Do you have ideas for mission in your community? Would you like to explore how your community can flourish in God鈥檚 love? If so, why not come and be part of the Newbigin Pioneering Hub to see if your hopes can be realised.
The Newbigin Hub, hosted by Seedbeds at Lodge Road in Birmingham, is a joint venture between The United Reformed Church (国产无码) and the Congregational Federation and Church Mission Society which offers training in pioneer ministry.
Soobie Whitfield attended the Hub as part of the 2022-2023 cohort and obtained a Certificate in Pioneering Mission.
Soobie explains their experience:~
鈥淏efore commencing the pioneer course I was working in community聽arts, supply teaching and volunteering in my local community.
鈥淚 live in Birmingham, in a community house on the Firs and Bromford Estate, a welcoming but forgotten outer city estate. The community house is owned by Hodge Hill Church,聽where I now worship.
鈥淲hen asked if I would like to attend the new CMS Pioneer course in Birmingham, I was apprehensive. I didn鈥檛 see myself as a pioneer.
鈥淏ut over the next twelve months, my anxiety melted away as I was spiritually stimulated and refreshed by the course leaders and the diverse experience of my fellow pioneer trainees.
鈥淏eing already involved in my local community helped establish聽relationships which we are building on as we move forward with pioneering activities.聽For example, the community house has a garden, but it was dominated by an old, derelict garage. Alongside local community groups, I planned a project called 鈥淕reen Room鈥� 鈥� an outdoor space where neighbours can enjoy a bit of greenery, socialise, play, be creative, sit and share stories or just take time out.
鈥淭he garage has now gone, a new fence and gate have been built, and a sensory garden is planned. I continue to be actively involved in the local community here and have started to redevelop a local expression of church, FAB (Firs and Bromford) church with lifelong local resident and fellow pioneer Clare Maclean. FAB church is聽a friendly, inclusive group of neighbours living on the Firs and Bromford Estate who regularly meet together on the first Sunday of every month to share food and explore spirituality, biblical and faith stories in creative ways.
鈥淲e recently spent an afternoon pruning and weeding the overgrown planters and engaging in conversation with neighbours.
鈥淚 noticed that through local conversations and workshops, creation and creativity were having a positive impact on people鈥檚 mental health. A new mental health project on the estate is now keen to link in with us. Hopefully by next spring we will be ready to open the garden and welcome our neighbours in to find refreshment, inspiration, and spiritual nourishment.
鈥淚鈥檓 really glad I did the course, the support I received was amazing and I would encourage others thinking about gaining the certification in pioneering ministry to just go for it.鈥�
Applications for the Certificate in Pioneering Mission are now open. You also have the option to apply for 国产无码 Assembly Accreditation for Lay Pioneers. Apply for the 2024-25 programme by 6 September. For more information please email Ministries, or聽.