Training Hub so far…
By Erin Hibbard, BUS Training Hub and National Team Assistant
We’re excited to report that this year’s Training Hub is well under way with five passionate trainees joining us for an intentional year of discipleship! The 2023/24 cohort are eager to grow in their faith and we are inspired by their willingness to set aside time dedicated to their spiritual formation alongside work or study. I thought I’d take the opportunity to walk you through our year so far!
The year kicked off with a weekend in Nethy Bridge in Aviemore; an awesome gift from the Abernethy Trust! We spent time getting to know each other and taking in the beautiful surroundings, whilst of course jumping at the opportunity to go gorge walking in the freezing cold… team bonding at its finest, right guys!!
We had precious times of worship, prayer, and our first teaching sessions of the year where Ali Laing led us in an introduction to discipleship. He took us through discipleship models we can look to as references throughout the year, together and in one-to-one coaching. Throughout the weekend we spent time on spiritual practices we want to cultivate individually and as a team throughout the year; prayer, scripture study, journaling, silence, and solitude.
In the months when we don’t have a residential, we have an evening hub! This is where we hang out, worship God, and learn about a spiritual gift or practise. Our first hub was in October and our friend Alan Ross from Gateway Church joined us and taught an inspiring session on the spiritual gift of prophecy. He then shared his prophetic gifting with us as he prayed over us individually. This is so encouraging for the trainees to look back on throughout the year and beyond as we walk with Christ.
In December, BUS’s Lisa H
olmes brought a word on how we make space for God in our lives, and looked at practices of silence, solitude, and sabbath, a big challenge on how we go against the culture of hurry! Most recently in January, worship leader Sam Hibbard taught a session on whole-life worship, which was an amazing night of sharing and challenge. A big thank you to all who contribute to Training Hub, we’re so grateful for your experience and wisdom.
In November we had our second residential – this was a big one! We were based in Glasgow city centre and took a deep dive into some big topics. The pastors from Easterhouse Baptist Church, Pam and Niall Fulton, joined us for a day and delivered some powerful teaching on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality.
We learned how connected Jesus was with his emotions, and how important it is that we look beneath the surface of our own emotions also, to reach spiritual and emotional maturity. We decompressed by having pizza and games the night before day two.
The following day we slowly walked through Neil Anderson’s Steps to Freedom in Christ together. This profound resource called for us to go to a deeper place with God, as we invited the Holy Spirit in to help us identify areas where we are not yet living in freedom. 
The final aspects that make up Training Hub are our one-to-one coaching sessions and book club. We are reading through the entire new testament this year using the Immerse Bible Reading resource.
Every fortnight we meet on zoom and chat through the passages; asking questions like what challenged us, what stood out, and how might this impact the way we live and think about God?
Please pray for this group of young leaders as they continue this journey of going deeper with God together.
Training Hub is our discipleship programme that runs over 10 months. It’s built upon 3 key areas: spiritual formation, mission, and leadership. We want to see people growing deeper in their relationship with God and others; making disciples in their local context, and to see them leading with vision and confidence in the things God is calling them to.
Through residentials, evening hubs, one-to-one coaching, this year should provide a platform for disciples to discover and solidify their gifts, abilities and calling. Training Hub is a place where we can come together and sit at the feet of Jesus in order to learn, grow and become more equipped to make a difference.
If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more or considering joining us please get in touch with ali@scottishbaptist.org.uk.
