St John the Evangelist, Woodley has been awarded a Development Fund grant to appoint a part-time Youth Minister.
The new role will strengthen existing ministry among older children and teenagers, building on the growing momentum of the church’s outreach to families and young people.
Revd Mark Nam, said: “Many newcomers have little or no previous connection with church life, highlighting both the opportunity and the need for sustained youth provision. We want to create dedicated leadership to support, disciple, and empower young people who are beginning to connect with the church. Our Home-Ed Hub, Bubble Church and Sunday services are wonderful spaces for young people and we want to make sure we support them well. Once appointed our new Youth Minister will focus on helping young people form authentic relationships, explore faith in ways that speak to their lives, and discover a strong sense of belonging within a caring Christian community.”
Over the past two years, St John’s has seen steady growth in engagement from families and young people, particularly through its fortnightly Home-Ed Hub, offering learning, play, and community, and Bubble Church, an interactive worship service designed for young families. The church previously received a grant also from the Development Fund to support their Home-Ed Hub.
Revd Mark continued: “The appointment will address a key gap identified through our parish discernment: while families with younger children are increasingly engaging, our offering for teenagers has been limited due to capacity. The Youth Minister will help develop mentoring relationships, create age-appropriate discipleship opportunities, build links with the local secondary school, and help establish a new Sunday evening service shaped with young people people in mind.”
The role is expected to begin in September 2026, aligning with the new academic year and the launch of the parish’s new vision and mission strategy, “All Ages, Encountering Jesus, in New and Vibrant Ways.” Over time, the investment is expected to grow a visible and vibrant youth presence at the heart of church life, deepen engagement among young people and their families, and nurture a new generation of disciples and leaders.
The St John the Evangelist grant forms part of a wider diocesan funding programme supporting ministry among children and young people.
The Diocese of Oxford Development Fund invites grant applications from parishes, benefices, deaneries and chaplaincies to support local projects that are missionally creative, reflect where God is at work in the community, and encourage wider learning across the diocese – not just those related to children and young people.
In December 2025 11 Development Fund grants were made to churches across the diocese, totalling £299,047.