For as long as she can remember, Becky Courtney has been passionate about helping children and young people encounter Jesus and know that they are deeply loved and fully included in the life of the Church.
Becky recently began her new role as Children and Youth Lead at St Luke in the City, where she works with children and young people at St Michael’s in the City on Sunday mornings, serving on the team at Forest Church as part of Hope Parish Liverpool and supports pupils at local primary and secondary schools during the week. Becky is married to Matt who’s a big Beatles fan and an ordinand at St Mary’s Wavertree, together, they have a young toddler.
When Becky was younger, she was apart part of a local church which carried out thriving children’s and youth ministry. At those services, Becky felt loved and invested in by the whole team there, it was obvious to her that the youth team loved Jesus and helping young people get to know Jesus. As a result of this experience, Becky felt that she wanted to give something back to the next generation.
Becky’s journey into ministry began when she was just 16, volunteering with children at her local church. At 18, she took a gap year with Ykids, a Christian children’s charity. Little did little she know what God would call her to at her time with Ykids. God flipped Becky’s initial plans for life after college and called her to ministering children and young people. Ykids was Becky’s training ground and helped her spring board into all that God had in store for the children and young people of Liverpool.
A particular verse that resonated with Becky was “Jesus said let the little children come to me and do not hinder them” She felt that this served as a foundation into why she does what she does. Ministering to children and young people is the largest mission field, her challenge is big, but God is bigger, her vision is clear and her desire is strong. Becky’s calling is to reach children and young people with the love of Jesus.
After her gap year at Ykids, Children’s Charity she remained at Ykids working at St John’s Waterloo and All Saints Kensington as their children and family worker. When Becky left the charity Becky served faithfully at various churches across Liverpool and also in Manchester learning lots more about her leadership, gaining more skills and growing her heart for the youngest members of the church.
Since then, Becky’s calling has continued to grow. She became a School Missional Chaplain through the Next Generation Project with the Diocese of Liverpool, working across three schools – Archbishop Blanch, St Hilda’s, and St Margaret’s. In that role, she helped to build bridges between schools and local churches, creating pathways for young people to explore faith and community.
Now, in her current post, Becky leads and develops children’s and youth ministry across the parish. She has recently launched a new youth group, runs youth Alpha, and helps to train student worship leaders at Archbishop Blanch School.
Becky believes deeply that children and young people are not just the future of the Church, they are an essential part of it now. “There’s nothing better than investing in the lives of the next generation and watching them discover who they are in Jesus.” She says.
For anyone considering youth or children’s ministry, Becky’s advice is simple: “Give it a go. What awaits you is exciting and fun! Trust God, seek support and training and keeping saying yes to God’s call.”
If you feel drawn to help young people find faith and belonging, the Vocations Team at the Diocese of Liverpoolcan help you explore where God might be calling you. Get in touch today to begin the conversation.