Faith-filled generation
Forge understands and takes seriously that God has big plans for our churches and that young people are key, not just tomorrow but today. That is why as a youth team we’re committed to working together to encourage, embolden and equip our young people so that they can take their place as a faith-filled generation of game-changing young men and women who are hungry to shape the church and see God’s kingdom come.
“We are all part of the body and we can achieve more with a healthy body with a variety of strengths, passions and gifts.”
God didn’t choose to work alone and neither do we. As a team we are committed to:
Working together to achieve more than would be possible as individual churches. Sometimes bigger is better! We are passionate about putting on high quality events together that make use of the combined numbers of our churches.
Working together to help young people see their part in the wider body of the church. It is easy to feel isolated as a young person, even in a large youth group. We want all members of Forge to not simply be included but to understand that they are vital to God’s plan for the region.
Working together to encourage and equip young people in their faith. We’re desperate to see our young people rise above the confusions and distractions of the world, embracing the call and purpose God has for their lives. We want to practically equip each person so they’re able to stand firm against anything the world throws at them.
Working together to support one another. By pooling our knowledge and experience we can offer advice and insight to stop youth workers and teams from feeling isolated in their individual contexts, whether that’s the youth group of 3 people just finding their way or an established group of 30.
Youth
team
The ‘Core Team’ is made up of youth workers from across the region representing 4 churches in the Forge family. We are all friends and meet up regularly to share how things are going and to pray for one another.
In no particular order we are:
Rhoda Lawes | Hub Community Church, Basingstoke
Rhoda is the Children’s & Youth Pastor of Hub Community Church Basingstoke. She has a passion for youth work and has a great deal of experience working with young people. Before moving to Basingstoke, Rhoda was a freelance Youth and Schools worker in Northampton, delivering schools work sessions, running youth clubs, training, residentials and more. She loves the enthusiasm and energy of young people and is passionate about them encountering Jesus and seeing their lives radically changed as they discover their identity in Him! When not working with young people, Rhoda enjoys travelling, playing five-a-side football and watching films!
Barney Ridgwell | South Kent Community Church, Folkestone
Barney is the Youth and Children’s Worker for South Kent Community Church. After finishing a BA degree and post grad in Dance at the University of Chichester, he got stuck into church life, being heavily involved in the children’s ministry, where he found his love for young people. Barney has a background in freelance teaching, jewellery design and a love for nature, music, food with friends and most things espresso based. Barney is married with two young children and he loves being a daddy. Barney’s creative flair leads him to find ways to engage young people with worship, studying the Bible and helps him to make events go from looking quite good to really good.
Martin Doyle | Fareham Community Church, Fareham
Martin leads the youth programme at Fareham Community Church, ably supported by his wife Gaby. They have been married for almost six years and have a passion to see young people impacted by God. Martin loves to provide adventures, training and encounters for the young people he works with and to see them grow in being disciples of Jesus. Martin was a student at Moorlands College with whom he maintains good connections. It was here that his love of theological and biblical training grew and a desire for this to be a part of a young person’s formation. Martin also has a deep heart for evangelism and seeing the gospel impact the lives of those who don’t yet know Jesus. Martin is part of the Forge youth team, in which he is described as the residential ginger!
Biggsy (Simon Biggs) | Hope Community Church, Basingstoke
Biggsy is the Youth Pastor for Hope Community Church Basingstoke. He has a degree in architecture and spent 5 years as a property developer before he took on the role part time. The rest of his time is spent playing in the mud as a ground-worker. He likes to get things moving and is always thinking practically and taking a lead. He loves challenging young people to think/dream bigger and then to go make it happen with God! Biggsy has a large collection of board games, a sweet tooth and loves fantasy football.