12 September 2025
In responding to God’s call, Samuel Topping, followed a pathway to become a Minister in Secular Employment.
Samuel is a school teacher and once he becomes ordained on 14 September, part of his curacy will include chaplaincy in the school where he works.
Samuel writes about his ordination journey: “I grew up in a Christian home in Northern Ireland and came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as a child. Moving to East London & Essex to pursue my teaching career, I also got involved in London City Mission that led to opportunities for engagement with people from all over the globe. The Lord gave me a heart for sharing the gospel with others and encouraging Christians to grow in their faith.
“In addition, I came to appreciate the Christian legacy of the Church of England in setting up institutions, like schools, in being salt and light in the culture. While feeling called into ordained ministry, I also felt called to stay engaged in the world of the ‘secular’ workplace.
“This has led me to follow the pathway of MSE - Minister in Secular Employment. This means that I will be ordained and complete my curacy at a parish church (Becontree, St George), but that I will remain a teacher and part of my curacy will be through chaplaincy work at my school/workplace.
“I passionately believe that our culture needs embodied Christian living and witness in the daily patterns and struggles of people’s lives and for most people this is through the workplace. Schools and universities have historically been an extension of the mission of the Church, and I want to see the local parish church growing and engaging with the community and institutions around them.
“I am excited about my ordination and the opportunities for service and mission. We are not called to be ‘lone rangers’ as Christians and so I pray that God will anoint my family and I with a renewed sense of purpose and power in the Spirit, as an ordained minister in the Church of England.”
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This article has been taken from the latest edition of WePray, our quarterly prayer diary which brings together our Cycle of Prayer and stories from across our Diocese.