Ann

This Stepping Up story comes from Ann, who worships at St John’s Newland

My name is Ann and I have lived in Hull all my life. My adopted daughter is 25 years old, she has learning disabilities and autism, so being mum is a big part of my life.

I came to faith at nine, when I joined the Girls Brigade. Throughout my life, I have been in and out of churches, for various reasons, including my career as a registered nurse for people with learning disabilities. I have also spent a number of years in The Salvation Army.

God has always had a strong presence in my life, and he has very much influenced the adult that I am today. Before Covid, God had already called me to step up to serve him, but the timing and circumstances meant that I have had to wait. However, over the past year he has become rather insistent that I now answer his call. Claire, my daughter, is now more independent, so it seemed right to respond to God’s call now.

In October 2021, I made contact with Heather the Mustard Seed programme leader. I was looking for a church and so I joined St. John’s Newland where Claire and I were baptised in February 2022. Currently I am taking part in an Alpha course at my church, and then arrangements will be made for my Confirmation.

Joining Stepping Up is for me the first step to answering God’s call to serve him. I hope Stepping Up will also enable me to deepen my faith, connect more strongly to God through prayer, and to have a more spiritual connection to the Bible.

My ultimate aim for me is to become a more loving and faithful disciple in God’s name, and to learn how God wants me to serve him over the years to come. I would encourage anyone who wants a deeper connection to God to join Stepping Up, and trust in God to show you his message in a way you will understand it.