Website: www.calvarychapelmansfield.org.uk
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Email: [email protected]
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Missionary
I was brought up in the midlands of England in a mining community to atheist and agnostic parents. There was a nominal Christian influence in the British schools but I believed that there may be a God and no one knew him. As I entered my teen years a good friend had recently recommitted his life to the Lord and I found his explanations of creation and prophecy and the nature of a grace based gospel intriguing. I could not deny his changed life. I was saved a few months later, but spend my first year as a Christian walking in rebellion. I thank God for His grace even in my rebellion. Everywhere I went I had the opportunity to learn God’s word and worship. As I returned to Mansfield after traveling for University, I knew only a life serving Christ would be worth living. I had had enough carousing and I was ready to begin a walk submitted to His Lordship. I began serving in church any way that I could. I loved the teaching from my pastor, Bryce Heard, and I received more discipleship and opportunities to grow than I could have ever hoped for. My future wife Megan, a Californian, arrived in our church as part of her Bible College service. Megan and I found a love for each other and we desired to serve the Lord together. We just celebrated our 11th anniversary.
Megan now homeschools our children and serves in church. We have 3 young children: Stephanie (6.5) James (3) Leah (1). We like being outside, walking and traveling together.
Megan now homeschools our children and serves in church. We have 3 young children: Stephanie (6.5) James (3) Leah (1). We like being outside, walking and traveling together.
The People
Mansfield is a working class ex-mining community with higher than average child deprivation, lower than average annual income and lower than average adult further education rates. But hey, the house prices are low. This means that we do have many newcomers to town which opens up ministry to international people, new to the area. The community is pretty hard going in terms of reception of the Gospel. There are a lot of hard hearts and bitterness. It is also a tight knit community where friendship is the only way to witness. There isn’t really a thriving community spirit that is open to Christian influence. The mainline denominations are not growing with the next generation. Their congregations are aging and need a work of God’s Spirit to guide them to know what they can let go of (tradition and ceremony) and what they need to cling to (His Word and accessible worship). Churches seem to want to keep the tradition and ditch to Word. Not all, but many.
I feel this decade may hold great things for God’s kingdom in Mansfield. There are many younger pastors in Mansfield now. Our church is growing and the Lord is adding to His church.
I covet your prayers for personal growth in me and my family as we grow together and personal growth for those we influence and disciple. Please pray for the pupils, students and teachers in Mansfield.
I feel this decade may hold great things for God’s kingdom in Mansfield. There are many younger pastors in Mansfield now. Our church is growing and the Lord is adding to His church.
I covet your prayers for personal growth in me and my family as we grow together and personal growth for those we influence and disciple. Please pray for the pupils, students and teachers in Mansfield.
The Ministry
In Christ In Schools is a Christian Schools Education Charity which has a 35+ year history of working in the local area. We work alongside churches to bring Christian teaching and gospel presentation. We deliver assemblies on Bible characters or Biblical themes using props, tricks, skits, worship songs and puppets. These assemblies help schools fulfil their duty to touch on spiritual themes which is required by the National Curriculum in the UK. We also host after school clubs where we do crafts, games and teachings. In the past 5 years we have been inundated with requests for schools to deliver the “Walk Through The Bible” program. We currently deliver OT and NT bible teaching which comprises the whole Bible taught over 12 hours (1 period per week for 6 weeks). In a school term (3 terms per year) we reach over 3,000 pupils with assemblies, 60 kids through after school clubs teaching, we deliver 50 hours of “Walk Through the Bible” to over 200 pupils. We are 3 full time workers, a team of trustees, and a handful of volunteers.
I am currently Managing Director of the charity, responsible for day-to-day management and strategic direction of the charity. I’m involved in developing new material to teach in schools and developing content for clubs and assemblies. I develop strategy and liaise with churches, schools, workers and school chaplains to see what doors the Lord may open for us to get into new schools and reach more kids as well as seeking funding and taking care of contracts with our partner organizations.
The Lord has opened the door for me to use my experience in secondary schools (age 11-18) to fulfill the role of school Chaplain. In the last few weeks of 2019 we saw answer to prayer as I gained more time employed in one secondary school and was invited to be Chaplain in another school in the East Midlands. These 2 new ventures alone mean that I have opportunity to reach over 1500 students who are British, Eastern European and also many from Muslim families with the good news about Jesus
I am currently Managing Director of the charity, responsible for day-to-day management and strategic direction of the charity. I’m involved in developing new material to teach in schools and developing content for clubs and assemblies. I develop strategy and liaise with churches, schools, workers and school chaplains to see what doors the Lord may open for us to get into new schools and reach more kids as well as seeking funding and taking care of contracts with our partner organizations.
The Lord has opened the door for me to use my experience in secondary schools (age 11-18) to fulfill the role of school Chaplain. In the last few weeks of 2019 we saw answer to prayer as I gained more time employed in one secondary school and was invited to be Chaplain in another school in the East Midlands. These 2 new ventures alone mean that I have opportunity to reach over 1500 students who are British, Eastern European and also many from Muslim families with the good news about Jesus