As I grew into my teenage years I continued to attend the services and young people’s meetings. I knew that I was a sinner. I knew that Jesus was the only Saviour, but I would not respond to the call for me to repent. Eventually, my dad and brother became Christians, were baptised and became members of the church. I though, continued to resist the gospel. This continued until I was 18 years old.
When I attained that ripe old age, I began to prepare to go to Loughborough University to study Economics with Accountancy. In light of this, my youth group leader formally recognised that I was to leave the group, by giving me a book written by John Blanchard, called, “Right with God” on 29th September 1985. Out loud I said, “Thank you”, but inside I said, “I will never read that!”
As the time to leave for university neared, my heart was intent on leaving behind the Christian teaching that I had been given over the previous 10 years. I wanted to live my life without the “shackles” of going to Church and doing what pleased ME. To me, the university held a life of freedom to enjoy whatever I wanted. So with that in mind, the day before leaving for Loughborough, I started to pack my belongings.
As I did so, I came across the book, “Right with God”, that I had been given 5 days earlier. For some reason, I opened its pages. I descended on the words, “This book is written for seekers.” I thought to myself, “Well, that certainly isn’t me!” But somehow I kept reading & reading & reading. All through the afternoon I read, until over 100 pages later I became crushed by the weight of my sin and was caused to see my need for Jesus as my Saviour. Ever since I had heard of Jesus, I had grown in my knowledge about Him. However, now I trusted Him myself, as my own Saviour. So I went to university, not to go my way, but now to follow Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.
I praise God that He saved me. My first day at university was highly significant. Having arrived & unpacked I met my next-door neighbour in the hall of residence. Immediately he asked if I was going to the disco that night. Just 24 hours earlier I would have said yes, being wholly in line with my plans. Now, though I said that I would not be going. While I was talking to him, another knock sounded on the door.
A couple from the Christian union came to invite me to their meetings. Before I left for university, my mum had given my name to the Christian union but had informed them I was not a Christian. So as these 2 students invited me, I guess they wondered whether I would come. So in front of my neighbour, I gladly said yes, and went to the meeting later in the evening. At the meeting, we all sat in a circle and were asked to introduce ourselves, saying who we were, where we came from, what we were studying and how long we had been Christians.
Imagine the surprise, when I outlined that I had only become a Christian 24 hours earlier! Through my first year at University, I grew as a Christian in my knowledge of, and service to the LORD. He provided a good Christian friend, who took me to Holywell Free Church in Loughborough and taught me the fundamental truths of the Bible. I also became involved in the Christian union, eventually leading the Bible study group in my hall of residence. During my summer holidays, I engaged in a Beach mission with some university friends. The 2nd of these was at Westward Ho! In Devon, under the leadership of Dave Harding (now at Milnrow Evangelical Church).
One night Dave announced that ALL those lads should preach in the open air for 2 minutes. Panic set in among us, but we all got up, accompanied by our nerves, to preach the gospel. On that night I knew God’s help and enabling, and it was the first step in leading me to full-time ministry. Having left University I went to work as an accountant. Firstly, for Tektronix in Marlow and then, for Motorola in Basingstoke. During this time I became a deacon at Yateley Baptist Church, but my desire to preach grew and grew. While we were without a pastor I spoke to the elder of the Church about this, and offered myself to preach one Sunday. Bravely he invited this timid 22-year-old to preach.
I took 1 Timothy 1v15 as my text, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”. I was even asked to preach again! In time the Church called its pastor, David Potterton, who had just finished his studies at the London Theological Seminary. He took me under his wing and gave me a lot of time, teaching and encouragement, and this led to the Church formally considering whether I should be set aside to be a minister of the gospel. The Church rigorously examined God’s providence in my life, my gifting, my service to the Lord, etc. In due course, the Church decided that it was right for me to enter ministry, after having completed a course of training.
They then sent me to the London Theological Seminary (LTS), where I took a 2-year course under the tutelage of some godly pastors and lecturers. Upon leaving LTS I served in the Church in Yateley, while I sought the Lord concerning the future. During this time I became engaged to Maggie, and the Lord led us to our first taste of the North of England. In May 1994, I became the pastor of the small congregation of Ribchester Evangelical Church, through a mutual contact of Peter Brumby. Eventually, Maggie joined me there when we were married in July. Until then & ever since, the Lord has been kind, faithful and forgiving. He has been there through all the ups and downs of the life and ministry that I have encountered, and I know that He will be faithful even to the end.
Try God
Also Read:
- Understanding God: God of Delegation
- Purpose: Sent to Redeem and Upgrade (1)
- The Pencil Story
- Delivered From a Sinful Lifestyle
- An Easter Reflection
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