FROM BIG BROTHER AND FAME TO PASTORAL WORK FOR THE CHURCH

Church_news

My journey to Christianity didn’t happen overnight,” Glyn explained.

“I was baptised as a baby, and I attended Sunday school as a child – I had great Sunday school teachers who knew their Bibles thoroughly,” he laughed.

“I felt as though I was following God’s plan – do well in school, go to university, get a job, have children, retire, die.”

But soon enough, Glyn felt his path was “tedious” and at 18-years-old, he decided to audition for Channel 4’s Big Brother.

“I had much determination to get a place on TV’s biggest reality TV show,” he said.

“I prayed and as always – God was listening.”

He added: “I continued praying for God to guide me through the game show, but I prayed under the covers, as I thought being cool was more important than being a Christian at the time – which I heavily regret.”

After three months of being in the Big Brother House, Glyn was thrust into the media spotlight. He made guest appearances on UK TV and radio shows, got a modelling contract with Calvin Klein, and became a youth radio host for BBC Radio Cymru.

“I was invited to all sorts of parties and movie premiers, but deep down I felt lonely,” Glyn explained.

“I had left my faith behind during this period.

“In the middle of all the glitz and glamour of fame, I had become someone I hardly recognised.”

Deciding that he “needed to get back on track”, Glyn studied Welsh at Cardiff University and continued studying post-graduation, with a PGCE in Secondary teaching. He became a teacher in Aberdare and then a lecturer at Cardiff University.

“But a part of me wanted to experience new cultures, and learn something new,” he said.

This opportunity came when Glyn’s church asked him if he wanted to volunteer with them in Uganda over the Summer break, so he did – teaching English at an orphanage in Kampala, Uganda.

“I taught 200 children sat on the floor, it was such an eye opener,” he said.

Glyn continued travelling and later moved to work in Shanghai, China. “I grew in my faith in the five years I was in China,” he explained.

When Glyn returned to the UK, he felt ready to become a Priest – but he wanted more experience. One day he came across an advert in the Church Times for Pastoral Assistants in London. After applying, he started the role within a week:

“I never felt closer to God in my life,” he reflected.

“The confidence I carry today is thanks to my experience as a Pastoral Assistant and I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life,” he said.