Embracing hope and renewal
Harrogate-based, 20-year-old Gospel Entrepreneur George Eglese’s passion is to restore nature. His vision resonates with the promise of Isaiah 44:3-4: ‘For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.’
George met Gospel Entrepreneurs associate Laura Brett at the Harrogate Filling Station recently. He became a Christian in the café that evening and was baptised a few weeks later. Laura introduced him to Gospel Entrepreneurs.
Just as water brings life to parched ground, his entrepreneurial ideas aim to create a ripple effect of growth, renewal, and blessings for generations to come.
Through involvement in initiatives like the rewilding of the greenbelt to revive the ancient Forest of Knaresborough, George believes that by restoring the land and our connection to it, we not only nurture the earth but also the spirit of the community.
The Knaresborough Forest project involves 1,303 community shareholders who have raised the money to buy seven fields covering 60 acres and provide vocational training programmes to empower people with sustainable job skills.
‘As we work to restore the land, we aim to shine a light of inspiration for others to follow,’ George says. ‘The revitalisation of this landscape will not only bring back wildlife and plant life but also create a sanctuary for people—a place where we can reconnect with the earth and with one another.’
HIs passion for placemaking has led him to join the Institute of Place Management and serve on the committee of the Yorkshire and Humberside Association of Civic Societies, where he strives to bring people together under a shared vision.
‘Power comes in unity,’ he says. ‘It’s always better to work toward a common goal that uplifts everyone.’
His vision extends into his involvement in the ‘21st Century Spa Town’ initiative, unearthing Harrogate’s hidden springs and restoring Harrogate’s natural heritage, transforming the town into a place of renewal and growth, where nature, community, and heritage flow together in harmony.