rural ministry
Walking with Jill Gibson J
ill Gibson is the Co- ordinator for Farm Crisis Network (FCN) in
South and West Wales. With the help of a small band of dedicated volunteers she provides the expert and listening ear for which FCN has built up a reputation over the 10 years of its existence. FCN is more than just listening, however, for its volunteers “walk with” individuals and families as they battle against disaster and difficulty encountered in their farming lives, offering friendly support and introducing sources of practical, professional and pastoral support to those in need.
A national charity, FCN has over 230 volunteers in 23 groups, each with farming experience and drawn from church backgrounds. As committed Christians, Jill and a few friends who shared a desire to reach those in difficulty with the love of Christ established the first FCN group in Wales over four years ago. As a regional coordinator, she takes responsibility for development throughout South and West Wales and for casework in West Wales.
Some 30 new cases are received each year, and contact with an average of 12 clients is made each month. Problems range from difficulties with farm paperwork and payments to bereavement, divorce, depression, illness and debt. Jill works constantly to build relationships with other help organisations, statutory bodies and
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The sixth in a series of articles focussing on the special ministry of rural people
callers well. The couple are worshippers at Emmanuel Christian Centre, Haverfordwest, where as members of a large and thriving congregation, they lead one of the weekly house group meetings. Church members are supportive of Jill’s work, helping to provide hampers, which are delivered to some farmers over Christmas. They also, vitally, give prayer support. Dick is also part of the Emmanuel Missions Schools ministry, which takes a converted double-decker bus around Pembrokeshire schools presenting a curriculum-based Bible programme.
Jill feels that God has used past experiences to prepare her for the work she is now doing, recognising that God “comforts us so that we can comfort those in any trouble.” (2 Corinthians 3, 4). For some years a veterinary nurse in a rural practice, she
professionals in order to offer relevant help when needed. Often, though, it is the friendly, non- judgmental understanding of the situation, which is most appreciated. Jill says “It is a privilege to be part of God’s plan for someone’s life – as we are invited to share their problems and we in turn bring them to the Lord in prayer as we seek ways in which to resolve them. It is wonderful to see hearts lifted and hope returning.”
Jill’s husband Dick is a constant and valuable support to her in her work with FCN, often getting to know
was divorced from her first husband, a farmer, and experienced the guilt and sense of failure, which only Christ’s forgiveness could repair. Later, working as a Field Officer with the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) in Pembrokeshire gave Jill an insight into the ever- increasing pressures taking their toll on farming families. The faith she found some 23 years ago motivates and inspires all she does in FCN and she is glad for the understanding she gained, over the years of both the farming and personal difficulties, of the circumstances those with whom she now walks.
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
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