News from our Sector Ministers  

James Bushnell
Chaplain for Kenward Trust

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

I have served as chaplain for the Kenward trust for nearly three years now.  The Kenward Trust is a charity that was founded in 1968 by Ray and Violet Sinden.  They felt God's call to sell their family farm in Weald near Sevenoaks and offer care and support to people who were homeless.  Kenward House in Yalding was to be their location and it has operated with God's grace ever since.  Originally I felt God call me to be their chaplain as their former chaplain was at the point of moving on to another ministry.  My financial situation at the time dictated that the position would need to be funded, but Kenward was not in a position to meet this.  As it turned out, I was to take a paid position there as a part-time group therapist.  Then the head of therapy, who knew that I was also the pastor for Yalding Baptist Church, asked me if I would consider using some of my paid time there to be chaplain for the residents in addition to my current role.  This seemed like God's plan all along as I had already formed a relationship with residents at Kenward House and it would fit in very well.  My role as chaplain has the support and respect from others in the staff team because they know me and appreciate the fact that I have a pre-existing history of having worked with the trust before.

My time as chaplain has consisted of providing groups on Spirituality.  I have been given complete creative freedom as the head of therapy told me "you can do pretty much whatever you want in those groups".  This showed that I have earned a tremendous amount of trust and respect from those who make the big decisions.  I realise that many people with addiction to alcohol and drugs come with an aversion to the idea of anything faith based.   Therefore, in order to encourage people to explore faith, I first need to help them to see that they have spiritual needs.  I cover themes of value, truth, morality, identity and faith to name a few.  They have been received very well by the residents and the other therapists who sit in on the groups.  

From this, I have had the privilege of spending time with residents one to one.  I advertise my position as chaplain as one who is available for those who wish to enhance or reconnect with God, those who would like to explore faith and those who wish to rant in anger about religion and all its double standards.  The latter is a group that I relish the opportunity to talk with as many are blaming the composer rather than the poor musician.  

Another blessing that has come from this is in seeing residents come along to Yalding Baptist Church.  They are met with a warm and loving welcome.  They often come more than once and some have even helped out with playing guitar with me at the front, or serving hot drinks and cakes that they baked themselves.  

One particular resident (who shall be unnamed) joined the program as an atheist and prided himself on his intellect.  He was not hostile to the concept of belief in God, but saw it as unnecessary to life and recovery.  Over the course of his treatment, he came to realise that it didn't matter how much he knew, it wasn't helping him or giving him hope and peace.  Eventually he had an awakening and now has a love of God and attributes the search for a clean life with purpose, to the search for God.  He said to me that he feels a frustration that other residents cannot see this as ultimately that is what they are really looking for.  This resident is very young in his faith but retains so much passion for God and this has even startled his non believing parents.  I spoke with his parents about this as he had brought them to church with him.  They are not believers but they were amazed at the transformation they had seen in their son.  Sadly they attributed his change to my influence but their son is emphatic at telling them that I have merely been the messenger.  Amazingly, they have come with him to church a number of times when they are in the area to visit him.  They tell me that they look forward to coming as it is now part of their visit routine.

In closing, I have learned that change in broken people comes not through strong bible verse spouting and name bombing Jesus at every opportunity, but through showing genuine care and love to people who are desperate and lost.  Yes the residents and staff know that I am a Christian and a pastor, but these are titles that need to give way to me being a person as well.  The conversations about salvation and Christ's sacrifice do come, but this happens when love has broken down the relational and title barriers.  God has been moving and bringing His peace through the simplest and smallest acts of kindness.  May this encourage you all to persevere and keep fighting the good fight.

Prayer points:

• That God will continue to bless the work of the chaplaincy and draw many to his side.
• That fund raising for the proposed chapel to be built will raise what is needed the much needed protected space.
• That residents will continue to come along to a church in the village (ours would be nice).
• That the staff team would become more open to the Christian message for themselves.