We are continuing the series of stories celebrating our soon-to-be Reverends as we head towards the ordination weekend on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June. Today's story comes from Gabrielle Clarke.
How was Gabrielle called?
I’ve been a Christian all my life. As a young person I was blessed to grow up in a home with a nurturing Christian family and an encouraging church. They taught me well, discipled me, always encouraged me and recognised the potential that God had given me.
After many years at a Baptist Church, I started worshipping in the Church of England in 2015, and began to feel a nudge from God that this was where He was calling me to be.
I grew up in Surrey and will be heading back to Guildford Diocese for my curacy. Before studying at Ridley College, I worked with children and young people, including working for St Michael’s Church in Camberley, Camberley Youth for Christ (working in secondary schools), and serving as Young People’s Minister at St Nicolas Church in Cranleigh.
One reason I decided to pursue ordination rather than youth-focused ministry is that I love to work with people of all ages and backgrounds. I hope to bring some of the fun, creativity and playfulness that comes with youthwork into my future ministry.
Creativity is a key aspect of who I am, so any opportunity to find creativity in prayer, spirituality, worship and bringing the Bible to life is a blessing to me. I’m passionate about reaching people in new ways and different contexts, so I am training as a pioneer curate. I also love the transformation and joy that comes with knowing Jesus and hope to be able to share that with others wherever I may be!
A Bible passage that has particularly sustained me through my training is Romans 12, which talks about being transformed by God so that we can know His will, sharing our gifts with one another as the body of Christ. For me, this is an encouragement as it is a reminder that, while I have a call to serve, I’m not alone. I also have God on my side who can transform me and guide me as I seek his will.
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:4-5