**The sale of my real estate business was proceeding and retirement was fast approaching.  "What to do now?"  I pondered, not being one to just "take it easy".  I was giving my future some serious consideration.

I had for many years contributed to the teaching in our local Sunday school.  Times had changed and our Sunday school was no more.  Faced with this realization, I decided to find out more about a new ministry for young people called "Messy Church".

My first thought was that if I was to take a leading role in our local "Messy Church", it would be beneficial for me to know what I was talking about.

I discovered that a course was being run by the Newcastle School of Theology for Ministry, and was about to commence.  Not having been in school for a long time I was apprehensive.  With hard work I completed the Bishop's Certificate in 1 year.

After completing my studies, the founder of Messy Church, Lucy Moore, was in town and giving lectures.  So I rounded up a few interested friends and away we went.  We came back enthusiastic and ready to start.

If asked, I would have said that at times I felt overwhelmed.  There was a bit more to it than I had first imagined, but the dedication and zeal with which the team approach each new Messy Church session has led to our growth and success.  I pray that God, who is at the messy heart of what we do in Messy Church, continue to guide and strengthen us in this ministry.