That’s The Question Paul Gibbs, Founder Of The Pais Movement, Is Asking During His 12 Day Hike Across England.

25 years ago Paul Gibbs walked across England praying for schools in the UK. What happened next went beyond his wildest dreams. Today, Pais Movement, the organization he founded, has trained and placed multiple-thousands of life-mentors in schools on six continents. Now he is doing it again in a post-pandemic setting and praying for schools worldwide.

In 1992 Paul Gibbs had started a small school outreach ministry to reach his home city of Manchester. After receiving encouragement from a Christian leader that “God will give you everywhere you tread”, he decided to walk from Coast to Coast, praying that God would open the schools of the nation.

Soon after he founded the Pais Movement, a discipleship-led organization that operates today in over 15 nations. With our Global Headquarters in Arlington, Texas, we place volunteers who disciple students in local schools and churches. Thanks to those mentors, multiple-thousands of teenagers have already been positively impacted around the world!

And yet Paul thinks it’s too little and almost too late. There is still an urgent need in our society to invest in transforming schools and reaching students for Christ. In the context of a post-pandemic world especially, teenagers and children have been greatly impacted by isolation and recent uncertainties.

“Another generation is being lost whilst we are yet to understand the incredible opportunity of serving their local schools. Teachers are crying out for help but are we, God’s people, too focused on our own programs and projects to hear their call?” says Gibbs.

Which is why on May 17, Paul started the Thru-Hike for Schools. He is walking the Coast to Coast route again, and is scheduled to complete it in 12 days. While walking 182 miles, he is praying for God to open new doors for schools ministry. Partnering with global youth organizations¹, he hopes to raise awareness for this missed opportunity. Paul is also sharing his journey and updates on social media.

Many teams and supporters around the world are already joining in and organizing their own Thru-Hike for Schools. For more information on how to join this cause visit thruhikeforschools.com

¹Thru-Hike For Schools Partners:

Pray For Schools
Prayer Spaces in Schools
Youth Alive North Texas
SASW Trust
NISCU
LINX Christian Youth Trust
Thy Kingdom Come
Moms in Prayer