Faith has completely transformed me. I’m not the same person I was seven years ago. I used to be content staying in the background, but now I’m driven to reach those on the edges, I can tell you exactly when the moment was for me that the penny dropped following the encouragement to ask Jesus into my heart; it was five o’clock on Christmas Eve morning! I felt that God was speaking to me, nudging me to do more and be more. We were just embarking on Transforming Wigan at the time, which was a period of reflection on what we were doing as a church and more importantly, what we weren’t. I started drawing these spider diagrams to reflect on this. I still have them now, and looking back I can see the things that we were not doing has been the area of most growth now.
Driven by my new-found focus, I started to become more involved. My heart is to help those out on the fringes. People like my son, who is autistic; he was at home and suffering from a mental illness, how do I get him to understand that God loves him and he doesn’t have to keep worrying about whether he’s forgiven or not? I became a Local Missional Leader and initiated various community projects. My motivation was to look at how we reach people and get them to know Jesus without them coming in on a Sunday morning. Firstly, I set up a dementia café and then a choir and saw the transformative power of the Holy Spirit at work bringing hope and support to marginalized individuals. I set up Tom’s Pantry, the first of seven, to support those in need while also providing opportunities for prayer and connection. Our Saturday pantry sessions, alongside the faith café, have become a hub for meaningful conversations and support.
I’ve long felt a calling to deeper ministry involvement. After serving as a local missional leader, I realised I was ready for more. The role of Distinctive Deacon resonated with me, aligning with my strengths and experiences. Despite initial self doubts, I felt compelled to pursue it. God has never let me go down the wrong path before. I trust him. After discussing applying for the role with others, I had their total support and encouragement.
Exploring this role has been a journey of discovery, affirming its suitability for me as I delve deeper into its responsibilities. What I find most fulfilling is the opportunity to follow where my heart leads, particularly in reaching out to the lonely and marginalized, aiming to bring them into a closer relationship with Jesus.
The advice I would give to anyone considering their calling is to trust in God above all else. Ignore the doubts and focus on where you feel led. Remember to keep Jesus central to everything. And seek support from those who share your vision and passion.
Despite some challenges, such as an initial sense of isolation and a need for support, God has once again provided, through the community that has rallied around these initiatives. While I’ve had to step back from certain responsibilities, such as the Saturday cafe, to focus on broader goals, exciting prospects continue to present themselves like a potential well-being garden on an unused plot of land, serving as a testament to the power of vision and encouragement in driving positive change.
