A commissioning service for Church Army Evangelists is taking place this weekend, with two candidates serving in Sheffield.
Nine candidates will be admitted into the Office of Evangelists under the authority of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York during the service at Sheffield Cathedral, which will be led by the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford.
Anna Mansergh, who currently attends and serves at St Philips, and Sarah Clayton, who currently serves at St Peter’s, are the two Sheffield-based candidates.
Sarah Clayton
Sarah Clayton, a devoted mother of four from Sheffield, has spent her life embodying resilience and compassion. Raising her children without any extended family support, she juggled the challenges of a busy life while always making time to care for those around her. Her passion for building community came to life when she was moved by the cost-of-living crisis affecting her local area. Through her church, St Peter’s, Greenhill, she envisioned a space where people could find connection and belonging, and Warm Welcome Wednesday was born.
Warm Welcome Wednesday has become more than just a hub for social interaction. It serves as a powerful reminder of the strength found in relationships and shared care. For Sarah, this initiative is deeply personal, driven by her desire to walk alongside others in their life journeys. Her heart for listening to people’s stories and offering support reflects her commitment to living out her faith in meaningful ways.
Growing in Faith through Church Army Training
Sarah’s ability to nurture community has been enriched by her training with Church Army. Reflecting on her experience, Sarah shares, “When I first came to Church Army three years ago, I was a very different person. Now, I feel equipped, more formed, and grounded in my relationship with Christ.”
Through the training, Sarah has gained both skills and spiritual growth. She has embraced accountability as a vital component of leadership while retaining a bold, risk-taking approach to sharing her faith. These principles have shaped her work at Warm Welcome Wednesday, enabling her to create a space where people experience love and the presence of Jesus. She explains, “I’ve seen Christ at work in so many different ways. Warm Welcome Wednesday is a space for Jesus to move and for the Holy Spirit to come amongst us.”
A Life Transformed by Christ
Sarah’s faith story began when her children were young. Amid the ups and downs of life, she encountered Jesus in a deeply personal way. “Having a relationship with Jesus didn’t mean life’s struggles disappeared,” Sarah explains, “but it equipped me to face them, knowing that He walks alongside me and shows me unconditional love.”
Her desire to deepen her engagement with the church eventually led her to discover Church Army’s Envoy course. What began as a simple step to get more involved soon grew into a calling for evangelism. After attending a Discovery Day, Sarah embarked on a discernment process and enrolled in the Evangelist in Training course. Though she initially felt like an impostor, by her second year, Sarah had found her footing. The support of her cohort and Church Army staff helped her recognise she was right where God wanted her to be.
Confidence and Commissioning
Sarah’s training has not only transformed her spiritually but also practically. She now feels confident drafting project proposals, using creative approaches to spark discussions about theology, and applying what she has learned to deepen her ministry and relationships. “It’s given me practical tools to live out what I’ve learned,” she says.
Reflecting on her upcoming Commissioning, Sarah’s excitement is palpable. “For me, Admitting and Commissioning mean I am recognised and accountable to God. It’s amazing to know I am authorised to be a servant of God. It’s humbling and beautiful.”
Looking to the future, Sarah is eager to continue her work at Warm Welcome Wednesday while exploring further theological studies. Whatever path God has in store, Sarah is ready to follow with an open heart, trusting in His plan.
Anna Mansergh
Anna lives in Sheffield with her family, but her story of faith and ministry has been a lifelong adventure. Raised in a Christian household, she made the decision to dedicate her life to Jesus at the age of 9. Over the past 25 years, Anna has devoted herself to ministries focused on homeless and vulnerable individuals, as well as youth work. Her heart always had a desire to share God’s love with those who need it most.
However, Anna wanted to explore training, something that could equip her to serve more effectively. Reflecting on her experiences, she shares, “I had done previous training courses, but I couldn’t find the Jesus I knew in the training. My heart is to reach people who don’t know Jesus, and that training just didn’t align with that.”
Anna’s passion for evangelism has taken her on mission trips to Rwanda and Malaysia, and she’s brought hope and love to countless lives through her ministries. Despite this, she never really thought of herself as an evangelist until joining Church Army.
“I long to see people meet God wherever they are, whatever their circumstances—especially in places where the traditional church can’t always reach. That’s what Church Army is about. It’s about translating church for people who aren’t familiar with it, taking God’s love into places and contexts that others might find uncomfortable,” Anna explains.
From an Academic Concept to a Tool for Connection
Her time in training with Church Army has been affirming and life giving. It has not only complemented her years of experience but has also deepened her understanding of theology, shifting it from an academic concept to a lived, applicable tool in her ministry. She’s learned to engage with diverse theological perspectives, enabling her to connect with people from all walks of life.
“Knowing about the cross is good news for Christians, but what does it mean to someone who doesn’t know Jesus, who’s homeless or struggling with substance misuse? Church Army has taught me how to make it relatable and accessible to those in difficult situations,” she shares.
The sense of belonging within the Church Army family has been a cornerstone of Anna’s growth. The encouragement from her cohort and the opportunity to share experiences and stories of God’s work across the UK and Ireland have fuelled her confidence. She’s drawn strength from the insight that this is a collaborative mission, supported by both her tutors and contemporaries.
“The tutors are amazing. They’ve worked tirelessly to ensure we not only have the tools we need but also the confidence to use them to achieve our goals. The support has been amazing really,” Anna reflects.
A Meaningful Milestone
For Anna, Admitting and Commissioning is a profoundly meaningful milestone. It’s not just a ceremony; it’s a declaration of readiness to step into everything Jesus has planned for her. It marks the start of a new chapter, acknowledging and celebrating God’s calling on her heart.
After Admitting and Commissioning, with her enduring love for God’s people and the training she has gained, she will continue to serve in her current ministry, spreading the message of hope with compassion and grace. She will be more involved with her church leadership and hopes to step into prophetic evangelism, finding those who have yet to experience God’s love.
Find out more about the commissioning event: Admitting & Commissioning 2025 – Church Army