Sometimes a contrast can be so extreme and striking that it has a profound impact on you. The last week or so has been a classic example.

Like everybody else I have recently been watching pictures of teenagers (mainly) tearing our country apart. The media has labelled this generation of teenagers a “lost cause” and blame their cultural upbringing and communication medias for the anarchy we have seen in London.

After the steady diet of horror stories we have been fed it came as a stark contrast to arrive at Soul Survivor. Soul Survivor is a Christian festival for young people. 8,000 young people camping at the Bath and West Showground while participating in seminars, social action and worship.

In contrast to your preconceptions.

The atmosphere is so strange here. It feels wrong. Its so divorced from the image we are fed of young people as mindless thugs out for themselves. You feel like you should fear for your life as gangs of teenagers rampage around the place playing silly games, shouting and generally being rowdy. However, in actual fact it feels an amazingly safe, friendly place. Everybody is enthusiastic, caring and friendly (overly so sometimes in my humble opinion!). There is a sense of comradeship, family and putting others first.

Of course the fact that the vast majority of those here are Christians, almost certainly makes a difference. The peer pressure of the Christian faith will no doubt temper the greater excesses of teenager behaviour. However, I don’t believe such behaviour is limited to ‘nice middle class christian kids’.

Teenagers have deep passion.

I have run a youth group for 4 1/2 years now and the vast majority of those kids I have met are not Christian. Some have had severe learning difficulties and others have been thrown out of school for violence. However, without exception I have found good inside of them and many have shown me exceptional kindness.

My belief is that teenagers can be some of the most energetic, passionate, enthusiastic people you ever would wish to meet. I also believe they can be the most caring too. Feelings run deep among teenagers and I have seen them weep over child slavery in Asia and go without food and even shelter to raise money for the homeless of the world. They are extraordinary. However, too often they are pigeon holed by the media and so those who do not regularly interact with them, fear them because of what they have read or seen on TV.

Do you avoid teenagers?

I have watched people cross the street when they see a bunch of teenagers. Why? Do you cross the street when you see a group of old people? The only reason is because of prejudices we have, nurtured by media stories about extreme cases.

Yes, teenagers are different to you and me but they are not the enemy. In many ways they put us to shame. I certainly wouldn’t make some of the sacrifices I have seen them make to help others. I am too used to my creature comforts.

And so I come to the end of my time leading a youth group. However, I do so not because of the teenagers. I do so because so few are willing to help this group and so we have done so alone for too long. Where adults have let us down, I have always received nothing but love and support from the teenagers I work with. That in itself is very telling.