Amanda is to be ordained as a deacon on Sunday 26 June and will serve her curacy at Bloxwich.
Amanda has been training for three years part time at The Queens Foundation, Birmingham whilst working as a community outreach worker for a church in Wolverhampton which has kept her quite busy, but not to busy to get back into going to the gym and she’s never too busy to dive into a good book or a puzzle. Sudoku and arrow words are her favourites.
Before her journey into ministry Amanda worked in a chemist as a dispenser then before that in a school as a teaching assistant; she has always been keen on helping people. Amanda believes that this is God’s plan for her future ministry also. To help people to see the light and to take the light of God into themselves and ignite it for all to see. For this to happen people need to hear the good news in a way that connects to them and makes them passionate about God and each other. Amanda is determined to bring this good news to the marginalised and particularly the generations of unchurched who have missed out on hearing the good news so far.
The biggest misconception has been that a working-class woman doesn’t belong in ministry. Through prayer and study and formation Amanda has come to realise that she is exactly where she need to be, because God called her and put her there for a reason. We all have gifts and talents and different approaches: in an age where difference is to be celebrated, it is exciting to move forward and take these gifts and talents out for a spin.
Amanda’s advice for those exploring ministry is to submit to it, you will be glad you did. God calls you and the Holy Spirit journeys with you - as do those whom God has also called be alongside you and train with you. So have courage because you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.