William Triffitt, Ops & Ministry Support at SML Poole, leads on the churches Discipleship Year for young people. William and SML's two students attended the New Wine Discipleship Year weekend conference this past weekend. Will shares their experience in this extract:
"Last weekend, I had the privilege of taking our two New Wine Discipleship Year students to a weekend away in Swanwick. The Discipleship Year is a gap year for 18-24 year olds, focusing on discovering who we are, who God is, and who He’s made us to be. There is two weekends away, one in October and one in January, the time away provides opportunities for local hubs to join with 70 other students from around the country to worship, pray and learn together, while hanging out and ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit.
"This weekend, Chris Fox (Vicar of St Paul’s, Ealing & NWDY National Leader) explored the importance of ‘leaning in’ to God’s presence when life gets hard, learning from the Early Church.
"Wole Agbaje (Pastor of Imprint Church & Head of New Wine Young Adults) talked about living with a courageous and resilient faith. Jesus doesn’t call us to a life of safety and security, rather a counter-cultural life of stepping out in faith for him.
"Tom & Esther Swaffield-Bray (IJM UK) spoke on pursuing justice at a local, national and international level, following God’s heart to ‘let justice flow like a river’ (Amos 5:34).
"It was a fantastic, God-filled weekend where we saw people healed, and the Holy Spirit move powerfully.
"The weekend plays such a key part in the Discipleship Year. If you would like to find out more about the gap year, as a church leader, or potential student, drop me an email on will.triffitt@smlpoole.org.uk"