Training Women for Council Estate Ministry

13 years ago, Rachel Williamson (Director of Women’s Ministry for Medhurst Ministries) and her husband, Ian, planted a church on a council estate in Middlesbrough, in the North-East of England. 

Both are from Middlesbrough, one of the most deprived towns in England, and neither came from a church background when they became Christians. This presented a series of complexities in their lives.   

As a young Christian, Rachel often felt deeply isolated. 

She longed to meet with a mature Christian woman who could mentor her. Someone who would be honest about their own struggles and show how the gospel meets us in the reality of life. She also wanted to learn how to handle the Bible well so that she could understand God’s Word for herself. However, Rachel struggled to find this.   

The Medhurst Women training course 

Over time this motivated Rachel to set up the ‘Medhurst Women’ training course to help women grow in handling the Bible faithfully while also cultivating a culture of honest, gospel-shaped discipleship. A place where struggles can be brought into the light and where God’s Word is applied with wisdom, humility, and compassion.  

Having a background in youth work, social work, and women’s ministry has enabled Rachel to come alongside women who have a desire to disciple other women and children. 

The course is tailored to those serving in deprived areas. However, many women have joined who live in more affluent areas but want to be more equipped in understanding the differences and challenges that arise from being working class and middle class in church and Christian circles.    

As a result, the course has a variety of women from differing backgrounds on it. 

Some are degree educated; others have no formal education. Some are in paid ministry roles, others in secular jobs ranging from GPs to school dinner ladies. 

Testimonies

Colette shared: 

“My life circumstances meant I was concerned the course wouldn’t work for me. Rachel explained none of that was a problem! That is the beauty of it!

"I made the decision to join the course, and it has helped me to understand what challenges I will face while teaching others about the Lord.”  

‘Medhurst Women’ is a 3-year course (you don’t have to attend all 3 years) offering contextualised training and support for women. Designed by experienced practitioners, the course offers flexible, practical, and theologically robust training for those ministering in deprived areas or those with a heart for women in these areas. 

Throughout the duration of the course, students interact with one another in person and online to discuss the course material. This makes the learning unique, given the broad spectrum of women from different backgrounds and cultures.   

Chelsea, from a church plant in the North of England, particularly befitted from the flexibility of the course. She said: 

“At the beginning, I was very against doing the course as I am dyslexic and struggled at school when it came to essays and learning. After struggling on the course, I approached Rachel, and she adapted the course to make it more accessible for me.

"Instead of writing an assignment, I was able to do assignments verbally on a Zoom call. This allowed me to get my points across effectively. The course has enabled me to be more positive about learning in general!”  

Council estates and deprived areas often have more single-parent families, with women playing a central role in family life and leadership. This matriarchal structure makes women key figures in the community: raising children, caring for relatives, and leading initiatives. Therefore, training women to reach these areas is essential to address such unique challenges and provide a holistic approach to outreach and leadership.   

This has been the experience of Faith. She said: 

“As a part time women's worker at my church on the council estate where I live, I needed some training that I could do alongside ministry, and the Medhurst course has been perfect for this. The course material has been varied and relevant and has both challenged me in my relationship with the Lord but also theologically.

"It's been so valuable to find a course that I can do from home alongside ministry while also having the benefit of having a mentor in Rachel. She has encouraged and challenged me as I've shared about particular ministry situations I have been dealing with, while also sharing honestly from her own experiences.

"Living and working with women in deprived areas is niche and Medhurst Ministries fills a gaping gap in UK evangelical circles that provides the vital training that's needed as we serve some of the most vulnerable in our society.”  

If you think the Medhurst Women course would be advantageous to you in your ministry  role, or if there are women in your church who could benefit from growing in their ability to understand and teach God’s word, then visit the Medhurst Ministries website to find out more. Rachel would love to hear from you.