A Great Day!

We had the most wonderful day at our 20th birthday party on Saturday - thank you to everyone who joined us, joined in, affirmed us, prayed for us, donated - you're all wonderful! We wanted to make sure you enjoyed it too, so we asked some of you to tell us what you thought...

So pleased we were able to join your 20th birthday celebrations on Saturday afternoon. It was great to mark and celebrate the tremendous work you do in schools and with children in this area. Thank you Zephaniah Trust for inviting Stewart Henderson - I've been a fan since I first heard him perform when I was at school, so it was particularly moving for me to fast forward several decades and now see my six-year-old son enjoying and engaging with his poems. All in all, a lovely occasion and of course, I've had John's fab songs going round my head for the rest of the weekend!

Michelle Waterworth

I was dragged along by my daughter; however, it was lovely to see so many people I knew and I thoroughly enjoyed much of it! It was a "one of a kind" type of experience; just as Zephaniah is unique.
Alison Dennison

I really liked the children's comments on the video - showed their energy and humour which is such an important part of the work which Zephaniah Trust is involved in.
Stephen Lamb, Associate

WANT TO SEE THE VIDEO? CLICK HERE AND YOU CAN!

The highlight for me was Julie's story. Very powerful.
Elaine Schack

My review might be slightly biased but for me the best things of the evening were those provided by John and the band, but particularly the story that Julie told, which was for me a kingdom moment. Keep up the good work! Also it was interesting being in the film as the straight man - a first for me!

Colin Blake, Trustee

The highlight for me was watching so many children singing and doing the actions to the songs & watching the video of the children in school, It was a wonderful afternoon with so many people enjoying themselves, well done Zephaniah.
Pamela Hartley

I was introduced to Zephaniah Trust in October and learnt so much more on Saturday about the great work you are doing in the schools. Really looking forward to Zephaniah 'bringing the Light' into my school next term, when you will have your first assembly with us. The highlight of Saturday has to be the amazing children speaking with such enthusiasm about your work in their schools. Thank you so much for what you are doing amongst the children in our city. Look forward to seeing what the next 20 years brings!
Karen Yates

A super event ! Well done Zephaniah Trust team, thanks to Mark Greenwood and Stewart Henderson for their contributions.  A great evening celebrating all Zephaniah Trust has achieved over 20 years!
Keith Jones, Trustee

It was great!
Pauline Grant

Fantastic and keep up the good work! God bless you all.
Louise Le Parmentier

Fantastic evening out, God bless you all.
Pat Greenwood

Praise Party in Bradford Cathedral was great fun - I'll get you back for getting me up to do the actions to Don't you know!!
Mark Allison

Really enjoyed this aft and tonight 'twas rather fab!
Katie Jones, Associate

Fantastic evening.
Caroline Whitehouse

That was a fantastic Praise Party this afternoon. I had a great time. And it was great to meet up with the whole team. BUT: THAT WILL BE THE LAST TIME THAT YOU EVER SEE ME IN A FLIPPIN' FROCK!!!!
Kevin Russell

It was great to come on Saturday afternoon and see not just the kids but the mums and dads (and grannies and granddads and aunties and uncles!) as well. It reminded me of how much joy you bring into the life of so many in the district. Now if you could only get rid of some of the “earworm” songs that keep going round my head at 3am it would be wonderful! With grateful thanks to John, Julie, Sheena and Jenny for all that you do.

Sharron Arnold


If you'd like to make a donation towards our work as a 20th birthday gift, you can donate securely online here - VirginMoneyGiving.com

Long may it continue!

I first became aware of the Zephaniah Trust via my daughter, Katharine, when she was at primary school. She used to go to a youth club at Heaton Baptist Church and came back with tales of a man with a big bushy beard who played the guitar and taught her songs.

Quite a few years later I joined Shipley C.E. Primary School as Deputy Head and, in conversation with John, discovered it was he who had entertained, amused and educated Katharine. I still maintain that John owes me a glass of wine based on this relationship. Out for a special birthday meal with my family, Katharine was telling us the tale of how the song ‘Don’t you know?’ was developed at the Baptist church youth club. She demonstrated the wide gesture for ‘Creator of the ends of the Earth’ and swept my glass of wine on to the floor. So, how about it John?

In my school role I have seen many examples of the fantastic work of the Zephaniah Trust. Engaging Year 6s is a difficult task, but I have seen Julie hold several hundred under a spell during the annual leavers’ service at Bradford Cathedral. John’s assemblies are a high point in the life of our school, and the children feel very comfortable with him. The annual Light Party is a wonderful example of John and the team taking light into dark corners, and gives an important message to all of the children who attend. Long may the Zephaniah Trust continue to spread the Christian message.

Friendship, Hospitality and Humour...

From throwing Jonah overboard in Bradford Cathedral to skipping around Shipley Baptist Church barefoot as Mary Jones, I've had lots of fun with Zephaniah Trust.

In my first year working for Saltmine Trust, when I was told we were going to go and do a schools week in Bradford with Zephaniah, the one thing everyone wanted to tell me was how brilliant the people we would be working with were.  They were right of course, and one of my highlights of the many times we've partnered with Zephaniah since is getting to spend time with those people. Working alongside people who are not only passionate about (and extremely gifted at) telling the

story of God's love in new and exciting ways, but who also live that out in their friendship, hospitality and humour is a real privilege.

Whether I've been jumping around on a stage, or encouraging year nines to do the jumping around themselves, it has been a pleasure to be part of something that so clearly impacts young people's lives for the better.


Anna Turner may be small but she is packed full of acting talent which she has been very willing to share with us when Saltmine Theatre Company have been persuaded to lend her out! We have loved working with her, in bringing theatre performances to Bradford and running Refugee Voices in secondary schools. She is officially our favourite person ever from Canvey Island.

The only opportunity...?

Having first met John when I was in his class as a nine year old, I must be one of the most long-standing Zeph friends! Coming from a non-Christian family, John, becoming a friend after I’d left Wycliffe Middle School, was instrumental in me coming to know Jesus in my life. Some 22 years after becoming a Christian, I am now in the honoured position of being Children and Family Worker at St. Margaret’s Church in Frizinghall and occasionally get to work with the Zeph team.



Thanks to Julie’s amazing gift, I have been inspired to create my own (just one so far, but it’s a start!) assembly, telling a story about being stranded in New York for ten days during Hurricane Sandy and talking about how we make decisions. I’ve done it in just two schools so far... Any takers?


My own children have enjoyed and continue to enjoy, Zephaniah assemblies and holiday clubs. But of course, they also benefit from being part of a church family each Sunday and through the week. The work of the Zephaniah Trust is so important in that those assemblies may be, for some children, the only opportunity they get to hear the good news about Jesus. That is basically why I am passionate about what they (and I!) do and I am proud to be a Zeph friend. So I am praying for at least another 20 years of silly songs and memorable stories that touch the hearts of children and adults alike. 

Happy Birthday.

Mandy Watkins is, as she rightly says, a long-standing Zephaniah friend and, now, a colleague who also takes light into dark corners. We love working with her AND her fabulous children - watch out for them in one of special Zephaniah 20th birthday films, launching at the Cathedral on Saturday!

Laughter and Food...

Laughter and food. These two words sum up any Zeph experience beautifully – although I shouldn’t also forget to mention the displacement of your sanity. I don’t think it is possible to ever forget those infamous actions, which were first etched on my mind as a primary school assembly attender and were then carved deeper into my brain during my extended summer in year 11.

Of all the assemblies I sat through as a child, the only ones I can honestly say I remember were John Froud's. (Sorry Mum, I know you did a couple, but the only vague memory I have is you holding up a globe……?) I therefore could not think of a better way to spend part of my end-of-secondary-school summer – I could relive moments from my childhood whilst also contributing towards other children’s precious primary school experience.

Apart from the crazy assemblies with the sea of smiles looking back at you, other highlights included: trips in the Big Blue Van, innumerable pieces of cake, modelling sat on a church windowsill, and McDonald’s breakfasts. One day which particularly sticks in my memory is the day John and I travelled up to Bishop Auckland to take the Bible Times Exhibition there – we managed to do the whole trip and get back in time for lunch at Shipley McD’s.

It was lovely weather that day, and we drove along with the windows down listening to BBC Radio 2. John bossed the ‘PopMaster’ as usual and then we talked about all sorts of deep things like where we thought Taylor Swift was going in the music industry. It was such a relaxing yet productive morning.

Reflecting back on all my experiences with the Zephaniah Trust, I can easily say that it was a valuable part of my life so far. I grew in confidence and maturity, but also don’t think I’ve had so much fun in two weeks ever!  Many thanks to all the Zeph crew and I hope that you will still be able to give the work experience opportunities that were given to me, for 20 years to come.

Esther Bavington spent a summer volunteering with us after her GCSEs, making the most of her talents for dressing up balloon people, sitting on cold windowsills, eating, and - most importantly - connecting with a whole roomful of children and helping them build memories. She is now studying for a degree in History at the University of Nottingham.

Green, wet behind the ears - and on my way to Shipley...

I first met the Zephaniah family in 2008, in my first year in Saltmine Trust. I was green and wet behind the ears, and was told that our team would be going to Bradford to meet a group of people who all seemed to end in either "y" or "ie". We piled into our van and bimbled up the motorway to Shipley, where we were warmly welcomed for a cup of tea by a hairy giant known as Froudy, and introduced to Drakey, Julie, and Helen...y. 


The warm welcome wasn't just for the cuppa, it seems, and we were instantly welcomed into the Zephaniah family. For the next week they treated us as their own as we combined to sing, perform and teach the gospel to the children of Bradford. I've been part of their extended family ever since (I think of myself as a slightly estranged cousin). 

The fact that Zeph has kept going for such a long time is no surprise to me; their family atmosphere and friendly energy extends to everyone they meet and all the work they do. Every time I work with them I see their warmth, love and hospitality continues to open doors to new opportunities, and inspires me to follow their example.

Jon Buckeridge, actor extraordinaire, has a talent for drawing out the acting skills that children didn't know they had, seen most recently by us in his work with Julie on Refugee Voices. He's also pretty nifty with a guitar, the instigator (he claims) of the 'Tea in the Shower' revolution, and easily reaches Zephaniah Standard at mocking his colleagues. We like to think of him as our slightly strange cousin too.

Do You Trust-mee???

Getting involved in Zephaniah Trust is a little like accepting an invitation to a friend’s for dinner, being asked to take along the dessert, and ending up helping with the starter and main as well! Twenty years down the line I’ve joined in prayerfully, musically, for fundraising, modelling [!], walking, stuffing envelopes, volunteering for many a school event, and somehow ending up a Trustee!!  The ‘meal’ in the end, however, always ends up satisfying, fulfilling and a wonderful time of friendship, fellowship and fun.

Food is always a good analogy for Zephaniah Trust involvement; you’re never far away from a cake, curry, bacon butty, MacDonald’s or just a fine cup of coffee in the office with Jenny. My daughter’s work experience seemed to entail a detailed inventory of local eating places between one school and another.

Being a Trustee, I’m happy to say, is not too onerous; three to four jovial meetings a year, with much more able people than I, able to appreciate Jenny’s hard work with the accounts, whilst I admire her beautiful colour coding and ability to print onto A3 with the office's scary, large printer/photocopier.

So why do I do it? Because having three kids of my own I know the importance of taking every opportunity to signpost children to a Father God who loves them and wants to know them through Jesus. I remember my kids singing away at the dinner table all the songs John had sung with them in assembly that morning, and was struck that if my kids knew the words so well, so did 400 others from their school; what a legacy!!

And songs have a habit of sticking in your head; I just pray that those songs will be signposts for children in our area, pointing them to Jesus, for a long time to come.

Sharon Bavington is a Zeph trustee, volunteer, parent, ever-open listening ear, friend, and all-round lovely person. We're glad she decided to get stuck into the Zephaniah meal!

Powerful moments of belonging...

I was just a child when I first met the hairy, smiling giant. He came to our church and spoke funny and smiled a lot. He played the guitar and sang songs and told stories. And he ate curry. That’s what I remember most about that eccentric, hairy visitor and his friends; sitting around, after the shows, eating curry, talking, laughing, being. I told him I would never leave Chelmsley Wood, that I was a Chelmsley bird, through and through. It stuck. Every time he came back he’d say “All right, Chelmsley bird?”

Over a decade later, I broke my vow and left. Off south I went, to train for ministry. After my first year I was told I needed to undertake a church placement – go and see how someone else does it - someone who’s different from what you’re used to, someone you can learn from. I thought of the hairy, smiling giant.

I thought of the most powerful moments of belonging I’d known as a child and recalled always being invited for a curry after the show.

I thought of the most profound moments of theological reckoning and recalled those stories I’d heard about a rag tag bunch of followers through-out time, getting it wrong, getting it right, and then getting it wrong again.

I thought of the most settling moments of safety and recalled when I went to university and shared a house with a girl who made me feel a little less anxious for some reason, only to realise that it was her familiar broad Bradford accent that put me at ease.

So off I went to Bradford for two weeks to work with The Zephaniah Trust. I saw first-hand the faces of children light up when the team walked into their assembly; I suppose very much the way mine once did. I stuffed envelopes and gave talks and sang and remembered all the actions. I was transported for two blissful weeks back to childhood.

Jesus said “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it”. In my two weeks at Zephaniah I was privileged to watch people living, breathing, singing and imparting to others the beauty and innocence of the kingdom of God through the eyes of a child.

And it was through this that I realised what it was that had attracted me to that Big Friendly Giant* and his friends when I was small. When they came to visit they brought with them the wonder and the magic of Christ and his kingdom. It’s twenty years since those childhood visits now, and many things have changed just in the few years since my two weeks with Zeph Trust, most notably I now have a child of my own. I sincerely hope that I can bring the same sense of wonder to my son when telling him stories about Jesus and his followers. But in case I fail, I’m very, very glad that Zephaniah are still going strong, still inspiring, still lighting up faces and hearts across the country.

(*Not in any way related to or resembling a character from a beloved children’s book about a little girl who finds out how dreams are made…)

Rowena Wilding and the "hairy, smiling giant" have a lot in common; sparky, creative, beautifully opinionated, and with a deep love of curry! No wonder she fit in so well at Zephaniah! This Chelmsley Bird currently works in the third sector in Birmingham, where she is also wife to Andrew and mum to baby Tristan.

If just one child remembers...

Emma Allison is an A-level student, talented musician, top demonstrator of actions, and one of our fabulous volunteers. She joined the Zeph Family when she did work experience with us...

My friends and I often discuss what our work experience weeks were like. They tell me about an office job, and I tell them about my week with Zeph. Of course when I mention a certain Mr Froud, they all get extremely excited and start reciting actions that they learnt when they were in primary school. I remember from primary school having Mark and Julie coming in and doing those action songs and telling us stories. I even remember the work experience person coming with them to my school assembly and doing what I would later move on to be doing myself. The fact that I remember those assemblies so well made me want to help out, and possibly be the work experience girl that just one child might remember. If going crazy at the front of a hall full of children meant that I could impact just one child’s day, then I was not going to miss the opportunity for anything!

My work experience was jam packed. I took part in drumming workshops, bought fabric to set up displays, and did the actions to as many different songs as I can remember (I still seem to be pretty good at getting My God Shall Supply up to a quick speed). I extremely enjoyed, of course, seeing the kids faces when we walked into the hall as the kids realised it was a Zephaniah assembly. But also seeing the day to day running of a charity, and how many people give their time and money to such a good cause. I met so many lovely people and had a brilliant time talking to the kids. I recall one child asking me if I was Mr Froud’s wife. Of course, the majority of the Zeph team happened to be there at the exact moment, which meant that I didn’t live it down for the week!

The work that I saw on my week with Zeph was incredible. Whenever we went out, someone would say hello, or give us a wave. It’s a true testament to the work that they do. Everyone knows who they are! I feel totally privileged to have joined the Zeph family, and I love to help out where I can with Zeph. I guess once you’ve joined, you never really leave!

Something Profound...

Who knew that serving Jesus would almost get you arrested, give you a deep love of curries, and get you mistaken for a Pop Idol contestant?

My journey with the Zeph peeps began about 15 years ago, when I unwittingly agreed to join a missions team ‘Up North’. Being from Wales anything Midlands and beyond is North so I didn’t really have an idea of what I was letting myself in for as I boarded a train and journeyed, for what seemed like days, I mean it was no Lord-of-the-rings-esque quest! During this week of helping a church to share the love and grace of God, I met a very tall, very northern, Jesus loving, song writing, guitar playing, cheese eating and all round top bloke - John Froud. Thus began a great friendship with John and the Zephaniah Trust.

During my ‘year out’ after university, I was trained in evangelism by Mark Greenwood (FortyThree Trust); part of this training involved regular missions with John and the Zeph peeps and trips to Bradford. I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of serving alongside these great people in schools, churches, universities and even a lovely town in France! John Froud and I were almost arrested in said French town for trying to hand out leaflets! It’s ok – we were marched out of the marketplace with threats to never return. Just an ordinary day serving Jesus!

A great memory was being mistaken for a Pop Idol contestant when I sang along with John in a school assembly in Idle and having ‘paper’ snowballs continuously thrown at me as part of Holiday Club, where, against character, I was found to be the villain of the piece!

One of my favourite times has to be the schools week in Malvern, where a collective of Zephaniah and Forty Three Trust people partner together with local churches. Over the years we have been involved in hundreds of lessons, assemblies, Christian Unions and youth events. A particular lesson that sticks in my mind was one where John shared the story of his recent visit to the Philippines, showed his trendy bag made of plastic rubbish and sang beautifully. You could hear a pin drop and there was a sense that God was doing something profound in these young lives. Another highlight were the Sixth Form ‘grill-a-Christian’ type forums. Like victims to a firing squad we were lined up and asked questions, from ‘What is the meaning of life?’ to ‘Jesus isn’t really real, is he?’ from ‘Prove creation to me’ to ‘How can you trust the Bible?’ It was great to be part of such a good team that answered with grace and insight.

I have learned so much serving with the Zephaniah Trust – that there are many ways to take light into dark corners so give your availability, unleash your creativity, add in some faith and watch what God does!

Sarah Whittleston is Associate Pastor at Elim Church Kingstanding and an Associate Evangelist of the Forty Three Trust, alongside John Froud. Her vocals feature on John's Don't You Know kids' album and she is a longstanding Zeph Friend.

You are a shining light...

Hilary's Story

Once upon a time, a storyteller and a singer-songwriter came to shine their light in the schools of a small town in Dorset.

As they set off to school on that first morning they took with them Hilary, a local girl who was also keen to share the light with the young people of Wareham.

In the first class they visited, they sang songs, told stories, and read poems that brought the light of Jesus to all who heard.

Hilary listened, and enjoyed.

In the second class that they visited, they handed the poetry book to Hilary and invited her to join them at the front.

Hilary did as she was told, and enjoyed.

As the day went on, Hilary found herself more and more inspired by what she saw and heard, and she began to think "I wonder if I could do that?"

On sharing that thought with the storyteller and the singer-songwriter, they assured her that she could most certainly do that.

So she did - and does - and is still enjoying.

Thanks John and Julie.

Hilary Bond is one of our Zephaniah Associates, working in schools in Wareham, Dorset, where she leads assemblies and runs weekly in-school clubs, tells wonderful stories and writes wonderful songs, and lets visiting Zephaniah staff linger in her fabulous library...

The Ministry of Cake...

Heard us mention Cake Club and wondered what it's all about? Here's Laura Wood, Youth & Children's Worker at St Peter's Church Shipley, to tell you all you need to know...

As St Peter’s Youth & Children’s Worker, I have the pleasure of working with Zeph for various projects such as holiday clubs and the Light Party; yet the one which I enjoy most is our weekly visit to Salts High School for Cake Club.

Cake Club runs every Tuesday during term time in the school lunch hour. It is a drop-in style club where young people come to have some cake and a natter. We have a bunch of young people who come each week to see us, but we also have individuals who turn up for a one-off visit.

The purpose of Cake Club is not to convert, but to simply be a space for a young person to feel welcome; regardless of their behaviour in school or what has happened in the previous lesson, they know they are always welcome. We hope it is a place where they know they will be listened to, where they feel supported and cared for. We are trying to show, through our actions, God’s love for them. It is a classic example of Zephaniah spreading light into dark corners. 

The conversations reflect this and can range from comical to more personal and serious. Some weeks the main topics can be as simple as, ‘did you see this on telly last night?....’, or more puzzling: ‘did Moses have a moustache?..’ Yes, biblical questions can appear, as they are aware we are all Christians, yet they usually are as obscure as the one stated above. At other times, the young people will talk to you about things that are on their mind more, such as how school or home life is for them at the moment, about the argument they have had with their best friend etc.  It is in these conversations that the value of Cake Club can be felt most clearly. It is humbling that these young people feel that they are able to share their worries with us.

There is also the cake! Every week we bring a different cake in to be tried and, in some sense, tested. They are baked by several individuals linked to either Zeph or St Peter’s,

but our most regular cake provider is Hazel Wilmshurst. Cake is discussed at length sometimes in the club. After all, cake is a key part of the club, something the young people never forget! Each cake is usually given a critique by one regular-goer and awarded a score out of ten. It provides an easy conversation-starter for shy newcomers and even a welcome snack for passing teachers too.

Salt’s High School seems to welcome Cake Club. The students that pop in seem to enjoy the welcome break (as do passing teachers) plus the normality of having a slice of cake and a catch up in the middle of a sometimes busy and stressful school day. They regularly bring out games to play such as Connect 4, Who’s Who and Jenga. I think the novelty of having someone else willing to sit down and play a game with you, in person, not over a computer is something that the members of Cake Club value; although if asked they would still say computer games are better!

I really enjoy Cake Club and working with all the team from Zeph! I hope they continue putting light into dark corners for the next 20 years to come.