Meet Revd Ross Wilson
Revd Ross Wilson reflects on his year as a deacon intern…
I’ve given up trying to second–guess God! About 9 years ago, my wife Sonia and my soon–to–be 3 girls – Bex, CJ and Kez – moved to Bangkok with Church Mission Society to help develop a social action project. Tragically, within 6 months of our arrival, our leader died suddenly and the slum where we worked was destroyed by fire. We ended up working for an Anglican church in the city centre instead and, to our surprise, found that we loved it. During this time, we became convinced that God was asking me to get ordained, as a life calling to encourage people in faith.
Since returning to Ireland, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside a fantastic team in Willowfield Church, Belfast. What a place to learn! Our church is a beautifully diverse bunch of people from all walks of life – ranging from some who have been Christians for years to others who are tentatively exploring faith. In everything we do as a Church, we try to be outward–focused and it’s this emphasis on reaching out to the local community with the love of Christ which excites me. There’s never a dull moment – on the same day, I can be preparing a talk, visiting a sick person, praying for people on the streets, mentoring faith in a friend, doing Alpha in a local pub, etc., etc. The variety of things to get involved in at Willowfield is broad and the opportunities to develop gifts and step out in faith are rich.
In all this it’s important to me that Sonia and the girls are also integrated and happy. I thank God this is the case and pray that in the years that follow, each of us will continue to learn, be stretched and encouraged in our faith here.