Next Steps on the Journey (Journeys 2025)

Thinking about entering Christian ministry is an exciting and daunting task.

Serving God and loving his people is what we were created for, but you might rightly ask if full-time ministry is the right thing for you. What would life look like? If you are married, what implications would it have for family life? If single, how are you going to put good structures and processes in place?

That’s why we hosted Journeys over a weekend in late January: to offer space and time to pause, reflect, learn, and pray about the right next steps for those considering paid Christian work.

More than 60 men and women from churches across the UK battled Storm Éowyn to join with FIEC staff and other church leaders from FIEC churches for the weekend in Northamptonshire.

We enjoyed foundational teaching from FIEC National Director John Stevens on the goal of ministry and power for ministry from 2 Corinthians. A series of focused short talks helped to zone-in on specifics of church ministry, presented by a variety of speakers through the weekend. And there were opportunities to hear from those who have travelled the journey into ministry before, to learn from their experience.

The heart of the weekend, though, was meet-ups with experienced church workers to ask questions, explore concerns, and pray together.

The weekend was organised and hosted by FIEC Head of National Ministries, Adrian Reynolds. He reflected:

"We are so grateful to God that he is laying it on the hearts of men and women to pursue this goal. It’s a tiring time for those of us serving, but one of the very best times of the year."

Jesus said “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37) and we give thanks for the workers that we see God raising up across the country, just like those who attended Journeys.

God is answering our prayers. Keep praying! Keep asking! Keep expecting! And thank God for all those who came and all those who made it possible.