Over the last nine days, we've been hearing the stories of those who will be ordained as deacons in the Church of England tomorrow at Guildford Cathedral. We're always extremely excited to welcome the newest clergy into the diocese. However, we're particularly thrilled for the nine individuals being ordained at tomorrow's service, as they are the inaugural cohort to complete our year-long Caleb Stream training pathway.
We round off our series, finding out how they were called to ordination, with Simon Ward.
How was Simon called?
Brought up in a Christian home, I attended a traditional Anglican church. As a teenager, I stepped away from church but attended a school that taught good values that have stayed with me ever since. My older brother retained a strong faith and it was his prayers that led me to join the church I’m currently a member of, having accepted Jesus into my life in 1981, met my wife and raised our family there. I’ve served on a beach mission team, led a house group, headed up the church’s children’s work, been a worship leader and churchwarden.
The first half of my working life saw me exploring a number of options – the army didn’t want me; the world of opera proved too high a mountain to climb; I persuaded my church to recruit their first Director of Children’s Ministry, but they appointed someone else! Meantime, the job I’d taken to pay the bills proved to be the place where God clearly wanted me, and I found myself, without applying for a job in 25 years, as Chief Operating Officer of the British Fashion Council, responsible for running London Fashion Week.
Retiring early, aged 59, I said to God “This next season is Yours and I’ll go where You lead”. A risky comment and I soon found myself, with no previous experience, as a freelancer with Premier Christian Radio, for the last 7 years presenting Worship at Home, ‘church at home' each Sunday for those unable to get to church.
In July 2024, I received a ‘tap on the shoulder’ from my incumbent: “Have you heard of the Caleb stream?” I had, actually, 2 years previously, following a prayer time at New Wine, but had set it aside as not for me. Now, though, the time seemed right, and when those around me agreed, I applied and was accepted onto Caleb.
Just 12 months after first considering it, I find myself being ordained as a deacon.What will change? In one sense, nothing. I’ve carried out many roles within the church and am told I must stay myself. In another sense, though, everything. I find myself specifically set apart with significant responsibility and become a ‘trusted’ person in the wider community. One ‘job’ I’ve not previously done is preaching, and I’m already loving it. One lesson I’ve learnt? If God calls, say ‘yes’!
The words of Philippians 4:6-7 were sat handwritten on a card on my work desk for 25 years.
‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in all things present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:6-7