Kay Morgan-Gurr
1. How did you become a Christian?
When I was seven, in a very boring service when on holiday. The sermon was so boring I started to think about the things my girl’s club leader had taught me and became a Christian. Praise God for boring sermons!
2. What lessons have you learnt since, that you would want to pass on to a younger Christian version of yourself?
You have no need to be afraid; Jesus is enough and will walk with you – even carry you when needed.
3. How would you describe your prayer life?
Illness and disability has changed it and it continues to change. Not confined to the set time (which isn’t first thing in the morning!) but carrying on in bursts of conversations during the day… and night (I don’t sleep well due to pain).
4. Which two or three Christian books apart from the Bible have most influenced your faith?
The Grace Awakening (Charles Swindoll), When Heaven is Silent (Ronald Dunn), Paradoxology (Krish Kandiah)
5. Who or what have been your biggest Christian influences?
Anna Roberts, Dave Burke, Malcolm Duncan. There are many more who have helped me along the way, been key people in taking up my rather specialised ministry and encouraging me to keep going. My faith journey has been a team effort with a large team!
6. What are the main challenges you believe Christians face today?
The ability and courage to speak truth into difficult and divisive subjects, and the ability to get on with other Christians of a different view.
7. What encourages and what discourages you?
Encouragement: people who were children in the many programmes we’ve run, who are now involved in ministries of all kinds – especially those who regularly volunteer on children’s teams or went into full-time children’s and family ministry
Discouragement: seeing so many children and young people actively turned away from church due to their additional needs – the ugly side of church.
8. What makes you laugh?
My husband! He knows how to raise a smile with what he says and does – without being annoying (I think you know what I mean by that.) We laugh everyday, which is wonderful.
9. What would you want to say to the wider evangelical world?
The largest unreached people group in the world is those with disabilities and additional needs. They face huge amounts of injustice in every area of their lives and have done for centuries. The church doesn’t seem to be interested. Please, please notice and speak up for some of the most vulnerable in our communities.
10. Which Biblical person do you most look forward to meeting in glory and why?
Probably Moses – I can relate to him: Down-to-earth, struggles with leading a nation into its promised land – losing it with said nation on occasion, and had the audacity to plead with God for the lives of that nation when they ignored Him. In other words, a firmly-grounded faith and a fierce love for God. I also love the fact that his face shone when he’d been in God’s presence.
Kay is Chair of Children Matter, a coalition of people and organisations who are passionate about children and family ministry. She is also Co-Founder, Additional Needs Alliance
