Hannah Mitchell is the Children and Youth Worker at Pontrhydyrun Baptist Church, Cwmbran and is a member of the Evangelical Movement of Wales Management Board.
1. How did you become a Christian?
I grew up in a Christian home and I don’t think there was ever a time I didn’t believe God was real. However, I thought because I did the “right” things and knew the “right” answers I was fine. However, around the age of 11, through the illustrations used in a kids’ summer club, I realised that I needed to follow Jesus for myself, repent and rely on Him. Knowing the right things to do and having the right answers is great, but they’re not what saves us – only Jesus!
2. What lessons have you learnt since that you would want to pass on to a younger Christian version of yourself?
I would want to say how God continuously proves His faithfulness, often despite my lack of it. I would also urge her to go to God with all emotions, questions and concerns because He is big enough to take them and will work through His Spirit, word, and other people to deal with them. I could have saved a lot of pain and heartache by going to God in the first instance.
3. How would you describe your prayer life?
My prayer life is never as consistent as I would want it to be, but I’m constantly in awe of how God uses it to shape my faith as I see Him at work answering in my life and the lives of those around me.
4. Which two or three Christian books apart from the Bible have most influenced your faith?
I love books, but if I had to pick three: None Like Him by Jen Wilkin – A great book for developing awe in God’s character. You Can Change by Tim Chester – I found the process outlined in this book helpful in addressing sinfulness in my life or fruit of the Spirit that I’m lacking in and working those things through, all the while pointing to our Saviour. Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges – a gospel-centred challenge in each chapter over sins we often ignore.
5. Who or what have been your biggest Christian influences?
My biggest Christian influences have been my parents, the pastors of the churches I’ve attended, and godly women who have mentored me at different times in my life – such a privilege. I am so incredibly thankful to God for each of them and the things He has taught, encouraged and challenged me through each of them. Studying with Crosslands Seminary has had a huge impact over the last couple of years. I also really enjoy a good podcast by people like Paul David Tripp, Alastair Begg, Matt Chandler and Rebecca McLaughlin.
6. What are the main challenges you believe Christians face today?
There are many, but I believe one major challenge in the current climate is sharing the truth in a world where truth is relative and can be “decided” by an individual. I think another is how we show love and compassion in a culture that increasingly sees our Biblical stance on moral issues to be dangerous and evil, whilst never excusing or downplaying sin. For some Christians, I think we can also get in our own way – we cause problems for ourselves through being self-reliant, defensive and self-serving.
7. What encourages and what discourages you?
As a children and youth worker, I’m hugely encouraged by seeing God show children and young people things about Himself, often for the first time. Hearing children and teenagers pray prayers of praise, and for one another, is another big encouragement.
I can get discouraged by how big the task feels of evangelising and discipling young people in today’s world, as well as by my own lack of faithfulness at times. But we serve a bigger God!
8. What makes you laugh?
I love a bit of slapstick comedy, puns and sarcasm.
9. What would you want to say to the wider evangelical world?
I would say thank you for your example of following Christ and proving He can do more than we ask or imagine in all circumstances. Keep persevering, and what a joy it will be to worship Him together in eternity.
10. Which Biblical person (other than Jesus) do you most look forward to meeting in glory and why?
I am looking forward to meeting Ruth. She’s such an example of faith even in the unknown, and of God using an ordinary woman to do amazing things.
