Mary Comont is a leader in England, passionate about serving others in a biblical way.
When did you trust Christ?
I was raised in a Christian home, and I can't remember a time before I believed that God existed, made me, and loved me. However, it was as a teenager that I came to hear and understand the Gospel of Jesus. Eventually, there came a moment when I felt that I truly understood that I was sinful, that I needed Jesus' sacrifice on the cross to take away my deserved punishment, make me righteous before God, and have a relationship with Him.
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
As a teenager, I was part of a church where I was taught faithfully from the Bible. This was significant in shaping my realisation that the call to follow Jesus is one that encompasses everything. After university, I arrived back home experiencing doubts following a death in my family. I knew that I would only reconcile my doubts in the Bible. I found a new church that cared for me and allowed me to ask big questions which shaped my belief in the importance of discipleship and time in God's Word. More recently, I reached a low point in a personal struggle. Through God's kindness, I received the help I needed and my approach to personal Bible study was reignited.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I would like to learn from others and create connections with other leaders for ongoing support and encouragement. I know of very few people working in a similar role to me, and I have not had the kind of theological input that I feel I need in my work. The opportunity to share struggles, connect with others, be stretched, and learn in a tight knit relational group would be of huge benefit. I would also relish the opportunity to receive biblical teaching.
What is your ministry?
As Director of People at Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF), I have the privilege of shaping how we work so that all of our people might pursue our mission to make disciples of Christ amongst students with confidence and joy. The intersection of care for our people, meeting our charitable obligations, and navigating the line between being a ministry and a workplace is something that requires deep thought and prayer.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
My previous role was as Head of HR in an international mission agency. Over a period of five years, I developed greater responsibility and influence. Early in my career, I served as a trustee for a charity for eight years, and more recently, I became a trustee for Wycliffe Bible Translators. I would say that in a work context, my current and previous positions were clear leadership roles, but other roles have also had a leadership component whether through influence, responsibilities, or opportunities.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
I hope that investing in my leadership will have a big impact within UCCF and beyond in the way we participate with other ministries. As one of four national directors—the only woman director and the only director with formal theological training—I am eager to bring my expertise with confidence and biblical understanding. I am hungry to learn and serve others better and believe deeply that seeking to do this alone will not be sufficient.
