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Reflecting on my own time working in tax and a recent assignment
on evangelism, I am convinced that everyday interaction between
Christians and non-Christians is where the gospel can be most
powerfully proclaimed and displayed outside of Sunday gatherings.
College is also equipping me with a broader practical experience of
ministry. I was placed at Woodford Evangelical Church for the year,
which showed me life in a smaller church in a more working class
context than my sending church. I had opportunities to preach three
times, lead a service and do an all age talk, all with positive feedback. I
also helped with a mission week at Kingham Hill School, which included
giving an evangelistic talk and answering pupil’s questions about
Christianity.
Over the summer, I completed a week’s intensive placement in a hospital
chaplaincy, which significantly increased my confidence in engaging
with suffering people, Christian or otherwise. I also spent two weeks on
placement at a New Frontiers church, to get a better understanding
of what charismatic churches believe and how they do ministry. I very
much enjoyed the placement and warmed to the church, which among
other things demonstrated how social action can be combined effectively
with evangelism in order to bless the local community and draw people
to Christ. I now feel much better placed to engage with charismatic
churches in the future and work alongside them where possible.
Finally, I visited Uganda Martyrs Seminary near Kampala in June as part
of a team from Oak Hill, running a conference on preaching. This was an
opportunity to develop my own preaching skills and learn from brothers
and sisters ministering in some very difficult circumstances. It was an
incredibly encouraging and enriching time, not least in showing me
where some of my own convictions were shaped more by my immediate
Western cultural context than by scripture. It has also motivated me
to further investigate whether I could be usefully involved with Pastor
Training International or another similar organisation in the future,
alongside UK based ministry.
I have now embarked on my second year of studies. After college I still
hope to find an assistant pastor position and I am still keen to head
outside the South-East of England, to where there are fewer evangelical
churches – possibly to Wolverhampton, Shropshire or Cornwall which
are the places I have closest ties with.”
You can support even more upcoming preachers like Phil by donating to
our Winter appeal which can be found overleaf.
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