Sarah Louise Hockey Appointed as Pioneer Evangelist

Aug 31, 2022 | Latest News, News

The Church Army Centre of Mission in Cork is delighted to announce that Sarah-Louise Hockey is to be Pioneer Evangelist / Youthworker.

This Centre of Mission is a 3-way partnership between Church Army, the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne & Ross and The Carraig Centre (Carrigrohane Union of Parishes) in Ballincollig.

Sarah-Louise will be working alongside Lead Evangelist Matt Gould as part of the staff team in Carrigrohane Union.  

Isaac Hanna, Mission Development Officer for Ireland North and South says…. “Sarah-Louise’s appointment brings the Cork COM up to its full complement of staff and I look forward to seeing how this vital pioneer Ministry grows even more”

For the past 2 years, Sarah-Louise has been working as a part-time youth worker a role which she took on in the midst of the pandemic.  She comes to the post after graduating from University College Cork and is currently studying for a Certificate in Theology and Practice at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. She has much experience in leading youth and children’s ministries in a variety of settings.

Sarah-Louise said –

“It’s been such a joy to have been part of and also to have grown with the CUP youth program over the last two years. I’m so excited to see how God will move in and through us as a church family as we continue to build up and invest in the lives of our young people. 

I’m also really looking forward to this partnership with Church Army as we prepare to engage with the wider community more deeply, building upon the roots that have been planted over the years and especially working to cultivate a place of belonging here for local teens who so often fall under the radar. 

I’m so delighted to be taking on this new role and I’m very grateful for all the prayers and support, and the opportunity to get to serve in this way.” 

The initial focus of this new role alongside the existing pioneering youth work programme in place, will be to prepare for and deliver the launch of an after schools drop-in space for local young people who are unconnected with church, which it is hoped will start early in 2023.

Matt Gould, Lead Evangelist in the centre commented

‘It is a pleasure to have Sarah-Louise join the work at The Carraig Centre on a full time basis. After working part-time leading the youth work here in the last couple of years, including a challenging season of continuing relational work throughout the pandemic, Sarah-Louise takes up a role designed to build on the community outreach work here.

Our tag line here is ‘building hope together’ and for us that hope is built on Jesus who is our rock (or ‘carraig’). It will be exciting to see how Sarah-Louise carries this hope in her life and work.’

Rector of Carrigrohane Union, Revd. Robert Ferris said

“Sarah-Louise’s appointment comes at an exciting time for the Union of Parishes as we reach out into the local community with the good news of Jesus. Our partnership between Church Army, Carraig Centre and Diocese is allowing us to begin an exciting model of ministry with those beyond the bounds of what has been happening within the parish .  

 I am looking forward to seeing the fruit of the creative pioneering and pastoral ministry which Sarah Louise will bring to this post.

Sarah Louise begins this work with immediate effect from 1st September 2022.