CAPTION: The Rev'd Matt Clayton is the new leader of Unlimited Church in Exeter
New Leader at Youth Focused Unlimited Church
Rev’d Matt was licensed by The Rt. Rev’d Jackie Searle, Bishop of Crediton
The Rev’d Matt Clayton was recently licensed by The Bishop of Crediton as the new leader of Unlimited Church in Exeter.
St Mary Arches Church is the home of Unlimited, which is a multi-generational church with a key focus on the rising generation.
The church was officially launched in March 2012 as a Bishop’s Mission Order to reach non-Christian young people in Exeter.
Rev’d Matt will be leading the church alongside his wife Laura. Prior to his appointment in January, Matt was the Associate Vicar at St Matt’s Exeter.
Matt and Laura met while working at HTB
Matt said: “We’re so excited, we’ve got a real heart to reach the unreached youth of this city”
“I read recently that 86% of people in church in the UK joined before the age of 25, so we want to invest 86% of our energy, talents, and money into the young people of this city.”
“We want to see young people discover who they’re really designed to be, and to show them who God is in a way that makes sense to them.”
Matt and Laura are already well underway starting new initiatives within the church.
The church’s Hub Café will re-open soon, which invites young people in Exeter – particularly college students – to spend time in a safe space, enjoy free tea & coffee and explore faith.
The Hub cafe will be a free, safe space for young people in Exeter
Unlimited has also partnered with Safer Central Exeter to launch the Poured Out coffee trailer to engage with the local community and Exeter College students. The trailer is currently open every Monday at Bury Meadow Park from 11AM.
The church is also developing Hangouts which will be age-based, interest-based and geographically-based groups which meet fortnightly across Exeter.
Rev’d Matt Clayton said: “We’d love to partner with others who are passionate about working with young people, if you’ve got ideas or if we can support you, please get in touch!”
“We love this city, we love this Diocese, and we want to get involved any way we can!”
