Husband and wife to train for church role

An Alnwick couple have taken a leap of faith and embarked on a three-year training programme that will see them become Baptist Community Ministers.
Chris and Caroline Friend with their hoodies.Chris and Caroline Friend with their hoodies.
Chris and Caroline Friend with their hoodies.

Chris and Caroline Friend, who live at the town’s Chapel Lands with their two children, are splitting their time between studying at Durham University and placement work with Alnwick Baptist Church.

For Caroline, the reasons are extremely poignant. Seven years ago, she was diagnosed with cancer and while this was a very tough time for her and the family, she was struck by the amazing response of local people and she wanted to give something back.

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Chris has been a community worker for the church for the last five years and has worked with vulnerable people. He said training for Ministry seemed a natural progression.

The pair intend to support those who are curious about faith, but would struggle for whatever reason to cross the threshold of a traditional church. As part of their training, the couple are expected to fulfil certain roles required of all Ministers such as taking baptisms and leading services, but their passion will be to spend time in community – in their easily-identifiable hoodies – and allow people the opportunity to ‘share lives and find the space to ask life’s bigger questions’.

To meet the couple, pop into Alnwick’s Costa Coffee between 7pm and 8pm on Thursdays during term time or contact them on 07557 442243 or email [email protected]