John is the pastor of a church in South Wales.
When did you trust Christ?
I was raised as a believer and would always have said that I was a Christian. However, I lacked assurance and regarded living for Christ as an obstacle to really enjoying life. I wanted as little of Christ as was necessary to get to heaven, so I did not love him.
In 1997, at age 19, I became challenged about my sinful and hypocritical behaviour. I felt this severely and cried out for forgiveness. This resulted in an amazing experience of God's grace for me as a sinner. For the first time, I loved God.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
Serving in the Christian Union at Exeter offered the opportunity to share fellowship with Charismatics and Anglicans who were far more godly than I. I came from a fairly narrow Reformed church background, so this was both a shock and a great joy!
Working as an apprentice with Daf Meirion-Jones was formational. His discipleship, example, and friendship gave me an observable example of the Scriptures. This has shaped the way I view ministry, family, and the Christian life.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
Based on feedback from past attendees, I expect it to provide encouragement, guidance, and specialised networking for discipling addicts.
What is your ministry?
I am the sole minister in Grace Church, a small (about 40 people) independent church in a deprived, post-industrial town in Bridgend, South Wales, United Kingdom. I lead several school assemblies each week and am a governor for two schools. Additionally, I am a part-time hospital chaplain and preach regularly in the open air. I am working to develop a residential model to disciple and provide employment for people from deprived backgrounds, particularly those who are homeless or suffer from addiction.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
Leadership roles have included, Exeter Christian Union evangelism secretary and president; leading fellowship apprentice for Saint Leonard's Church providing children and student ministry; reading the Bible 1:1 with students and active with youth summer camps; Freeschool Court Church, Bridgend, Assistant Pastor (2007-2010); and Grace Church, Bridgend, Pastor (2010-present).
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
My family includes my wife, Katherine, and six girls from 3 to 14 years old. In partnership with the church, we want to develop a Christian retirement home encompassing our goal of employing recovering addicts and mentoring the residential population. This is an expression of the Benedict Option or the Cave of Andullum. Our focus in this model is bringing unwanted society into David's mighty men. God uses the despised people of the world to show His glory, and my belief is the elderly and addicted are the tools we need to promote that glory.
