Welcome Josh and Cathy!
A warm (and we wish it could literally be warmer) welcome to Josh and Cathy Hooker, Crosslinks Mission Partners who have been seconded to the Diocese of Down and Dromore for three years.
Josh and Cathy have recently moved to Northern Ireland having lived in southern Africa for 17 years. They spent two and a half years in Lesotho before moving to Namibia in 2007 where they have been ever since. They have three children: Benjamin (17), Erin (15) and Matthew (13). Each of the children were born in different countries and have grown up in Africa. Having lived most of their lives in a desert country, and having left Namibia in the summer heat, they’re finding our short, dark, cold, cloudy days and largely indoor life quite a challenge!
Josh taught biblical studies in theological colleges in both Lesotho and Namibia until 2018. He served in the leadership of the college in Namibia for a number of years, including four as the Acting Principal. More recently Josh moved into local church training in Windhoek (the capital city of Namibia), where he established a Preaching Academy and ran Bible courses for lay people. Josh is passionate about teaching the Bible in the local church and equipping preachers to preach. Cathy is a Primary school teacher by profession and cares deeply about the needs of young children.
Josh and Cathy continue to be Crosslinks mission partners, supported by a number of churches in the UK. They’ve returned to the UK for their children’s education but hope to return to Namibia to continue their ministry there after that time.
Whilst here in Northern Ireland they will be based at St Donard’s in Belfast. Josh will assist with the preaching there and he and Cathy will lead mid–week Bible studies. He will also have a wider training ministry in the Diocese.
Diocesan Bible Course
After Easter Josh will be teaching a new ‘Diocesan Bible Course’ which will replace the Bishop’s Bible Certificate. This is a course that unpacks the Bible in simple language over a year for anyone who wants to understand it better. He will be introducing participants to the message of each of its 66 books and in particular, explaining the who, what, where and when of the New Testament.
Josh and Cathy will also be getting alongside and encouraging those in our diocese who are preparing for various ministries. They are keen to promote local and world mission in the diocese. Watch out for them as they set out to visit different parishes in the weeks and months ahead and give them a warm welcome!
Please pray for the whole family as they settle into life in Belfast:
For a speedy adjustment to our climate and the city life that contrasts so starkly with what they have left behind.
For Benjamin and Matthew as they settle into new schools and for Erin who this year will be studying at home.
For new friends and nourishing fellowship.
For Cathy as she completes all the family admin (healthcare numbers, National Insurance Numbers, passports, registering with a GP and dentist) and gets the children ‘up and running’.
For Josh and Cathy as they find their feet both in St Donard’s and in the diocese.