Introducing the Jubilee Team: Wendy
In recent times various people have joined the Jubilee team. During the next few months we will introduce you to Tom as the new Worship & Youth Pastor, to Paul as our newest Elder, and today to Wendy who has taken over leadership of the children’s work. Here she is in her own words.
Hello there! So I’ve been asked to write a little bit about myself and my heart for kids work. I’ve got a maximum of 500 words, and bearing in mind that I’ve been alive and kicking now for nearly fifty years this will be no mean feat! Here goes…
God in his kindness allowed me and my sister to be born to parents who loved us very much, and for that I’m extremely grateful. Mum and dad were not believers however and so we had no real experience of true Christianity. Interestingly though even as a very young child I always had a very real sense of the presence of God.
My Journey
My journey into discovering Jesus began when as a primary aged child I started attending a church kids club at the end of our road. It was there that I learnt about Jesus. After one of the kids talks I’d heard I asked one of the leaders to help me give my life to Jesus, which he did. I’m forever indebted to that man who over the years served the children’s work and that church.
In my teenage years I wasn’t perfect, but I couldn’t get away from a deep conviction that God was real and, despite all my failings, I had a real desire to love, serve and tell others about him. At one point after reading a number of autobiographies about individuals who had served God overseas I was convinced I would end up in the middle of the jungle somewhere preaching to unreached people groups! As a result in my early twenties after training as a teacher I used to spend my summer holidays travelling the world on a number of ‘missionary trips!’ I have had some crazy adventures I can tell you!
In my heart though I have always had a special place for kids, I love their sense of fun, adventure and simplicity. From my experience children are always real and genuine. With kids there’s no pretence! I love that!
Working with children
As well as this, I honestly believe God has called me to lead children to Jesus and to help them know him more. I have been involved in numerous kids events, including the 9 year olds at Stoneleigh Bible Week, where incidentally I met my lovely husband Trev!
I’m so excited about what God is doing with our Jubilee Kids, they are an amazing bunch who I truly believe in their own God-given way will go on to change our world! I’m also excited about the possibility of reaching out to other children, who at this present time have no understanding of a God who loves them.
I am so thankful that all those year ago a little church decided to reach out to the kids in my community. As a result I have always known the Fathers hand of love, compassion and guidance. Let’s invest in our children and let’s pray that they go on to fulfil all that God has for them!
‘Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their lives.’ Proverbs 22v6
Thank you so much Wendy. We are all excited to see the spiritual growth of the kids at Jubilee.
