‘I am a Baptist minister in training at South Ossett Baptist church, which is a suburb of Wakefield. I’ve lived in the town for 24 years, raising my 3 children here. I came to Christ in my early 30s and have always had a heart for families, especially new parents.
I have been studying at St Hild’s for the last 3 years, with this being my final year. Extending my 3-year course to 4 has not only reduced the workload, but has allowed me to be part of the St Hild community for an additional year – a great bonus.
I was instantly drawn to St Hild because of the community spirit, I felt as soon as I arrived. From the teaching experience on the open day, I knew instantly that the Bible would be opened up in a very new and deeper way.
Being part of St Hild and therefore, missionary leadership has really been a blessing. Not only from the diversity and impact of many of the speakers. But the missional intent is woven through everything. This has been such an affirmation for me, usually leading to a renewed strength as I return to leading South Ossett Baptist Church.
Following 7 years of loving and walking beside those God has brought to SOBC, we seem to be in a season of many celebrations. In the last year, I have conducted 2 weddings and our first new believer’s Baptism for decades. Our monthly Messy Church has entered its second year, and we are seeing a new congregation develop. Alongside this, we run 2 BigLife Bible studies which provide a dozen seekers a real space to share together. Our community cafe is aimed predominantly at new parents, although we now have parents still coming on their own as their children are now 6/7 years old.
In the 7 years, Cafe Christos has been running several parents have been supported through PTSD caused by birth trauma, relationship reconciliation, sheer exhaustion and my favourite quote – “no I’ve never had post-natal depression but I have always come to Cafe Christos.”’
