CYM’s new Administrator takes up the reins

 

Andy has led a varied and exciting life, and brings many valuable skills to CYM’s team. He was born in Hong Kong and christened into the Anglican church there, but then his family moved to Africa and lived in several different locations until they eventually settled in Johannesburg. Then followed a spell in New Zealand, after which Andy returned to Johannesburg and following a year’s compulsory military training studied at college for the hotel and hospitality industry.

 

He became a committed Christian at 18, when a member of a Methodist youth group, and his life changed following confirmation and his experience of scripture through a close-knit Bible study group. In addition to working with children in the neighbouring township of Alexandra, he spent some time doing voluntary work with Youth for Christ in Namibia.

 

Andy met his wife, Lee-Anne, on a bus travelling to college, and they came to Europe in 1997 to spend two years working and travelling around the UK, living in a campervan. This included some months working with the Iona community, off the Isle of Mull in Scotland, which was a wonderful time for them both.

 

Andy then moved into finance and worked in this area for a private school and then a publishing company in London. During this time he helped lead the youth work at St John's, West Ealing. Meanwhile Lee had become involved in the travel industry and eventually they both moved to Suffolk to work for a travel company based in Martlesham. This gave them further opportunities to satisfy their love of travel and enabled them to spend time in many parts of the world.

 

They now have two young children, Matthew and Ella, and are settled in Felixstowe. For four years they assisted with youth leadership at Martlesham Christian Fellowship, but now attend the Salvation Army in Felixstowe, where Andy is involved in the children’s work, and Lee is working for Sure Start.

 

Andy said “I've loved the opportunities here for unbridled worship, manic mid-week evening groups and annual youth summer camps... and watching the guys physically committing their lives to God with hundreds of others at Soul Survivor.”

 

 “I am passionate about bringing together my financial and youth work experiences, my love of the outdoors, my passion for my Saviour to assist CYM in continuing to impact  the needs Suffolk youth.    I relish the opportunity to soak-up some of Ian France's invaluable knowledge from his many years faithful service to Ipswich & CYM... enormous shoes to fill!”