Deacons: Their stories
Those being ordained for Christian leadership are not
‘perfect’ or
‘superhuman’. They are ordinary people who have
said ‘Yes’ to God’s
call and are seeking to live their lives in the light of His
forgiveness, love and purpose in Jesus Christ. For them to say Yes has
meant a call to ordained leadership, which the Church has affirmed in a
process of prayerful discernment, selection and training. Let
these
stories of ordinary Christ Followers, who want to make a difference for
God in the world, speak to you today.
See also:
Licenced Lay Ministers stories >>
Priests stories >>
Ordained Deacon 2008: |
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| Arthur Woo (Ordained Deacon 2008, Ordained Priest 2009) By nature, I look to the future to find energy and inspiration from the wonderful possibilities that lie ahead. Yet my calling to ordained ministry is only visible by looking at my past. When I moved to Bristol 10 years ago, my plan was to worship in a hip-hop charismatic city centre church, not the Church of England. It took several failed attempts to realize my own plans before I resigned myself to the local Anglican Church. Yet it was there that I realized the greatest blessings of my life, including a wonderful wife, exciting ministries, an awakening of love for studying the Word, and an appreciation for the amazing diversity in worship and spirituality. Even now, as I become ordained, I look forward with a mixture of excitement and trepidation at the enormity of the task. My comfort and inspiration, however, still comes from recalling my shared story of God’s faithfulness and blessing upon his chosen people. |
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| Philip
Ashby (Ordained Deacon 2008, Ordained Priest 2009) I was confirmed, as an adult, on the 5th July 1983, and now some 25 years later I will be ordained as a Deacon. Twenty five years ago I could never have imagined that my Christian journey would bring me to where I am now. During that time, I have moved house a number of times, been a member of more than seven different churches and, in doing so, experienced and enjoyed a wide variety of styles of worship. I want to thank all those people who over the years have challenged and encouraged me in my journey of faith and particularly those who in more recent times played a part in helping to confirm God's call to me to serve Him. I am looking forward to the adventures that lie ahead and thank God that Judy and I can share His call together. |
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| Evelyn Bone (Ordained Deacon 2008, Ordained Priest 2009) Brought up by Christian parents, I have always been aware of God’s presence in my life although I never imagined being called to ordination. This has come through God leading me on a long and gentle journey worshipping with many different Christian communities from a Catholic secondary school, an interdenominational church, and a Methodist congregation before returning to my rural Anglican roots when we moved to Wiltshire. It was from this congregation that I was sponsored to experience a Tres Dias retreat weekend which led me to explore how God was calling me to use my time as a retired teacher. The preparation for ordination via Lay Ministry has been a challenging but exciting road which I could not have completed without my husband, Graham’s unstinting support as well as the continual encouragement of the Draycot Benefice Ministry team and congregations which I now look forward to serving. |
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| Simon Dunn (Ordained Deacon 2008, Ordained Priest 2009) Most other people could see it before me. Ordination could not have been further from my mind when we arrived in Bristol. God really does know best… and he even talks through your spouse! God has plans for all of our lives if only we let him in. We have found that when we set aside our plans, when we let His will be done in our lives, amazing things happen. He not only guides but nurtures, comforts and provides for our needs. Today’s ordination is, for me, one more step on this roller-coaster ride we call life. Yet this is part of a journey for four and not for one, with three family members attached. Ann, Nathan, Lucy and I look forward to sharing, exploring, laughing, crying and growing with those we are called to serve in Bradley Stoke. Above all else, let’s give God the glory |
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Sarah Evans (Ordained Deacon 2008, Ordained Priest 2009) I had always believed that people are called to ministry, but had never considered that it might happen to me. All that changed in 2003, when I was ‘zapped’ during a Vocations Sunday sermon at Stanton St. Quintin. Ever since, I have been gently but persistently tugged in the direction of ordination. During my training at STETS, I have come to realise that God calls you because of who you are, not in spite of it, and that he draws on all your life experiences – it appears even a career in business analysis can be recycled for his purposes! Many people have been part of my journey, especially the congregations at Stanton and Easton Christian Family Centre, and I am so grateful for the unstinting, loving support of Nigel, Benjamin and Sebastian. I am looking forward immensely to serving the Gauzebrook parishes in the next phase of the adventure. |
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Hannah Fairall It makes me laugh that seven years ago I marched into a careers office and declared that I needed advice in finding a job where I could use my theology degree without involving the Church! I was a bit of a black sheep at the University Christian Union - always asking questions and my faith felt wobbly. Since then, I have felt excited and blown-away by God's loving voice steering me towards ordained ministry and inviting me to take a risk in following him on this path. I have lots to learn but have felt hugely supported by friends and family who have made this part of the journey with me. I can't quite believe I am getting ordained and married this week! I look forward to adventuring into joint ministry with Olly when he completes his training and pray that we will help bring to others the 'fullness of life' Christ promises. Until then, I look forward to serving my diaconate year in the parish of Henbury. |
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Cathrine Gardiner (Ordained Deacon 2008, Ordained Priest 2009) When I first felt God was calling me to ordained leadership, I determined that I would never, ever, tell anyone. However, when I could no longer hold it back I plucked up courage to tell a friend thinking she would say I was mad – but she didn’t! I tried to tell God that since I had no academic background I wouldn’t be able to do the training. I embarked on a theology course to prove it - but there was no problem with my academic abilities! I went to selection conference, by this time convinced of my calling, but praying that if ordination wasn’t God’s will for me, the door would be very firmly closed - but it wasn’t! Three years on, certain of my ‘madness’ but feeling more alive than ever before, I am about to be ordained deacon, excited and scared, but trusting that the God who called me will equip me and my family for the task ahead. |
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Adrian Green After school I served in the Royal Navy for eight years before leaving and taking up several roles in the Pharmaceutical Industry. Over time I came to realise that the gifts that God had given me could be used to equip others for his service and so began a period of discernment that lasted two years, culminating in being selected for ordination training at Trinity College. I was called a mongrel at my selection conference because I am not a pure Anglican, having been in several denominations before ending up in the Church of England. God certainly has a sense of humour as he is now taking my family and me to East Belfast and the Church of Ireland for the next part of the adventure that is being his disciple. My prayer is that God will work through me to further the advancement of his kingdom rule here on earth. |
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Elizabeth Kesteven (Ordained Deacon 2008, Ordained Priest 2009) Seven years ago I was sent to see the Archdeacon, Tim McClure who was covering for the DDO interregnum. I walked in a bold and brazen 22 year old, thinking I knew a considerable amount about the church and what it needed. I walked out humbled about how little I could express what it meant to be a Christian, let alone a priest. That meeting was my “Damascus” moment. The last seven years have been a journey of re-learning, of sorting the wheat from the chaff; at times a joyous road to travel and yet at other moments a painful process. I could not have walked it alone and it is testimony to the unconditional and enduring love and support of my friends, and family (especially Simon) not to mention the grace of God that I stand before you today. We are delighted to come back to the Bristol diocese to serve at St Stephens and to be part of a team that will bring the gospel message of faith, hope and love to a city which seeks to understand the abundant life that God freely offers us all. |
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