I am excited and very grateful to be joining the St Mary’s staff team as the new Minister for Biblical Counselling.
Although this is a new role, biblical counselling isn’t new to me or to St Mary’s. I’ve been serving here in this ministry for the past five years, initially through the BCUK intern scheme which I started on completion of the three year certificate course with BCUK (Biblical Counselling UK).
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting one-to-one with people through all kinds of struggles, as well as running topical seminars on anxiety, relationships, neurodivergence etc. Alongside this practical ministry, I’ve continued to develop my training and experience as a biblical counsellor.
Biblical counselling, put simply, is ‘bringing the riches of Scripture to the troubles of life’. It is the face-to-face ministry of God’s word, helping us to understand our struggles, our hearts and our circumstances in the light of who God is and what he has done for us in Christ.
And this is what I love about it. I love hearing people’s stories. I love sitting with people in the midst of whatever they are facing, whether something feels big or small, and helping them to see their lives and struggles through the lens of Scripture. I love discovering together how the gospel speaks into the particular details of our lives and points us towards Christ.
I look forward to continuing to meet with people one-to-one, hosting more topical seminars that will be helpful for people and doing what I can to develop a culture of caring for one another in the St Mary’s church family.
I’m very thankful to God for the opportunity to serve in this way, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the Lord uses this ministry to bring hope and help, through the truth of his word, to the people of St Mary’s.