God's calling separates twins

These twins have never been separated for more than a week.

Bedhampton teenagers Amanda and Theresa Ellis were born within a minute of each other, went to the same schools and college, attend church together and even work together.

So when Theresa starts working with disadvantaged young people, young offenders and homeless people for a Christian charity in Manchester this September, it will be a big wrench.

Theresa, 18, from St Nicholas Church, Bedhampton, has been accepted onto the Genetik programme run by The Message Trust. She’ll spend 10 months doing intensive hands-on work with young people and will live in one of the most deprived parts of the city.

“This will be so out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I’ll be living in a deprived area, working with young people who might be into drugs or drink – it’s all a long way from my life in Bedhampton. I’ve just got to trust God that we can make a difference.

“I’ve never been apart from Amanda for more than a week, so we’ll be on Skype to each other all the time. We are quite close as a family, so to go away and not see them for ages will be difficult. I’d love to come back to Bedhampton, get a team together and put some of the things I’m going to learn into action here too.”

Amanda, who is the older twin, and Theresa went to Oaklands School together, and they’re now both at South Downs College. They both work part-time at Homebase, and help to run groups for three to 10-year-olds at St Nicholas Church.

“It’s going to be horrible not being together,” said Amanda. “But I’m sure we’ll be in touch all the time.”

Theresa was inspired to apply after an experience at the Christian conference Spring Harvest two years ago. She dedicated her life afresh to Jesus and resolved to apply for jobs that helped to make a difference to our world.

She already had an interest in the criminal justice system and is currently studying for a BTEC in public services.

She then stumbled across The Message Trust’s website and prayed about the possibilities. She hopes the experience of working with young offenders with the trust might lead to similar work in future. The Genetik programme also includes daily training and leads to a recognised qualification in youth work.

Theresa had to raise £3,750 for accommodation, tuition and residential trips, plus £1,800 for her food and living expenses. She’s managed it – thanks to the generosity of family, friends and her church, and working in three part-time jobs.

“Logically I thought raising that kind of money wasn’t possible, but with God everything is possible,” she said. “£750 came from an anonymous source, £500 from the church’s mission fund and £1,300 from a sponsored walk I did. I want to thank people at St Nicholas and St Thomas’s Churches for being so generous, and for their messages of support and prayers.”

The Message Trust is an award-winning charity that has more than 100 volunteers living and working in tough parts of urban Manchester. It helps to break the cycle of youth crime by working with young offenders, sends three bands and a theatre company into local schools, and operates an arts and music training complex in south Manchester.