Tayo O'Shea

In 2010, Tayo’s brother Zac was stabbed to death outside his school by a group of boys. In the midst of their grief and pain, Tayo and her mother Sarah were confronted with a question. How would they respond to the boys who took Zac’s life?

“Our personal journeys are at the heart of Operation Forgiveness, as we share the power that forgiveness has had on our lives.”

Tayo works as a Mission Associate in the Operation Forgiveness team; an early intervention knife-crime and youth violence initiative that equips young people with the power of forgiveness. The team describe the impact of their Christian faith through their own journeys to forgiveness, and how although forgiveness can be difficult, it is ultimately liberating. They are also seeking to envision and equip Christians in churches across London to run this workshop and deliver it within local schools themselves.

Zac is one of many young people in London whose lives are violently cut short every year. In recent years, the capital has seen some of its highest ever rates of teenage murders.

“Youth violence is a huge problem across London. The devastating ripple effects are felt by family, friends and the wider community, but through Operation Forgiveness we believe that churches have the power to make a difference. My vision is to see every child across London given the opportunity to discover the power of forgiveness.”

Tayo is married to Jason and is always kept busy looking after their four children. When time allows, she enjoys reading fiction novels.