Columban lay missionary Gertrudes C. Samson receiving her certificate for Community Research from Dr. Lisa Goodson from the University of Birmingham. Photo: Gertrudes C. Samson
After I finished my term as the Columban Lay Missionary Coordinator at the end of December 2023, I asked God: “What do you want me to do next, Lord? Which former ministry would you like me to go back to?”
When I said yes to the leadership ministry, I left behind outreach ministries that I truly loved. God made me realise His response is different. He spoke wisdom into my heart, instructing me to find something new. As the days passed, this instruction grew stronger. Suddenly, I remembered this Bible verse from Isaiah 43:19: “I am beginning something new; do you not perceive it?” God is indeed a God of new beginnings, leading me to a new ministry called Community Research. I felt so happy and excited when I was invited in June 2024 to join the Community Research Team being organised and trained by Baobab Women’s Project and the University of Birmingham.
As a Columban Lay Missionary assigned to Britain since 2010 and serving for many years in various charities accompanying migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Birmingham, I am aware of their issues and struggles. I always pray for them and their concerns. As we journey together, a question keeps coming back to me in my heart: “What else could be done to help improve their lives?”
Part of the answer to this question came through my involvement with the Community Research. I underwent hands-on research whilst training with Birmingham University and Baobab Women’s Project. It provided me with another opportunity to contribute positively. I was required to interview and document real-life events of migrants behind the statistical numbers. This included their struggles, their concerns and their pleas whilst keeping their identity anonymous.
Community Research also allows me to share my knowledge and insights into the plight of migrant people with master’s students of Migration Studies. In consultation with the people themselves, we continually recommend appropriate solutions and advocate for policy changes to improve their lives. God is now calling me to a new beginning with my fiancé, Kush, to build our life together. After 14 years as a Lay Missionary, I will finish my contract on April 1, 2026. I have already informed the Columbans that I have decided to stay up until that date. The Columbans have been God's key instruments in many of these new beginnings in my life. My heart is full of gratitude for the many years I was able to serve God through Columban Mission and for the many lessons and learnings in life that may help me in the next stage of my life. Kush and I are very grateful.
I will always feel connected to the Columbans in spirit because their values and priorities in mission will stay close to my heart. The Columbans will remain like a family to me, one that I have grown with here in Britain throughout my years of service.
As our Regional Director, Fr John Boles, mentioned in his reply message to the notice of my decision: "Be assured that, beyond April 2026, you will always have a place in our hearts and be forever regarded as a cherished member of the extended – if no longer immediate – Columban family." That message really touched my heart and with that, I realised the end of my contract does not mean goodbye, but hello to a new way of relating. Thank you, God. You are indeed the God of new beginnings!
Columban lay missionary Gertrudes C. Samson, lives and works in Britain.
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - June 2026
