For many young leaders in the global church, the path to ministry and service can take unexpected turns. Gemma King, a newly appointed intern with the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), is one such leader whose journey has led her from academic study to hands-on involvement in the ecumenical world.
“I first heard about the internship programme through a WhatsApp group chat of former Youth Delegates at the 2023 Assembly of the Conference of European Churches in Tallinn,” Gemma explains. For someone who has spent years immersed in the British and Scottish ecumenical scene, the opportunity to expand her horizons seemed like a perfect next step.
Gemma, who recently completed her PhD at New College, University of Edinburgh, in church history and literature, saw the WCRC internship as a chance to engage with the global church in a new way. “At that point, I felt like I wasn’t ready for a post-doc and needed more experience of the church world. I also felt ready to broaden my horizons beyond the European context,” she reflects.
While Gemma had served as a member of the Church of Scotland Ecumenical Relations Committee for several years, the WCRC offered her a wider platform. Her previous experiences in Scotland laid a strong foundation, but she was eager to engage with international perspectives. The Tallinn conference had been her first taste of such a setting, and it left her hungry for more.
One of the highlights of her new role is the opportunity to work alongside experienced leaders in the WCRC. “A real blessing for me was that my first week happened to be a Programme Planning week, so everyone was in the office. I was able to spend time with each of the Executive Secretaries, learning about their work,” she says. She has found her conversations with Hanns Lessing, Executive Secretary for Communion and Theology, about a book project on the Nicene Creed from a Reformed perspective to be particularly memorable.
Additionally, Gemma has enjoyed seeing the world through the travels of her colleagues. Hearing about their participation in conferences and meetings has broadened her understanding of global Reformed communities and deepened her appreciation for the church’s role in various regions. “I’ve spent a lot of time getting my head around how the WCRC works, all the programmes that are happening, and who everyone is,” she adds.
Another meaningful part of Gemma’s internship has been her involvement in worship. “A wonderful discovery for me has been helping to lead worship at the Reformed English Language International Service in Hannover (RELISH Church),” she shares.
Gemma’s time at the WCRC has also been shaped by collaboration with fellow intern Sharon Thiong’o from Kenya. “I’m so glad I had a month working with Sharon, who has just returned to Kenya. I really appreciated her sharing her wisdom and knowledge about all the finance things the interns do,” Gemma notes. This mentorship and exchange of ideas across cultures and regions has added a layer of depth to her internship experience.
Looking ahead, Gemma is excited about the opportunities to continue learning and growing in her role. “Life as an intern in the WCRC office in Hannover is busy and exciting,” she says. “Hearing tales about parts of the world I knew little about and learning about the many member churches who will gather at the General Council next year in Thailand – getting to be part of it all is such a blessing.”
For Gemma, this internship is not just a professional opportunity but a personal calling to explore the global Reformed community. By engaging with churches around the world and immersing herself in new contexts, she is gaining invaluable insights that will shape her future in ministry and ecumenical work.
As her journey continues, Gemma’s reflections offer a powerful reminder of the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone to embrace new challenges and experiences in faith.