Bailey: well as an Essential I both study and work! My week consists of a lot of variation and I get involved in the daily activities at the church in Upper Norwood. I regularly work with the toddler group and several youth nights such as ‘Girls Night In’. We also have regular teaching on what it means to be a Christian as well as some exciting ideas that our team and youth group come up with, this so far has included a road trip to Liverpool (but more about that later) and soon to come - a paint party!!! As well as our day-to-day activities I keep a weekly journal so I see my spiritual and personal growth over the year. We are encouraged to read the Bible in the year (talk about a challenge) and study several books in order to encourage personal study and development!

Emily: Well being an essential as well I do exactly the same thing, though Bailey left a few things out for me to mention. As well as all the above activities we have a 24/2 prayer weekend organised for the whole corps to have the opportunity to sign up to pray and hopefully this will be continual weekend full of prayer, whether it be creative or quiet. We also have a travel for traffic day organised, where we’re going to get people to sponsor us, as a youth group, to visit as many underground stations in the centre of London as we can, this money would then go to help Stop the Traffik. Through out all of this we are supported really well, by the corps leadership, but also as we, me and Bailey, each have a mentor who we meet with once a fortnight to chat, chill and de-stress.

b)

Bailey: when I finish Essential I am going back to Merseyside (where my parents are officers at the Liverpool Boiler Room) and I am planning to study at Chester University and attain a degree in Theology and hopefully continue on to do a masters degree.

Emily: I don’t know what I want to do after this year; I just keep praying that God will tell me soon. Maybe in a few years the training college might be for me, but it’s just a wait and see what Gods got planned for me at the moment.


3. What are you passionate about?

Bailey: I have a major passion for Prayer! It’s a powerful weapon from God and can change lives completely!! As well as prayer I love music!! I am privileged enough to be able to use my voice to lead people in worship and feel God uses worship to connect with us on a very personal level.

Emily: ‘Passion’ - such a strong word, and always seems to suggest the answer of just one thing. But when people ask me what I’m passionate about, my answer is always I don’t know. I’m passionate about so many things, about God and all He can do in our lives, about Prayer about how effective it can be. I’m also passionate about music as I play clarinet and use that when I can.


4. Something that has made a major impact on your life is …?

Bailey: Like I said before I believe prayer can change lives. I haven’t had an easy go life and have had to overcome several difficult situations! But I believe people who continually prayed for me have brought me to a place of peace and comfort as well as deep and intimate relationship with my Creator.

Emily: People. I’ve learnt so much from other people, whether Gods talking through them about situations in my life or whether is just the support of family and friends. I wouldn’t be where and who I am if it wasn’t for the people around me.


5. In less than 20 words, what is the meaning of life?

Bailey: To grow in the likeness, humility and compassion of Christ and bring His Kingdom to those on earth without it.

Emily: To be Happy with Jesus in my Life, to grow within that and to share that with the people I meet.


6. Why do you want to write for us?

Bailey: we were asked as a placement team to write for this month in order to give you guys an insight into the life of an Essential.

Emily: To give you an insight to Bailey’s and my life, and I couldn’t say no to Carrie!