Gosh, we are here already. It’s my last week working at Heart Church. I honestly can’t quite believe it. This is the bit. The bit where I have to completely and wholeheartedly trust God – in His plan, in His timing.

People keep asking me if I’m excited, and of course the answer is yes. But the reality is, I’m also sad. I’m leaving a ministry that I have loved, that I’ve poured everything into for many years – kids who have genuinely changed my life and so much more.

So, I thought I would share a few things I’ve learned over the past four years as a children’s pastor, and how I even got to the place where I became Kids Pastor at Heart Church in the first place. So let’s rewind again, shall we? (This feels like a bit of a “roll the tape” moment – get yourself a cup of tea and a biscuit, you’re in for a bit of a story.)

Carrying the Legacy

Today actually marks four years since our beloved Pastor Lynette went to live in eternity with her Heavenly Father. The day she died, I felt God speak to me and say that I was going to help carry her legacy. That’s what I believe I’ve done in this role – and what an honour it has been.

To be honest, I don’t think that will ever stop. Her passion, love, and expectation for God to do something powerful and significant in the lives of children is something that will remain deeply rooted in me forever.

A Glimpse Back

Over the past four years, I’ve seen so much:

• Children praying for the very first time.
• Kids who’d never read aloud before, standing confidently to read the Bible in front of everyone.
• Many children making decisions to follow Jesus.
• A hefty number of first aid situations (including one trip to A&E – never a dull moment in kids ministry!).
• Kids leading teaching sessions.
• Kids falling in love with worship.
• A few football goals scored with the kids (I can imagine them all rolling their eyes right now).
• Kids inviting their friends to church.
• Children being vulnerable, opening up about the very real challenges they face.
• Friendships forming.
• And above all – kids meeting with Jesus.

And honestly, that’s the whole point. That’s the only goal. That’s what I pray will continue to happen in Ghana too.

What This Season Has Taught Me

This has been more than just a job for me. It has been the place where God has allowed me to live out the calling He has placed on my life. It has been a season that has:

• Grown me.
• Challenged me.
• Strengthened me.
• Taught me to wholly depend on God.
• Brought me lasting friendships.
• Stirred a deeper passion in me for His Word.
• Filled with hilarious lunch time memories.
• Included far too many District and Tough Mary’s trips to count.
• That I make a great Easter bunny and Mario. See below.

(Had to bullet point it, otherwise I’d end up giving you a day-to-day recap of the past four years – and no one needs that!)

Looking Ahead

As I prepare to step into a new season in Ghana, I can see how these past years have prepared me. This season has been part of the bigger picture. As I’ve said before – my calling hasn’t changed, the location has.

Leaving is bittersweet – but I know this is part of God’s plan. And I believe that nothing He’s done in this season is wasted. I may be leaving the role, but the calling remains. My prayer is that the seeds planted in these years will keep growing, that the children of Heart Church will continue to encounter Jesus, and that I’ll get to keep being part of His work – wherever He leads.

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…” (Ephesians 3:20)

A Little Bit of Admin

My last day at Heart Church is the 9th September. God has provided in ways I couldn’t have even imagined.

If you would like to join the journey (we were doing so well in not using the J word!) by supporting me financially or in prayer, please use the links below. There’s a lot of unknowns in the year ahead, and the reality is I need your support in many different ways. I’d love it if you could take the time to think about – and pray about – what that could look like for you.

Naawuni ni pahi gom,
Jess