Jo Partridge

Jo Partridge

Jo Partridge has 5 children ; Andrew (25), Melody (24), Matthew (21), Emily (19) and Isaac (4). Jo have been married to Ray for 27 years and they are currently living in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Andrew is currently working in London, about to embark on a Masters degree in Development studies and feeling led to put his business skills into practise in Ghana. Melody is working as an Occupational therapist in rural Eastern Cape, Matthew is working in the travel tourism industry helping people abseil off Table Mountain and such like, Emily is 1st year studies of Social Work at University of Cape Town, and Isaac is at pre-school

M.M: Tell me briefly about your background?
J.P; I was born in New Zealand, but did most of my ‘growing up,’ in the U.K with two sisters and two bothers. I met and married Ray in 1983 and we lived in North West London involved with the New Frontiers Family of Churches there until God led us on a surprise adventure to work at Project Gateway, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in 1996 with our four children then aged between 5-10! We were there for 6 years before moving to Cape Town where we lived for 8 years, loving being part of Khanyisa Community Church before God led us on another surprise adventure moving to Harare, Zimbabwe two months ago.

M.M: How best would you describe your family life?
J.P: I just love family: my husband is my number one hero , and I have learnt so much from being a mother, have learnt so much from my children and love being part of the journeys they are on with God. We have had our storms (and I’m sure there will be more to come), but the storms are a time of pressing into God together and growing closer. I am so thankful for our precious gifts from God. God brought little Isaac into our lives when he was abandoned at the age of 4 months old. Through him we have learnt even more about family about what it really means to be adopted into family as we have been by God! We have also been blessed with extended family and have loved having a home that is always open and seeks to be an oasis for anyone who just longs to come and be a part of the Partidges’ lives.

M.M: Amazing. Were there any significant changes in your life when you and Ray left Project Gateway?
J.P: We arrived at Gateway with 4 young children and left with 4 teenagers and ‘almost teenagers!’ I felt (and still feel) that we had been on an incredible learning curve and learnt a lot more from the people we were with than what we gave! We found ourselves in many situations that just threw us onto God, so I think we did a lot of growing up in Him, we learnt a lot about working with people from very different backgrounds and cultures, and our lives became richer because of them. Africa also got into our blood stream, we love the music, the movement, the value of family and ‘extended family’ and so much about African life.Our faith and trust went to new levels as we saw God provide in amazing ways particularly as we had periods of totally living by faith.

M.M: You are now living in Zimbabwe. How has your stay been so far?
J.P: It was tough at first, we had to say goodbye to friends we love and value greatly, to our Khanyisa family and leave children behind for the first time. But I never cease to be amazed at God’s faithfulness and provision. I have already been so impacted by people we have met and friendships that we have started to make and can honestly say I really love Zimbabwe and am thankful to God for this next new leg of our adventure with him.

M.M: Wonderful! Who is the person you most admire and why?
J.P: It is impossible to pick out one person; there are people who have gone before and I admire them hugely through the biographies I have read, there are people I have met and worked with who I honour and admire greatly, people who’s ministry I have sat under and so on. Currently I am staying in the home of Nigel and Lisa Measures who lead Khanyisa Community Church. I admire them both hugely and so loved working alongside them in the Church for a number of years, and our friendship as individuals and families is something I value greatly. I have watched Lisa supporting the call on Nigel’s life through her hairdressing business, persevering in prayer over many difficult situations, speaking prophetically into the life of the Church and people’s lives, honouring and supporting her husband 100%, being an amazing mother and friend and so much more..... she inspires me and I admire her greatly.

M.M: What, if any, is your favourite T.V programme?
J.P: ???????

M.M: Who is your favourite Bible character and why?
J.P: Again, it’s hard to choose one, there are times one becomes a favourite more than others probably depending on what I am going through at the time. I love David and am inspired by his songs that are so real yet always unswerving in his devotion to God and his heart after God. The prayer of my heart is “Lord I want my heart to be 100% devoted to and after you, and everything else flowing from that.” My heart echoes the words of one of his prayers “Who am I and my family oh Lord that you should bring me to this place?” I cannot believe the incredible adventures God has taken us on as a family and often feel overwhelmed by a sense of why me? Who on earth am I? Yet as with David so long as God is at the center and I am looking to him whatever is happening, he gives the victory and he provides for all we need.

M.M: If you were to encourage ladies out there, what would you say?
J.P: Keep pressing in to grow closer to God..... there are always new depths in him! Keep close to your husband if you are married.... be each other’s best friend! Keep close to your children.... be their champion and pray constantly for and over them! Love and enjoy the friendships God gives you, embrace the gifting God has placed within you! Don’t compare yourself to others, be inspired by them! Remind yourself of what God thinks about you... you are wonderfully and beautifully created by the amazing creator God who holds the universe in place and has a vital part for you to play in building his kingdom here on the earth.

M.M: Wow! Thanks so much Jo. This is really encouraging. I truly hope you have a blessed and fulfilled time in Zimbabwe.

By Molly Manhanga

One on one with Madeleine Willard

Adrian & Madeleine Willard

M.M: Tell me briefly about your background?
M.W: I grew up in Croydon and South London, was educated at Catholic Schools. I went to Australia in 1971 returned in 1974. I trained as a chiropractor and graduated in 1982, I returned to university in 1994 graduated in 1998 with BSc Hons health science studies. Adrian and I have five grown children and three grandchildren.

M.M: How best would you describe being married to such a creative husband - Adrian Willard?
M.W: Interesting!

M.M: What work to you do?
M.W: I am a chiropractor, I mainly work in paediatrics. I am chair of the paediatric faculty of the college of chiropractors, previous elected member of the General Chiropractic Council. I organise and teach post graduate continuing professional development.

M.M: Any highlights of your work that you’d like to share?
M.W: Everyday I am amazed at the way the body has been created, and designed to heal itself.

M.M: What have you most enjoyed about your trips to Zimbabwe?
M.W: I have loved the people, and I feel so blessed that I have been able to help people when I have been there.

M.M: What is your favourite quote?
M.W: No one on their death bed wishes that they spent more time in the office.

M.M: Who is your favourite Bible character and why?
M.W: God, awesome. How would you even begin to create a universe?

M.M: What do you do to relax?
M.W: Listen to music, read, walk by the sea, watch a film, I love the cinema. I like football, support Crystal Palace (don’t tell Adrian). I also love to exercise and travel.

M.M: Great. Thanks so much Madz.

By Molly Manhanga

One on one with Wendy Virgo

Wendy Virgo

It was so good catching up with Wendy when she and Terry visited Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Wendy is lovely and I really enjoy chatting to her – such a wealth of information, Godly lady, encouraging and dynamic. This is what she said…..

M.M: How do you feel about the transition within Newfrontiers as a Family of Churches?
W.V: We had been thinking about it and chatting about it for a while now. We are always in transition. We are not a static people but a mobile people. There is always change and adaptation. There is the question – when Terry goes what will happen? We are not worried as we have never felt ownership in the sense of possessing it. Rather, we are thrilled to be a part of it. What will God do next? It is Gods and He is already raising up people and putting people in place. We are praying for and seeing Apostles coming through. I have no doubt of Terry’s apostolic gift and its exciting seeing other men coming through.

M.M: Fantastic. Is it really then transition or multiplication as other men are coming through?
W.V: The word transition seems indecisive, leaving but never arriving. Multiplication can be defined as another stage, new season of growth, of expectation, faith. Multiplication is more positive.

M.M: When did you feel called to the ministry?
W.V: Since I was a little girl I knew I would be in the ministry. I thought I’d be a missionary and to me that meant going overseas. I had met Terry when I was older and dared not fall in love with him. I specifically then heard God say that the call for my life was Terry Virgo. It was very clear from God. I was yoked to Terry. Whatever he did, I’d be a part of.

M.M: Terry is an apostle and you are his wife. A commonly asked question is “Can women be apostles too?”
W.V: 90% no. It’s a governance thing. The only reference to an Apostles wife is in 1 Corinthians 9:5 “Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?” An apostle’s wife in mentioned in the context of mobility, travel and to be part of what he is doing.

M.M: Great. What do you see yourself doing in 5 years time?
W.V: I’m hoping to grow in the prophetic gift and hear God more consistently. I’d like to lead more women into confidence in their gifting while being in a Biblical place of submission. The world is yet to see what Godly women are about. I’ve seen my children walking with the Lord and now I’d like to see my grandchildren also walking with God and finding their destiny. I’d also like to publish 2 more books.

M.M: Much to do. Much to do! Give us one highlight of all your travels?
W.V: It’s amazing to go to the ends of the earth and I thank God for Newfrontiers around the world….to be with people who share the same value. It’s amazing. Although we share the same values, there are different flavours and yet we are family.

M.M: God is good. Thank you Wendy. I’ve loved chatting to you. Enjoy your travels and your time with your family.

By Molly Manhanga