• 09 November 2022

FORGE Ministry Apprentices are commissioned

We’re delighted to announce Bishop David has commissioned the first cohort of FORGE Ministry Apprentices for a year of learning and service in the diocese. 

Family, friends and supporters joined Oliver Newton and Grayce Turton at the T3 Conference Centre on Tuesday evening 8 November for a reception and a short informal service. 

Ollie and Grayce have already begun their FORGE journey and are settling into their host churches – Moneyreagh Community Church for Ollie and Shankill Parish Lurgan for Grayce – and staff and parishioners from both came along to cheer them on.

After worship led by Stephen Moore from Moneyreagh, Millie Bellew gave the address. Millie is the Children’s Development Officer for Down and Dromore and has experienced volunteering for a year in one of our churches. Looking at the life of Daniel she pointed out that before he ever arrived in the lions’ den, Daniel had prepared himself by always doing the right thing, by consistently choosing to honour God and shun earthly reward.

“Grayce and Ollie, this year is your chance to say ‘it’s not about me it’s all about God’. It’s a time of training and preparation for the task God has for you,” she said.

She encouraged them to make sure their foundations and faith were firm and to ‘find their flock’ in Christian community.

Bishop David then commissioned Ollie and Grayce, anointing them with oil, sharing some encouragements and challenges from the Book of Acts and praying with the laying on of hands.

Meet our Ministry Apprentices – Ollie

Hi I’m Oliver (Ollie) Newton and I come from Reading in England. I’m 21 and wanted to become a FORGE Ministry Apprentice to help me grow in my skills as a kids and youth worker as well as grow personally and spiritually. I also want to push myself outside of my comfort zone and I knew that this apprenticeship would help me do that.

I am working with Moneyreagh Community Church and helping out in their kids/youth work. I will also be taking on new experiences such as going to other churches, helping out with youth camps over holidays and taking part in training such as the OCN Youth Work course.

My hopes for the year are that I learn from my experiences and make more friends in other churches!

Meet our Ministry Apprentices – Grayce

Hello, it’s Grayce and I’m one of the FORGE Ministry Apprentices with the Down and Dromore Diocese. I live in Markethill, I’m nineteen years old and I’m placed with Shankill Parish Lurgan.  FORGE really appealed to me because I wanted to serve God; the God whose goodness and faithfulness has always followed me through every season.

I want to acknowledge and develop the gifts God has given to me to help expand His Kingdom, so this year I will be learning and working a lot in Children and Youth Ministries. A verse I am greatly encouraged by is Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” 

Through FORGE I ultimately want to deepen my relationship with Christ, grow in faith and inspire those around me to always believe and trust that God IS good all the time, and that all the time, God is good!

FORGE

The FORGE programme is a new scheme to enable young Christians (18–25) to develop a strong and enduring faith and to explore Christian ministry. The scheme has been made possible by a very generous grant from Benefact Trust.  

In the year ahead our Apprentices will have the opportunity to discover their gifts, learn new skills, and serve Jesus. Support from the diocese will include monthly training days, insight visits to Christian ministries, support to undertake accredited training in children’s or youth ministry and an end of year celebration event.

As well as being fully involved in the life and witness of their host church, they will also contribute to diocese–wide ministry programmes with children and youth. It is our hope and prayer that FORGE will raise up a new generation of ministry leaders.

Thinking about applying for 2023–24? Get a flavour for the scheme by downloading the FORGE brochure HERE.

Benefact Trust

Benefact Trust exists to make a positive difference to people’s lives by funding, guiding and celebrating the work of churches and Christian charities; empowering the most vulnerable and giving people, communities and places a renewed opportunity to flourish. (benefacttrust.co.uk)