Faith on the frontlines in Abbey Wood

For many people in Abbey Wood, London, a future shaped by drug dealing and gang violence isn’t a distant threat – it’s a daily reality.

On these streets, young people face relentless pressure, often believing their only path forward is through crime. Tragically, knife violence and fatal attacks have taken the lives of friends and neighbours. This is the world that Karen Saunders, dedicated Church Army evangelist, steps into each day, committed to showing young people that another way is not only possible but within reach. 

Abbey Wood sits at the heart of our Greenwich Centre of Mission, where Karen and her team are connecting with local children, fostering caring and sustainable relationships and providing the encouragement and love they often lack at home. The estate is marked by unemployment and limited opportunities in life. Here, drugs, gangs and violence are commonplace.

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Family matters 

Families can be locked in a cycle where drug dealing is handed down through generations. For many young boys, supporting their siblings and parents is an obligation and means following a path paved by crime.

Rejecting this expectation isn’t difficult; it’s almost impossible, often leading to violence at home and further involvement with gangs. Karen has heard firsthand from children who’ve suffered violent abuse for trying to escape this vicious cycle.

Gang grooming is common. Youngsters are befriended, manipulated and drawn into criminal activities by promises of small rewards, protection and friendship, only to face threats and coercion once they try to step away.

Many of these children have no idea what they’re getting into until they’re trapped, and the consequences for stepping out of line are real and immediate – for them and their families.

A different path 

Navigating these dangers, Karen and the team work tirelessly to offer an alternative. Through youth groups and community programmes, they create safe spaces where children can connect, find support and simply be kids without fear.

These groups do more than keep young people off the streets; they’re places where safeguarding is prioritised, children are guaranteed something to eat and signs or neglect or harm are not overlooked. When home lives are disrupted by addiction or violence, these gatherings become crucial safety nets, vital for their survival.

For many in Abbey Wood, domestic violence, substance misuse and grinding poverty are facts of life. Yet, amid these challenges, Karen’s relentless outreach ensures that every child over the age of 10 has an invitation to come along to youth group, with multiple sessions each week.

The groups welcome children who’ve never set foot in a church and those searching for hope and compassion. Here, they experience care, respect, and the powerful, unconditional love of God in a way that’s rooted firmly in their reality.

Surviving grief, discovering love 

During a recent visit to one of the youth groups, I was struck by the spirit and resilience of the young people and the profound impact Karen and the team have on their lives.

The grief of losing friends to knife attacks is heartbreakingly close, yet the leaders keep working to shield others from the same fate and help the children to process their pain.

At these youth groups, children begin to dream again. They learn about the realities of gang involvement and the consequences of violence and, most importantly, discover their inherent worth and God’s unwavering love. They build connections with adults and peers who truly care about their futures, planting seeds of hope in the hardest of soil.

‘I can have fun when I come here. I don’t have to worry about anything ‘cause I know I’m safe. People here really care about me; it’s not like that everywhere I go.’ 

• Mollie*, 13 

But Karen’s work isn’t limited to youth group, her ministry extends far beyond the walls of the church, out onto the estate. Demonstrating God’s love through home visits, engaging with people in the park, and through workshops and assemblies at the local schools. Every conversation, every visit, is a living example of God’s love made real through both practical helps and genuine emotional support.

A lifeline for many 

For many in this community, Karen is a lifeline, helping families who are struggling to put food on the table. She is there for those reeling from the devastating impact of knife and gang crime, standing with them through their darkest days. When families lose a loved one to senseless violence, it is Karen who offers unwavering comfort and support, helping them to carry the burden of unimaginable loss. She helps people rebuild what is left of their family when a young person is sentenced to a life behind bars, the siblings left behind to face the stigma and judgement. Karen explains… 

‘What people sometimes forget is that when a 15-year-old goes to prison for 20 years, they leave behind a family. It’s a loss, a different kind of loss, but there is still grief. They might have a younger brother or sister who will have to face the local community and go back to school; they need support too. We need to be the vessels of God’s love to all of these kids.’ 

Karen’s work is urgent and deeply needed. The people of Abbey Wood know they are not forgotten or alone – because Karen and the team are there, showing them every day that they are valued and loved.

This crucial work relies on continued support, collaboration, and understanding from the wider community. By standing with Church Army, you are standing with Karen, and together we can break the cycles of violence and offer lasting hope to the young people who need it most.

*Name changed for protection

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