Youth leaders are an essential part of church life across the diocese. In this mini-series we will be looking at the role they play within the Church, what led them to this point.

Becky Lines, Families Leader at Camborne Cluster of Churches, has a wealth of experience working with youngsters and runs many initiatives including Wild Church where worship is outside.

She has always had a heart for the community and grew up in a home where social justice and loving others was central to life.

Raised in Surrey, now SW London, she was very much part of church life where she was a member of the choir and other groups.

She says: “The church I was part of as a child into young adulthood was my extended family. I felt entirely part of it, from singing in the choir to serving, working with children and being verger, church fetes, community events and the best holiday clubs which still inform my planning now.”

She remembers how caring for others was modelled to her by church leaders – and her mother who wore her faith on her sleeve.

“There was always someone extra at our home, or being taken on holiday with us, despite the fact we were already a family of seven living …” – Becky

“The vicars I grew up with were all community-minded and cared deeply about social justice, and so did my mum,” Becky says. “There was always someone extra at our home, or being taken on holiday with us, despite the fact we were already a family of seven living in a three-bedroom house.

“I learned you don’t just ignore people when they need help, or a listening ear, or to know they are cared about.

“I can see now I was being shown what is to be Christ-like, but at the time I don’t remember anyone really referring to Jesus, we didn’t pray at home, and I never saw anyone open a bible.”

Before working for the church, Becky was a secondary school teacher for many years.Image shows Becky and others outside on the grass with coloured equipment.

She says: “I felt called to working for the church having been a teacher.  I had certainly never considered this would be the route my life would take when as a teenager when I used to pray, ‘take me and use me to do your work’.

“I never felt my prayer was being answered as I went through school, parenthood, marriage and divorce, and eventually a degree in Textile Design and a PGCE.

“I have been emotionally wrung out, felt like a failure, and truly struggled at times – but all the experiences I have been through have been useful allowing me to empathise with so many individuals and families. I can see God had a plan all along, but of course in His time.”

Becky became the Children and Families Leader for the Camborne Cluster in 2021 after being a families’ worker with the Chaplaincy team at RNAS Culdrose.

“It has meant serving huge amounts of food, playing endless games, telling countless numbers of stories, being creative, getting wet and muddy, walking many miles, but also being organised, diplomatic, and responsible.” – Becky

She says: “When you are told your role is ‘pioneering’ it can be a bit daunting, but both of these roles were advertised as that. I’ve found out it means seeking people where they are and bringing Jesus to them, from where He can build a relationship with them. It has meant serving huge amounts of food, playing endless games, telling countless numbers of stories, being creative, getting wet and muddy, walking many miles, but also being organised, diplomatic, and responsible.”

Becky says whatever she does in her role, before she starts, she always turns to God and asks Him to show her the way.

“I suppose my faith is child-like,” she says. “I certainly learn a huge amount from the children I work with and in preparing what I am doing with them –  be that collective worship, clubs and groups, Wild Church, or even a bat event; I always start with the question to Jesus, ‘What do you want them to know?’.

“I feel more loved when I am with a group of children than I can possibly put into words, it can be overwhelming. And that’s the main thing of my faith and my job role, love the people God has put in front of you.”

Becky’s words of advice if you’re thinking of working with children and families in the church:

“I would encourage anyone who wants to show children and young families the world really is a beautiful gift from God, and that Jesus came to show us how to care for it and for each other, to look into working with children and families.

“The relevance of the Christian message has not diminished and is needed as much as it ever has been.

“Childhood experience may be different, you may need to find creative ways to bring children to Jesus, you may have to leave the safety of the church building and may feel like a small voice in a noisy world, but you will be rewarded tenfold.”

 

If you are interested in youth ministry, please email ministry@truro.anglican.org