Church Army's Chief Executive Mark Russell will speak to young people about making a difference at the Easter Monday Youth Pilgrimage taking place at Canterbury Cathedral next week.

The annual event organised by Canterbury Diocese will see young people come together over the Easter break to consider how they can be useful for God's kingdom and their generation.

Up to 1,000 young people will take part in the pilgrimage to renew and refresh "their walk with God" explore the "many opportunities they have to do something positive in their generation".

The pilgrimage will commence at three designated start points where the youngsters will have a time of reflection and an opportunity to make a commitment to making a difference.

Russell, a member of the Archbishops' Council, has been personally invited by the Canterbury Diocese to speak to young people about how they can make a difference in their walk with God, at home, school, church or in the society.

He will remind young people during his talk that anyone can be used by God.

"Throughout the Bible, we see God uses people who are far from perfect, whether David, Noah, Moses, Peter, Paul, or Solomon....and that means he can use us too," he will tell them.

"Ordinary men and women at Church Army have been making a difference since 1882 and we're about communicating the unchanging message of an unchanging God to a fast-changing culture and new generation of young people. Seeing young people give up their Easter bank holiday to make a difference is really encouraging and it brings to life what we're trying to achieve with our new gap year programme which focuses on how important it is for young people to commit to mission."

Church Army's new global gap year initiative Xplore, will be launched by Mark Russell at the event. Xplore aims to give young people the opportunity to serve God and their community both at home and abroad for a year.

Headed by Phil Clark, Xplore is for young adults aged 18 to 25 who want to be motivated, trained and equipped for relevant 21st century mission, and are prepared to set aside personal ambition, career success and financial security for the sake of the gospel.

Russell added, "I am very excited about Xplore, and see this project as central to our aim to get more younger people interested in Church Army's work. As a youth leader I was always looking for exciting gap year programmes that would transform young people for mission. Xplore is one such programme, and I can't wait to see how it grows under Phil's leadership."

A display featuring the work of Church Army will also be on show at Canterbury Cathedral to celebrate Church Army's 125th anniversary from April 9 to 23.

More information about the Global Gap Year can be found at: www.churcharmy.org.uk/gapyear