Life Update Dec 2025

December 1st marked the start of a new role, with a new boss, in a new but familiar setting. I began my role as Associate Pastor at the wonderful Armagh City Vineyard, assisting my dear friend and exceptional Pastor, Lynne Archer.

If you had suggested this 6 months ago, I would have had many reactions, but none of them would’ve been a yes. However, God had other ideas, and Jesus has gently and with much patience led me to this place to serve in His church. Because it would seem that this is indeed His idea and not just ours, I find myself full of anticipation at what he might have in store for this little church, in the Ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, Armagh, and what he plans to do in us all along the way.

We have been attending ACV since Easter Sunday 2024, and we have found here a lovely, simple expression of God’s church that we want to be a part of. It’s not a shiny, loud, or attention-seeking community; instead, it is a humble, peaceful, and authentic family made up of, not surprisingly, humble, peaceful, and authentic people who love God and desire to love people the way He does.

When I realised that God was inviting me to serve him again in a more formal way, I took some time to discern before making the decision. What did that discernment entail? Obviously, prayer, but also seeking the wisdom from some close friends who had walked with me through the harder years of my life and ministry. I welcomed their questions with curiosity, I received their reservations and encouragements and accepted them with equal weight. I actively pursued God as I received Spiritual Direction. I saw the recruitment process as an opportunity for discernment, both for myself and the Board and Leaders of ACV. And in the end, we all concluded the same thing that “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (Acts 15:28). I was offered the role after interviewing and promptly handed in and worked my notice.

I hope to write more on here in the next while. But for now, I wanted to share my news and some photos from Sunday when Lynne, the Leaders of ACV, my family and friends prayed and anointed prayed for me as I begin this new path. I was especially moved that Jason and our 3 boys stood behind me, a very visual display of the support that I have from them. I am determined to walk this path with Jesus, at a slow pace, from a place of rest and communion with Him, and expecting some fun along the way!