Meet the CONNECTers
Carys Dexter - Birmingham
I'm Carys and I have just graduated with a BA in English and Hispanic Studies. I'm really excited to be doing Connect in Birmingham! I'm hoping I can share with all kinds of students in Birmingham some of the amazing and mind-blowing love that God has shown me and that has changed, and continues to change, my life. I really benefited from being part of Navs as a student; I hope I can contribute to the sense of community, friendship, challenge and depth I found at Navs that inspired me to want to know Jesus and grow in my relationship with him.
Abby Currie - Glasgow
Hello, I'm Abby and I've just finished my degree in History and Religious Studies. During my time at University I became involved with Glasgow Navs. It was such an influential time in my life and I grew so much in my faith as I had the opportunity to honestly share life with the girls in my group, our hopes, struggles and fears. This year I am excited about the opportunity that I have to encourage others in their relationship with God. It is my prayer this year is that I would "...not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present my requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus."
Ailsa MacCallum - Glasgow
Hey, I'm Ailsa Mac. I just graduated this summer with a degree in Theology and Religious Studies. I've come to recognise what an important and influential time these four years as a student have been for me in the growth of my relationship with God; Jesus calls me to follow, not just believe.
Through this year I want to know more of God's heart for His creation and for this to impact and transform the way I live and love. This is my prayer; that God would use His community of light more and more to point to His glorious name and draw people into His Kingdom.
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16)
Xander Cant - Glasgow
Hi, I'm Xander. I'm taking a break from my previous work, and throwing myself into the Connect programme, serving the Glasgow Navs student ministry. Having worked in Civil Engineering for 2 years, I'm keen to experience full time ministry whilst continuing to grow in faith and knowledge of The Lord. I want to pause to experience a totally different, yet equally valuable aspect of full time work. I hope to develop in character and discipleship, being conformed more into Christs likeness, and also hope to develop into a more effective witness to the Good News of Jesus' love for us regardless of who we are or what we do, following the call of Jesus. I also look forward to partnering with wider Glasgow church through football and street outreach ministries.
Elizabeth Skepneck - Leicester
My favorite part of the gospel is the healing power Christ has in our lives. Healing our wounds, mending our hurts, and curing us of the horrific state in which the world has left us. A long life lived in Christ grants a person a richness and a fullness we cannot see outside of our redeemer. So, my prayer for this year would be Isaiah 61: 3,4 that God would take our weaknesses, turn them to righteousness and with that righteousness use us to help restore the ruined places of others for many generations to come.
Ruth Popplestone - Leicester
Hey, I'm Ruth and I will be serving the Leicester studentNAVs ministry. I grew in my own faith here throughout my three years at Uni, where I studied Biological Sciences. I know the Connect Programme will present me with many challenges and worries, but I am looking forward to learning how to live in deep reliance and dependence on Jesus. A verse I well hold close this year is Isaiah 41:10
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
My prayer for this year is to learn how to encourage others in their relationship with Christ, see them grow and share their faith, and to help others, by sharing my faith, to come to know and trust Jesus.
I feel this year will be one of trust, healing and adventure. I can't wait!
Vicky Whitfield - Leicester
Hi - I'm Vicky and i'm one of Leicester's three lovely lady Connectors this year! I graduated in Psychology BSc last year at the University of Leicester and it was here in Leicester where I not only first met the Navigators but found my faith in God through them. The Navigators have made a huge impact on my life with their love, friendship and grace, so my prayer for this year is that God equips me with all the skills I need to be a great disciple and worker for Him and hopefully be able to lead somebody to Christ, just like I was by the Navigators.
Kashimana Tsumba - Southampton
Hello People! My name is Kashimana Tsumba. I've come from quite a long way off! I am from the Northern region of Nigeria in West Africa. I studied Maritime Law in Southampton University. I am privileged to be one of this year's Connect workers. I am excited about making friends with new students during the year and telling them about Jesus. I am looking forward to a year full of adventure, growth and promise. My prayer for the year is that lots of new and old students will experience the contentment and fullness of life with Jesus.
Kate Marshall - Southampton
Hi. My name is Kate Marshall, and I have just graduated with a degree in geology from Southampton University after three brilliant years. I'm going to be doing Connect in Southampton and can't wait to see what God has planned for the group down here. As the year starts, I pray that God will use us to make the gospel known on campus and among our friends, and that he will grow us in the knowledge and understanding of him. I pray that I will know and follow Gods will in where and how to spend my time over the year, that I will have the opportunity to invest in and develop some really good friendships with the people that I meet, and through these encourage others to deepen their relationship with God.
My verse for the year is:
‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.' Hebrews 12:1-2
Patrick Noonan - Southampton
Since my obviously foreign accent can't give me away in this format, in the interest of full disclosure I should probably let you know that I'm from America (try not to hold it against me!). While some things are obviously different here in the UK, I know that one thing remains the same: I still need to totally rely on the Lord. That's why my prayer for this year comes from Hebrews 13:20-21; that God would equip me to do His will, work in me what is pleasing to Him, and that He would receive all the glory. I can't make anyone follow Christ; all I can do is seek Him, and encourage others to join in the journey. And that's what I aim to do.
Colin Brown - Stirling
Hello! My name is Colin Brown and I have just graduated from Stirling University with a degree in Sociology. I am really delighted to be doing Connect and I'm excited to see God's work in Stirling unfold this year. I am looking forward to meeting many new people and it is my prayer that God can use me to encourage those new to the faith and spread the good news of the Gospel to my many friends in Stirling. I have high hopes for a year fully devoted to God and look forward to ongoing study over the year growing in my own relationship and understanding of God.
My verse for the year is:
'Dont love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him' 1 John 2:15
By this I pray that my identity will always be in Christ and that I will not be influenced by the desires of this world.