Worship Works

18Feb 2025 by Mel Lewis No Comments

Crossing the Lines: Embracing Our Mission Identity

Many of us have crossed borders, but perhaps never stopped to reflect on what they truly mean. I am writing this blog from the Myanmar/Thailand border, where an arbitrary line once scratched in the dirt by government officials now marks the divide between vastly different realities. This border is particularly significant for the Karen people, who found themselves split between becoming Thai or Myanmar nationals. On one side, there is relative stability and opportunity; on the other, justice gives way to injustice, freedom of speech to censorship, and security to persecution. Borders like these are not just physical; they exist in how we live our lives. We draw lines in the dirt of our daily routines, dividing time, spaces, activities, and roles. One divide we have created as Christians is…

03Feb 2025 by Mel Lewis No Comments

Confidence in Knowing Who and Whose You Are

In practice, teaching

'Yet you, Lord, are our Father.We are the clay, you are the potter;we are all the work of your hand.' [Isaiah 64:8] As a classroom teacher, I found it amazing to look across a class of 30 primary school students and see such diversity - individual personalities, intellectual abilities, creative skills etc. I knew every child had been uniquely designed by a loving Heavenly Father who packed them full of potential to fulfil different, yet equally divine purposes in their lifetime. I loved seeing every student have their moment to shine amongst their peers as they brought their strength and ability into the mix. But what was difficult for me was to see students struggle in areas and start adopting negative, limiting language like, ‘I’m stupid’; ‘I’m not as good…

09Jan 2025 by Mel Lewis

Being Thankful Makes Your Prayers Powerful!

In practice, prayer, teaching

When we read the letters of the Apostle Paul, we learn that he was a big advocate of giving thanks. He often wrote about how thankful he was, and he frequently encouraged his readers to be thankful. In Colossians 4:2, he instructs the Church to “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving”. In this verse, there's a sense of: Being steadfast in prayer (some translations even say “Devote yourselves to prayer”) Be watchful. Be thankful. This instruction comes just a few verses after Col 3:23-24, in which Paul writes: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ”. In chapter three of his letter…

23Sep 2024 by Mel Lewis

Fishers of Men

career, In practice, teaching

As Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee, He noticed two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, casting their nets into the water, engaged in the daily work that provided their bread and butter. “Follow Me,” He told them, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Without hesitation, they left their nets and followed Him (Matthew 4:19-20). In this simple yet profound encounter, we see Jesus, the first Fisher of Men, inviting these ordinary fishermen into an extraordinary apostolic mission—fishing for souls for the Kingdom of God. This invitation wasn’t just for them; it echoes through the ages, reaching us today. Jesus still calls us to follow Him and draw everyone unto Him. So, how do we respond? Must we all leave our jobs to preach full-time? For some, that…

12Jul 2024 by Mel Lewis

When Staying is Obeying: Trusting God in Hard Places

In practice, teaching

‘The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you..." [Genesis 26:2-3] Living here in The West, ‘famine’ feels like a far-removed concept. It’s something we might hear about in the news, but not experience first-hand. Well, that is when it comes to food. But none of us are immune from experiencing ‘famine’ in alternative forms. Shortage. Want. Unproductivity. Scarcity. Barrenness. Loss. Lack. Fruitlessness. Do any of these resonate across your life right now? In Genesis 26, we read that Isaac is experiencing famine in the land where he lives. In the PROMISED land - the very place where God…

14May 2024 by Mel Lewis

Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace

#workisworship, ekklesia, In practice

For this year's Mental Health Awareness Week, we have a guest blog post from trained therapist, Molly. Molly helps us think about practical ways we can support people in our workplace by intentionally following the loving and compassionate example of Jesus. As a Christian within the workplace, we all endeavour to reflect and represent Jesus in our everyday routine. We have a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the values, wisdom, and guidance of our faith to colleagues through the way we carry ourselves. But if we want to be used by God to reach others we will need to get up close to them by investing in relationships, which can be difficult if workloads and stress distract us. This is why I believe INTENTIONALITY is key! Most jobs have some form…

26Jan 2024 by worship

God Qualifies the Called

#workisworship, career

Jessica is currently a Worship.Works graduate, and in this article, she shares her reflections about what she has learned through 5 months of experience on the programme. Called For a Purpose For some people, the thought of graduating from university and entering into the workplace is a really exciting prospect. However, for myself, the thought of not knowing what I wanted to do after university filled me with a lot of dread and anxiety. If you had told me a year ago that I would be working in the pharmaceutical and global healthcare sector, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. After all, I had a degree in Theology not a Bachelor of Science. That being said, I really enjoy the work that I currently do and it goes to show…

29Nov 2023 by worship

2023 TOW Conference – Takeaways That Hit Home

#workisworship, career, ekklesia, Events

A book full of notes, brain full of ideas and heart full of inspiration! The 2023 Transform Our World Global Conference was coming to a close and it had been an incredible experience. Only 4 days earlier I was standing in the typical English cold and wet at 6:00am Wednesday morning, where it was easy for my mind to wander and dream of the potential learnings, experiences and sun that lay ahead of me at the 2023 TOW conference in Santa Clara, California. My lift arrived and we - Daniel, Hannah and myself - excitedly (me sleepily) discussed what we were hoping to learn from the conference, who we were hoping to speak to and how bad the London traffic would be near Heathrow airport. Now as I reflect on…

03Nov 2023 by Mel Lewis

Darkness – it’s just the absence of light!

#workisworship, career

The room was pitch-black. I was blindly led into the middle of this foreign space and left on my own. My first instinct was to try and make sense of my environment. When I raised my hand in front of my face I couldn’t see it, which kicked my other senses into overdrive! The unfamiliar noises appeared to be boosted on surround sound. But without vision I couldn’t make out my surroundings, which meant I had no clue who or what was around me and I wasn’t able to map out an exit route to safety, should I need it. I had zero ability to control my environment or look after myself, and that’s when the darkness started to feel thick and tangible. At times, I felt like the dark…

08Sep 2023 by Mel Lewis

Congratulations to Our Outgoing (& Outstanding!) W.W Graduates 2022

#workisworship, career

It’s surreal to think that this time last year, three young women were preparing themselves for their first day of the Worship.Works Christian Graduate Programme: Figuring out what time they’d leave home to make it to the office early. Picking the perfect outfit for the first day at the new job. Packing lunch and triple-checking that their morning alarm is set. Squeezing in a few last-minute texts to family and friends to help calm the nerves as they walk in the front door of the building. (We’ve all been there before!) Now, 12 months later, these same three women are contributing to meetings, organising presentations, facilitating the morning pray-up and creating research that’s making an impact for clients and media. They are confident, skilled, and highly-valued colleagues amongst the wider…