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Hi, my name is Mike Redshaw and I am a Methodist Minister living in Ripley, Derbyshire, UK.
I have been in full time presbyteral Ministry for 16 years now, responding to a call upon my life, when I was 30 years old. At that time I was worshipping in my home Church in Consett, Co. Durham, playing my part in the Boys Brigade, Junior Church, drama group, circuit and a whole host of other activities. I thought that life was made, but first of all God challenged me to become a preacher and then later to become a Minister. 
In the time since I entered full time Ministry I can honestly say that God has never let me down and has always been there for me.
My first appointment was to serve 5 years in Oldham. This was a blessed time, with excellent colleagues who taught me so much,
and three Churches full of loving people. Oldham will always have a special place in my heart;
it was here where I began to learn and understand the privilege of Ministry, alongside others.
. I’ve recently returned to lead a weekend with Honeywell Lane Church on the subject of "Journeying with the Celtic Saints".
This was a very special weekend of renewing acquaintances and friendships.
My second appointment, in 1996, was to the Erewash Valley Methodist Circuit, which straddles the Nottingham/Derbyshire border. Here I had five churches and latterly the role of Circuit Evangelism Enabler. My largest Church was a joint Anglican/Methodist Church, two congregations worshipping together in one building. St. Andrew's, Langley Mill has been a successful blending of two congregations to the extent that it is now hard to know who is Methodist and who is Anglican. Much of my enjoyment of that appointment was down to the wonderful relationship I had with the Vicar, Rev. Lindsay Hughes and the Baptist Pastor, John Parker, both of whom have remained great friends. It was also a special place for me as it was here that my wife, Alison, heard the call to preach in the Anglican Ministry of Reader. St. Andrew's now has a fine young Methodist Minister, Diane Grice, who is doing a wonderful job there. I encourage you to look up the church on my links page. September 2004 saw the family on the move again; this time to take on the role of Superintendent Minister of the Ripley Methodist Circuit. This is a circuit of 11 churches and many demands. However, we feel strongly that God has brought us here and continues to walk with us. There are many challenges but we feel that God will carry out some wonderful things in this area. One of the great joys for me has been to take up the Chaplaincy to Maple Leaf House, in Ripley. This is a Methodist Home for the Aged which specialises in Dementia care. I’ve found a great deal of love and support from this home, and the circuit surrounding it. More recently I have started a "Mission shaped Ministry" course looking at Fresh Expressions of Church, as my heart still lies in evangelism, mission and in making faith in Jesus more accessible to people in this modern age. My family are very important to me, and over the years they have supported me wonderfully. Alison and I celebrated 25 years of marriage in 2007. She used to work part time (!) as a charity shop co-ordinator for a local Christian charity called Valley CiDS which aims to put Christian workers into local schools. During this time Alison co-ordinated four charity shops and loved it. It was hard work and very tiring but she believes in the need to put Christians into our schools. More recently she has moved to be the deputy manager of the Scope charity shop in Ripley. This is less demanding and allows her more time to concentrate on her Church work. Alison worships in the local Anglican Church, All Saints, in Ripley and has joined the team of Readers. She also preaches regularly in my Methodist Churches where she is much appreciated. I always receive wonderful comments about how powerful her worship leading and preaching is. Our eldest daughter is Rebecca (22 years). Rebecca (or Becca) plays the bass guitar and piano to a high standard. Rebecca used to play in the worship group of St. Andrew's. She has her own house and can be found working hard at keeping the place tidy and clean (!) Victoria (Vikki, 21 years) attends Nottingham Trent University, where she is studying psychology. She too plays the piano, but also the drums. Although she isn't playing in any band at the moment she used to play the drums in our former Church of St. Andrews. Vikki now shares a house with Rebecca and their friend Jamie, who has also become part of our family. In addition to Rebecca and Vikki we have also been involved with various other youngsters over the years, some of whom have visited and wanted to live with us; others have been youngsters of family friends and we have followed their progress with pride also. So we often remember and pray for Gareth, Kate, Nathan, John, Chris, Penny, Julia, Eleanor, Bryony, Daniel, David, and many others who over the years have been part of our lives. Well, this is my family and combined with my Father, brother, Alison's mum and brother and his family we are kept very busy, but always praising God for his goodness and his blessing upon us. Please enjoy browsing around this website and if you have any ideas for its development why not let me know by sending an email to me or through Eric. Oh, and one more thing …You may be wondering about the logo on my home page? Well, I have a love of wearing loud, gaudy waistcoats and the more bad taste they are the better!! I have become known around the area not by name, but by the description "the minister who wears waistcoats" |
© 2008 Reverend Michael Redshaw |
