Over the last few years, Christ Church NYC has been working to develop an apprenticeship program. By offering an apprenticeship program, we hope to encourage and influence future pastors in their role in gospel-centered churches. Under supervision, apprentices will gain knowledge in the areas of pastoral leadership, church polity and urban ministry.
We are excited to welcome Stuart Clay as a ministry apprentice at Christ Church for the upcoming ministry year.
Please briefly introduce you and your family.
My name is Stuart Clay. My wife’s name is Carrie, and our son’s name is Rory. Carrie and I met in the library at The King’s College in Manhattan. We dated for three years during college and got married two weeks after graduation in May 2018. Two months later we moved to San Antonio to work as teachers at a classical charter school. Carrie taught 4th Grade and I taught 5th Grade. Working down the hall from each other for our first year of marriage was fantastic. After graduating college, getting married, and starting our first real jobs all in the same year, we went ahead and had a baby too. Robert Sterling Clay was born on June 22nd, and we are so happy and thankful for him!
Why have you selected an apprenticeship program at Christ Church NYC?
I plan to become a pastor, and I want to get experience working in a church and seeing how a pastor works day-to-day before I start seminary. I also hope to gain more confirmation in my calling by studying under Keith and the other leaders at Christ Church. I visited Christ Church while I lived in New York and thought it was a great place. When I saw there was an Apprenticeship opportunity at Christ Church, I knew it would be a good place for my family to join and for me to learn.
What are your hobbies?
I like reading. My favorite books are The Lord of the Rings and Wodehouse’s Jeeves and Wooster series. I am also obsessed with Premier League Soccer. I started watching Tottenham Hotspur every week with my dad in high school and have continued ever since. During the offseason I get by with watching the Tour De France. Of course I spend most of my time hanging out with Carrie, and for the past three weeks, holding our baby.
Where is your favorite place at New York City for: (i) food, and (ii) recreation?
(i) Levain’s Bakery, and (ii) Central Park