Hope in the Forest of Dean
Faith Guide Jonathan Kear is passionate about helping more children and young people discover Jesus, grow in faith and make him known to others in the beautiful Forest of Dean. While there are many challenges, Jonathan believes there is also real reason for hope.
‘I’ve lived in the Forest of Dean for much of my life. Sadly, as in many rural areas, churchgoing has drastically declined since the 1990s. Around 100 mostly small churches now serve 88,000 people. Many congregations are ageing and struggling simply to keep the church going, let alone do outreach. Each year, another church closes; therefore many feel they’re competing to avoid being “that one”.’
In 2019, Jonathan was invited to lead Forest New Life Church in Parkend. With around 35 members, it was a larger than average church for the area, but at the time had no children or young people. The congregation were earnestly praying for this to change.
Now we wlcome 40 children a week, with about 120 families connecting each year.
Jonathan helped them to start a Wednesday toddler group. ‘Now, we welcome 40 children a week, with about 120 families connecting each year,’ says Jonathan. ‘There is no formal faith content, but our helpers chat about faith when opportunities arise – such as when a dad asked why we don’t celebrate Hallowe’en.
‘However, many mums stop coming when they return to work after maternity leave. For them, we started a Saturday group, followed by the option of staying on for “Baby and Toddler Church” with Bible-based songs, stories and simple crafts. Most of the 20 families stay, which is really encouraging.
‘Few of the parents have a church background, yet they’re dancing with their children to the songs. One mum told me her toddler calls it “Great Big God Church” after a song we sing! And parents are asking for links to online song videos we use, because their children want to sing them again at home.
‘We include a prayer activity – we give everyone a little silk petal and pass a basket around into which they drop the petal and say a little prayer. It’s not just the children who take part – parents are praying out loud and thanking God. I hope that they’re learning to pray together at home too.
‘God has opened doors to us that other churches dream about!’
What next?
Many of the Saturday toddlers will soon start school, so Jonathan is working with his SU Mission Enabler Jenni Whymark to explore what activities to offer them next. ‘She can access the knowledge and experience of the whole SU network, so having her advice and support is great.’
Jonathan also has a wider ministry across the Forest of Dean. He hosts monthly prayer breakfasts to encourage church children and youth workers. ‘Our visiting speakers include Scripture Union – many of the churches use their materials and because they know and love SU, it helps forge that unity we so need.’
With a group of local churches, he also helps bring together young Christians from across the area. ‘Often, there may be only one or two in a church. They need to feel part of something bigger so we hold monthly events. For children, we have “X:site”, formerly an SU event, now run by us. For teens we have a worship event called “Branch” – young people come from up to 15 miles away and bring friends along too.
‘We are seeing God’s Spirit at work in the next generation. Light dispels darkness – and I believe we’re beginning to see dawn touching the tops of the trees.’
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