As we ease back into some semblance of normal life it’s great to have something to celebrate! In 2015 the Diocese was awarded Strategic Development Funding from the Church Commissioners to support the work of the Acceler8 Project. This gave the diocese the boost to encourage the growth of healthy churches through Natural Church Development and also resourced mission and ministry with young adults through a team of 20s-30s Development Leaders. Over the past 5 and a half years Acceler8 allowed the diocese to employ a team of mentors who carried out over 450 surveys. 86% of churches conducted at least one survey with 72% assessing themselves as healthier than they were at the start of the process!
Through the work of the 20s-30s Development Leaders we have encouraged young adults to deepen their faith and also seen around 125 young adults move into leadership positions in their churches and more widely across the diocese. We have supported around 50 young adult small groups, ran over 20 weekends away and 250 social, discipleship and evangelist events for 20s-30s. We have been blessed to see God at work across all areas of the project and, as Acceler8 comes to an end on the 30th June, we give God thanks for all that has been achieved. We would like to thank everyone for their support of Acceler8 and wish team members past and present the very best for the future.
Tim Mitchell and Kim Morgan-Jones.