Chris and Sophie Silvester

Sophie and Chris Silvester are part of the St Tom’s whānau in Newtown. They live in a bus with their two young children, Zoë and Jamin. For the last three years, they have travelled in the bus, sharing the love of Jesus with the travelling community, and supporting local parishes, alongside the ‘Wheels’ team of St Tom’s. Before that they lived in Christian residential community in Newtown. They are passionate about people’s lives being transformed by knowing Jesus, community, emotional health, young people and having everybody welcome at the party.

What might new Christian Chris say to ordinand Chris? Or vice versa?
I actually think I'd be challenged by Young Chris's zeal and desire to seek after God always. He might be a bit disappointed to know that seasons of dryness and apathy are coming and that I still haven't changed the world. But I think he’d be pretty stoked about where God has taken him, and he’d be stoked that he ends up with Sophie! Ordinand Chris would tell him, “You’re doing great. Go and get some counselling! Ask big people for more input. Don't be afraid of seasons of dryness. Your needs matter. And don't take community so seriously that you neglect your life outside of it. You are so loved by God and I'm proud of you.”

What might new Christian Sophie say to ordinand Sophie? Or vice versa?
Ordinand Sophie: Following Jesus costs more than you know (you don’t know how much you value the life you’re dying to), but it’s worth more than you imagine.

How have you (Chris) encountered God’s transformation over your journey to ordination?
God has often transformed me through relationships with others. Close journeying with others, especially living in community, has been a mirror, showing me much of my own brokenness and insecurities. God has used others to provoke, encourage, heal and speak truth in those areas. God also gave me a gracious, forthright, truth-loving wife, which is a fast-track to transformation! The last few years have been a “stepping out of the boat” experience for me. Like Peter, I’ve spent plenty of time sinking - and it’s been these times of sinking that have shown me where I’m seeing things wrong, where my theology has been a bit off, where I’ve made deals with God that He never agreed to. I’m becoming more comfortable with my limits and I’m more deeply convicted of God’s goodness.

How have you (Sophie) encountered God’s transformation over your journey to ordination?
I’ve wrestled with God about my ordination: resisted, resented, cried and argued. I thought it was the last thing I wanted to do. I am learning to trust that God’s call on my life is actually God, because I am finding that it is good as I walk it out. I am burning another bridge to my old life, which is tough. But I am increasingly convinced that life with Jesus is the best life possible.

What messages of hope do you (Chris) think God has for the church at this time?
Be still and know that He is (still) God. He is love, He is peace and He is in control. He still transforms lives, and He will be found by those who seek Him.

What messages of hope do you (Sophie) think God has for the church at this time?
It’s going to be okay even when it’s not okay. Jesus is in the room with us. In The Chosen, when Jesus is in the room, you know it’s going to work out for good. Well, we get to live a life with Jesus in the room.