Along with other senior church figures the Rt Rev John Packer joined Leeds' new Street Chaplains on their first patrol of one of the city's booziest routes.
The group of 21st century Good Samaritans will take to the streets of Yorkshire's clubbing capital from around 11pm to 2am every Friday, offering help and advice to worse-for-wear clubbers and vulnerable party animals.
Bishop Packer said: "The church is present in Leeds during the day and yet when Leeds is most alive is around one in the morning, when the churches are closed."
He added: "The best way in which Christians can share the Christian message is to be there, helping people out in the middle of the night or any other time."
Around 12 kind-hearted volunteers wearing high-visibility jackets marked 'Leeds Churches Street Chaplain' chatted to doormen and drinkers as they strolled up and down the notoriously rowdy Boar Lane in the bitter cold.
The group of clergy and churchgoers from across the city were accompanied by police community support officers to keep them safe.
And several waited at Holy Trinity Church, Boar Lane, where anyone in dire straits could be taken to rest and recover.
The launch of the joint project by Leeds City Centre Churches Group saw Rev Dr Liz Smith Chair of the Methodist District, Rev Canon Tony Bundock Rector of Leeds and Rev Dr Adrian Burdon, Superintendent Minister of Leeds Methodist Mission and the Bishop come face to face with the reality of the city's renowned nightlife.
Confused
The Street Chaplains' role involves anything from listening to problems, reuniting confused drinkers with friends and helping them get home safely.
Drinker Gary Temple, visiting Leeds from County Durham, said they were "a great idea".
Street Pastors took to the streets of London in January 2003 after the shooting of four teenagers and there are now more than 300 around the UK, as well as those that go by different names – Street Angels in Wakefield and Halifax, and Street Lights, at Leeds University.
Leeds Street Chaplains were the brainchild of Rev Dr Burdon, who said: "Evidence from many of the other places is that when Street Pastors or Street Chaplains are around, crime goes down.
"We pick up some of the people that become vulnerable to crime so they don't become victims.
"If we intervene at that point, there isn't the crime."
At the end of their first patrol he said: "It's been a good experience and it seems to have been appreciated."
debbie.leigh@ypn.co.uk