How Gladys Uses Her Gift of Hospitality at Citygate
Hospitality is a significant gift. Jesus spent so much time in peoples homes, around tables. Here at Citygate we do a lot of that too. This year so far, our catering teams have provided over 800 meals for church related events, whether that’s Alpha, Welcome lunches, Rooted courses, men’s and women’s events.
Gladys (pictured) leads our Welcome and Rooted Lunch Teams, responsible for helping to welcome new people into our church family. Read on to find out why she loves her serving role.
How long have you been here at Citygate and what drew you here?
I have been in Citygate for over 5 years now, having relocated to Bournemouth and trusting God to guide me to a new home church. I attended a baptism service as a guest, and shortly after, I was led to join the church.
What ministry do you lead?
I lead the Welcome and Rooted Lunch Team.
How long have you been serving in your ministry and what drew you to serving there?
I have been serving for almost three years now. Just like many who attended the welcome lunch, I was blessed by the volunteers—members of the church who had given their time to serve so well to ensure we felt welcomed. Being someone who appreciates the significant role of hospitality in kingdom service, I joined the team to do the same for others.
Why did you step into leadership and how have you found the transition?
There was an opportunity to serve and contribute to our vision of seeing lives transformed every day through the expression of God’s generosity by honouring and serving new members, as well as those deciding to get committed. I stepped into leadership during a period of change, uniting what were formerly two teams into one central team. The transition has been an exciting learning journey, adapting and fostering continuous improvement, and cultivating a culture that encourages strong teamwork embedded in love.
What are you responsible for within your leadership role?
In this capacity, I lead our vibrant and truly amazing team to collectively welcome new members (at the Welcome Lunch) and those seeking to make Citygate their home (at the Rooted lunch), all over a hot meal. Our mission is to extend the love and generosity of God through our hospitality.
What are some of the challenges you have faced or expect you might face in the future?
We recognise that Citygate is growing, and hence, our need for more team members is paramount. Growing our team is essential. We also acknowledge the importance of having a more inclusive and committed team of volunteers to reflect the diversity of the church
Citygate is growing! How are you planning for the growth of your ministry?
We are actively fostering a culture of teamwork and creating an environment where everyone's contribution is valued and recognised. Moving forward, we aim to continue strengthening our team members' skills by making sure they get a chance to serve in a wide range of areas during our lunches - preparing and serving food, welcoming guests, setting up and packing down rooms…etc. This ensures effective knowledge sharing within the team and builds confidence, all while raising new future leaders.
What would you say to someone thinking about serving on your ministry? Any encouragement?
If you have a heart for serving and feel led in your spirit, I strongly encourage you to join us! It's more than just a meal – we express the love of Jesus through our generous hospitality, honouring all our guests and creating a safe space for authentic social connection over a hot meal.