Network News: Farewell from Anna Barker
Through prayerful consideration, the time has come for me to move on from Viva. I have been very blessed and privileged to work with each one of you and witness the way you help God’s love shine more brightly across the world.
Four drivers exercise at Network Coordinators gathering in Kenya 2022
I was first drawn to Viva because I could see the power of the networking model and the potential for deep-rooted sustainable change made possible when Christians collaborate effectively. I have found it so inspiring to see this model in action, made possible by your faithful dedication as network leaders and by the leaders of the churches and organisations you bring together.
Over the past 10 years, I have seen countless examples of servant-hearted leadership blessing churches, children and families.
Some notable moments for me have been:
Engaging with Pastora Bella Flor in Costa Rica, a woman who risked everything to work in a drug-lord-controlled community, making it possible for children there to have a safe space, support with education and with kitchens to offer food to them and their families. She testified that she would not be able to continue without the prayer and emotional support from the other churches in the network.
Visiting creative learning centres in Uganda and meeting a young person who had previously dropped out of school but was now thriving back in school and running for the student council.
Speaking regularly with Ines in Bolivia and hearing so many examples of creativity and innovation of different network leaders, and the churches they bring together.
Attending regional network gatherings, learning about exciting initiatives being developed by different networks, praying together for the challenges children face, and witnessing the strength of relationships grow as you support one another. I particularly loved hearing your stories of how God brought you to this work and where you are seeing him move in your cities.
Learning about and contributing to exciting programmes including: Phone mentoring, Learning Spaces, Good Treatment Campaign, World Weekend of Prayer.
Working together is not easy. Churches and organisations have their own agendas and missions, different theologies, and pressures on time and finances. Added to that, the needs children and families face are constantly changing, and people in positions of wealth and power often do not consider the importance of children and families.
That is why we need organisations like your networks and Viva to help facilitate effective collaboration and realise the potential that comes from dreaming together, sharing resources, and dividing action based on specialisms or replicating together for wider-scale change.
I remain deeply committed to this work and have loved getting to know and work with all of you.
Viva has been like family for me during my time here, and I have grown and changed so much in this time, both professionally in learning from all of you and personally as well – since starting, I have gained a new surname and two children – and I’ve so appreciated the prayer and support of many of you as you celebrated with me these milestones in different ways.
However, I have sensed that God had other plans for me in the next phase of my life and particularly felt the need to be working more directly with people in my local community in Oxford, where there is a marked disadvantage gap resulting in different life expectancies between people who live closer to the city centre and others on the outskirts.
My new job will be working as a project manager for a local early years initiative in Oxford, UK, of which I am already a beneficiary! I have been blessed to feel God’s hand in the process and am excited to see where he leads me in this work and beyond.
I have no doubt that God has exciting plans for each of your networks and for Viva, and I look forward to continuing to pray for you and cheer you all on!
Group photo of Network Coordinators from Latin and America and the Caribbean following meetings in Mexico 2017