The Alliance is delighted to announce the appointment of Jo Frost as our new director of communications . Alexandra Davis caught up with Jo to find out a little more about Jo's story and her vision for the Alliance.

Jo, you're passionate about helping people tell their story and tell it well. So what's your story?
Since becoming a Christian when I was 19, I have consistently felt led and guided by God to help equip, motivate and serve the Church to reach all people with the good news of Jesus. I have always believed communications is primarily concerned with seeking to engage and understand, to find common ground and to bring about positive change. I am grateful to God that each step of my journey has been about discovering how to do that more powerfully and effectively. 

I'm passionate about seeing organisations tell their story in a way that helps others join their journey and grow their support. Most recently I've been working as a communications consultant, helping charities and businesses develop their communications strategies and developing their brand. Good communications help organisations understand and connect with their audience in the best way possible to achieve their objectives.

Who are some of your role models of the faith?
So many people have impacted my life, from the stories of the faithful, like John Wesley and Dietrich Bonhoeffer to people who have personally invested in me; at my church, work or at university. My father-in-law, the late Rob Frost was one of the biggest role models in my life; his servant-hearted, releasing and gospel-focused nature taught me the power of vision and the importance of investing in others. 

What are some of your biggest motivators?
St Irenaeus said "The glory of God is man fully alive", that motivates me. I love to see people discover more of who they are in Jesus and realise their potential. I love the opportunity to be a part of someone's story as they reveal the glory of God at work in their life. 

What drew you to come and work for the Alliance?
I have long admired the work of the Alliance and its members; working together in unity for the sake of the gospel. The expressions of unity in diversity through initiatives like the One People Commission and the South Asian Forum are a wonderful way of showing the world that the Church is one, even when it is made up of very different parts. I feel very privileged to be able to come and work for such an organisation at such an exciting time. 

How will you be developing the Alliances communications?
I love to share stories, stories that encourage and inspire and I believe that the work of the Alliance is best understood when told as a story – a story of hope and a story of change. I'm really looking forward to being part of a team at the Alliance which can tell the story of the Church in the UK as a vibrant, dynamic, Christ-centred family, bringing hope, love and grace to our communities.

What excites you about what's going on in the UK Church at the moment?
The analogy of the body of Christ seems highly relevant at the moment, with so many different aspects of discipleship and mission are flourishing across the UK. We are seeing prayer, social change, mentoring, worship, preaching, expressions of Church all growing and thriving in the Church - it is beautiful. I believe that working together as a united body of believers, celebrating each other's strengths and championing for each other, the UK Church is the best hope for our society. 

What are you most looking forward to as you join the Alliance family?
I am looking forward to having the opportunity to hear and see more of what God is up to in our communities. It's an exciting time to be with the Alliance, as the Great Commission project enters its second year of equipping the Christians to share our stories with those who don't know Jesus, and with projects like What Kind of Society? which is a great resource for Christians as we look to shape the society we live in. The Alliance is encouraging and equipping Christians to stand in unity with one another and to speak with love and truth into our society - to share good news stories of hope and to speak up for life-changing impact of the gospel in our society is an honour and I can't wait to get started!

Jo lives in south west London with her husband Andy and two young daughters. They have recently returned to the UK after a year on the leadership of Surf Church in France. Andy serves on the Evangelical Alliance council. Jo starts at the Alliance on Monday, 11 September 2017.