Last Sunday, 4th June 2023, Sarah Louise Hockey was commissioned as a Pioneer Evangelist in Carrigrohane Union of Parishes by the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton.

Sarah Louise commented:

I am very honoured and excited to be in this position as Pioneer Evangelist and Youth Worker here at the Cork Centre of Mission in Carrigrohane Union, building on the existing youth ministry and also exploring more ways to be increasingly missionally focused. This partnership with Church Army has opened up such a beautiful opportunity to create deeper connections with those in our community- especially those on the margins. 

One such group includes many young people in the local area who have very few places they can go to simply hang out without being perceived as a nuisance and told to move on. We hope to be able to create spaces where young people know they are welcome and belong (a message they often don’t hear!) and can come and experience God’s love for themselves. 

I’ve been particularly struck by the passion, thoughtfulness, and heart for justice many of the young people we’ve already encountered display. In light of Church Army’s vision statement; “For everyone everywhere to encounter God’s love, and be empowered to transform their communities through faith shared in words and action,” I’m excited to see how God will use us to bless and encourage these teenagers, journeying with those who want to dig deeper into faith and experience the fullness of who God has created them to be.

Matt Gould, Lead Evangelist & Community Leader in Carrigrohane Union, said:

It was a real pleasure to see Sarah Louise formally commissioned in her role as Youth worker/Pioneer Evangelist here at Carrigrohane Union of Parishes. This strategic role builds on the work done in The Carraig Centre and beyond as part of the Cork Centre of Mission in partnership with Church Army. It will be fun to see how this work develops in the coming years as Sarah Louise seeks to help young people approach God with freedom and confidence through faith (Ephesians 3.12).