25 years and counting

Amy Holt, civil engineer and Overall Leader for Shrewsbury Venture, came on her first Venture in 1997. She became a leader in 2003, and has been volunteering ever since.

I started volunteering in 2003 after I was too old to attend my Venture anymore. The leadership team approached me about coming back as part of the team… 18 years later I still love it! For me, the best thing about volunteering is seeing young people flourish into who God has created them to be.

Once upon a time I didn't know who Jesus was, and through Ventures I discovered him wholeheartedly, that’s why I love volunteering for Ventures. And that's what I want for all the young people who come on Venture too!

Volunteering on Ventures means there are so many amazing moments and memories. I love seeing young people feel free to worship, explore and really connect with who Jesus is in a deep and real way.

One of my fondest memories was doing 'lights out' to discover all the girls had decided on the last night to sneak into one room together, duvets and all! They were talking about some really big subjects, and asked me if I would join in before they all had to go back to their dorms. Being invited into a teens world as a leader was a moment of trust and honour. It was a very real and honest time together, and one where - when I think back - I would have totally appreciated as a young person. Creating moments for God's truth in daily life... It's just the best!

As a leadership team, we are literally scattered across the UK (and Belgium!) so one of the surprising joys COVID-19 brought about for us was the ease with which we could get the team together on a Zoom session for catch up and prayer times.

If you’re considering volunteering for Ventures and Falcons, I would whole-heartedly say, ‘do it!’ You give so much of yourself but also gain so much in return. You give your time, strength, wisdom, knowledge and your contributions. Yet the return is greater, more of Him. You are living out what God commanded, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation’ (Mark 16:15). Our Venture becomes the world, the young people are all that matter. We get to bring good news and joy to the young people on such a concentrated level, it's an amazing opportunity to serve in such a unique way.

Ventures isn't the only charity I'm passionate for, I'm always told I do too much. So, in the craziness that my life is, only through God's divine timing and strength am I able to fit volunteering in. So long as God helps me, I'll keep doing His work. This is my 25th year being involved in Ventures, and I'm ready for all that God has planned!