Recognising that too many young people have been killed in recent gangland shootings in the UK, a London church youth group is helping to tackle the root of the problem.  The Victory Youth Group (VYG) members from Finsbury Park decided on this stand following recent shootings in South London in which three teenage boys died.

Led by a former gang member turned Pastor, the VYG team is using music and drama to show young people the dark realities of gang life.  The first performance of their show - Lost in Da Game - takes place on Sunday April 29 at the Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park at 2.00pm, and is free.

"Teenagers should be in no doubt about the vicious and destructive natures of gangs," said Pastor Damien Jackson.  "We want to help them turn away before it is too late; and we fully understand how hard that can be because of the
tremendous pressure to conform."

Once a member of one of America's most notorious gangs, Bloods, Pastor Damien will be the star of the show.  He will speak from the experience of having escaped the ruthless gang with the help of the UCKG HelpCentre, which he later
joined.  "I hope that this play will convince people that there is hope no matter how bad things are," Pastor Damien added.

Damien, who was an alcoholic by the age of 12, joined the gang to get away from his abusive father who kicked him out when his mother, a con artist left. A fourth stint in jail for attempted murder made Damien see the error of his ways
and now, as a Pastor, he helps others to change their lives for the better.

Pastor Luke Castro who heads up UCKG's youth ministry in the UK said: "With all of the shootings Britain has seen of late, we simply had to stand up and take action.  The aim of the musical is to persuade young people that it's possible
to turn your life around and escape deprived, crime-ridden, and destructive lifestyles.  We are here to talk in complete confidentiality with anyone who wants help in taking this step."

UCKG's Pastor Damien Jackson has left his gang days behind him