Serving our church and the Sutton community is a huge part of what we’re called to do at Sutton Vineyard.
We are so blessed to have so many selfless individuals giving their time, effort and energy to give opportunities to those in our church and in the community.
One of those people is Jenni who serves at Wendy House and is part of Sutton Community Food Shop. We sat down with Jenni to chat about her Sutton Vineyard story so far, serving her community and moments of hope between people:
Julian: Jenni, how long have you been a part of Sutton Vineyard? And what first attracted you to making this your spiritual home?
Jenni: So I've been here for about two years and half now.I'd been praying when I moved back from Hong Kong; “God, I want a church, and I want one fast!” I don't want to be lingering and waiting to find a home. I knew people here and when they were here I was in another church and they were like, Why don't you come to our church?
I'm like, No, I've already got a home. I don't need one. And when I moved back those words were playing on my mind. So I thought, okay, what have I got to lose? Let's go and try. And when I came, just hearing the preaching team just being so real, there weren't any masks worn when they preached, they preached from the heart.
I was like, God, that's what I want. I want to be able to be real. I don't want to be in masks anymore. And so hence I found my home and everybody is real. You know, we don't hide like “Oh, I'm perfect. I've got everything under control because we don't we all make mistakes.” That's what I found here. I can be real.
Julian: So I love that commitment to the grittiness of church, that's wonderful. Just reflecting on how we serve and how we use what God is doing in our lives. What have you learned? What's been the valuable lessons that the Lord has given you?
Jenni: Yes, I'm blessed. Since moving back from Hong Kong, I decided to stop teaching and I'm able to serve a family that I work for to share who Jesus is. I'm able to serve on Lighthouse. I serve at Wendy House, and then my other part time job is at Sutton Community Food Shop. So I'm able to serve the community there as well.
It's a puzzle piece and they all seem to be connected. So I might have met a family at lighthouse, who visit the food shop, who you can you start to build relationships with. It's God just moving in different ways like that has just blown me away.
Julian: Do you have a maybe like a story of how someone might've been impacted for you? Something where you've seen God really show up for someone as you've served in those areas?
Jenni: I had one lady who asked me, “Are you able to pray for me” because we offer prayer.
And I was like, Yeah, no problem. Why would you like prayer? Well, I think there is a bit of conflict in our family now. It's like, Oh God help with this because I know that feeling. I'm sorry. I prayed for her and I felt a bit of peace but didn't think anything of it. And two weeks later, she sort of cornered me at the food shop and says, “You won't believe it. Everything's fixed! There's no more fighting. My family actually works!” And I was like “ah man, yes it does. Is anything else you need prayer for?!” That was a real wow moment, for not only the lady, but for me too. God shows up when you ask him.
Julian: That's incredible because we were talking recently about the power of prayer. The power of a righteous person is powerful and effective. And so often we put our prayers out, but we don't always listen to the answers. Actually, we know that as we pray for people, this results. What would you say to someone who again, maybe the week looks a little bit different, they're not able to offer time in the same way, how could they pray and support people as we look to share the good news of Jesus in other?
Jenni: So I know a lot of us work and we're not all as privileged as I am to be able to have all these different ways in serving.
But just listening to your neighbours, listening to those at the school gate, listening to those around you, those in your workplace. It's something that I've learned this year actually, just to listen to, block out the noise that is going on. And a lot of people, when they're talking, there's noise; listen to what they are saying and you will hear it.
We try and hide things right when we're not feeling well. There's something going on in our lives. But actually just to stop and say, God, let me hear what they're actually saying has really, really helped me. I guess I haven't always been a good person at listening like that. And this is really the last year, it’s really taught me to stop, listen and hear what they say.
So that's why I would encourage you to do if you don't have time. You've got time to talk to your work colleagues. You've got time to talk to the parents at the school gate, your neighbour. Just go and chat to them and find out how they're doing and be real with them. It's awesome.
Julian: And what are you eagerly anticipating God to do this year?
Jenni: Oh, lots of things. I'm just excited to see things change in our borough. I know at the moment we've got a lot of families who are going to be homeless soon. The landlords are kicking them out or where they're living in the accommodation is appalling. We're seeing so many more families coming into food shop in financial crisis and just seeing change in our neighbourhood to seeing God move, whether it's homes, whether it's in finances, whatever it is, just seeing change happening and for God's glory.
Julian: Thank you so much for sharing, Jenni.
Volunteer with Sutton Community Food Shop
Sutton Community Food Shop have a fantastic volunteer opportunity as a Food Shop Restocking Volunteer!
The restocking team play a vital role in ensuring food is ready to be given out at the Community Food Shop.
Based at the St Nicholas Centre in Sutton, the restocking team meet on Wednesday and Friday lunchtimes (on a rota basis) to help restock the shop ready for the sessions in the week.
Ready to make a huge difference to your community?
Apply below!
