About Us

John and Linda Skinner

CS Lewis said: ‘Prayer should be neither theoretical nor theatrical’

We have made it our goal that whenever we talk about Émigré; a new type of monasticism: it should never be theoretical or theatrical.

What we share with you on this site we have actually lived, learned and experienced for ourselves. There are no second hand stories or theories; what you see, what you hear, is what you get, it’s just that, no nonsense.

We also stay way from the theatrical because we believe style distracts from the substance of the new monastic vocation. We do not dress ourselves up or new monasticism up in any way if that suggests this is some religious or mystical journey that is beyond the reach of ordinary folk.

We have been living this life for over 30 years and although it has been one fantastic adventure and a first hand experience of the love of God Father Son and Holy Spirit, we have had to take further and more risky steps in availability and vulnerability in our Discipleship to Jesus the Christ, The Son of the Living God. We have found it very tough and at times overwhelming because we are not special people just ordinary folk responding to the call of Jesus.

If you are looking to feel more secure in your present lifestyle then this is not the site for you.

New Monasticism is a vocation not a vacation, once called there is no going home.

My heart, my heart desires him

My heart, my heart desires him

The vision of His beauty has

pierced me deep within

To whom else can I go?

Come away my love

Come away my love

Come way my love

Come away

Andrews/Skinner Émigré ©1986

Gareth Hutchinson

Born in Northern Ireland and brought up in a Christian family, the Christian journey has always been part of my life.  Baptised at the age of 14 and attending church each week my Christian faith was more of a hobby than something which truly sought to impact life in every area.  In 2002 I went off to university to study a BA in Business and Marketing.  Confronted with the realities of student living and the fact that my faith was not central to life, I was faced with a cross-roads…

Either live completely for Christ, or stop calling yourself a Christian.

I choose the former and this has been my journey ever since.  Continually foolishly thinking I’ve made it, and then mercifully hearing a challenge from God that I need to surrender another area of my life to Him.

It was in October 2007 that I first came to Turkey to spend time with John and Linda Skinner whilst training to become a minister.  Since then John and Linda have patiently offered me guidance and wisdom as I’ve continued on my journey.  It was John who introduced me to the writings of Bonhoeffer, and the New Monasticism which does not call us to become monks or nuns, but simply demands that Christ be allowed to invade every area of life.  Since then I have worked with John, his family, and a variety of others as we seek to either live completely for Christ, or stop calling ourselves Christian. It is my heart’s desire that the Church (both the organisation and the people) will continue to work out this call within secular society.

Part of this continuing work with John and Linda is coordinating the Émigré School of New Monasticism (E-Connexion).  Over the coming months we hope to bring together a variety of resources which can be used by people, communities, and churches who wish to interact with this way for living.