From Brazil to Carlisle: Youth Ministry and a Bishop’s Enthronement
From Brazil to Carlisle: Youth Ministry and a Bishop’s Enthronement
View the full podcast here: https://youtu.be/d4O8zvfE9XE
God often works in unexpected ways to bring people together for His mission. This truth is evident in the journey of Samuel and Karla Coswig, a Brazilian couple who followed God’s call all the way from South America to Cumbria. Now serving as Network Youth Church leaders in Carlisle, they reflect on their ministry and look ahead with excitement and prayer to the upcoming enthronement of Bishop Rob, an event that, for them, powerfully connects local everyday faith with a global partnership in the Gospel.
Bishop Rob (centre) with international mission partners from Brazil and the Norwegian Mission Society at Carlisle Cathedral – a partnership which helped bring Samuel and Karla to Cumbria.
A Calling from Brazil to Carlisle: Answering God’s Invitation
Samuel and Karla arrived in Carlisle about a year and a half ago, together with their two young boys. Originally from Brazil’s northeast, the Coswigs sensed God steering them towards Cumbria through a remarkable chain of partnerships and prayer. “It was actually a big partnership between organisations, and I believe God’s will, in a very different way of bringing us here,” Karla reflects of their journey.
The Diocese of Carlisle’s long-standing link with the Norwegian Mission Society (NMS) made it possible for them to serve in the UK. In fact, Bishop Rob himself (at that time serving as Bishop of Penrith) helped initiate the renewed agreement with NMS that enabled international missionaries like the Coswigs to come and support local ministry. Through NMS’s support, Samuel and Karla “travelled more than 6,000 miles from southern Brazil to begin ministry to young people in Carlisle” trusting that God had opened a door for them to love and mentor the youth of Cumbria.
Coming to a new country was both exciting and challenging. Samuel and Karla had already spent years working with young people in Brazil. Samuel as a Lutheran pastor and Karla as a teacher, including planting a church and leading youth groups. Yet leaving their home, family, and friends was a step of faith. “God put a dream in our heart and brought us to know people here,” they explain, crediting His guidance for every connection made. They first met Bishop Rob over a video call and were immediately struck by his heart. “We could see that he was a man in love with God, and that he loves people,” Samuel says. “He’s the kind of leader we wanted to work with – someone with a vision for God’s Kingdom.” That early conversation confirmed to the Coswigs that God was drawing them into something special in Carlisle. With prayers and encouragement from both Brazilian and Cumbrian friends (and a bit of Norwegian hospitality along the way), they answered the call to move where God could use them next.
Reaching Young People in Carlisle – Present and Future of the Church
In their ministry, Samuel and Karla carry a core conviction: young people are not only the future of the Church, but also very much its present. “Sometimes we hear people say youth are the future of the church,” Samuel notes. “But we have always acted as if teenagers are also the right now of the church, not just the future.” This perspective fuels their passion to invest in teenagers’ lives today, empowering young people to be active in faith and community.
Working with youth in Carlisle has revealed both similarities and differences to their experiences in Brazil. The Coswigs see many familiar struggles among Cumbrian teenagers, broken or “dysfunctional” family situations, a search for identity and guidance, and a deep need for love and stability. In the West Carlisle area where they focus, most of the teens have little or no Christian background. “We are working with teenagers here who don’t have formal families, if I can say that, and they just need some guidance as well. They need Jesus,” Karla shares. Just as they saw God transform young lives in Brazil, they believe Jesus can “turn their lives in a different way, bring something new” for the youth of Cumbria. Despite growing up a world apart, teenagers in Brazil and in Cumbria share the same hunger for meaning, and access to endless information through the internet that “doesn’t always mean true knowledge,” Samuel adds. This generation faces unique challenges, but the Coswigs are convinced that the hope of the Gospel speaks to hearts in every culture.
Crucially, Samuel and Karla also bring a youthful joy and relatability to their work. “In one way, we have a teenager soul – that’s why we like to work with them!” Karla says with a laugh. Whether it’s playing sports, chatting over snacks, or simply listening without judgment, the couple finds joy in “hanging out” with young people. Building genuine friendships allows trust to form. “When we understand and know their needs, we care about them,” Karla explains. That caring presence opens doors for deeper conversations about life and faith, showing teens that church isn’t just a building or a Sunday service, but a community where they are loved and belong right now.
Ministry in Action: Schools, Streets, and Churches
What does a typical week look like for Samuel and Karla in Carlisle? It’s full of creative outreach and hands-on involvement in the community. Every week they can be found in schools, parks, and churches, meeting young people where they are. Some of their regular ministry activities include:
- Lunchtime clubs in local schools: The Coswigs help run Christian-based lunch clubs at Trinity School, Morton Academy, and Central Academy. Dozens of students – many of whom aren’t from churchgoing families – voluntarily pile into these safe spaces each week. Over sandwiches and games, Samuel and Karla lead fun activities and discussions about values, faith, and everyday struggles. Remarkably, some students have even begun exploring the Bible during these sessions. “Just last term we handed out Bibles to those who were interested,” Karla recalls. “One boy asked, ‘Is this a real Bible?’ and we said, ‘Yes, you can read it!’.” Moments like that show how unfamiliar church can be – yet how curious teens are when given the chance. The openness of the pupils (and the warm support of school chaplains like Trinity’s chaplain) has been very encouraging. Even students who say “I’m not a Christian” keep coming back every Monday, eager to share what’s going on in their lives and soak up a bit of hope and positivity in the middle of the school day.
- After-school drop-in at a city youth café: On another afternoon each week, Samuel and Karla help run an after-school club at a youth café in the city centre (the Restore venue in Carlisle). This gives older children and teens a place to unwind after classes – to play games, grab a snack, and chat in a relaxed, supportive environment. The Coswigs and local volunteers are there to lend an ear and build relationships. Over time, they’ve seen guarded faces become smiles as trust grows. Some who started coming just for the free refreshments are now asking deeper questions about faith that they never felt safe to ask elsewhere.
- Friday night youth group at church: Weekends bring a lively youth gathering each Friday at St Barnabas Church, and often shared with nearby St Luke’s in the parish of Morton. These churches sit in one of Carlisle’s estate communities, where many families face economic and social challenges. The Coswigs help the small team of leaders plan games, Bible-cantered talks, and worship that resonate with local teens. It’s a space where church feels like family. Numbers are growing as word spreads that “there’s something for us” at the church on Friday nights. Samuel and Karla love seeing teens from unchurched backgrounds feel at home singing a worship song or praying for the first time. “We can see Jesus doing His work in their lives,” Samuel says gratefully. They are mindful that every youth who encounters God’s love can become a catalyst for change in their own family and neighbourhood.
- Park chats and hot chocolate: Not all ministry happens inside buildings. The Coswigs take ministry “to the street” as well – or in this case, to Chances Park on certain afternoons. Armed with flasks of hot chocolate, they set up a simple drop-in outdoors where teenagers (and often parents with kids) pass by. Offering a warm drink and a friendly conversation in the park has been a great way to meet people informally. “We just hang out a little bit with the teenagers and parents and kids, talking, having small talks with them,” Karla says. Those small talks sometimes lead to bigger questions. A casual chat about school or music can open the door for a young person to share a personal struggle. In those moments, Samuel and Karla can speak a word of encouragement or even a simple prayer. They’ve learned that consistent presence – showing up regularly in the community – builds credibility. Over time, the park has become another place where young people know they can find a listening ear and a reminder that they matter to God.
All of this work is done in partnership with local churches and leaders. The Coswigs credit the existing Network Youth Church (NYC) structure and volunteers for helping integrate them quickly. They are part of a wider NYC team across Cumbria that engages hundreds of young people. In Carlisle, they specifically mention St. Barnabas and St. Luke’s churches as gracious hosts and partners in mission. “We help a lot in the church of St. Barnabas and especially St. Luke’s in the Morton area,” Samuel notes. It’s truly a team effort – local clergy, school chaplains, youth workers, and these international mission partners all joining hands. The body of Christ in Cumbria includes people from near and far, working together so that “God for All” (the diocese’s vision) becomes a reality for the rising generation.
Inspired by Bishop Rob’s Vision and Heart
From the very beginning of their move, Bishop Rob’s support and vision have been a beacon for Samuel and Karla. Even before meeting in person, they sensed a kindred spirit. In an online introduction call, Bishop Rob made a deep impression. “For the first time we heard him, we could see that he’s like a pastor,” Samuel recalls. Despite Bishop Rob’s senior role, “he was someone looking to others… someone we wanted to be close to.” That pastoral warmth, a leader who “loves his neighbour” sincerely resonated strongly with the Coswigs. It confirmed that coming to Carlisle, where this kind of servant-leadership was valued, was the right decision. “We were inspired to work with him,” Karla adds, “to work together with him.”
Over the past year, Bishop Rob has indeed been that pastoral leader and partner in mission. The Coswigs describe him as a bishop with a heart for God and for people above all else. He has a clear passion for growing disciples across the county, especially among the young. (It’s no coincidence that when Bishop Rob’s new appointment was announced, he emphasised continuing to serve “the county that I love” and the vision of growing disciples across Cumbria) They have seen firsthand that he cares personally about those on the ground. Whether it’s championing initiatives like the Norwegian Mission Society partnership or simply checking in with Samuel and Karla about their family’s adjustment to life in England, Bishop Rob models a kind of relational leadership that builds up others.
Now, as he steps into a new chapter of ministry as the diocesan bishop, Samuel and Karla are excited to celebrate and support him. “He’s a man that has a vision for God’s kingdom,” Samuel says. “We can see that… and it’s the kind of vision we want to share.” In Bishop Rob’s inclusive approach, connecting the international church with the local church, they see echoes of the Apostle Paul’s description of the Church as one body with many parts. This alignment of hearts gives the Coswigs great hope that under Bishop Rob’s leadership, the mission in Cumbria will continue to flourish in unity and love.
Anointing the New Bishop – A Moment of Blessing
At the end of this month, the Diocese of Carlisle will formally celebrate Bishop Rob’s new ministry in a special service of enthronement at Carlisle Cathedral. On Saturday 29 November 2025, Bishop Rob Saner-Haigh will be enthroned as the 68th Bishop of Carlisle, taking his seat in the historic cathedral and publicly committing to serve the people of the diocese. It promises to be a day of joyful ceremony, rich symbolism, and worship. But for Samuel and Karla, it will also be deeply personal: they have been asked to play a part in the service, representing the international partners and youth ministry perspective that mean so much to Bishop Rob and to the wider church.
During the service, Samuel and Karla will stand on the cathedral’s presbytery steps to lead a prayer of anointing for Bishop Rob. In the Bible, anointing with oil signifies being set apart and empowered by God for a holy task. “In the Old Testament, anointing means you were covered by God from your head to your feet, completely,” Samuel explains. That is exactly what they will be praying for Bishop Rob: that the Holy Spirit will cover him fully, equipping him for all that lies ahead. “It’s an honour to do that as mission partners,” Karla says. “We’re a little bit nervous – we don’t want to miss a word or the timing – but when you think about someone that you care about, it’s really easy. We just want to bless him.”
Indeed, the Coswigs care deeply about Bishop Rob, so this task is one they approach with reverence and love rather than fear. They have been practicing their lines and praying in advance, knowing that in the moment their focus will be on asking God’s blessing. As they pour oil and lay hands on the Bishop, they will join the whole congregation’s plea that he be “fully covered by God” in his ministry. It is a beautiful image of how the global church family surrounds its leaders, a Brazilian couple commissioned via Norway now blessing an English bishop!
United in Prayer and Hope for the Future
As Bishop Rob’s enthronement approaches, Samuel and Karla encourage everyone in the diocesan family, and all who read this, to join in prayer. This is a season of new beginnings and shared mission. Our prayers can undergird the work that God is doing through leaders like Bishop Rob and through everyday ministers like the Coswigs. When asked how specifically we can pray, Samuel and Karla’s answers reflected their own humble, faith-filled hearts. They suggested a few key prayer points:
- For Bishop Rob: Pray that he would be granted wisdom, like King Solomon asked of God. “If Bishop Rob can be a wise bishop, he will do a brilliant work – as he’s already doing,” Karla says. Ask the Lord to give him discernment in every decision. Also pray that Bishop Rob never loses his heart for Jesus and for people. With many administrative duties and demands on his time, we pray he will always hold fast to the core of his calling – to love God and to love his neighbours. May he continue to be the pastoral, people-centred leader that has so inspired those around him, keeping a disciple’s humility even as he carries a bishop’s responsibility.
- For Samuel and Karla (and the youth of Cumbria): Pray that God’s will would be done in and through their ministry. They desire nothing more than to follow God’s plan, not their own. “There are so many challenges, so many things to do, but may God keep His will, not our will, in this work,” Samuel emphasises. Ask God to help them remain grounded in prayer and close to Jesus, even amid busy schedules. Just as they prayed for Bishop Rob, we can pray the Coswigs “wouldn’t lose [our] heart in the middle of activities, but stay open to being close to God and close to people.” May their own two children, Thomas and Caleb, also feel at home and blessed here in Carlisle. And let’s pray for the hundreds of young people they encounter, that through this ministry, many will experience the life-changing love of Christ. Jesus is the one who can turn lives around, so we pray for a generation in Cumbria to be transformed by His grace.
Samuel and Karla firmly believe that God answers prayer. They have seen Him move mountains to bring them here and to open doors in youths’ hearts. As we pray, we too become part of the mission. In fact, the Coswigs invite everyone to keep up with what God is doing among Carlisle’s youth, you can follow the Carlisle Network Youth Church on social media (Instagram and Facebook) for updates, stories, and specific ways to pray.
In this exciting moment for the Diocese, welcoming a new bishop and celebrating the unity of Christ’s church, Samuel and Karla Coswig’s story is a wonderful testimony. It reminds us that God’s family knows no borders. A prompting in Brazil, a partnership in Norway, a welcome in Cumbria, and a shared calling to reach young people have all woven together into a beautiful tapestry of faith. As Bishop Rob is enthroned, we give thanks for his leadership and for friends like the Coswigs who have come alongside us. And we recommit ourselves to the vision of “God for All”: that every person, young or old, native Cumbrian or new arrival, would have the chance to know the love of Jesus.