St Mark’s Church in Southampton has re-kindled its involvement in the Ministry Experience Scheme (MES), with 22-year-old Izzy Blanch joining the church team for an 11-month placement.
Izzy is one of three MES participants in the Diocese of Winchester this year, with two others working at Christ Church in Winchester.
Izzy has been part of St Mark’s Church for four years while studying at the University of Southampton. At the end of her studies, she felt called to explore church ministry and spend time in mission and discipleship.
She said, “I was part of the Christian Union at university, and I just love getting involved in all aspects of the church. I heard about this scheme and God basically kept nudging me to it. I was looking at different career paths and this just kept popping into my head, so I decided I had to explore it.
“It’s been amazing to have an inside look into church and how it all runs and to get an insight into so many different ministries. Part of the year for me is working out where God is calling me next.”
The Ministry Experience Scheme gives young adults the opportunity to spend a year exploring Christian ministry and vocation while gaining practical experience in a church and other settings. Interns receive accommodation, food and a bursary, as well as theological training and opportunities to develop their gifts and leadership.
Izzy’s interest in the scheme encouraged St Mark’s to take part. Priest in charge Revd Marc Allez knows first-hand the difference the scheme can make. He completed the Ministry Experience Scheme himself ten years ago, when was also 22.
“For me, that was a really formational experience,” he said. “I used it as a year to explore my calling to ordination, and the year was really valuable. It was great to meet with other people on that journey and be invested in as a young leader. So, it’s wonderful to be able to do that again for Izzy here at St Mark’s.”
Since starting in September, Izzy has become involved in a wide range of church life, including the youth group, bumps and babies and toddler group, student welcome, social media, Sunday services and creative prayer. She is also helping to develop the way St Mark’s welcomes newcomers into the church community.
She has shadowed the school chaplain at St Mark’s School and will attend weekly theology sessions at Christ Church in Winchester. She will also have a placement in the charity sector during the year.
Izzy continued, “The highlight for me so far is meeting everyone and seeing how everyone works in church, seeing their love for God and how God has led them into different areas. It might be that people are really gifted in toddler groups or people are gifted in different ways, but they all have the same love for God and the same guidance from God, and that has been amazing.”
Revd Marc added, “I think it’s crucial for churches to be investing in young leaders however we can. I think the MES scheme is a great way of doing that, to have Christian leaders in all spheres of life, whether that is in church, or in charity sectors, or in other areas of employment.
“I hope that Izzy takes away a deeper love for Jesus and a deeper love for his church. I hope that she gets a broad picture of what ministry is like, not only on the local church level, but through charity work and perhaps some deanery-wide or diocesan-wide experience as well. I hope she will get a sense of where God is calling her and all he is forming in her over the course of the year.”
Please pray for our three young people on this year’s Ministry Experience Scheme as they explore their gifts, grow in faith and discover more about God’s calling.
