Faith in the Everyday

Stories of Women from Barking Elim Church by Silvano Griffith Francis

When we think of inspiring women, it’s easy to default to the Esther, Deborah and Ruth-type figures of the Bible, says Silvano Griffith Francis. Their stories matter. But what about the remarkable women much closer to home? At BE church, there are many. Here, three of them share their stories of faith lived out in ordinary and often unseen places.

Betty Bobotoni

Betty has worshipped at BE church for more than 25 years. She is a mother, business owner, and a faithful servant on the host team and ‘Bless Barking’, the church’s feeding-the-homeless ministry. She has also served as a Sunday school teacher. In 2002, she opened Krest Hair Studio in Dagenham and has witnessed God’s faithfulness through both abundance and deep personal trial.

In Scripture, Lydia stands out as a successful businesswoman and a pillar of the early church. How does Betty balance running a business while serving wholeheartedly at church?

“I always put God first, recognising that He is the One who gives me the strength to run my business. God and His work come first; my business is secondary. There are times when I think I don’t have time to cook for Bless Barking, but I’m reminded that God is the One who provides for me. I adjust my schedule to honour my commitments.”

As a hairdresser, Betty hears many stories. How does your salon become a place of trust, grace and ministry?

“I play Gospel music in the salon, and it completely changes the atmosphere. It inspires both men and women and often opens up conversations about God. Clients feel safe confiding in me because they know I am a Christian and that what they share will stay with me. Sometimes people phone me to ask for prayer when they or their family members are sick, or even to ask about a song they heard playing. One lady loved a song so much she played it at her wedding. I’ve even had clients come to faith through conversations in the salon.”

Betty knows firsthand what it is to walk through suffering. How would she advise others?

“First, pray and ask God for the strength you need to get through whatever trial you are facing. I was in an abusive marriage for many years and did not want to leave, but eventually I had to make that decision. I would encourage women to seek God earnestly in prayer, remain grounded in His Word and seek wise, pastoral support. God is faithful, and we must remain faithful to Him. When my husband told me I would have nothing if I left, I was able to say with confidence, ‘The God I serve will not allow that.’ Today my business is thriving even more than before.”

Her hope for the next generation is simple and deeply rooted in faith.

“To be faithful to God and His Word, and not to rely on their own strength but to trust Him. Faith doesn’t have to be big; it only needs to be the size of a mustard seed. No matter what they’ve done in the past, God is able to rescue them from any situation.”

Joanne Cheshire

Joanne stepped into leadership at BE church alongside her husband, Senior Pastor Lloyd, in 2018. Before that, they spent seven years serving as missionaries in Swaziland, now Eswatini, after leaving the UK with their three young children.

Was there a dramatic moment when Joanne felt peace about leaving everything behind?

“There wasn’t a burning bush moment, but there was an overwhelming sense of peace. God spoke to Lloyd first, and then several people independently spoke into our lives about the move. We received detailed prophecies, some shared more than ten years earlier, which confirmed that God was at work. Many people said we were brave, but it didn’t feel like bravery; it felt like obedience.”

Joanne trained as an engineer, a path that once felt distant from ministry. Yet God had been preparing her all along.

“By the time I finished my degree I had lost interest in it. I was planning my wedding and very focused on starting married life. I turned my attention toward church life, administration, youth work and multimedia. But God wastes nothing. While in Swaziland, we worked with a church that had invested heavily in technology, and I was able to support the technical side of large events because of my degree. Skills I never thought I’d use became vital in ministry.”

Returning to the UK brought unexpected challenges personally, culturally and spiritually.

“I didn’t anticipate how difficult it would be. Again, God spoke clearly to Lloyd first about leaving Swaziland but I really struggled with the idea. I prayed that God would speak to me as clearly as He had before and eventually He did. That brought peace about returning and there was an excitement that we would be based in London.”

Soon after their return, the global pandemic hit. Looking back, Joanne sees God’s perfect timing.

“None of us could have predicted what 2020 would bring. Our experience running large, live-streamed events in Swaziland prepared us for moving church online quickly and effectively. God knew exactly what He was preparing us for. It was an incredibly stressful season, but His provision was evident throughout.”

Stepping into a more visible leadership role has stretched her faith.

“I have always hated the spotlight and preferred to stay behind the scenes. But when the need arose to support other churches in our East London Gateway Hub, it meant having to step up as I followed God’s lead. It’s daunting but I know God is right there with me leading the way.”

Rebecca White

Rebecca has attended BE church since 2004 with her husband Dean. They have two teenage children, and she serves in ‘Revive New Believers’, supporting those new to faith. God often speaks to the church through the visions He gives her.

Learning to discern God’s voice took time.

“It was a journey. At first, I would share what I’d seen with the pastor or service leader and trust their discernment. As my confidence and faith grew, I learned to step out more boldly.”

Obedience is often uncomfortable, especially when the full picture isn’t clear.

“Sometimes God gives me half of the picture and it’s only as I get to the front and start speaking that God reveals the rest. That for me is the hardest part as I’m not sure what I’m going to say and I have no way of weighing it up; I just have to go as God leads.”

One word shared in obedience brought deep healing.

“A Jewish woman felt burdened by her family’s history and what had happened to them during World War II. God showed me that her identity needed to come from Him rather than her heritage. I was hesitant to share it, but I was obedient and a few months later she told me that God used it to bring healing and freedom.”

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.