Connecting young people with the truth!

Hi, I’m Jonny and I have been working for Greater Ballyclare Youth for Christ since September 2006. I hail from Glengormley, which is perfect commuter territory for Ballyclare and it makes getting to Breakfast Club that little bit easier... (a ten minute drive up the road at 7.30am is always better than a 60 minute drive!).

I decided that I wanted to get involved in Youth Work around the age of 17 and after leaving school took a GAP year with YFCNI on their year out team ‘Axiom’. Over the course of that year I became more and more convinced that Youth Work was for me and after finishing my GAP year I started at Belfast Bible College. I did a one year practical ministry certificate and then started out on the degree course. One year into the degree course a job came up with GBYFC and I made the bold decision to switch my degree to part-time and take on a full-time job... it was at this stage I noticed a steep decline in my social life! And here we are now 5 years on, still with GBYFC and a Degree in the bag!

Over the past number of years, I have had the real blessing of getting to know some of the young people in the Ballyclare area, seeing them grow and walking alongside them for part of their journey. If there’s one word that I would use to sum up the young people that we get to work with it is ‘potential’. Every single one of them is full of potential and its always a real highlight for me when they reach their full potential... whether through school, sport or life choices!

I count it a real privilege to work alongside so many fantastic volunteers, in an organisation that deeply and genuinely cares for young people. Our volunteers are truly the people that make a massive difference in the lives of the young people... there passion, enthusiasm and commitment are a real witness to their love for God and others.

A few other random details about me: I support Manchester United, got married to my wife Laura (who is also a youth worker... pray for us!) and I secretly like to think that I am the best table tennis player in the centre, although a few of the young people are getting good and threatening that crown! I’ve also been drinking only water for the last year!