South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance Newsletter
Issue 20: September 2015
S outh As i a n F orum of the
Evangelical Alliance
connecting, uniting, representing
The South Asian Forum (SAF) is a grouping within the Evangelical Alliance, it was set up to provide a place for South Asian Christians in the UK to encourage, support and equip each other for mission, and to represent their concerns to government, media and the wider Church. With the support of both individual members and church members totalling more than 20,000 people, SAF is steadily growing. Visit saf.eauk.org to get involved in supporting this wonderful
ministry by becoming a member of SAF. Once you become a member, you will receive idea, the Alliance’s bi-monthly magazine, as well as regular newsletters from SAF detailing our progress. If you are already a member of the Evangelical Alliance you can add SAF to your Alliance membership at no extra cost. In this instance please send an email to saf@eauk.org
Interview with Rev Ajay More, curate at St James Church Alperton
retired Church of England selectors. This interview confirmed in my heart exactly what God was calling me to do, and thus began the two-year selection process, where I learned more about my own spirituality, Christianity and the Church of England. In 2011 I successfully went through BAP (Bishops Advisory Panel) selection process and started my theology training at St Mellitus College.
What is your background and how did you end up serving in the Church of England? I was born and brought up in Miraj, India. Both my parents loved God passionately. They sowed the seed of faith in my life and so I started loving Jesus from a young age. However, as I grew up my focus changed to pursuing my plans to move abroad, work hard and make lots of money. After I got married to Kavita, I decided to move to London. Though the move proved challenging in many ways – leaving my parents and community – my wife and I were soon blessed with a son, Abhishek, and daughter, Arpita.
What was it like studying at St Mellitus?
Studying theology at St Mellitus was not an easy task. Writing assignments was something I had never done before. However with the help of God, the support of my family and supervisors I managed to successfully complete my assignments. St Mellitus have a wonderful programme called MixMode training. This training is offered to people who are already doing some kind of ministry in the Church. I think this method of training is very effective as it not only looks for the candidates with academic capability, but also recognises their desire However, as I settled into working as a nurse for the to serve God. The college is located in London and NHS, I had a sense that God was in fact calling me therefore I was expecting more diversity. However, into full-time ordained ministry. I faced the challenge in my cohort I was the only Asian. I hope to see of making a decision. Would I continue following my more students from ethnic minorities studying own plans or commit my life to serving God? theology at St Mellitus; my experiences were very Over time I found myself getting more and more positive indeed. involved at St James Church, Alperton. Revd As an Asian leader, what has been your John Root, the then-vicar of St James, noted my experience of the Church of England? leadership qualities and invited me to join the core In the last few years I have come across a few leadership team. Looking at the local context and Asian leaders who have reservations about the the minimal number of Asian worshipers in the Church of England. However, during my training church, John Root released me to start an UrduHindi fellowship in 2001, where Pakistani and Indian and curacy my eyes have been opened to the incredible opportunities I have by being part of an Christians could worship in their own languages. established Church denomination with a rich history I began to plan and lead the services along with and desire to serve the communities across our others at St James. This was the beginning of my nation. As a charismatic evangelical I have been working relationship with Church of England. delighted to discover that I have the freedom to Over time, I became one of the core leaders at St practice spirituality in the way that I chose to do so. James. Here I felt much-loved and able to develop At St James I feel very well supported and looked under Rev John Root’s leadership. As I continued after by Revd Steve and Ali Taylor. The whole serving at St James church, the gentle voice calling experience of The Church of England is hugely me into full-time ordained ministry became louder. exciting and I hope many South Asian Christians When I spoke to Revd John Root about it, he will prayerfully consider ordination in the Church of suggested that I should take a mock interview with England.