Aaron Thomas is part of the CARE Leadership Programme in England.
When did you trust Christ?
It was towards the end of my first year at university, during a really difficult period in my life. I had tried everything I could think of to deal with the darkness I was consumed by, but nothing worked. One night, I went along to a youth group, and someone shared their testimony. As they spoke, it felt as though God was speaking directly to me through their story. At the end, they said they felt that message was for someone there that night, and I just knew it was me. In that moment, I raised my hands, they came to pray for me, and I gave my life to Christ and burst into tears. For the first time in my life, I was overcome by a deep sense of peace and God’s love. That was when I first truly chose to trust and follow Jesus for myself.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
There have been several defining moments in my Christian walk. One of the earliest came during my first year at university, when I faced a number of personal and family crises while also preparing for examinations that determined whether I could continue into the next year. That season forced me to learn what it truly means to trust God and bring my burdens and anxieties to Him rather than trying to carry them myself. A second defining moment came more recently through a very traumatic series of events in which we almost lost my dad. I happened to be working from home that day and had to manage the situation as everything unfolded. In that moment, I experienced God guiding me and giving me peace and strength I did not know I could have. God has also been shaping my faith through decisions about my career and through challenges within the Parliamentary workplace, where I have had to learn to listen more carefully for His voice and allow Him to shape my character as I grow into the new identity I have in Christ.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
First, I am eager to meet others who, like me, feel called to serve God in the public square. I hope to learn from their experiences of living out that calling in different contexts across Europe. My hope is not only to learn from these conversations but also to build relationships and connections that could support and strengthen my public ministry in the years ahead. I’m also really looking forward to the teaching, both in areas directly relevant to my current work and for my wider spiritual formation. I’ve seen that many of the workshops and speakers will be addressing issues I am currently working through. I expect the teaching to deepen my understanding of God’s Word and strengthen my ability to apply it faithfully to my present responsibilities and to any future work God may call me to.
What is your ministry?
I am currently part of the CARE Leadership Programme, which aims to equip and prepare young adults to serve and lead in the public square, particularly in politics and government. As part of the programme, I undertake a placement in the office of Katie Lam MP from Monday to Thursday each week. Through this role, I am able to live out and share my faith in a political environment, which in turn contributes to local and national public life.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
I have held two formal leadership roles. One was through my work with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust Youth Ambassador Programme. As part of this role, I co-led the Youth Board’s National Memorial Day project for 2025 and coordinated a public memorial event, securing both a venue and a prominent speaker. This required planning, teamwork, and public engagement, which I coordinated on my own. I have also held a leadership role within Christian ministry. For several years, I served as a team leader in the Tree-Tastic children’s ministry, helping run holiday camps and year-round activities for children from diverse backgrounds, including those with additional needs. This involved organising activities, supporting volunteers, and helping create a safe and welcoming environment for the children.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
Investing in my training is ultimately an investment in Christian witness within areas of society where faithful leadership is greatly needed. Politics and public life shape a nation's moral and cultural direction, and there is a real need for Christians who are both spiritually grounded and professionally equipped to serve in these areas. It is also an opportunity to support the development of Christian leadership at a formative stage. As someone early in my career, the training and mentorship I receive now will help shape the kind of leader I become in the years ahead. My hope is not only to serve faithfully in the opportunities God gives me, but also to encourage and support other Christians who feel called to public life, so that this investment will multiply far beyond my own role.
