The Smaller Church Option
SMALL CHURCH = NO CHANCE I first looked at the 9:38 website seven years ago. I saw smaller churches, in smaller towns with MT openings and I moved on past them. I settled upon applying to Christ Church in Cambridge. Fast forward seven years, two spent in Cambridge, four working with UCCF in Manchester and […]
A Very Full Christmas
Christmas is often a time of fullness. Our diaries burst with festive events: Christmas socials and family get-togethers abound. Each person’s to-do list seems to double at least: there are presents to buy, cards to write and a sharp upturn in opportunities to serve. (When else do we attempt to buy our own body-weight in […]
This Autumn’s Conferences
It’s the end of a busy term for 9:38. We’ve held four conferences for students by the sea, by the hills, by the canals and by the tube – or, in Exeter, Manchester, Birmingham and London. It’s been an educational process. I’ve discovered that the 9:38 banners can make good conversation starters on the train (in […]
When Feet Almost Slip
Christian ministry is a life of service – of that there can be no doubt. We follow a crucified Saviour: the one who was willing to come from heaven to lay down his life for those he loves and we are called to emulate that Philippians 2, sacrificial, other-centredness in all we do. When we […]
Gospel Needs in Scotland
Readers of the 9:38 blog know well that ‘the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.’ The latest global statistics continue to challenge us and drive us to our knees. The Joshua Project website tells us that of the 16,862 people groups in the world, a staggering 6,996 are ‘unreached’ (defined as a people […]
Coming on a Student Conference
Louise Roche is a first-year Ministry Assistant at Emmanuel Bristol. About a year ago, at the start of my final year at university, I went to the 9:38 South West Student Conference. Now working as a Ministry Assistant at my church in Bristol, here are some of my reflections for those considering attending this year… […]
Trainee to Trainee: Why You Should Pray
It’s a new year, and you’ve just started as a ministry trainee, or perhaps you’re in your second year. How are you feeling about the year ahead? And more importantly, how are you praying about the year ahead? Before joining 9:38 as their Administrator, I spent two years as a trainee at Christ Church Cambridge. […]
Make The Most Of Being A Ministry Trainee
‘What on earth have I let myself in for?’ If you’ve just started a new role as a ministry trainee, you may have found yourself asking that question a bit more than usual! It’s many years since I was in that position, but we have 10 associates (apprentices / MTs) with us on staff at […]
Setting up a Training Programme
For over twenty years now, 9:38 has been engaged in encouraging Christian men and women to consider devoting themselves to full-time gospel ministry. And a key component of this has been to promote ‘Ministry Trainee Schemes’ – One or two year opportunities to be trained in a real church ministry environment. There are now many […]
Gospel Needs in Ireland
‘I came to the people of Ireland to preach the Gospel, and to suffer insult from the unbelievers…and many persecutions…I am prepared to give my life without hesitation and most gladly for his name.’ (Patrick Confession) We still need ‘Patricks’ to come to Ireland! Patrick did preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and saw thousands […]
Godliness Matters
Get hold of a Bible, and before you read this article, read 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Titus 1:5–9, and 1 Peter 5:1–4. Still thinking about being set-aside for paid Gospel ministry? Then you need to be godly. And not just in your public life – but in your private life too. So really godly! How? How can we […]
Developing a Training Church
Most people reading this will be familiar with the model of ministry Paul gives us in Ephesians 4. “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ […]