At the heart of Project Touchline are Gospel stories where ordinary people reach out to Jesus in faith, hope, fear, courage and friendship. This focus reminds us that at the heart of Project Touchline, it’s about connecting faith with action.

When they could not reach Jesus through the crowd, they carried their friend onto the roof and lowered him down before Jesus. It is a story of perseverance, teamwork, compassion and faith-filled friendship, all of which capture the true spirit found at the heart of Project Touchline activities.These stories help children discover that faith is not distant or abstract. Faith is active. It moves. It calls out. It trusts. It journeys together, and this is what lies at the very centre of Project Touchline for many schools and families.

Reaching Out to Jesus Through Sport and Worship

Another key story is Bartimaeus, the blind man who cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Even when others told him to be quiet, Bartimaeus continued calling out until Jesus stopped and listened. Through this story, children discover that courage, persistence and faith can help people reach out to Jesus even in difficult moments.

These stories also connect naturally with sport and teamwork. Through rugby and cricket, children learn to support teammates, communicate clearly, trust one another, make space, show courage and never leave someone behind. As a result, they begin to understand that success is not simply about winning, but about encouragement, perseverance and shared effort.

In addition, sport creates opportunities for children to practise the same values found within the Gospel stories. For example, just as Bartimaeus bravely called out for help, children learn that they too can speak honestly, ask for support and encourage others around them.

Consequently, worship and sport become deeply connected. Rather than learning Christian values only through discussion, children experience them through movement, relationships, teamwork and reflection. In this way, Project Touchline helps children see that faith can shape both everyday life and the wider school community.

Connecting deeper spiritual truths

Project Touchline helps children connect physical experiences with deeper spiritual truths. Through worship, prayer, reflection and sport, children begin to see how Christian values can shape everyday life.

Just as the four friends carried someone to Jesus, children learn how to support, encourage and stand alongside one another. Likewise, Bartimaeus teaches children the importance of courage, honesty and reaching out for help in difficult moments.

These stories help create a culture where faith is not simply spoken about, but experienced through teamwork, relationships, compassion and community. At the heart of Project Touchline is the belief that Christian values are best understood when they are embodied and lived.

Other worship themes include:

• Jesus calming the storm
• Peter walking on water
• Jairus’ daughter
• The road to Emmaus
• Jesus calling Simon and Andrew

Empowering children and staff

What has been especially moving is seeing schools create their own boats for prayer clubs and worship spaces. This creative act is inspired by values held closely at the heart of Project Touchline.

Across worship, prayer clubs, PE and reflective moments, these stories create a shared language throughout the school. At the heart of Project Touchline is the belief that Christian values should be experienced, embodied and lived. Children begin to understand that these values are not simply words displayed on walls, but something practised through relationships, worship, movement, stillness, forgiveness, courage and community.

The message running through Project Touchline is simple and life-giving:

Reach out to Jesus
Reach out to one another
Help others know they are never alone

Together, these themes help shape a culture of faith, belonging and hope across the whole school community.