photo coming soon

Name: Joel Hutchinson

Organisation: Word of Life UK

Location: Northern Ireland

Favourite Hymn: Coming Soon

Favourite Verse: Philippians 4:13

Profile: I trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour when I was around 8. I don't have an day or time because I prayed many times because I wasn't really sure if I was truly saved. I was looking for some sort of observable change but as I began to understand salvation, I came to realise that I had been changed on the inside ever since I'd first asked Jesus to be my Saviour and meant it. 1 Peter 1:23 and Ephesians 1:13 gave me confidence in my salvation as I read, "after ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise". The Holy Spirit working in my life each day is proof of my salvation.
 
I have been brought up through Ballee Baptist since I was 11. I was baptized when I was 12 and joined as a member at 14. My church family have been a great support as I have grown and sought God's will for my future. After I finished at Ballymena Academy , I knew God's leading to attend the Word of Life Bible Institute in New York state for two years. Having completed my diploma in Bible and Missions at Word of Life, I knew God's guiding towards spending a year in Israel with the Baptists for Israel Institute. I studied Israeli Studies and had the opportunity to immerse myself in Jewish culture, enjoy the land of the Bible as my classroom and show God's love to the people of Israel .
 
Now, I am back in Ballymena with my family. My parents are extremely supportive and my greatest source of encouragement so I am excited to be home again. I am currently completing a local church internship for Word of Life UK and I have the privilege of doing that with Ballee Baptist Church ! So I will be getting to experience local church ministry and learning from Pastor Kennedy, Pastor Jones and others throughout this year. I am so excited to serve all those who have faithfully prayed for me, supported me and encouraged me throughout my years training away from home.