Impact of The Degree

I am a third year student with ICY-UK.  When the opportunity came up to join ICY-UK, I was excited since it was exactly the kind of organization I was looking to join.  I had previously worked at my placement church for a year and was looking for a place where I could get more practical training as well as continuing with my education.  ICY-UK  has a really balanced programme which has allowed me to gain great ministry training in a church as well as being able to complete a degree course in Theology.  These elements in themselves are great, but ICY-UK provides much more than a degree; it is a community of Christians, led by a team who care about each individual student, their walk with God, their passions, giftings, and future. This support gives students what is needed to develop character and leadership skills and to release them to become effective as Christian youth workers who impact many young people across the nation.

The encouragement that the ICY-UK team and other students have given me throughout the degree programme has helped me to develop as a person and to identify the areas that God has wanted to work on in my life.  The biggest area I have seen change in my life over the last three years has been confidence.  When I started ICY-UK, I had a heart for young people but lacked the confidence to lead well and I underestimated God’s ability to work through me!  After allowing God to teach me and listening to the encouragement from others, I feel I am now a confident person in life and ministry.

I have been impressed by the degree course and have learned a lot.  The modules covered have been very relevant and have equipped me to be a better youth worker.  The modules often have practical assignments as well as written assignments which allow students to be challenged academically and to gain experience by applying what is learned!

The practical training varies from placement to placement, but mine has been rewarding and challenging as I worked with a placement church for three years.  This placement has allowed me to build strong relationships with the community, the teams I have worked with, and (most importantly) the young people in whose lives I have invested.  Although the last three years have often been stretching and busy, I have had an incredible time.  I have had a lot of fun and many good times with ICY-UK students!  It has also been incredible to see young people grow in their relationship with God and to help them step into everything God has for them.  All of the experiences I have had over the past three years and all I have learned about ministry and myself has equipped me to follow whatever God has for my life in the future.  When I look back, I will know that ICY-UK played a big part in that.

—Abi Shorey