After completing their university studies at Western University in London, Ontario, Rhys Plant and his wife Natalie had their hearts set on going into full-time international missions work. However, God had other plans. They didn’t make it into the mission field… at least not the mission field they had originally anticipated.
In the years after finishing his university studies, Rhys acquired experience and built many relationships in the marketplace, working as a contractor, a barista, a Developmental Services Worker and a warehouse supervisor. Along the way, he and Natalie also welcomed five amazing kids into their family.
In early 2020, after completing his Master’s of Theological Studies, his family hoped to move to Scotland to work in a low-income area but things shifted. A new opportunity surfaced to serve in their hometown of London.
Some time ago, West London Alliance Church was compelled by the Spirit to purchase and do substantial work to update a building in an area in the east end of London called Chelsea Green. In need of a part-time leader to develop a new community within this space, Rhys came to mind as the perfect fit. Though Rhys and his family were originally set to move abroad, he sees a connection to the type of work he would have done in Scotland.
Rhys shares, “I’m not intimately familiar with Chelsea Green yet. It is a higher need, low-income, and under-churched area in London, and we are excited to get there and dig into the neighbourhood and show and preach the gospel to those who need to hear it. God, in his providence, provided a building in the neighbourhood and worked it so that we get to plant there. We had been planning to go work in low-income neighbourhoods in Scotland, and this is a very similar field, so it’s a natural fit.”
As a New Ventures Apprentice, Rhys will be spending the next year in development and discernment to prepare for this pastoral role. He has an extensive reading list in addition to prayer, preaching, and planning. As a part of his apprenticeship he is also hoping to spend five months in Washington DC, doing an internship at Capitol Hill Baptist Church.
We are thrilled to follow this story of God’s care for Rhys and his gifts.
Excited about the new things God is doing through Rhys?
Here are some ways you can join him on mission.
Pray
Rhys shares the following requests:
Pray for our kids as they prepare for a lot of transition, and for our family in general as we step into the work of church planting.
Pray for Chelsea Green, the area of London that we are planting in, that the gospel will change people’s lives.
Pray for the core team that comes with us on the plant⏤that God would prepare them and use them for the glory of God in Chelsea Green.
Give
All donations received are processed through Canada Helps and will receive a tax receipt. The funds go directly to the New Venture Apprentice to be used toward their development and ministry needs.
Learn more
Visit Rhys Plant’s profile.