On Friday 18th September 2026, over 40 women from AFCU arrived at Windmill Farm for the annual Flourish weekend, a weekend of discipleship, fellowship and prayer.
Today we hear from four women who attended this year’s Flourish Weekend.
‘I am a CMT (medic) in the Army Reserve. I had the pleasure of attending the AFCU Flourish Weekend 2026. In all honesty, I walked in feeling a little (a lot!) nervous, and not really knowing what to expect from my first AFCU event.
Well, I walked into a room full of strangers, and walked out with a whole group of new friends! From the moment I arrived, there was a warmth and acceptance that was so effortless and genuine.
I won’t lie, I walked in broken in so many ways, and before we even hit the first teaching session, I had started healing. Then the teaching… talk about being right in the crosshairs! Nobody knew me or my story, and yet the three talks could have all been written especially for me! Add to that a comfy bed, excellent food, and a beautiful setting… well… you really should just come and see for yourself.
I promise you, you may walk in feeling anxious, but you’ll walk out KNOWING you’re loved. Meeting other people who can really understand the different challenges of service life, and how that life impacts on your walk with God, has been a real blessing.
One last little footnote: if you get a “random” invitation to an event… trust me, it’s not random at all! It’s God working in His mysterious way, along with the AFCU team listening to His directions and acting on them. You won’t be disappointed if you take up the offer! Especially if you’re serving personnel… rank, branch, and age really don’t matter here. There’s a place for you, just as you are!’
‘I serve in the Army and have been to several AFCU events over the years. I had a wonderful time at this year’s Flourish weekend. The weekend had so many great parts, but my favourites were worshipping in community, the prayer ministry I received, and the excellent talks from fellow AFCU members.
I left the weekend after being spiritually nourished and strengthened. I feel refreshed and emboldened as I return to work. The opportunity to spend time away, focusing on God and leaning into the Holy Spirit, really makes a difference, and knowing there are other Christians walking alongside me and understanding the environment makes a positive difference. It is encouraging.
My prayer as I went home from the Flourish weekend was for the Holy Spirit to keep topping me up, to fill me with joy and to protect me. To be living in the now, not waiting for some future start date. For wisdom and discernment in stepping forward and knowing with certainty what God’s plan and purpose is so that I make the most of every day at the same time as taking the right steps for the future.
I’m really thankful for the opportunities I’m getting in my current role to share my faith and bring God into the work environment.
I want to thank the whole Flourish team for making the weekend happen, and the special people who helped make it possible for me to attend. I look forward to many more Flourish events.’
‘My husband is in the army, and I was delighted to attend the Flourish weekend again after having been in previous years.
It was such a lovely weekend, and I have many highlights, such as seeing some really lovely friends again. There were great times of fellowship and teaching, but also time to pause, reflect, pray, walk and just be. I think this space and time is very important; it was an absolute Godsend for me after a very busy week.
The weekend really recharged my batteries and helped me to know that God is always with me, whatever lies ahead. God’s guidance for what lies ahead, and not taking on too much!!
I just want to say thank you SO much to the Flourish team and the AFCU for organising these events and thinking of so many really thoughtful details. It really was such a special weekend.’
‘This was my first time attending an AFCU event, and I will definitely be back again. It was so encouraging and uplifting to be around women in similar positions to me, and to receive the wisdom and encouragement they shared. There was such a relief to know that there’s a group of women I can relate to, journey with, and do life alongside through the different seasons.My husband is in the RAF, and we have a young family, meaning deployments can be tough and lonely. We would really appreciate prayers that, through different seasons, we would remain close and connected as a family, and continue to trust in God’s sovereignty over every circumstance. I am so thankful for the prayerful support from AFCU and have seen that AFCU is such an important ministry, and I feel blessed that we get to be part of it.’