From Belper to the College of the Resurrection
Toby Hodgson, an ordinand sponsored by the Diocese of Derby, has embarked on his first year of training for ordained ministry on a joint study pathway — a partnership between the College of the Resurrection and St Hild College.
Born and raised in Belper, Derbyshire, Toby has been part of St Peter’s Church, the town’s parish church, for as long as he can remember.
“I’ve grown up at St Peter’s,” he says. “Some of my earliest memories are of my parents leading services during an interregnum about 15 years ago, as well as being part of the Sunday Club and youth group. I also loved going to New Wine each summer as a teenager.”
A Call Shaped by Experience
After finishing school during the first COVID-19 lockdown, Toby chose not to go to university. Instead, he pursued an interest in joining the Royal Navy while working part-time. “I never actually joined the Navy,” he recalls. “God had other plans.”
Over the next four years, he worked for both the Co-op and his former school’s theatre as a theatre technician, while continuing to explore what God might be calling him to do. That discernment deepened during a year on the Ministry Experience Scheme (MES) in the Diocese of Lincoln.
“The MES was incredibly beneficial,” Toby explains. “I would wholeheartedly recommend it to any young person thinking about ministry or wanting to explore their vocation. I don’t think I’d be in training now if I hadn’t done it.”
Discovering a Love for Ministry
During his MES year, Toby found a love for pastoral ministry and a deep appreciation for the Eucharist and the rhythm of daily prayer. “I really value the worship life at the College of the Resurrection,” he says. “It’s grounding and life-giving.”
He also discovered the joy of serving others — something that continues to shape his understanding of ministry today.
A New Kind of Training
Toby is the first full-time ordinand to train on the joint pathway between the College of the Resurrection and St Hild College — a unique arrangement that allows him to be part of both communities.
“People have called me a ‘guinea pig’, but I prefer ‘pioneer’,” he said. “I live, pray and worship alongside the College of the Resurrection ordinands, but my academic studies and placement are overseen by St Hild.”
His current placement is with Dewsbury Team Parish, where he is already finding his feet in ministry. “It’s still early days, but I’m really enjoying the experience,” he says. “I don’t feel on my own — both colleges have been so welcoming.”
Looking Ahead
Outside of ministry, Toby describes himself as a “huge nerd” who loves music and reading. As he looks to the future, he’s excited about what the next three years will bring.
“Three years feels like a long time now, but I suspect it will fly by,” he reflects. “I’m eager to see what God will do in Dewsbury, at both colleges, and in me.”
