Contrary to my current beliefs, I used to be very anti God and used to criticise the ‘God Squad’, as I called them! I initially dismissed faith and thought of Christianity merely as a made religion based on a made-up story . The turning point came when my Nan, a Christian, passed away in January 2021. Towards the end of 2021, my Mum and Dad decided to marry. Despite my scepticism, my curiosity led me to attend the service at All Saints Church, Speke, where my parent’s banns of marriage were to be published. I expected church to be what I think most young people expect, an organ playing music, an old monotone man at the front and everyone being told to beg for forgiveness because the world is terrible, and God is furious. What I experienced was quite different. There were children running around, the songs were quite upbeat and had actions and the sermon was about God being forgiving and loving, not furious. I continued attending services and started to engage in courses to ask questions and explore more about the Christian faith.

The transition from scepticism to faith was gradual, and there wasn’t a Paul on the road to Damascus moment, as much as that would’ve been easier. The initial courses I attended challenged my preconceptions, and importantly gave me a space to ask questions, even ones I thought were silly. Over time, my questions were answered, and things began to make sense and I started to really feel the tangible presence of God in my life. After I left sixth form, I began to work full time at a restaurant, a customer’s unexpected prediction that I would become a priest caught me off guard. Despite my attempts to resist the idea, some of the congregation at church started asking when I would start training as a vicar, forcing me to confront the idea that maybe God is calling me, and is using the church as His voice. 

The turning point in my faith occurred when I started to reflect on challenging times and recognised the presence of God throughout. I don’t know where I’d be without my faith now. It has made sense of things in my life. Witnessing the impact of my Nan’s faith during her illness fuelled my desire to be with people in their moments of joy and sorrow. Although I initially regretted not embracing faith earlier, I realised that my journey unfolded as it was meant to, guiding me to faith after my Nan’s passing. Now, my faith shapes my purpose, providing strength and meaning to my life.

I gradually started getting more involved in the life of the church at Speke volunteering in different capacities in the time around my job. I was asked to help with getting the Sunday School restarted and discovered I enjoyed doing that. I just really enjoyed being around people! I also got involved with the new worship band that started up and volunteered with the Food Pantry and put my name down on the reading and prayers rota. To my surprise in all of this, I have ended up being part of the ‘God Squad’ and being one of those people who talk about God! I started exploring where I wanted my faith to take me by taking part in the Directions Course organised by the LifeCall team. 

I was encouraged to go on the Directions Course by the church leaders. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect but I love learning and a chance to meet new people so I thought I would give it a go. If anything, I’d get a nice cup of tea and a biscuit out of it! 

One of the other participants asked me if I had thought of what I wanted to do, I told her I wasn’t sure. She told me about the Ministry Experience Scheme designed for younger people like me. I did my own research – a bit of Googling and I spoke to the leaders back at my church who told me specifically about the Tsedaqah community and what that was about, and it seemed like a really good opportunity and felt like the ‘right’ thing to do and that this was where God was calling me to, so I applied. Now here I am!

I mostly enjoy being with people at all ages and all stages. I love the kids work that I do, answering questions about God and faith (even when they are very random), not always knowing the answers but then exploring that together. I like talking to the other few in church around my age about faith and the difficulties that sometimes come with that being a young adult, and I love spending time with the older congregation especially given that some don’t have anyone outside of church to talk to. I also love being able to play music with others in the church and also have the opportunity to have a go at new things with the support of my supervisor. The thing I enjoy most however, is being with people where they are at and helping to make known God’s love for them. 

There are highs and lows with everything. It can sometimes be really busy with lots of different things to do and manage. Also, in your role, the congregation that you are with can sometimes think that you are training to be a vicar and so they expect you to know all the answers so sometimes you can feel out of your depth. Seeing people who have literally nothing and the feeling of powerlessness that can come with that can be difficult. However, there is plenty of support for this and always someone you can ask. And the highs are much higher. The feeling of ‘rightness’ that I have in my role right now is unlike any other feeling. Serving others, laughing and smiling with others, sharing in their difficulties and sadness is living out the Gospel and being part of a church trying to see God’s kingdom here on Earth and to know that God is there with you, what could be better?

I work with the food pantry at St Aidan’s Church. I am part of the worship band that lead our Sunday service worship. I help to lead the Sunday School provision. I have also had the experience of going on a funeral visit and learning about the process from first meeting with the family of the deceased through to their funeral. I get to take part in bible studies and be a part of the general day-to-day goings on around the parish.