Gwil appointed new director of youth charity 

Gwilym Davey introduces himself as he starts his role as the new Director of Christian youth charity Norwich Youth for Christ.

I am originally from Wales. I was born in Wrexham and lived about half an hour north, in a place called Shotton. My father was pastor of the church there at the time and my mother a nurse. In 2005 we moved out to Bordeaux in South West France (which is why some of my English grammar might be slightly dodgy...I do apologise) to join a student outreach initiative in partnership with UFM. My sister and I were 8 and 10 years old. I was baptised in 2010 having grown up knowing my salvation comes from Jesus but having not made my public declaration, or really taken my faith seriously until Revelation 21 hit me.

In 2014, having tried car mechanics and then retail, I felt called to some form of church ministry. This took the form of a gap year in a church in Swindon where I first came in contact with Youth for Christ. This is also where I started leading a youth group. I had the great joy of growing up through youth ministry with some incredible youth workers but had never taken the step into leadership. 

Having completed my gap year, in 2015, I went on to study theology and worship at The London School Of Theology. I met my now wife Elizabeth and subsequently became the Head of Worship and Creative arts, in early 2018, at the church I did my placement at. We married in September 2018 and began our adventure into the world of Christian ministry.

In 2020 we felt called out of London and back to my wife's hometown of Norwich where we were welcomed into roles at Community Action Norwich. This is really where I found a love for communicating God's word to the unchurched kids of Lakenham. This outreach work had been happening for well over a decade and I felt privileged to be able to carry it on. We saw amazing growth, in the youth work particularly. We grew our Thursday drop in group from 3 to around 20. We communicated the gospel, and continue to, weekly. 

I'm so excited about my new role here at Norwich Youth for Christ. Again building upon a foundation made up of decades of ministry and prayer. I have inherited an amazing team who have a wealth of experience. God is truly going to do amazing things through this work and I can't thank you enough for your past support but also ask that you join us in this new chapter as we look to the Lord for His guidance and the plans He has set in place for us at Norwich Youth for Christ. Please do pray for this transition, especially for the team as they now have to put up with my random singing and football chants. Thank you once again for your support.