“Start with your own gifts”

Stephanie Packham says studying for the CMS Pioneer Ministry Certificate with the South West Pioneer Hub has been “deeply nourishing” and made her feel less lonely on her pioneer journey. 

HH: Please tell us who you are and what drew you into pioneering in general? 

SP: Like many in a rural setting, I’m someone who seems to wear many hats, but primarily, I’m a churchwarden at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman (mid Devon) and chair of governors for two beautiful primary schools, although I have also been an Anna Chaplain and a children and families worker in our mission community. I’m also hoping to start ordination training in September.  

My ministry has taken me in many exciting directions but what is common to all roles I have undertaken is a calling to reach out to people in creative ways to share something of what it feels like to live a life with Christ at its centre.

This pioneering mindset has been further fuelled by an acknowledgement that, like many churches, attendance at our traditional church services was on the decline.

When our church reached the bottom of the bell curve, there was great sadness, but there was also a real sense of opportunity. For me, it felt like we were being given permission to reimagine church. It felt like I was being called to be more pioneering – I just needed the courage to give it a go. 

How do you feel God is calling you within your community? 

For a long time, I had a strong sense that we needed to map our context to truly understand what direction to take, so we put together a community survey and delivered it to every household in the village.

What came back was remarkable. So many ideas were shared that showed us spirituality is very much alive in our community. Many of the suggestions made were amazing pioneer ministry ideas.

As a result, I found the courage to set up my first pioneer ministry project – Aqua Bears and Prayers – and I am so glad that I did, as it has turned out to be a truly beautiful, spirit filled project.  

The aim was to meet people where they are on their faith journey, in a place that felt comfortable, and in a way that suits their lifestyle. In this case, it was a swimming pool! 

Aqua Bears and Prayers is a Christian-based swim project where pre-schoolers and their grown-ups join us for water play. They hear Bible stories, we pray together using floating (battery) candles, we sing songs and we share stories together.

There is a pastoral side to the project too, as we love and support each other through life’s twists and turns. Pastoral support happens both in the pool and poolside, over a drink and biscuit. 

Aqua Bears and Prayers has been a real blessing to our community and demonstrates how pioneer ministry can take many shapes and forms.

For me, I truly believe that if you start with your own gifts, whatever they may be (mine was swimming), and add in a generous heart, then with God’s guidance amazing things can happen.

I have also just completed a pioneering Net Zero Visions mural project with two schools. In this project, the children worked with a local artist to produce the most amazing large scale art work that was based on the question: “What would your village look like if it was Net Zero?”  

The heart of the project was based on the fifth mark of mission – on our call to be good stewards of creation. The prayer is that the murals will get people talking about how they can make a difference to the climate emergency, and inspire people to act.

In a similar vein, I also held a Creation Hub within our Mission Community, where guest speakers and stall holders gathered with local people to discuss what we could do right here, in our very rural part of Devon, to address climate concerns. Being so rural, the environment is such an important part of life in our little community, and this project really seemed to meet a need identified in our community survey.

The final pioneer project I want to tell you about is Lifepath Tiverton. This is an annual, ecumenical schools project, where children from different schools come together to learn about faith through historical figures. In our case, it is the Wesley Family – what pioneers they were! 

We take the children back to the 1700s and immerse them in drama, music and activity to help them understand how the choices we make in our lives affect our own Lifepath.  We have 300 children coming over three days in June.

How did you hear about the hub and, although I know it is early days, what has been your experience so far? 

I heard about the hubs through Exeter Diocese newsletter (Roots and Shoots). It felt like a real answer to prayer, as I had been longing for a chance to be part of the pioneer ministry conversation, and for the diocese to offer support to people doing this kind of work. So, here I am, part of the first Exeter Diocese cohort to go through the CMS Certificate course.

So far, the course has been inspiring and deeply nourishing. I have met like-minded people, and I have enjoyed hearing their stories. There has been a wonderful mix of theological teaching, scripture and activity, delivered in a playful and accessible way. For me, I feel less lonely on my pioneer ministry journey, and for that, I am so very grateful.  

What have been the highs of study with CMS in the Hub? 

I have only attended one residential weekend so far, but this course is already helping me to find the right words to explain to others why pioneer ministry is so important. It is giving me a deeper theological understanding that is solidly based on scripture.

The suggested reading material is incredibly enriching, and the demonstration of learning exercise we were given was great. It is really helping me to embed what I have learnt within my own setting. 

I also love the way that you are equipped with ideas to take back to your own community. There are so many people doing wonderful pioneering projects, it is truly inspirational to hear about them. 

How can we pray for you? 

Pray for the families joining Aqua Bears and Prayers for this year (we take a rest over the winter as it’s too difficult to keep the pool heated):

• May they feel the love of God surrounding them as they enter the space. 
• May they feel comfortable to share their stories, and feel that it is a safe place to ask questions about faith. 
• May it be a positive, playful experience for those who come and hear more about you Lord, as we learn together how to love and enjoy how wonderful water is.  

Please also pray for God’s guidance as I take the next step in my pioneer ministry journey. In a world of opportunities, may I know which way to turn.

• May I be given the right words to say to others who want to understand more about this ministry.
• May what I say and do help to soften hearts and minds of those who may be sceptical, and be an encouragement to those wondering whether they are being called to pioneer ministry.
• Give me the courage to step forward in faith for the good of the Kingdom.

Get our email newsletter:

SIGN UP