the diocese, it has been necessary for the diocesan financial team to initiate new ways of developing funding opportunities and to recommend various spending cutbacks, of which The Ezekiel Project is one.

In September 2007, the Bishop released this statement about the closure of the project:

I am saddened that we are not able to sustain the excellent work of the Ezekiel Project after July 2008. All of the youth workers involved in the project, especially the current leaders Beccy and Neil Roseman, have worked extremely hard to engage young people in the Northampton area with the values of Christ’s Gospel and with the life of the Church. They have been particularly effective in the Becket School where through many initiatives they have helped to bring the faith alive for pupils and staff alike. I want to thank them for all they have done and achieved. The decision to bring the project to closure at this stage before the end of the agreed four year period, is purely financial. I am sure that in other ways the work of the project can be continued and built upon .The staff at Northampton Youth Ministry Office (NYMO) will be fully involved in carrying the work and spirit of the project forward into the future.

It has become evident that the best decision was to officially close the project at the end of 2007. We say farewell to Beccy as she leaves the diocesan team to take on a full-time youth worker role at Thomas Becket Secondary School, where she has been involved for the past 3 years as leader of the project. The development of this role speaks eloquently of the impact that the project has had on the life of students and staff at the school.

Meanwhile, from January 2008, Neil has begun to work alongside Matt and Pam in the diocesan office, as Diocesan Youth Worker for Discipleship. You can read more about this by visiting Neil's page under 'Who are We?'