Ladies & Gentlemen... Pete Ward - 5 Jan 2004
Let me have the pleasure of introducing you to the newest member of the 24-7 Prayer Team Pete Ward! Pete's been involved in 24-7 in many ways for many years, but in 2004 Pete will be taking the very brave plunge of coming on board full time! This is an amazing answer to prayer for us (thank you God! you are so incredibly faithful!) so we thought we'd let Pete introduce himself, what he'll be doing and some ways in which you can support him in prayer over the coming months...
The job I'm coming to do is 'Head of Operations, 24-7Prayer UK. The main areas of responsibility will be:
+ All of 24-7Prayer UK's organisational processes, including
Finances,
Personnel, and
Systems
+ Line Management
+ Special Projects
Although the job focuses on the UK, I will provide expertise to the International movement, on a kind of 'consultancy' basis.
As for my background, I grew up in a small village on the edge of the Cotswolds called Ashton Keynes (UK). Having spent a very enjoyable three years at Nottingham University, I moved to Reading to work in the IT Division of Thames Water.
Over my time at Thames Water, I've had roles in Management Information, Business Analysis, Project Governance and Technical Architecture, amongst other things. Working at Thames has been flexible enough for me to be involved in many church related activities such as youth work and, more recently, prayer for the town of Reading. Two years ago, Thames were also kind enough to let me take a years sabbatical, to help set up and run the Reading Boiler Room.
There is a really strong sense of calling over my move to 24-7Prayer. The offer of the job from 24-7 came as a great surprise, and at first I wasn't sure how it all fitted with my calling to Reading, and the practicalities of earning a crust! However, as I prayed things through, God has lead me on a real journey of revelation, and I've had more prophesy over the last few months of my life than all of the previous 18 years of my Christian journey put together. A particular turning point was some very direct prophesy from Martin Scott about changes in job roles and escalations in responsibility!
As for prayer, I would really appreciate intercession for the following areas:
- Renewed vision - That as God takes me in this new direction, He would reveal very clearly to me the things that He desires me to focus on. I don't want to come to 24-7 relying in my own strengths and experience, but in His.
- Life in balance - God has been taking me on a real journey of exploration with the monastic over the last five years, particularly in my time at the Boiler Room. Please pray that I would continue to receive revelation about leading a life of balanced work, rest and prayer, maintaining the presence of the Holy Spirit in all that I do.
- Effectiveness - It is my desire that I am able to make a significant difference at 24-7, and that I can be effective in bringing about a greater release of the kingdom through working with the team. Please pray that God would 'establish the work of my hands', as it says in Psalm 90:17
God bless,
Pete Ward "