Over the past few years, it has been wonderful to welcome many new members into our new Missional Ministry Learning Community. As we have heard their stories, we are reminded once again how the Lord is continuing to call people to the work of His Kingdom here in Wales. Here, we hear Ruth and Donna’s stories of following God’s call to mission…
Ruth’s Story
Ruth began her journey to ministry in Wales whilst at Bible College in Horsham, England. Ruth had attended Bible College after experiencing burnout from a demanding role as a Youth and Children’s worker. Ruth shares with us: “I burnt out mainly because I loved ‘doing’… and disregarded the importance of prayer!”
During her time recovering at college, Ruth’s parents moved to St David’s, Pembrokeshire. When Ruth visited them during her holidays, she met a group from the newly formed Y Groesfan Church.
When she returned to England to carry on her studies, things began to change. Her words were: that she “had absolutely no intention of moving to St David’s” but something happened in a prayer meeting that she could only describe as “a God moment”.
Ruth very strongly – and suddenly – felt the love God had for the people of St David’s, and the Bible verse: “Never will I leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5) came into her mind. She also saw a clear picture of a signet ring going on a hand (similar to Haggai 2:23) and a clear sense of calling to relocate.
“Ruth very strongly – and suddenly – felt the love God had for the people of St David’s…”
Shortly after this, a friend who was praying for Ruth said that she had seen a picture in her mind of God putting a ring on Ruth’s hand – and had a sense that God was saying to her ‘Never will I leave you or forsake you”. The friend asked if it meant anything to her. Another friend who was praying for her shared that she felt God was calling Ruth to do something, and that she “should do it”!
Ruth eventually gave in to the clear sense of calling. She joined the fledgling Y Groesfan Church and helped co-lead it voluntarily from 2011-2024, as well as working locally in a variety of jobs to get to know the community better.
Although Ruth has currently stepped back from immediate ministry in St David’s – she describes how this current season has been fruitful in terms of mission!
As a step of faith, she has reduced her work to 3 days, which has given her time to be more involved in the local community. Like many of us, she has found in conversation that many people are becoming ever more open to discussing matters of faith. Ruth has also returned to the first calling of prayer, and continues to go on prayer walks at least twice a week in the area.
The change in season has also meant that Ruth has been able to engage with the new BUW Missional Ministry Training, and continue to explore her call to mission – wherever God might lead her next!
Donna’s Story
Donna’s story starts in Pembrokeshire. She was raised in Bwlch y Groes, Crymych. Donna attended the Sunday School and was baptized at Blaenffos Baptist Church, before returning to the original chapel of the family: Star Baptist Chapel. Donna was fully raised in church – but she shares with us some of her own journey of faith and calling over the past few years.
Donna started feeling a strong sense of calling mainly as she spent time reading the Bible.
Some of the words that hit Donna strongly were the words of the Lord Jesus on the cross in Luke 23:46 when He speaks the words “into your hands I commit my spirit”. Even though these are Jesus’ own words to the Father – Donna felt that there was an invitation for her to pray the same words for her own life. She felt a calling to give her life fully into the hands of God.
“Donna felt that there was an invitation for her to pray the same words for her own life. She felt a calling to give her life fully into the hands of God.”
Another important passage that contributed to the sense of calling has been Revelation 2:1-7, where John describes the vision of the 7 stars and lampstands. Donna heard an application of it which touched her deeply: that we, as Christians, are the stars in the hands of Christ, and that there is an invitation for us to shine His light in the nations.
With this sense of recent calling, Donna has been exploring the call to missional ministry. Part of her passion and enthusiasm as she looks forward is that Christians come to understand that they are to be mirrors of the work of the Lord, and that there is a call for us to reach out to those who are outside the community of faith.
She also sees the importance of faith in terms of mental health – and is exploring how to encourage others to see faith as a critical part of our communities.
We pray every blessing on Ruth and Donna as they explore their call to mission in Wales!