Kingdom building and God’s call to action: Georgina Walker on chaplaincy

Georgina Walker is Head of Chaplaincy at Waverley Abbey. She oversees our chaplaincy training programme, among many other things.

'I was a school chaplain myself for four years,’ says Georgina. ‘I was told every week about the difference a chaplain makes, by students of every faith and none. They recognised that the love and support that comes from a chaplain is for everyone.’ 

‘I don’t see it as I used to be a chaplain. I still am, but this role at Waverley Abbey is the way I’m outworking it now. It all comes down to ‘How would Jesus act? What would He do? And how can we embody that?’ It boils down to showing people love and meeting people where they are.’

A family feel

Georgina joined Waverley Abbey in early 2025 and settled in quickly. ‘It’s been wonderful. I love my job,’ she says. ‘The community we have here is a special thing; when you can come to work and put your faith to action, Kingdom building every day. I’m so excited about making sure all students that come through Waverley Abbey are equipped to bring Jesus into whatever and wherever they go next.’

Waverley Abbey is a leading provider of training and support for chaplains. In the last three years we have trained over 300 chaplains to feel confident and equipped to go out and serve; to listen to and come alongside people in many different settings, from schools to offices, hospitals to football clubs. Many of them remain in touch with us, wherever they are in the world. 

‘Once you have come through the Waverley Abbey doors you become part of the family. We love to create an environment that continues to develop our students on their journey, through all that the college offers,’ says Georgina. 

A big vision takes big cooperation

One of our goals is to see a chaplain in every UK secondary school in the next ten years, by the end of 2035.

To help push this forwards to fruition, we’ve been running a series of roundtable events; bringing together experts, organisations and frontline workers to share learning, resources and connections. Around 50 different organisations are represented at these meetings.

‘Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptised by one Spirit so as to form one body… Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.’ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

‘Just as Jesus’ 12 disciples came together, these roundtable meetings are the coming together of His disciples and leaders, all with different God given skills, to be combined,’ Georgina explains.

‘Kingdom building is not a solo project, it must be done together,’ says Georgina. ‘We’ve also formed a steering committee, including various partners such as youth workers, chaplains, community groups, street pastors and so on – lots of different people… If we come together, we can use all this to reach as many schools as possible.’

The need among children and young people is significant:

• In 2023, about one in five children and young people aged 8 to 25 years had a probable mental disorder.
• Just over half (54.8%) of young people aged 17 to 25 years reported being worried about the impact of climate change.
• In 2023, eating disorders were identified in 12.5% of 17 to 19 year olds.

All statistics: NHS England

Bringing Jesus into the gap

We are big believers in the power and potential of chaplains, here at Waverley Abbey, because we’ve seen them bring hope and healing again and again.

‘Chaplains are there to walk with people where they’re at,’ says Georgina. ‘To provide a listening ear and spiritual support if wanted, or just to sit with people where they are.'

‘In schools for example, chaplains are a huge help for students when it can be hard to go to a counsellor or teacher. We provide a confidential space to offload. You’re supporting the whole school community too – students, staff and families. Since we’ve seen a decline in spiritual support [in society], people are searching for something. There’s a gap, and chaplains can provide by bringing Jesus into those gaps.'

A call to action

‘One of the things I’m loving about Waverley Abbey’s chaplaincy vision and these recent roundtable meetings, is that we've listened to what God is doing in this moment,’ says Georgina.

‘Everyone’s talking about revival, and there has clearly been a call from God for His people to come together and show who Jesus is. A mandate to step away from whatever's bogging us down, and walk into the calling and purpose that God has for us – to be available to step into that position.’ 

‘In the words of our CEO, Dave Wesson, ‘This is a call to action’. God is creating something, and we need to be in position. That’s what God has resourced us to do, and we’re doing that with chaplains right now; we’re getting them into the right position, into the best shape to be equipped to answer God’s call.’

What you can do

• Do you want to make a difference in your local community? Become a Waverley Abbey trained Chaplain and make a greater impact for the gospel.
• If you’re interested in joining our next chaplaincy roundtable meeting, email us on hello@waverleyabbeycollege.ac.uk
• Pray for us. Pray for our schools, pray for the wellbeing of our children and communities. Scroll down for a prayer written by Georgina, to get you started.