About Jennie

Profile Pic 2015_sepia2

Name: Jennie Pollock Hart

Occupation: Writer, Editor, Speaker

Author of: If Only: Finding joyful contentment in the face of lack and longing (as Jennie Pollock) (The Good Book Company, 2020)

I have also regularly written Bible reading notes for Scripture Union publications such as Daily Bread since 2013.

Potted History:

My plan for life was fairly straightforward: train as a teacher, marry, have children, and settle down in some nice, English village close to my parents. But God had other plans.

I managed part one immediately after leaving school, but then found myself unable to get a job, and trying to ignore the ‘still, small voice’ prompting me to join the missionary organisation OM on one of their ships. Eventually I obeyed, and spent two years on board, teaching in the small school for the children of the captain and senior crew members (and getting to see much of the Caribbean, central America and the west coast of the USA along the way).

I then continued in OM for another 8 years, mostly based from Atlanta, GA, as PA/road manager/banana bread maker-in-chief for a music ministry led by Bill Drake. (And got to see a lot more of the world!)

Next, I moved to London, and in my 15 years there worked for a think tank, a couple of church networks, two social action charities, a church, and the Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF), in various capacities involving administration, writing, editing and speaking. Thanks to the generosity of the think tank (Theos) and CMF, I also acquired two Masters’ degrees along the way – one in Philosophy, and the other in Bioethics and Medical Law.

Most of those roles were part time, as I was made redundant at the end of 2012 and have been writing and editing on a freelance basis either full- or part-time ever since. Speaking came later, starting with the women’s ministry at my church, and quickly becoming something I absolutely love. Leading Bible explorations (very different to traditional studies) is my favourite.

Fun and exciting and wonderful as all this was, however, a small part of me always longed for a husband. Then around 2017 I realised I had stopped yearning and aching and begging God to fulfil that dream. I found myself completely contented with where I was, and happy to trust his plan for me.

I was invited, by The Good Book Company, to write a book on the topic of finding contentment in various un-looked-for situations. If Only was published in 2020 and launched during one of the lockdowns! We had a very fun online launch party, though, which my brother and other friends from overseas were able to join, who wouldn’t have been able to make it otherwise.

And then, two years later, completely out of the blue, I reconnected with – and fell head-over-heels in love with – an old friend from university days. Dave Hart and I married in 2023, and I moved to the small town he lived in, not too far from my parents!

I will soon be transitioning this website to become JennieHartWrites, as I want to honour my husband by taking on his name. Hopefully all will go nice and smoothly!

As for the future, if my life has taught me one thing, it’s that God’s plans for me are far bigger and wilder than my own, so I’m just buckling up and enjoying the ride. Who’s with me?

Picture Credit: Mark Goddard

14 Comments On This Topic
  1. Peter P
    on Mar 16th at 5:50 am

    I like your new hair style. You look a lot like cousin Katie now!

    Reply
    • newsong40
      on Mar 16th at 8:52 am

      Thanks! I knew I didn’t look like me, but couldn’t think who I reminded me of!

      Reply
  2. Lorraine Burt
    on Dec 23rd at 3:04 am

    I just plain love your blog. Reading it is like having right there with me and our having one of those wonderful conversations that we used to have. Miss you! Congrats on your new position. What a wonderful gift from the Father to you. He has been preparing you all these years just for that and for NewSong 40. Abundant blessings to you my friend!

    Reply
    • newsong40
      on Dec 23rd at 6:49 am

      Aww, thanks Lorraine. Wish I was there having one of our great conversations. Love you and miss you loads. Merry Christmas to you and Paul. Xx

      Reply
  3. Caroline Cant
    on Jun 25th at 11:00 am

    Jennie this is fantastic! What a wonderful, Godly woman you are 🙂 Cxxx

    Reply
    • Jennie Pollock
      on Jun 25th at 11:39 am

      Thank you so much, Caroline! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Graham
    on Mar 12th at 3:21 pm

    Hi Jennie Just linked in from godandpolitics. Have been reading some of your blogs and like your work very much. I will continue to follow. Keep up the good work !!! Best wishes Graham

    Reply
    • Jennie Pollock
      on Mar 13th at 3:38 pm

      Ah, thank you, Graham. I really appreciate that. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Sandra Hoopmann
    on Mar 7th at 11:24 pm

    Hi Jennie, I would love to join your blog. So, how do I do this? Please pardon my silly question as I’m rather a dinosaur with technogy, hence my question.
    Sandra Hoopmann, Adelaide, South Australia.

    Reply
    • Jennie Pollock
      on Mar 13th at 3:23 pm

      Hi Sandra,
      Thanks for your message. I have just signed you up, using the email address you used to submit this comment. You should have received an email asking you to confirm this subscription. Please follow the instructions in the email, and you’ll receive a message every time I post on the blog.
      Thanks so much for following.
      Jennie

      Reply
  6. Patricia O'Malley
    on Sep 4th at 9:40 am

    Enjoyed your thoughts on Romans ch.12 1-8 today in “Daily Bread”, Jennie. Quite a coincidence, I read verses 9-21 as the Epistle yesterday. I am a Parish Reader in a small rural church in Co. Wexford, Ireland. I agree with so many of your views. Thanks a mill. Pat

    Reply
    • Jennie Pollock
      on Sep 4th at 9:47 am

      Thank you so much, Patricia. Really appreciate the encouragement.

      Reply
  7. Lord Don Curry
    on Dec 31st at 11:21 am

    Jennie,
    I just want to thank you very much indeed for your commentary on Isaiah in Daily Bread. My wife and I have found it most encouraging so thank you again. Donald Curry.

    Reply
    • Jennie Pollock
      on Dec 31st at 1:51 pm

      Thank you so much, Donald. That’s really encouraging. It was a wonderful set of passages to reflect on for the Christmas and New Year season – I really enjoyed digging into them.

      Reply

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