Solomon John, originally from India, is currently serving with Antioch Network Manchester, a church planting movement within the Manchester Diocese. He is married to Priscilla, and together they have a son, Isaiah, who will soon turn three.
‘With a deep passion for expanding God’s Kingdom, I am committed to evangelism, church planting, pastoral care, and community outreach. I enjoy working with diverse groups and engaging with people in public spaces such as streets, pubs, shopping centres, and restaurants to share the message of hope and transformation.
My journey into ministry was inspired by witnessing my relatives and villagers from Hindu backgrounds accepting Jesus Christ through my father’s ministry. I committed my life to the ministry of His kingdom.
At 18, I travelled 1,200 miles to Udaipur, North India, where I joined the Native Missionary Movement and trained at Filadelfia Bible College. I then served as a full-time missionary among the Bhil tribal community in Rajasthan.
Over the years, I worked with Gospel for Asia in Assam and Uttar Pradesh, focusing on outreach and community development. Later, my work with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Madhya Pradesh involved ministry among the Banchada community, known for sex work. Before moving to the UK, I served in Bihar, working with the Nat and Mushar communities, addressing challenges such as poverty and exploitation.
My experiences have strengthened my dedication to mission work, and I remain committed to serving God creatively and effectively in transforming lives and communities.
My academic background includes a Master of Divinity from Union Biblical Seminary, Pune and bachelor's degrees in arts and theology.
Beyond ministry, I enjoy using social media for evangelism, reading, cooking, and caring for people, striving to serve God faithfully and creatively in every capacity.
After being recommended for ordination training by the Bishop of Manchester Diocese, I started looking for a college that offered a church planting course. I found St Hild to be an exciting and suitable choice. When I visited the Mirfield Centre on an Open Day, I was impressed by the diversity of students, the variety of courses available, and the warm welcome from the staff and tutors. I also liked the flexibility of online modules, which made learning easier and more convenient for me.
I felt that St Hild was the right place for my training, and since joining, my experience has been very fulfilling. I really appreciate the flexible learning options and have enjoyed the learning process, gaining valuable knowledge that is preparing me for my ministry. My core tutor, Shona, my personal tutor, Christian, and my ministry supervisor, John Brett, have been excellent mentors throughout my formation and training journey. Meeting with them in person has been incredibly valuable, as they provide great support, encouragement, and guidance. Their insights and advice have played a crucial role in helping me navigate my training and personal development in ministry.
My time at St Hild has helped me grow academically, spiritually, and personally as I prepare to serve God. I have developed a stronger love for God, His church, and the community, and I am learning to serve in creative ways that meet the needs of the people I work with. The supportive learning environment encourages me to ask questions, explore different ideas, and deepen my understanding of ministry.
Studying at St Hild has been both challenging and rewarding. I have completed one assessment and am working on my second, finding the coursework interesting and useful for my ministry. I am thankful for the chance to grow and look forward to continuing my training at St Hild.
One of the most encouraging aspects of my ministry with Antioch Network Manchester is witnessing how the good news of Jesus is bringing hope, love, and transformation to the local community. As a church planter, I lead evangelism efforts, weekly Bible studies, prayer gatherings, and church services, where I encounter people who are lost, broken, and searching for peace and joy. It is truly uplifting to share with them that in Jesus, they can find the love and hope they need.
A significant highlight of our ministry is seeing individuals who have been struggling with the power of sin, darkness, and spiritual oppression begin to experience the true light of Christ. Our weekly street evangelism efforts have also been fruitful, as some people who were initially reached on the streets have started attending our Bible studies and prayer meetings. Seeing them take steps to explore the Christian faith and seek prayer is truly encouraging and affirms the work we are doing.
Despite the challenge of securing a permanent venue for our Sunday gatherings, people continue to journey with us in faith, showing commitment and eagerness to grow in their spiritual walk. This persistence and hunger for God in the community is a testament to His work among us and a source of great encouragement in our ministry efforts.
I have attended three weekend residentials so far, which have been valuable opportunities for worship, fellowship, and learning. The Mission and Evangelism module has been particularly impactful, offering fresh insights into various ministry models, historical perspectives, and approaches relevant to my ministry context. I appreciate the diversity of tutors, each bringing unique perspectives to the sessions. I am also learning different traditions within the church of Jesus Christ which I get to see in St. Hild college.
The most recent residential provided profound insights into personal and group evangelism, nurture courses, and church planting movements. These sessions have equipped me with practical strategies and a deeper theological understanding. Additionally, I thoroughly enjoyed studying the Christian Ethics module with Justin, which provided engaging discussions and thought-provoking insights.
I highly recommend St Hild College for its excellent flexible learning pathways, which cater to the diverse needs of students. The college fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment with a diverse community, enriching the learning experience by offering opportunities to engage with different perspectives. The wide variety of modules covers essential areas of theology, ministry, and mission, providing practical insights relevant to ministry work.
One of the key strengths of St Hild is its friendly and approachable tutors who encourage deep thinking and help students appreciate different viewpoints. Their support and guidance have been invaluable to my spiritual and academic growth.
For those considering theological training, my advice is to embrace the learning journey with an open mind, engage actively with diverse perspectives, and make the most of the resources available. St Hild provides a strong foundation for both academic and spiritual development, making it an ideal choice for ministry preparation.
