The name of the fund was inspired by Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman in John, Chapter 4; Jesus regularly interacted with people that would be classed as outsiders. The transformation in the woman that came from meeting Jesus was a powerful witness to her community and led to many from her town believing Jesus’ words. 
 

Many of the Samaritans from that town [Sychar] believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” ...They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world.” John 4:39-42

Noddfa Baptist Church, Abersychan, Wales

Noddfa Church has grown from a single digit congregation in 2014 to a congregation of over 150 people that meets every Sunday.  The church has welcomed over 80 baptisms over the last 5 years.

The church is situated in an area with high social deprivation with only a small percentage of the congregation in paid employment.  Thanks to the funding from The Sychar Gospel Fund, the church started Valleys School of Theology in 2023, to raise men up to ministry in this context.

Valleys School of Theology

VST makes ministry training more accessible by supporting those who love to learn practically.

Alex grew up in a home of addiction and spent several years in prison for various offences. Alex met with Jesus and his life was transformed.  Alex now uses his gifts in service to Christ at Noddfa Church. Whilst training at VST he is building a Christian Community in Trevethin. 

London City Mission Pioneers Programme, London

The Pioneer Programme model enables only the most marginalised people to access ministry training.  Applicants must come from a deprived area where most people are yet to be reached with the gospel. 

These are the diverse and tough areas of London, where people are typically from non-Christian nations and cultures, following other faiths, living in poverty, at risk of gang culture and violence, housebound and isolated, homeless, sex workers, in prison/have a criminal background, or from deprived council estates.

The Sychar Gospel Fund has helped support 12 students to be trained as LCM Pioneers in the past two years.

“We identify diamonds in the rough; people who have been saved by Jesus Christ but haven’t been able to access training. This, too, was the way of the early church and the first disciples, ‘When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and noted that these men had been with Jesus.’ Acts 4:13. Over the years of being with Jesus, the way God develops and polishes these diamonds to shine is breathtaking. A life transformed within a community is a powerful witness.” Robert Prendergast, LCM, Training Field Director. 

Training programme criteria: 

• Training programmes that are in line with our Statement of Faith.
• Pastoral training with a particular focus on developing individuals’ character, competence and conviction for Bible ministry. 
• Flexible ministry training pathways with content that is tailored to specific cultural contexts and needs. 
• Programmes that involve mentorship and support and ensure church placements that build strong relationships with local churches who can provide ongoing support as individuals take up ministry roles. 

Support provided:

Through our partnership with Stewardship, the fund aims not only to support individuals with financial assistance but to also encourage a biblical view of gospel partnership and support-raising skills that will enable a long-term sustainable ministry. 

The board meets several times a year and accepts application forms throughout the year.