On a Friday evening in May 2025, the historic walls of Swansea Minster echoed with energy, laughter, and the vibrant voices of young people from across the city. This marked the launch of Youth Nights Swansea—a dynamic ecumenical new initiative designed to bring together young people for an evening filled with worship, inspirational testimonies, and the word of God brought to them by one of their peers. Born from the success of its Cardiff counterpart, Youth Nights Swansea is more than just an event—it's a movement, a safe space, and a celebration of Christian youth culture in the heart of the city.

As the sun shone brightly through the beautiful stained-glass windows, the historic Minster underwent a remarkable transformation. Once a space of quiet tradition, it was reimagined into a vibrant venue ready to host a worship night unlike anything the city had seen before. Watching the pews give way to lighting rigs, sound desks, and prayer stations was a sight that stirred awe and anticipation in equal measure. It was clear—something special was about to unfold.

By 5 p.m., the band had arrived for soundcheck, and the first notes of contemporary worship music echoed through the ancient stone walls. The blend of old and new created a powerful atmosphere, one that made the presence of God feel tangible. As volunteers began to gather, each one bringing their energy and faith, it became undeniable: God was moving through this event.

In the Trinity Chapel, prayer spaces were carefully prepared—quiet corners for reflection, intercession, and encounter. Before the doors opened, Rachel and I took a moment to thank the team and lift up prayers for the young people we hoped would meet Jesus that night. At 7 p.m., the doors opened to a queue of eager young people and their leaders, ready to step into something sacred.

The evening began with a warm welcome from our brilliant hosts, Fiona and Caleb, followed by a lively game led by Mike to help everyone settle in. Then came the heart of the night—worship. The band led us in powerful praise, lifting up the name of Jesus with passion and joy. We heard the Word of God spoken boldly by Joshua, an 18-year-old whose message stirred hearts, and we listened to testimonies from young people who had led Youth Alpha in their colleges and prayed faithfully for their friends.

In total, (number) young people and (number) youth leaders and volunteers gathered from 15 churches stretching from Baglan to Burry Port. It was a night of unity, worship, and deep fellowship—a glimpse of what God is doing in this generation.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who poured their time, gifts, and prayers into this night. This vision was born from a stirring in the hearts of leaders across Swansea—a shared sense that God is on the move. And through this event, we gave young people a space to gather, worship, and be reminded that they are not alone in their faith.

We’re already looking ahead to the next Youth Night on Friday, 3rd October, with hope and excitement. Our prayer is that even more young people will come to encounter Jesus and find community in His name.

It was a wonderful opportunity for the Minster to open its doors to Christians from across the city to provide a space that could come alive with young voices alongside the beautiful architecture and an atmosphere that can only be found on a site seeped with worship for centuries. The event was a perfect way to demonstrate our place as a church for the whole city.

— Rev Rachel Bunting, Director of under 25’s Ministry, Swansea Minster