Clare and Emmanuel's Story

Clare, tell us a bit about yourself.

I grew up in a village in Oxfordshire, attending the local church with my family, and growing my faith through a great experience of local youth work. When I was 18 I took a year out to learn from a Christian charity in Uganda, and then studied my first BA in Social Sciences at the University of York. I’ve always had a passion for theatre and the arts, getting heavily involved in supporting local youth theatre programmes during my time at university, and after some time in youth work and student work after graduating I took up a role as a tour chaperone with a theatre company. I began to properly consider that I might be called to ordination while working as a church Student Pastor in 2019, and after a year of discernment through the pandemic lockdown of 2020 I started training for ordination at SMC. 

I studied the BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission, graduating in 2024, and am currently undertaking a curacy at HTB church. My passions in ministry are for facilitating family-like community (making sure all are involved and included), raising up new leaders and using the arts as a tool to teach the love and grace of Christ to others. I feel called to church planting, and once I finish my curacy I hope to see how God will use this in a new worshipping community.

Emmanuel, tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in a single parent household in Hackney and in the midst of my difficult circumstances I found a lot freedom and discipline in sport, ending up representing both Hackney and London in football and athletics. For the last 14 years I was a personal trainer for a high end boutique studio that did group Interval training. I loved coaching others to be the best version of themselves. During that time I was a manager and felt fulfilled when helping empower and motivate people to their calling and that’s when I recognised call to ordained ministry. I am currently doing a BA in Theology, Ministry and mission. With plans to one day incorporate fitness/wellbeing with faith to help empower people from disadvantaged backgrounds and life experiences.

Clare, what drew you to study at St Mellitus College and why did you choose your specific programme of study?

The year before I began to explore theological training for myself I attended an in-person open day at SMC with a friend who was due to start training that year. Whilst there, I was surprised how strong the sense of community was – not only the warmth between the students themselves, but between the staff and students and staff and each other. I had number of friends that had come previously through the college and loved their experience, and when I started to train I could understand why. The space is filled with a real and authentic joy, and I loved how creative the college was – offering opportunities to flourish however you learn best, and whatever your academic background. Where other training colleges focussed their USP on an inward quality of their academic rigour, SMC was clear from day one that all that they do is for the purpose of wider outward mission. For me SMC seemed the obvious choice, and the BA in Theology, Ministry and Mission was the clear route to go down for ordination training.

Emmanuel, how would you describe the culture at St Mellitus College?

The culture at St Mellitus is full of joyful vibes. It’s a place where you don’t feel judged and can make life-long friends that will help you on your journey to becoming who God called you to be and more.

Clare, what difference have your studies at St Mellitus College had on your life and faith?

If it’s not already clear, I absolutely LOVED my time at St Mellitus College! There aren’t quite enough words here to express how much. Through the challenging few years that ordination training is, SMC became a place that felt like home. Somewhere to share my placement high-points and failures with my formation group (who could reassure me that I wasn’t the only one!), that I was encouraged and equipped by lecturers who genuinely cared about my development, and learnt more about God that pushed me deeper in my faith than I could have thought possible. I met some of my closest friends at SMC that I know I will walk with for life, and have been equipped with a fab theological toolbox that I hope will only continue to grow as I keep learning. Oh, and met my spouse too, which I suppose is pretty significant! 😉

Emmanuel, what tips or advice would you give to prospective students thinking of studying here?

Be willing to LEARN GOD’S heart. This can be done not only in lectures but also through conversations and seminars. This is a place to be formed and at the end you barely recognise yourself because of the level of knowledge and growth you will be getting throughout your time here.