Be encouraged by stories from parishes across Derbyshire and see how you can pray for children, young people, families, schools, and church communities across the Diocese of Derby.
Welcome to our new Future Youth Workers!
Follow this link to hear them on the Mission Matters Podcast.
We asked Jo and Joe why hey have come to join Future Youth, and what their hopes for the course might be?
Jo Barnes, Christ Church, Cotmanhay
Hello, I am Jo. I am 19. I have been a Christian for two years.
I had just finished A Levels and all I knew was that I wanted to help people. So I was a little lost of what to do. Then I heard about the Future Youth Scheme through members of my church and I knew that God was calling me.
This is an amazing opportunity especially when I look up to the youth leaders that have shaped me into the Christian that I am today. They have guided me with my relationship with God, have given me a voice and provided me with a lot of knowledge.
I am enjoying swapping my role and providing children and young people the space to learn more about God and to encourage them to have a voice.
Joe Trevor, St Frances Mackworth
I’m Joe, a 25-year-old living in Derby, originally hailing from Lincolnshire, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of the Future Youth Scheme for the 2025–2026 cohort!
I grew up in a non-faith background, despite attending a Church of England school, but everything changed when I met God powerfully last year. Since then, I’ve found a home in St Francis Mackworth which has enabled me to learn more about Jesus and build a relationship with Him, whilst serving the great community that is Mackworth through various outreach programs. In July, after some prayerful deliberation and an awakening trip to HTB Focus 2025, I knew the Future Youth Scheme was for me. The opportunity to work with kids and youth in a faith setting, while emboldening my relationship with Jesus, is unlike any other.
This scheme feels like a God-given chance to grow in faith, knowledge, and experience while serving young people in a meaningful way. The blend of hands-on ministry at St Francis and theological training through the scheme is something I couldn’t find elsewhere, and I’m so grateful to God, the Church of England, the Diocese of Derby and St Francis Mackworth for this opportunity. Having had minimal exposure to faith in a family setting, I’m excited to learn how to share God’s love authentically - both with youth now and, one day, in a family of my own.
My biggest hope for this year is to cultivate a Godly ambition. It’s easy as a young person to want to make an impact, but without direction, that can fizzle out or become misaligned. Through Future Youth, I want to clarify my calling, whilst growing in confidence to lead, inspire, and share faith. I also hope to gain insights for building and maintaining a Christ-centered family in the future.
If you would like to learn more about the Future Youth programme go to our Future Youth page.
