Bishop Rachel, Bishop Robert and Church Army, are pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Wilson as Lead Evangelist for the Gloucester & Forest Centre of Mission. Andy will be based in the parish of Matson. The aim of the Centre of Mission is to reach groups of people who are not normally touched by the church, to give them the chance to encounter God’s love, to establish new Christian communities and to pass this on in a way that makes a real difference in Matson.
He will also spend 20% of his time supporting evangelism more widely across the Diocese.
He and his family (his wife Emma and younger daughter Grace) will live in Matson Rectory.
Bishop Rachel said. “I am delighted at Andy’s appointment and this exciting new partnership with Church Army which has grown from our diocesan LIFE vision. As Andy engages with the community of Matson and lives out Christ’s love and hope he will open new paths to faith and will encourage new and courageous ways of worshipping. Furthermore, part of Andy’s role will be enabling other people in the diocese to grow as pioneer leaders as we continue to live out our commitment to share the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ so that people may know life in all its fullness.”
Andy will work with people in the St Katherine’s community and the deanery and with other local Christians and community groups. The Revd Adrian Slade will lead a small team of clergy which will maintain the regular services at St Katherine’s. Andy’s work is likely to be focussed on a variety of locations in Matson including St Hilda’s Hall.
Bishop Robert said of Andy’s appointment. “I am very excited that we will be welcoming Andy to Matson and the Diocese – he brings with him a passion for sharing the good news of the Gospel and a track record of building community and I am confident that we will be richly blessed in his ministry among us.”
Mark Russel, Chief Executive of Church Army added. “We are thrilled Andy has been appointed to lead this new Centre of Mission. He is a gifted evangelist and inspirational leader and will bring huge energy to this role. Church Army is excited to be partnering with the Diocese of Gloucester and we can’t wait to see the new ways we can be good news and grow church in different ways”
Andy will be taking up his post in early August (date to be confirmed) with a formal launch planned for September.
For five years Andy has been working as a youth evangelist in Kairos Network Church (a Bishops Mission Order church) in Harrogate and running a team training people for ministry to young people. For four years he was director of the Harrogate Youth for Christ Centre. He has a BA in Leisure Management and a Masters in Applied Theology.
The plan is for the Centre of Mission to be expanded in 2020 to include a second location in the Forest of Dean in Coleford and surrounding villages, with an additional evangelist.
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