Youth Worker Emma Edwards

I was born in Sterling in Scotland back in August 1986 however since then my parents and older brother Graham have not seemed to keep in one place for long! I was brought up in a loving but not Christian family and knew little of Christianity apart from the occasional things taught in school assemblies and R.E lessons.

In 1994 (after moving around Scotland, and living in Northampton and Cheshire for a few years) we came to East Sussex following my dad getting a job working in the DGH in Eastbourne.

I started secondary school in 1997 in The Cavendish School Eastbourne where in about year 9 I was persuaded to come along to the schools C.U by a friend (some slight trickery may have been involved here!) However I was automatically engaged with the group and found a real interest in God. I found myself thirsty to learn more and inspired by Woody and Rachel the leaders of the group who didn’t fit the boring out of touch characteristics I had come to associate with how Christians should be.

It was about this time I decided to go to a church to learn more, I went with my friend to Greenfield Methodist church in Eastbourne and  within a few months was quite involved with church life however  although I knew most of the right answers I wouldn’t really say that  I had much of a deeper relationship with God. It was at this point I was invited to an alpha course at another local church; here I was able to ask any question I wanted no matter how silly it seemed.  Through this time God really spoke to me and a lot of the searching I was doing was being satisfied. Towards the end of the course the leaders prayed with me and it was there the true reality of what a life with God could really be about was made clear and his presence undeniable. From this moment on I knew faith could be radical and with God nothing is beyond comprehension.

After attending college in Lewes and developing my faith further I had a real desire to put this faith into action, no longer did I want my relationship with God to be mere lip service. I decided to go on a UK gap year with Oasis Trust in South East London. God really challenged and shaped me during this year working in a community that was very different to my own I learnt a lot about both myself and a universal and all powerful God.

Following this I felt called to youth work, I started studying for my degree in youth and community work with applied theology in 2005 and have just graduated with a BA(hons) Studying in Bristol and working in Cardiff.(yet another move!) Studying really gave me the skills to work with young people and test out my calling not only have I deepened my knowledge but working with a church in Cardiff and several  homeless hostels have been able to develop my skills and practice.

As I start my first full time job here in Beulah I look forward to the direction God will take me. I really believe working with young people is the plan God has for my life and am excited to be serving him in this way!