MORE than 4,000 Lancashire schoolchildren were at Ewood Park yesterday for a major worship event across two continents.

The primary pupils were at the home of Blackburn Rovers for a major Church of England event and were joined by two-way video link to a similar number of their counterparts in South Africa.

The stadium was alive with fun and fellowship for the ‘Cross Culture Event’ organised by the Parish of to St James’ Lower Darwen and its vicar The Rev. Tim Horobin.

One of the highlights was a sermon by Bishop of Burnley the Rt Rev Philip North who gave a footballing twist on the parable of ‘The Good Samaritan’.

He turned Jesus’s story of an unlikely rescuer into a tale of Blackburn Rovers and Burnley FC fans before drawing good-natured boos by ripping open his vestments to reveal he was wearing an Arsenal shirt reflecting his own soccer loyalties.

The whole experience will beamed live to a similar gathering of youngsters from churches in Blackburn Diocese’s twin Diocese of Bloemfontein in South Africa.

The get-togetherwas the culmination of the ‘Mission Possible’, a week of events and celebrations supported by local priests and a team of visiting Christian leaders from the twin Diocese.

Highlights had include an outdoor Songs of Praise at St Paul’s, Hoddlesden on Monday July 3, a South African Beach Party at Roman Road in Lower Darwen on Thursday July 6, a huge family event ‘Our God is a Great Big God’ at St James, Over Darwen on July 9 and a village carnival at St Paul’s School, Hoddlesden on Saturday July 8.

Among the young worshippers were pupils from St James and other churches and schools around Darwen, Knuzden, Salesbury and Blackburn as well as from the Fylde in West Lancashire.

A Diocese of Blackburn spokesman said: “It was splendid occasion at a packed Ewood Park full of fun, fellowship and spirituality joining young people from two continents together in worship.”

Rev. Horobin said: “The aim of the mission is to make the gospel relevant to the generation today, working in a cross cultural way and training and equipping young leaders in mission and outreach.

The South African mission team now moves on to St Peter’s Church in Fleetwood today and to spend the week working alongside Canon Fr John Hall and his local team there.

Highlights will include a service of Prayer and Benediction tomorrow with Bishop Philip as special guest.

The Rt Rev. Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn said: “”As part of our Diocesan Vision 2026 we want to put our mission work at the heart of what we do.”