Abide Love Send:
Our Way of Life in Christ
Picture the scene: Jesus arises from the waters of the Jordan River. He has just been baptised, and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him to rest and remain. The fabric of the cosmos is torn open, and the heavens resound with the Father's voice:
"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
This moment is a microcosm of the Gospel; a picture of Jesus complete surrender, where he enters into the judgment we deserve, only to rise victorious. Through His atoning death, resurrection and ascension, he has opened up the way for us to enter God's holy presence.
We are no mere spectators on the banks of this river or in heaven’s courts above. We are invited to participate. We enter into the very life of God. What He is by nature, we are welcomed into by his grace. Our call is to live with heaven’s perspective on all of life. And the way in is the way down. We enter these baptismal waters, surrendering our lives to find them again. We repent of our sin, believe in Jesus, and live in the reality that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Astonishingly, our inheritance is Jesus’ belovedness (John 17:26).
What is The Way of the Beloved?
It’s a way of life and formation in Jesus.
Our rhythm is simple:
Abide: We seek to behold Jesus, to remain in Him.
Love: We learn what it means to be loved by God and to love others with His love.
Send: We step out into the ready-made works the Father has prepared, making the good news about Jesus known to others.
This is our invitation for you to learn to live as the beloved. To follow the downward path of surrender, to rise in the love of God. To be transformed in the Beloved Son, just as John was.
Transformed by Love: The Journey of St. John
This belovedness transformed the life of St. John, one of Jesus’ closest disciples. Here he is depicted in the Book of Kells. John’s discipleship began in the prophetic cry of John the Baptist to: “Behold the Lamb of God.” Leaving everything behind, he followed Jesus.
At first, John was preoccupied with place and power, even earning the nickname as one of the “Sons of Thunder” for his fiery disposition. But remaining with Jesus changed him. The love of Christ became the greatest defining reality of his life. In time, John no longer needed to be named—he was simply “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” John’s experience echoes Jesus, who abides in the heart of the Father, loves to the very end, and was sent to the world to save it.
Our Core Offerings
Spiritual Direction: Listening for God’s Voice in Your Life
We believe God is always at work in our lives. Through one-to-one spiritual direction, online or in person, we offer accompaniment to reflect, listen, and discern His presence. This is not about giving advice but walking alongside, bearing witness to God’s grace, and helping others recognise how He is moving in their lives.
Shepherding the Shepherds: Caring for Those Who Lead
Leadership in any sphere, whether in the church, business, or the public sector, can be isolating, exhausting, and spiritually depleting. We draw alongside and provide refuge for those who carry the heavy burdens of organisational life. Through sabbatical rest or guided retreats at Greenwood, healing prayer or spiritual direction online or in-person, we help restore those who pour themselves out for others, so they can continue to lead with wholeness and joy.
Nurturing the Next Generation: Forming Future Leaders in Community
Discipleship is not a knowledge game. It is the active work of the Holy Spirit applying the Word of God to us with such power that it changes us from within. At Greenwood, we cultivate a holistic way of life, rooted in prayer, theological learning, and work on the land. This rhythm shapes emerging leaders in faith, wisdom, and Kingdom ministry, preparing them to serve in the specific vocation that they are drawn to explore.
Equipping the Saints: Church Planting in the Highlands of Scotland & Beyond
God the Father is already on mission; he has ready-made works for us to walk in, in step with his Holy Spirit, making the wonder and beauty of Jesus’ redeeming work known to all. We believe that this mission flourishes best through the life of the local church. Our way of life renews existing churches and enables new churches to be planted.
About us
Howard & Charlotte Espie live at Greenwood with their two young sons. Howard is an Anglican Priest, and Charlotte has a background in General Practice. They are both Spiritual Directors.
They have ministered in Edinburgh for seven years, and in Canada for seven years, and are now based on the beautiful Ardnamurchan Peninsula in the Highlands of Scotland.
