My Story

In August of last year I was unsure about where I was to go. I wanted to pray about it and was lead to Matthew’s gospel where Jesus says “whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” - so in obedience I decided to spend a year called Intentional Discipleship in which I would serve the church and study theology. Denying myself meant leaving family and home, and the comforts I had found in the financial security of a job, friendship and football - but I knew if I was to take seriously the call of Christ, then I was going to give everything to it.

What I’ve been up to

As part of my ID year I have come to City Church Canterbury to be a part of the church family and serve here. 4 days of my week is spent investing in students with our student ministry. I am lucky enough to build relationship with and disciple 6 young men who are students at our church. Meet-ups can range from getting coffee in town to opening the bible in my flat to “man walks” in the country. I am also blessed to spend time with Matt Spocchia (Spocc) who disciples me. The opportunity to study the word, keep each other accountable, grow in holiness and do life with these guys has been a blessing. Every Wednesday morning I lead a group of Christian students who are athletes at the Universities here. We get together bright and early at wetherspoons for breakfast, where I lead a study in which we explore how the Bible instructs us to reach our world of sport for Christ.

Finally every Sunday we will either have a student lunch in which all the students gather after church for a meal, or we will have our Student night in the evening called Pursuit. This is all focused on us pursuing the person of God. At Pursuit we start with a café and an opportunity for fellowship before we worship and someone shares from Gods word. As part of the ID year we have an opportunity to study Theology. One of the ways we do this is during our ID weeks away in which we have 5 days of study on different topics and areas of theology lead by leaders and teachers from around New Frontiers and Relational Mission. The weeks away have been fun, thought provoking and challenging. We are also given time weekly to do our own personal study using the Study Programme prepared for us.

The Fruit

I have so enjoyed studying theology this year and serving City Church Canterbury. Some highlights have been seeing growth and maturity in some of the young men I meet with. Baptising one of them. Having the opportunity to preach to the UKC Christian Union and the ID Centre Parcs week away. This year has been a year in which I have had to learn a lot about patience, and relying on the Lord. Through my time spent with Spocc I have found I have been able to ask the question what are you teaching me through this Lord? Instead of where are you in this Lord? Though there have been some challenging moments met with frustration at times I know the Lord is doing a good work in me. Furthermore I have been able to grow in understanding of the word, in ministry skills and ultimately grow deeper in my relationship with Jesus as a result. For all the exciting things God has done and is continuing to do there have also been some challenges. Financial security is something I sacrificed this year, as it is an unpaid discipleship; for all the training and study I need to pay a fee of £1350 for the ID year. This money goes to ID to cover the weeks away, the study programme and all the work put in to make this year as fruitful as possible.

Would you please prayerfully consider …whether you could support me for this year. You can do this through prayer or provision or both.

Prayer - Please pray that I can continue to grow in sanctification and ministry skills so that I can be effective by His grace for His Kingdom. Please also pray for financial provision so that I can pay for the year.

Provision – Anything you can give toward the £1350 for year would be incredibly helpful and appreciated.

God bless

Joshua Glover