Sent

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!””
‭‭— Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Since my last post, I’ve made another move. Thousands of miles, and a shift in culture, currency and community. Back to familiar. Although it’s not so familiar, because of course I’m different than I was back in 2020 when I left the U.K. to embark on an adventure at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry in Northern California. Now I’ve returned to the U.K., and in fact, to my hometown – Coventry.

This is a place that seems new and old at the same time. From its ruined old cathedral to its concrete new, it is a city that carries medieval history and modern-day history makers. It’s the city where I spent my childhood and the city where I spend my working days again now. Landmarks from my former life collide with my current-day calling on a daily basis. It’s quite bizarre.

One of the phrases some people like to use is ‘sent to Coventry’. It certainly seems as if God has directed me here, after almost 20 years elsewhere, opening a series of doors for me to return. I am now working as Academy Leader at St. Marks Academy, a leadership and discipleship programme for young adults based at St. Marks Church – a church that was planted 6 years ago, reoccupying a discarded church building that emptied decades ago. Now, it’s full of worshippers each week, being called into a great commission to see people find faith, find freedom and for Coventry to flourish.

So I may have been sent to Coventry, but God has been speaking to me about what He’s doing here. Coventry isn’t a place people are sent to, it’s a place people are sent from! It’s not a prison town, but a freedom city, where the captives are released and become the ambassadors for a new Kingdom! In this time, an increasing number of mission organisations are relocating to Coventry for their central offices and operations. Why? Perhaps, could it be that Jesus is drawing together people who will be sent?

St. Marks Academy, which I lead with my boss Dr Rachel Atkinson, exists to send leaders out to lead and plant churches and new worshipping communities in our region and beyond. We want to invest in young adults who are exploring how to walk with Jesus and carry His Kingdom wherever they go. We are partnering with an increasing number of other local churches to provide ministry placements so students can learn as they practice ministering to Jesus and to others.

To find out more, watch this video where I explain more of the vision and how it works:

I am so grateful to so many of you who have supported my move to California and my ministry there. I received so much. I can never fully tell of all I gained while at Bethel, but among many other things, I gained experience in ministering to and mentoring leaders that has laid an invaluable foundation for the spiritual formation I do with our students at St. Marks Academy.

I would value your ongoing prayer as I adjust to a new place, for
⁃ friendships to be built here
⁃ us to be able to recruit new students to the Academy to fill our many placement opportunities
⁃ protection and focus in my walk with the Lord

And if you know any young adults who are exploring what’s next in life, and who love Jesus, direct them to stmarks.academy where they can find out about being equipped and being sent out, fully alive to God!