Ten years after deciding to follow Jesus, a huge portion of Muslim-background believers (MBBs) turn back to Islam or to atheism. CMS is announcing a new plan and a key partnership that will help MBBs continue to journey with Jesus.

“Adam” from Bahrain is 23 years old. His journey to faith in Jesus began about five years ago:

“I first started searching about Jesus when I was 18. I went to the church and told the priest I wanted to be Christian and to know more about Jesus, but he said he could not help me because of their policy.”

Adam persevered in his search. You can read his story on page 6, where he describes being tempted to leave and a stint in prison.

Adam kept pursuing Jesus, but for many, the road to faith is too rocky to stay on. Even after turning to Issa, Arabic for Jesus, a substantial portion veer away. There can be several reasons for this.

Persecution: only part of the problem

It is well known that in many areas of the Middle East and North Africa, Christians, including those who turn to Jesus from a Muslim background, are mistreated for their faith. In 2019, the Foreign Office commissioned Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Truro and a former executive leader of Church Mission Society, to produce a report on Christian persecution.¹ The report’s findings are stark: “In countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Saudi Arabia the situation of Christians and other minorities has reached an alarming stage.”

However, despite this systemic persecution across the region, interest in the Christian faith is growing as new believers are drawn to Jesus through dreams, visions and the love and kindness of Christians they meet. God is on the move but new believers face a barrage of obstacles.

Identity crisis

Even in places where there is less official opposition from the government, men and women who turn to Jesus from a Muslim background often face intense pressure and scorn from family, friends and colleagues. On a recent overseas visit, CMS mission director Andy Roberts described meeting a North African woman, two of whose sisters had returned to practising Islam after their two brothers had been killed for following Jesus.

“When a Muslim-background believer first becomes a believer, at minimum they will be kicked out of their family and disowned. It’s likely they will lose their job and face a life in constant fear of being discovered or attacked,” says Mamdouh, founder and president of Together Network (TN). TN works in over 22 countries, upholding MBBs in their faith.

Yet, Mamdouh says persecution is only part of the problem. “The biggest challenge MBBs face is internal, because they have no freedom to be themselves.”

This is particularly true among “secret believers”: Mamdouh describes a woman he knows whose everyday routine involves removing her cross and donning her hijab before returning home – in a sense, living a double life. Sociologists talk about anomie: a feeling of a lack of belonging, the inability to be authentic. Rejected by their communities, MBBs are unmoored, disorientated. There is a dramatic remaking of worldview. Furthermore, culturally Christianity can be seen as a western product, particularly if the church has adopted much that is western in terms of structure, music and vocabulary. This adds to an overall loss of identity for MBBs, which can be intensely painful.

“Nobody should have to figure out faith on their own… we want to see Muslim-background believers grow to become deep disciples of Jesus, who can in turn disciple others.”

Tanas Alqassis

Emigration temptation

The above factors have contributed to a notable exodus of Jesus-followers from the Middle East and North Africa. A century ago Christians comprised 20 per cent of the population in the Middle East and North Africa, but today Christians make up less than 4 per cent. This compounds the pressure and isolation experienced by those who remain, leading to further faith attrition. In his story, Adam describes the intense temptation to leave Bahrain and move to North America.

A cautious Church

Adam’s account of approaching a church and being rejected is not unfamiliar. Some churches across the Middle East, North Africa, as well as Europe and Britain, are hesitant to reach out to or welcome MBBs, out of suspicion of motives or fear of reprisal. In the Middle East, new believers are subjected to intense scrutiny in an effort to ascertain they aren’t undercover informants. In the UK, Muslim seekers are viewed with scepticism by some churches.

Keeping the faith

CMS has recently determined that a key focus for the coming years will be helping MBBs stay on the path with Jesus. This will happen in the following ways:

• Bringing CMS people in mission (mission partners and local partners) together to focus on discipling MBBs.
• Partnering with Together Network and supporting training events where MBBs come together to share experiences, encourage one another and take part in learning that will strengthen their faith and help them share with others. Like Amil, who Andy Roberts met recently: “Because of the discipleship course, he started a church in his own home, led his family to Christ and was seeing many more come to faith. He’s able to use the material to train up others from his house church to do the same.”
• Lovingly challenging churches to welcome and disciple new MBBs. CMS is in a good position for this due to longstanding relationships with churches in the Middle East and the UK.

Tanas Alqassis, CMS’s manager for the Middle East, North Africa and Europe, says about this key focus: “Nobody should have to figure out faith on their own. MBBs have to know that they aren’t alone. The foundation for our partnership with Together Network is that we both want to see Muslim background believers grow to become deep disciples of Jesus, who can in turn disciple others.”

“This is my dream, to share about God and truth with others so they can know freedom, too,” says Adam.

¹ Truro Independent Review of FCO Support for Persecuted Christians Final Text for the Libraries of Houses of Parliament 08072019 Final (christianpersecutionreview.org.uk)

Pray together

Please join us in praying for this new partnership and for all those seeking to follow Jesus in the face of great challenges.

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The post Faith on the edge appeared first on Church Mission Society (CMS).

I used to sleep in church. My mum would take me to church when I was young and I remember I didn’t want to be there.

My first impressions of hearing about Jesus weren’t very good.

Growing up, I was a very angry person. I had a terrible attitude, I didn’t listen to people. My whole world was going to work with my mother at a large local rubbish dump. When I got a bit older I started smoking, drinking, stealing from people so I could buy drugs. I didn’t like being around my mum. I didn’t want to work.

I saw no purpose to my life. I was just existing. It’s not like I had any hopes or dreams; I was just living for the moment. I didn’t think about tomorrow. I wasn’t making good decisions. Nothing really mattered. Then one day I came to Street Kids Direct (SKD) and I met a guy called Jonathan, who listened to me talk about my life and he encouraged me to get closer to God.

The best decision I ever made

I hadn’t realised how much I needed someone to talk to, and it was good to learn that I could also talk to God. I realised God was the only one who could help me change my life. God was the best person I could have ever met. I decided to follow Jesus.

Things didn’t change for me overnight. It took years. My friends tried to respect my decision and the fact that I wasn’t doing the same things I used to, but a distance grew between us, and this was difficult. My family saw good changes happening in me, but it has taken my mum a long time to get used to the idea that I had changed. We are still on that journey together to be honest. But I still think it’s the best decision I ever made.

Because the thing is, God never abandons you. There have been times when I have been distracted from faith, or I’ve struggled to understand, or I doubt. I think we all do. But sooner or later, you always find the light in the dark.

The most important lesson I’ve learned from God is forgiveness. God is the perfect example of forgiveness and I have had to learn to forgive, to let go of some things from the past and move forward. To not let things build up.

When things are tough, I pray and I talk to the people God has put in my path. The people around me like Duncan (SKD’s leader) and Azaria (a CMS mission partner) have helped me think differently, to see life differently. They know life can be difficult and thanks to them and God, I think I have changed a lot. I feel God has done a lot for me in my life and I try to reflect that. I am not a millionaire so I cannot pay them back for what they have done for me, but I thank them for not giving up on me. You can’t give up on people or assume they will never change. You have to give them a chance to be different.

I know what it’s like

I want other people to know that following God’s way is the best option. I think the best thing I can do is listen to other people’s stories and share my story. Because I know what it’s like to feel alone, to feel empty and angry at the same time. I know what it’s like to always feel like you need something more, but you don’t know what so you look for quick fixes to make you feel better. I know what it’s like to be outside of God’s things, to not know where to turn. But I want them to know it’s never too late. You can be happy.

That’s the thing. I do feel happy. It’s hard to describe, really, but I feel like a different person. It’s difficult to put into words, but it’s something that God has given me and it can’t be compared. It’s a love I feel and I feel good in myself. And I think the most important thing is just to keep going, with the help of God and others.

Give now

Many people might have ignored or given up on Danilo, but God never left him and neither did the people in mission who continue to walk alongside him. Please give to help more people like Danilo become disciples of Jesus.

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On 1 May 2022 CMS local partner Walter Toro was consecrated as the first Bolivian Anglican bishop, as the Diocese of Bolivia came under national leadership for the first time.

Bishop Nick Drayson, Primate of the Church of South America and a CMS mission partner, led the service in Tarija and consecrated Walter as the new diocesan bishop, while church members from the diocese prayed for him. The joyful service was followed by a celebration including a meal and dancing.

Walter was previously vicar general and has led online training across the diocese during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as pastoring a congregation in Tarija. His appointment is part of a move towards local leadership across South America. Paul Tester, CMS manager in Latin America, went to the consecration and commented:

“I’m delighted to see the continued transition to local leadership of the Church across South America and it was a joy to be part of the celebration of the baton being passed to Bishop Walter.”

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When we think about challenges facing believers in Jesus from a Muslim background (MBBs), we often consider persecution, violence or imprisonment. But what happens when the rejection actually comes from the Church?

From confidence to questions

Sultan* never expected to follow Jesus. But one day, at home in the Middle East, he came across a TV programme featuring a Christian from a Muslim background. He comments, “I used to say, ‘How come these people are so proud of their religion when it is not true?’

“I used to watch with confidence as I knew my religion and wanted to find a mistake in theirs.”

But there were some points raised that Sultan couldn’t answer. So, he asked the imams. “I was very disappointed as none of them gave answers for [my] questions. They just said, ‘Do not watch these shows.’”

After wrestling for six months, Sultan realised, “I had reached a place where I left Islam but not enough to join Christianity.” He read the Bible and found it compelling. “When I read, I knew this was the truth and the true God I was searching for…. So I gave my life to the Lord and I accepted Jesus as my saviour.”

“No one could help”

Sultan wanted to be baptised, but when he contacted a Christian organisation, they said they couldn’t help him and suggested he travel to America. Another pastor told him he couldn’t baptise Sultan for fear of getting into trouble with the government. “I was afraid that I would die without getting baptised, I got so upset.”

Eventually Sultan was able to be baptised and spent several months with a church community in Bahrain. “After that, I was so happy.”

But then Sultan started facing trouble in his community – from friends, family and colleagues – and his wife left him. Although this caused internal struggles, he cried out to God, and “the Lord answered me every time with a Bible verse, he always answered my questions.” He adds, “It has been and still is a difficult journey; the looks, the threats are not easy.”

It’s apparent that Sultan needed and still needs solidarity and support: “My message to Christians is, please open your churches and doors for people like me who need spiritual help. I was so hungry for baptism and it was so important for me. If a person wants to be baptised please do not shut the door on them.” Sultan is not alone in his experience of church rejection.

Online options

When Rania, a young Muslim woman in North Africa, started a relationship with a Christian man, she was also drawn to Jesus. Like Sultan, she approached several churches, but was turned away – they were afraid of helping a Muslim investigating faith in Jesus.

Rania found an online network helping seekers and believers from Muslim backgrounds, led by a CMS local partner. They connected Rania with a local volunteer. After a successful face-to-face conversation, Rania brought her sister to meet the volunteer’s wife and they talked for three hours. Later that night, as Rania and her sister prayed, Jesus appeared to them and light filled the place where they were – overcoming their hesitation.

The sisters continue to meet with the volunteer couple weekly for discipleship. The volunteers say the women love Jesus with their whole hearts.

“Send someone for me”

Adam in Bahrain started searching for Jesus at age 18. He explains, “I went to the church and told the priest I wanted to be Christian and to know more about Jesus, but he said he could not help me because of their policy. I asked God, ‘If Jesus is the truth, please let me know or send a sign or send someone for me.’”

One of Adam’s friends told him about someone online who could help him learn about Jesus. Adam contacted this woman, who lives in Egypt.

“She arranged for me to meet someone where I live…. The first time I met Mr M, he explained lots of things but I didn’t understand; I just thought he was crazy. But something inside me told me that Jesus, that Christianity, there is something there.”

Easy to accept Jesus

Adam began to read the Bible. “I read Matthew, and I found myself reading fast because it was so interesting. I learned about Jesus from reading the Bible and from talking about my questions with Mr M and the woman online. It was very easy to accept Jesus, because it was very logical when I read and understood what he did.”

But following Jesus hasn’t always been straightforward. One day, Adam was arrested after reading the Bible in public and discussing it with two men who turned out to be security officers. He spent a month in prison, which has made it hard to get a job, yet he still remains eager to share his faith with others: “I have walked with two new believers. I hope I will get to journey with others because I feel very happy when people come to know God and know the truth.”

Equipped to make disciples

With opposition coming from their families, communities and even some churches, many MBBs feel isolated and their faith fades. CMS recognises that if MBBs are going to continue growing in faith, there is a great need for people to journey alongside them. That’s why CMS is partnering with Together Network (TN), which focuses on discipling groups of MBBs so they can in turn disciple others. Both Sultan and Adam have taken part in a training conference run by TN. Adam shared, “I’m doing the training because the thing I love the most is to help new people to know God.

“A year ago, I was thinking about emigrating, but after trying many times, I think God…wants me to stay and to share the good news here, so that is what I want to do. I want to do God’s work.”

Give now

No one should have to figure out faith alone. CMS and Together Network are upholding MBBs in their faith and helping churches understand how to welcome and support seekers and new believers so they don’t disappear. Give today and together we will see more disciples making disciples across the Middle East and North Africa.

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Church Mission Society, the United Reformed Church (URC), the Congregational Federation and Seedbeds have launched a joint initiative designed to raise up a new generation of lay pioneer leaders able to see local communities flourish in God’s love and shalom and spur transformation by reflecting God’s love and fullness.

The Newbigin Pioneering Hub is the first CMS Free Church pioneering hub in the UK. Located in Winson Green in Birmingham and named in honour of the inspirational URC minister and mission theologian, Lesslie Newbigin, the Newbigin Hub aims to reach the 85% of people who say, ‘they will never, or are highly unlikely, to ever go to church’.

In September, the Newbigin Hub’s first intake of pioneer leaders will begin studying for the CMS certificate in pioneering mission, which comprises modular learning and practical ministry in local communities.

The Newbigin Pioneering Hub, which aims to accommodate pioneer leaders from across the UK, will be jointly led by Rev Dr Ash Barker, an ordained URC minister and leader of Seedbeds, with CMS, at the invitation from the URC, who will directly support the development of the community of pioneers at Winson Green, as well as putting a motion before the URC General Assembly in July to accredit this new category of lay pioneer. The Congregational Federation has also pledged their support.

Rev Dr Barker said: “We launch this hub at a critical time. So many of our churches have struggled to make a breakthrough to most of the general population, especially in our diverse, inner cities and outer urban estates. There is an urgent need for both greater relevance to local communities and faithfulness to the gospel that pioneer leaders can provide.”

At the heart of the hub is a desire to recognise and resource pioneer leaders in their calling as catalytic Christian ministers. In addition to their studies, Newbigin’s pioneer leaders will benefit from being part of a wider community of pioneers and have opportunities to express their training in practical mission contexts under the mentorship of experienced pioneer leaders.

Jonny Baker, Britain Hub Mission Director for CMS, said: “We know from experience that hubs like Newbigin challenge the existing culture, transforming the way the Church interacts with communities and makes a difference to real lives. Our hope is that the Newbigin Hub will catalyse mission at the edges and by establishing a presence in the Midlands, help to build a nationwide network for pioneer training and practice.”

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Paul Thaxter, former international mission director of CMS, offers a personal reflection on the life of Rev Jane Shaw, who died last week.

The Rev Jane Shaw was, among other things, a gifted hospital administrator, a priest, a CMS mission partner, and a CMS trustee. She was a respected friend whom I looked up to. She was personally interested in individual people’s welfare. She was always very understanding of others. She had a lovely sense of humour that radiated a pragmatic lightness and an incisive mind. She applied her great intelligence to tasks both challenging and mundane.

I recently met Rt Rev Sami Azariah who allowed Jane Shaw to minister with full parish responsibilities in the Diocese of Raiwind, Church of Pakistan – the first and only woman priest to do so.

He was so proud to have allowed Jane to minister: one of only three women ordained into the Church of Pakistan. There were different opinions on this but Bishop Sami recalls that Jane was warmly welcomed, at the time, by her congregation and they accepted her.

Jane sensitively encouraged women’s ministry and supported gifted women into the ministry of Christ and his church. She also highlighted the plight of Pakistani Christians and how they are so often socially discriminated against.

Bishop Sami said about Jane: “She was my colleague, who was a disciplined ordained minister, who made every attempt to help me understand the important role of women in the life of the Church, especially the Church of Pakistan. The Church needs to understand and recognise their talent in its growth and unity.”

Jane often prayerfully thought of the places and people where she had worked. She was always mindful of others and understood her life to be one of humble encouragement of others. She was supportive of all those ordained within the Church of Pakistan, but especially the other women ordained at that time.

Jane was an ecumenical mission partner of Church Mission Society linking also with USPG, the Methodist Church, the Church of Scotland, and the United Church of Pakistan. She was ecumenical in the deeper sense of the term, linking with the church through the ages and across the world. She had a grasp and appreciation of church liturgy. For instance, she spent time researching the liturgy of the ancient Syrian Orthodox church in India, the Mar Thoma church. She was delighted also by the pioneering instincts and practices of Jonny Baker and the CMS Pioneer Training programmes. She was, to borrow a term from a former CMS Asia director Phil Simpson, “deeply rooted and profoundly open”. She was indeed a true radical in spirit because she was very aware of the church’s traditional heritage. She rightly described herself as a missionary priest.

In her working life she practised and taught health services management both in the NHS and overseas. Close to her heart was the need for the efficient allocation of resources to serve the local people. She never lost sight of the primary reason for the NHS which was to serve all people in the UK, particularly those who are vulnerable and often neglected.

She was also keen to see health care delivered well in international contexts and was always a wise adviser. She retained her interest in hospital administration until the end – often concerned with the outcomes of hospital work internationally as well as locally. She was a hospital governor in Bath and more locally linked to the Hospital of St John at Heytesbury.

As a retired priest living in Corton she shared in the ministry of the parish team. She was always open to the future and the shape that Christian community should emulate. She wanted to continue to have a healing ministry and spoke to me of the vital need to have healing hands, a compassionate heart and a reflective mind. She seemed indefatigable and served her local church well and was a keen home visitor in her community.

She continued to identify with the world church and, in retirement, she remained a passionate supporter of the Salisbury diocesan link with South Sudan, and served on the diocese’s Sudan committee. She circulated regular prayer requests for South Sudan, full of accurate political information, pastoral concern and the desire to live a life of Christian discipleship. She had a special affection for the diocese of Maridi where CMS mission partner Lynn Treanery served, led by Bishop Moses Zungo. She was delighted to visit the diocese and was constantly raising money and resources for the world church.

In her role as a CMS trustee, I loved her conscientious commitment to safeguarding, to good practice and to fulfilment of the Great Commission. Jane was always conscientious, diligent and delivered everything that was asked of her, often exceeding expectations with her rigorous, robust and well-reasoned work which always displayed exceptional clarity.

She was a reflective practitioner who inspired me by her life, her character, her sublime wisdom and practical love. She gave her time gladly to others like Debbie James, deputy CEO of CMS, who says: “She was a remarkable woman in so many ways and I hugely valued her prayer support, encouragement and wisdom when I became a director. She was also kind of enough to let me visit and stay over – and I enjoyed lovely apples from her orchard. She was an amazing gardener!”

Thank you, Rev Jane Shaw, for being a true disciple of our Lord Jesus and showing us how to live a life of sacrificial humble service.

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Gather: Wild-erness on Anglesey

Over the jubilee long weekend, former student Gav Mart coordinated a gathering of pioneers in a spectacular spot on Anglesey. Get a flavour of the experience with words by Liz Dunbar, a current CMS student, and photos by Mark Kensett.

I couldn’t have thought of a more appropriate way to spend the Pentecost/Jubilee weekend than in a field in Wales with panoramic views of the sea, glorious sunsets and 100+ pioneers.

We may have experienced all seasons in four days and at times we may have had to wear all of our clothes at once, but because the atmosphere was so relaxed and friendly, then it was a truly joyous event.

We had Maranatha Yoga at 8am facing all of the elements (our tipi allowed us views of the ocean but meant exposure to horizontal rain at times), meditation at 9am and a range of brilliant and inspiring talks at 9.30am each day; a rich way to start the day.

There was always something on offer to do with others until 2pm such as workshops, conversations, reflections and walks but what stood out about this gathering was there was also plenty of time for solitude, casual chats, coastal walks and a trip to the beach/cafe/pub/restaurant in nearby Church Bay.

The evenings were also special because we had “tears rolling down my cheeks” comedy, wonderful music, insightful talks and then a chilled yet uplifting DJ session accompanied by dancing, firepit warming and the most beautiful sunsets.

All the content was helpful to me as a pioneer but the thing I appreciated the most was meeting new people from around the country who were hearing the same thoughts whilst I knew they were understanding them through the highs and lows of pioneering. This meant that our final communion service was even more special. Hearing liturgy in Welsh “on the edge” of our island, as well as other languages, was the perfect end.

Thanks to the organisers for putting this on. You really went above and beyond to make the weekend a success. Iechyd da (cheers).

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Recently we travelled to the Bekaa valley to visit some Syrian refugee families. These refugees fled war in Syria and arrived in Lebanon with nothing much. But that was now four or even eight years ago – they have lived here for a significant time.

By a mission partner in the Middle East

Their homes have developed, they have electricity (when it works), fridges, heaters and satellite televisions. They do seasonal work in the fields and building sites, and receive UN support (some). The health and education situation is poor and unreliable, but looking at Syria it is the same there. Their homes here are made of wood and tarpaulins and the ground gets muddy in the winter, but this is not so different to where they came from, for many of them were poor Syrians before they were poor refugees in Lebanon.

Nowhere else to go

Inside the tents are organised: the kitchens have shelves and storage jars, the walls, especially in the front room where guests go, are covered in decorative materials and there are carpets on the floor. You soon forget it is made of tarpaulins. In fact, in the tents of the Bekaa the situation for most of the year is better than in the poor tenements of Beirut. Although they are labelled as refugees and the Lebanese want them to leave this place, in their own minds the Syrians are at home here in the Bekaa valley in their tented houses. There is nowhere else for them to go.

We visit with a Syrian friend who has cousins living in a couple of the camps. These camps are informal groups of tents (usually around 30 to 50) in a field, the UN has built latrines and cesspits, there is electricity and the access roads do get muddy but had just been covered in fresh chippings. I even noticed in one camp a tent had been converted into a garage!

Good-humoured welcome

The format of a visit is familiar – we arrive, are ushered into a tent, take off our shoes in the first room and walk into a carpeted room with curtain material lining the walls and ceilings. As guests we are given the most comfortable cushions and sit down first. The host then sits down and conversation starts – this is in Arabic so we are observers taking note of when our names are mentioned so we can smile and nod appropriately. In each tent, as we talk more people appear quietly until we have a tent full of perhaps 12 people plus children.

At the first tent we generally meet an important person who will approve or disapprove of our visit. The conversation is good humoured and having negotiated this we are free to visit other tents.

In the next tent someone makes very sweet tea, which we drink out of small glasses that seem to be universal across the country. At some point our friend kneels up and his manner changes a little. I realise he is now teaching from the Bible. It is Ramadan, the time of Muslim fasting, and he is sharing from Matthew 6 where Jesus talks about not making a show of your fasting, and how the attitude of the heart is more important than appearances.

Living water

This is a close community – most people are related, they live close together and their many children play together every day. I look across the sea of faces as my friend talks – they are all different. There is a young lady who has a very young baby distracting her – she tries to smile and engage with the talk, but it is difficult to listen carefully. Another face framed by a hijab is listening, but very intrigued by us two old English people. Over on the other side are some older ladies, the grandmothers perhaps, who are happy to be surrounded by family, their wrinkled faces and darker clothing lightened by sparkling eyes and easy smiles. One of them, her eyes full of pride, is our friend’s aunt and she is very proud of him as he shares from the Bible and talks about faith. Another young lady sitting at the front is listening raptly, as if she has been thirsty for days and finally has some water to drink. As Jesus would say, she was receiving “living water” as our friend shared.

In the doorway two young men appeared – they were not smiling and I feared they disapproved. They would stand at the door, listen and then go out again, and then come back. I never worked out whether they approved or not, but it was like they could not stay away – they were curious as well as suspicious.

This group is a mixture of people slowly and carefully learning about Jesus. Some have really embraced the faith of our friend, while others are just curious as they see their friends’ lives transformed.

Here in these houses made from tarpaulins, a forgotten people are finding out about a God who has not forgotten them. It is our privilege to see and be a small part of this.

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Rev Canon Dr Rebecca Nyegenye was elected as the new chair of the CMS-Africa board on 18 May 2022.

She succeeds Rev Canon Dr John Senyonyi who served as a board member for six years, three of which he was chair.

Dr Nyegenye is currently the provost of All Saints Cathedral, Kampala.

Before her appointment as provost, she served as the chaplain of Uganda Christian University.

She holds a PhD in biblical studies.

Rebecca is passionate about Christian mission with a particular emphasis on discipleship.

She values prayer and intercession as a driver of mission and is a preacher and teacher of the gospel.

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