Norfolk ID Students are Going West
Bath is a city in the West of England, named for its Roman-built baths.
Christ Community Church in Attleborough has a history of encouraging and supporting young adults to participate in Relational Mission's Intentional Discipleship (ID) programme.
ID is a year-long church internship designed to help students walk with Jesus into the adventures He has planned for them. Students are immersed in the life and mission of a local church, serving in a wide variety of ministries while being lovingly discipled.
Introducing Lillia and Johnny
Lillia and Johnny have known for a while that they would set aside the following year to join the ID programme. They have seen the impact on previous students and are keen to serve God and see where He leads them in the future.
City with a view: Johnny (left) and Lillia (centre) have joined the Beardons on several prayer weekends in Bath
Lillia has just finished her A-levels. She enjoys ballroom dancing (the foxtrot is her favourite) and baking (she makes a great cheesecake) and recently, she has been working as a carer for a young girl with special needs. While she likes to have a plan, Lillia’s willing to let God change it.
Johnny has completed an apprenticeship in a special needs school. He's an artist who also likes motorbikes and cars. Currently, he is exploring the art of tattooing.
From Newday to New Beginnings: Lillia and Johnny's Journey with the Go West Initiative
Last summer, Lillia and Johnny went to Newday, a huge Christian festival for young people aged 12-18. While there, they began making plans to join ID. They expected to serve their church in Attleborough but found themselves drawn to the Go West Initiative - was God leading them somewhere new?
An aside: Just in case you haven’t heard, Relational Mission is beginning a new church-planting movement in the west of the UK. A team, led by Jon and Nicky Beardon, is moving to Bath this summer to plant River Church.
Following Newday, and after more prayer and conversation, Lillia & Johnny were the first to join Jon and Nicky on the Go West team, which has grown to fourteen adults and four children. There have already been some great trips to Bath, praying and investing in these new team relationships.
Laying foundations in prayer: Many have been joining the team to pray ahead of the move at regular prayer weekends and online meetings
A Year of Service and Growth with River Church
Lillia and Johnny's ID year will be varied. They will work alongside the River Church planting team and reach out to the local community. They’ll also spend two days each week in Cardiff serving a local church family who are friends of Relational Mission.
They are both excited about the year ahead and the great opportunities that await, and want to learn from their leaders, grow in their faith, and gain confidence in sharing it with others. It is clear that they both want to find God's way and walk in it.
Supporting the Go West Team
Please pray for all the ID students and the Go West Team as they begin serving, growing, and building together.
Consider going: Perhaps the Go West Initiative has stirred something in your heart? Perhaps you also want to help re-evangelise this part of the UK and see a new church planting wave spring up across the West of England and beyond! If so, find out more here and contact Jon to explore what God is stirring in you.