I've been considering what is next for me – which really means where, for the moment. The 'what' is less of a priority right now. As you know, I finished my leadership role in my old church at the end of July because I felt Gods leading to. However, I had nothing to walk into job wise or ministry wise, and 'coincidentally' I had to move out of my flat at the same time, leaving me homeless and unemployed. I've been enjoying having time and space over the last month or so, and I feel very refreshed because of it. I'm even starting to get bored and wanting to have something to get my teeth stuck into. And my six weeks in South Africa is only two weeks away! But what about post South Africa? What happens then?
At the start of August, I went to a youth camp thing as my final act of leadership with my old church. I wrote about it here, but I didn't go into some interesting proceedings which were more personal to me. I had been considering moving to Brighton, getting a job there and being part of a large church of about a thousand down there, which a number of friends of mine attend. I'd prayed about it and not felt God say 'no' so began to put feelers out. In the run up to Newday though, I'd begun to feel less certain about Brighton – not for any reason other than a loss of peace about it. Which is one way God speaks to us.
At Newday, I spoke to my friend Julian, with whom I'm going to SA with. We were talking after one of his seminars, and he shared with me where he is moving back to in the UK in the new year, and invited me to move with him. My immediate reaction was negative – only because I didn't want to move somewhere purely because my friend is.
Later that day, I went to see people at my old church in Hastings, where I grew up. It was strange seeing kids who I used to teach in Sunday school now taking driving lessons, and guys who were in the youth group when I lead it now functioning as youth leaders! I was sitting down with a friend of mine who is now an elder in the church and he told me he had nearly brought a prophetic word for me at our recent Sussex leaders meeting, but as it was very directional about my future he didn't, and so wanted to share it as an opinion now. He said exactly the same place my friend is moving to, and gave reasons why he felt it would be a good move. Naturally, this caught my attention!
The next day, I took my young people to a seminar about the prophetic gifts, and during one part of the meeting a prophetic word was shared which indicated God was going to speak to people about cities and nations He was leading them to. I had a picture in my mind which tied in definitely with the place my two friends had spoken about, but dismissed it as mental association. As we were walking back to our campsite, one of the lads in my group asked me if God had told me where I was going yet. I said no, and he seemed surprised because during the meeting he felt God tell him “I've just told Ant where he is moving to.” He had no idea about my picture or recent conversations.
I've been going back to Hastings church since I left – its important to give the guys who have stepped into my role the opportunity to grow into it without me in the background, for a number of reasons – and as I walked in, many familiar faces saw I'd come back home. One wise old woman came over to say hello, and we got chatting. She told me her son had recently moved. And guess where he'd moved to!? This guy is someone I've grown up with so I know him well, and she gave me his number to get into contact with him. So I now had a very real link to this place, which came my way without me doing anything!
I rung him later that week and chatted for a while, as he told me about the area, city and church. The next course of action was a visit up there, which we decided to arrange once he had moved into his new house up there (they'd been renting).
Two days later, another old friend phoned out of the blue – we've not spoken for about a year or so. He wanted to speak about ministry things I've been involved with, and seem to be getting more involved with. In the conversation I suggested being open to the idea of moving to a place where the area he wants to grow in is more central in the life in the church – and I suggested the place I've been considering. Lo and behold, he has a number of very good friends there – including the church leader! In addition, he is planning to visit them sometime before Christmas I'm a firm believer that if you don't ask you don't get, so I invited myself to accompany him. So when I get back from SA in November we've got a provisional date to fly to the north of England where I can scout it out!
Finally, last week I had a meeting with one of the leaders at Brighton, who I did a two year Theology course with. We chatted about me moving, and at the of the conversation both came away feeling it wouldn't be the right move for me. His recommendation, when I shared about this other option, was that it was an exciting opportunity and to explore it!
Now, having said all that I'm still not definite its the right place. Sometimes God leads us on paths to grow our faith and show us how He can speak and move mountains. And whilst He hasn't said no, He also hasn't said yes. I'm spending six weeks with a guy with a proven prophetic ministry, so I'm in faith God is going to speak to me! Seriously, SA will be a key time – many people have said this to me, and I feel it. We walk by faith - Proverbs 3:5 is a verse for the moment. Faith works when it is faith in the character of the God we know. Faith is having confidence that God will act on our behalf. And He is a God who kindly tends, cares and shepherds us.
