This Glorious Ministry (Thrive 2026)

Moving to a new city is a big deal. Moving to a new church is a big deal. Starting a new job is a big deal. All those things happened to me at once this April.

My first real, grown-up ministry job! I was very excited, slightly overwhelmed, and pretty tired.

Support for women in ministry

That is why I am so grateful that my new church (Knighton Free Church, Leicester) had the foresight to book me onto the Thrive conference before I even arrived in Leicester.

They supported me by sending me away for a few days of feeding from God’s word, encouragement from some women who have gone before me, and rest from the relentlessness of the first few weeks in a new place.

It was nice to see a few familiar faces when I first arrived at Thrive, but I quickly felt welcomed by those I hadn’t met yet.

Over mealtimes, it was great to be able to start a conversation not knowing someone, and then very quickly be talking about the nitty-gritty of one-to-one Bible reading.

Conference highlights

One of my highlights of the conference was the fellowship groups.

Having multiple opportunities to meet with the same group of women allowed for more honest sharing and application of the main teaching sessions. With this also came time to pray for one another more intentionally. What comfort to know that others were praying for me.

Rachel Sloan opened up a few chapters in 2 Corinthians with us during the main sessions. 2 Corinthians chapters 3-5 were really influential in my Christian life many years ago, so to hear them expounded again so helpfully at the beginning of this new stage of ministry was inspiring.

Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! (2 Corinthians 3:7-9)

This ministry we have been given really is glorious! I might need this kind of ammunition in my back pocket for those days when it isn’t feeling so glorious.

Ministry conversations and friendships

During the afternoon on the middle day, we had a slot called ‘Ministry Conversations’. These were set up to have some informal discussions and learn from each other’s wisdom about some particular topics.

Being new to the role, I saw this as a great opportunity to ask my questions and glean wisdom from women who have been there and got the t-shirt. I was so grateful for women being generous with their insights into personal Bible reading, reaching young mothers in our congregations, and developing good staff team dynamics.

Starting these kinds of conversations is such a healthy thing for us all to be involved in as we seek to grow in our ministries.

The conference gave me great opportunities to meet some new people and start some new ministry friendships.

My hope is that these friendships will grow and be mutually beneficial as we seek to support one another, serving in our respective churches. It is exciting to think that this network will keep growing as more women are drawn by the Lord into ministry in local churches for the building up of many women.

Why go to Thrive?

I would encourage any woman in ministry, especially those who are just starting out, to go along to Thrive to build this kind of community.

Being at Thrive has reminded me that there are women up and down the country cheering me on as I seek to serve Christ and the women in my church, just as I cheer them on too.

And for church leaders who have women’s ministry leaders in their churches, whether they are on staff or not, consider supporting them by sending them to Thrive.

The women in your church will all benefit from the rich teaching, fellowship, and refreshment that Thrive provides for women in ministry.

I for sure hope to be back next year.

Thrive 2027 takes place from Monday 17 - Wednesday 19 May at The Hayes in Derbyshire.