It is with heavy hearts that we leave St Mary’s but with an excitement for the journey ahead. We leave on 9 August for Upland, a small university town in rural Indiana (about 3 hours drive south of Chicago). Nicholas will be taking up a post as assistant professor of International Relations at Taylor University. This is a Christian university with very high academic standards which also encourages students to engage their faith with their intellect. Having only taught in secular universities Nicholas is looking forward to the challenge of teaching international politics to Christian students, many of whom are hungry to work out their faith in the world.

As many of you will know, we have been running a non-profit organisation called “The Ephesus Initiative”. The aim of the organisation is to monitor and track marginalisation and persecution of believers in Western states as well as producing material to encourage positive responses from Christians when faced with such acts. It has been a fascinating year and we have been very blessed with a wonderful board, particularly linked to Christian Solidarity Worldwide. It has however become clear that we need a rigorous environment in which to develop our work and Taylor fulfils this need. We look forward to strengthening our intellectual base without losing focus of our calling to be people who speak to and encourage the grass-roots. We will continue to work with people in the UK and plan to establish an office here in the next few years which will allow us regular visits to our adopted home. Currently there are two major organisations looking to partner with us and we are excited about the potential results of this unity.

Grace and Joseph are both apprehensive about leaving their Granny and Granddad behind, but are excited about a new school and friends. They will be attending a small Christian school and Joseph will finally get to play football (although I do plan a move to a rugby playing nation when he turns 16)! We have been very blessed with a home to rent a few minutes from the university. American rural communities have abundant space and the 5 acres will be a wonderful treat for us. There is a spare room should any St Mary’s folk find themselves in the US!

St Mary’s has been a wonderful home for us these past 6 and a half years. We have been so loved and have been blessed to form wonderful friendships. We have learnt much and we are very excited about what the Lord is going to do in Stoke and beyond. God bless you all mightily!