Teenagers at an evangelical church in Oxford took to the pulpit at the weekend to tackle the serious issues of knife crime and teenage pregnancy.

Word Fountain Christian Ministries, in Hollow Way, Cowley, invited their younger members on to the stage usually reserved for resident and guest preachers, to address the issues facing today's youths.

The day, based on the theme Vessels of Honour, was organised by Pastor Dupe Adefala as part of the church's annual Children and Youth celebration service on Saturday.

She said: "The weekend is aimed at empowering and educating our youths against the negative trappings faced in society today.

"They have chosen the subject of Challenging Gang Crime and Teenage Pregnancy, and decided to approach it in a unique way."

Imisi Adefala, pastor Adefala's son, was one of about 20 young people who took to the stage in the Johnny Show, a specially rehearsed spoof of American talk show Jerry Springer.

He said: "It's only a small amount of people who do things that ruin things for the rest of us.

"People think of America and they think of all the problems with gang and gun crime, but it exists here too.

"Whereas in Oxford, it's knives that are a problem."

The 15-year-old student, who is studying for 11 GCSEs including business, PE, and history at King Alfred's School in Grove, said he was fed up with today's youth being portrayed in the wrong light.

He added: "We are trying to be taken seriously. Just because I wear a hoodie, does that mean that I am any less able to change people's lives?

"We are expecting big things here today."

The young churchgoers have been working on a range of performances over the past eight weeks to showcase at the weekend, including singing and dancing acts and sessions of informal talks about the issues.

The church welcomed visitors from, among other places, Northampton, Luton and London, and Pastor Adefala invited former Lord Mayor of Oxford Jim Campbell to the day.

She said: "It has been really good and everyone enjoyed it very much.

"We have had various gospel artists singing, and the young people have been ministering all day. The weekend has been one of celebration in God."