| Servant Academy |
|
Servant Academy – now in its third year – is a unique initiative designed to allow its participants to develop as leaders, either within church ministry or in whichever sphere they believe God has led them to serve. We have just welcomed a new class of students and celebrated the graduation of 11 students from the class of 2010/11.
This year, 10 first-year students graduated from Servant Academy at GP and one from the second-year programme. And Academy co-ordinator, Anne Cairns, revealed that while sign-up for next year’s intake is still ongoing, there will be at least five of last year’s graduates returning for second-year studies:
“Servant Academy is really intended to enrich the Christian lives of those who take part and deepen their walk with God,” added Anne. “We ask them to take a year out of their lives to do this, but it’s going to enhance every aspect of their faith.”
Since its inception, Servant Academy has welcomed students of all ages and from diverse walks of life. The oldest participant has been 40-years-old and the youngest, just 18. One of those who graduated from first year this summer was Kerry McDowell, (33). Kerry, who is married and has a six-year-old daughter, gave up a job in retail to undertake her Servant Academy studies:
“I believe that I was called to do that and that God had placed me in Servant Academy for a purpose,” said Kerry. “I felt that I had a job to do but that as things stood, I wasn’t really equipped to do it, I lacked confidence for one thing. I went to Servant Academy because I wanted to develop the necessary qualities and it certainly worked on all levels.”
Kerry also said that her first year in Servant Academy had been “brilliant” and that she’d learned leadership skills and developed new confidence in her own abilities:
“I’ve definitely grown in my walk with God, I’ve come to know Him more closely, what He thinks of me and what His purpose is for my life,” she added. “I’m starting into my second year shortly and one of the things that we’ll be doing is working to develop our schools ministry. We’re going to be going out into local schools, taking part in fun programmes with the kids and providing a spiritual covering for them and I’m very much looking forward to that.”
Anne Cairns also revealed that those behind Servant Academy in GP are currently working on gaining an official accreditation for the curriculum which is taught – meaning that students who successfully graduate would gain a qualification which could take them forward to bible college:
“Our priorities now are to attract students from further afield and to develop our leadership programme in order to see more young men and women raised to meet the needs of the people around them and passionate about our mission to make Jesus famous,” she added.
To find out more about Servant Academy at Green Pastures, visit www. gpastures.co.uk |
