“It meant everything to me" enthuses John Danila about his recent Christian baptism at the Jesus Army's "RAW" youth event. He adds "I feel free to live for God now."

"RAW (Real and Wild)" is the Jesus Army's action-packed event for youth. Young people from all around the UK crammed into the Jesus Army's giant marquee in Cofton Park, Birmingham.

The afternoons saw these several hundred young Christians head out into the streets and parks of Birmingham, for "RAW Outdoors", aimed at showing God's love in action.

Teams of youths helped with gardening and litter-picking in local estates, ran open mic sessions at parks, gave out distinctive Jesus Army red crosses and prayed with people, ran free barbecues and children's face-painting - and much more.

"It was quite something to see so many youngsters doing something so positive" said one local resident. "They can come back whenever they want!"

John was baptised during the last evening of RAW, along with four others. Every year, people are invited to "take the plunge" into full-on Christian commitment at RAW - to wash away an old messed-up life and start again with Jesus.

Throughout the three days, the challenge rang out: to live for something bigger than selfishness, to stand out from the crowd - and to take the experience back home.

Emmaline, 19, one of the young people at RAW said: "RAW gives the opportunity to invite people to see God in action through practical love and spiritual life."

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