Helping run a Christian retreat and a major London church might seem the ideal training ground to joining the cloth.
But Suzanne Grindrod, who has been appointed as Priest in Charge of Ashchurch and Kemerton, admitted that she was reluctant to become ordained despite her background.
Suzanne had spent five years working as part of the Lee Abbey Community, a large Christian retreat centre in North Devon, before taking on a role with Holy Trinity Brompton, home of the hugely successful Alpha course which introduces people to the Christian faith.
She said: “Working at Lee Abbey was a very valuable experience and enabled me to grow in confidence as a person and in terms of leading from the front.
“Whilst I was there I began to believe God might be calling me to ordained ministry but was reluctant to take it forward, preferring to be behind-the-scenes in an admin role which was my strength.
“After a few years God began to nudge me again about being ordained. This time I followed through and was accepted for training.”
Suzanne is married to Steve, a consultant drilling engineer who is also a reader in the Church of England.
She said: “I have had a wide experience of ministry in my curacy and now feel ready for my next role. My experience from being at Holy Trinity Brompton means I am passionate about prayer and long to see people step out and use the gifts and skills that God has given them.
“I very much look forward to working alongside the congregation here in order to share the love of Christ with the local community.”
Suzanne will be licensed to this new role on Sunday 13 September at 6pm in St Nicholas’ Church, Ashchurch by the Bishop of Tewkesbury.
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