“In 2022, I spent two months on a placement at St. Philips, Kenwyn, as part of my training for ordination in the Church of England - and this included participation in SJLA for the duration of my stay. I’d heard a lot about SJLA from colleagues in my former work with Tearfund and had met some of the works that worked and studied with it, so it was a real treat to get to see it in action for a few weeks, spending time with each of the groups in their sessions, and with the leadership team in their planning and preparations. I’ve had plenty of experience working with emerging leaders in the church and in justice and social transformation work, as well as having spent three years as an ordinand myself and participating in other church leadership programmes, and honestly - I’ve not seen anything like SJLA anywhere else. I wish I had! At SJLA, commitment to worship, prayer and scripture grounds everything, and the weaving in of formal parts of Anglican liturgy for prayer and communion is also a great experience for those involved, especially if they might be exploring formal ministry. The teaching pathway is both challenging and encouraging, steadily asking SJLA students to reflect and grow; and most of all, to do iso together, learning to hear and value each other’s voices. It equips them - as is reminded me - of the importance of seeking out the work of the Spirit and discerning where God is bringing transformation, finding ways to serve this and to see it bear fruit in churches and communities. SJLA is one of the best witnesses of the good news of the gospel and love of Christ that I’ve been blessed to encounter. It’s a privilege to me to be able to continue to support them in prayer and by giving where I can.”

Rev Dr Hannah Swithenbank

“I just want to say a massive thank you for my time with you. I hope I get a chance to say some of this publicly, but I am truly grateful to be living at the same time as you, to have ‘peopled’ with you, no matter how brief - to be moved in the same soil - has truly been a privilege. I will continue to dwell on, and marinade on all the things have not just learned, but ‘caught’ because they were just in the air. Things like your deep security, which leads to generosity and spontaneity. We need less insecure leaders, and I really want to continue to grow - I guess it’s growing in awareness of my own frailties, growing in liberating others. It feels that time with you has given me a real image, sparked my imagination, and widened the scope of what is possible.”

Rev Dumisani Nhlapo

Teboho Mosia

Keenan Farquhar