Adam Thomas is a pastor at Litchard Mission Church in Wales.
When did you trust Christ?
During my first few weeks at university, I met a Christian in the same halls of residence who explained the Gospel to me. We had a number of conversations, and I was initially resistant. I didn't like the idea of being a "sinner", but I was intrigued by the relationship with God that they described. One afternoon, the Lord opened my eyes to see the truth of what had been shared with me. I responded in prayer and began following Jesus. I was baptised the following year.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
After coming to know Jesus, I was part of a large student church where I attended formal meetings and had conversations with other students. My wife and I worked with Wycliffe Bible Translators in an administrative capacity. We were also part of a small church that had multiple nationalities. This gave me a wider vision of what God is doing in the world and the joy of being part of a multilingual, multiethnic community. At the same time, I became involved in teaching Bible studies and then preaching. I felt the Lord calling me to pastoral ministry, and the church sent me to study at Bible college. After leaving Bible college, and a year into my first pastorate, I had two major operations which led to a period of deep depression. I grew to rely more on the Lord, appreciating more of the sympathetic priestly ministry of Jesus, experiencing the Lord's comfort, learning how to comfort others, and also experiencing a growing longing for the New Heaven and the New Earth.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I anticipate finding encouragement in being part of a large gathering of leaders from different contexts, refreshing me with the wider vision of what God is doing. I hope to be blessed by interactions with other leaders facing similar challenges and opportunities and for these conversations to be a mutual source of encouragement. I look forward to receiving input from experienced leaders, helping me continue to grow as a pastor, preacher and evangelist.
What is your ministry?
I am a full-time pastor for a church in a large Welsh town, with a church membership of around 50 people. I also lead assemblies and lessons in the local primary school and services in the local prison.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
My current leadership role is my first leadership role.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
Without a scholarship, I am not able to afford to attend the Forum. Only about 1.5% of the people in our town of 60,000 attend a Bible-believing church. I know I need continued equipping and encouragement to serve this area well. It is exciting to see what the Lord is doing here, and I want to prepare for what the coming years will bring. I am confident the Forum will help me to continue to grow as a leader.
