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People and Jesus-Neil McGovern, Student (August 2004 edition of the Church Magazine) I am at Music College in Birmingham, where my first-study instrument is saxophone. Whilst I am away from Chesterfield for the majority of the year, I still consider St. Thomas' my 'home' Church.
If I were to be asked what my greatest prayer need is at the moment, then I would have to say that it is just to get to know God better. If that sounds spiritually arrogant, then please forgive me, but the heart of Christianity is not a theology or regular church attendance or tithing or doing good, important as all those things are, the crux of the matter is a relationship with Jesus. How much time do I actually spend with the One I profess to be my Best Friend? More and more, in this last year particularly, I have learned that if we do not spend enough time with Jesus, in prayer and in the Word, then the more of a mess we get ourselves into; regardless of the reality of our circumstances. "In everything by prayer." Philip 4:6. I have recently been listening to a fair amount of preaching by the late Leonard Ravenhill, which I strongly recommend to anyone who wants to get fired up for God. Audio sermons by him are available online, through most search engines. Last year I read a book called "The Heavenly Man" by the Chinese pastor known as Brother Yun, which was a real revelation as to what being a Christian means for people in that part of the world. So anyway, that is a bit about where I am at currently, hopefully you managed to read this far! God bless. Num 6:24-26. People and Jesus-Robert Batten, formaly an Accountant and now a Community Transport Worker (December 2004 edition of the Church Magazine)
We employ 6 drivers and draw on about 100 volunteer drivers, some of whom drive for their own organizations. All volunteers undergo training and assessment. I find my Christian faith plays a relevant part in my job. It is often a two-way process. Some passengers have used our services for many years and close relationships are formed both among themselves and with the drivers and escorts, Joys and sorrows are shared. Loneliness and isolation that some face can be lifted by the contact that we provide. Sometimes I can talk about my faith with people with a particular burden and, just as important, I can listen to them. Time is not so pressing. One lady told me that a few weeks after she married at the beginning of the war her husband was taken prisoner and they were not reunited for nearly five years. She is now 92 and still active in her church. Occasionally there is an emergency, such as the 90 year old widow who had a water leak in her loft that was quite simple to fix. Most of my regular passengers know of my connection with Hope for Eastern Europe and ask what life is like in Romania. Some of them knit garments, others do shoe boxes. I have taken round petitions on the subject of persecution of Christians and got dozens of signatures. We carry clients with learning difficulties. They can be particularly challenging. Being generally uninhibited in expressing their feelings they can please and frustrate in equal measure. Remaining calm is always the best course if not the easiest. Escorts do a wonderful job in these circumstances and clients can develop deep attachments with them and their regular driver. Speaking about Jesus is something that can happen out of the blue and some have a simple but very real understanding of who He is. Keeping the third commandment is fairly strictly enforced and any lapse will bring the bus to a halt, and the offender will be gently instructed on the matter. This invariably leaves an impression on the others. The buses are 25 feet long and 8 feet wide. They have to go everywhere to reach clients. Reversing up a narrow potholed winding track on a foggy night is not easy, and minor scrapes do happen. I pray every morning for all the drivers and passengers that they will have safe journeys. Thanks be to our Lord, there has not been a serious incident since our work started. People and Jesus-Becky Riley and Josh Wheeler, at School and members of CYFA (April 2005 edition of the Church Magazine) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Cor 5:17 Two of our CYFA members, Josh Wheeler and Becky Riley are getting confirmed on Sunday 20th March in North Wingfield. Here's what they have to say about this next step in their walk with God. Are you excited about being confirmed? Josh: Extremely. Becky: Yes. Very Excited. What made you want to be confirmed? J: I realised that all of this is serious and true and that I wanted to commit my life to God. B: I felt after spending 2 weeks at New Wine I was closer to God and ready to make the promises my parents made for me for myself. How will you feel afterwards and will it affect your daily life? J: I will feel fuller and complete. I would act differently to do God's work as I would be fully part of his family. B: I'm not sure how I'll feel afterwards; I think I'll be really happy and excited. I hope it will affect my daily life by making me a better person in everything that I do. What was the best thing about confirmation classes? J: The reassurance that when Jesus died he took all our sins away and that there is life after death and the biscuits and cakes were quite nice as well! B: Knowing that God had sent Jesus so that I could be alive and I could live for Him; also the tea and biscuits were very nice!! Please pray for the confirmation candidates as they confirm their faith and passion, and surrender their lives publicly to God. Please persevere in prayer for all our young people, that they might grow in Godly character and righteousness. Let's be a congregation that values its young people not just as the church of tomorrow, but as the church of today. People and Jesus-Midge and Roy Thompson, Retired (June 2005 edition of the Church Magazine) Midge and Roy discuss.
M: Yes. Front row of the children's choir at the family service and also in the Bible class. Unfortunately family service was stopped soon after I was confirmed. Disastrous. We moved to St. Mark's and eventually walked the mile or so to Chesterfield Parish Church where my brother became a server and member of the Church Lad's Brigade. I joined the Girls Guild and taught in the Sunday school. R: I too eventually taught in Sunday school and was a server for quite a time. I also pumped the old organ at evensong - sometimes when I wasn't supposed to - for example when I knew the elderly lady organist had dozed off during the sermon with her hands on the keys! Hymns had a lot to say about Jesus for me and probably carried more messages along the way than the spoken word in the early days. My favourite hymn, "How sweet the name of Jesus sounds" paints a picture of faith from cradle to grave. M: We were fortunate that both of us had Religious Instruction at secondary school. While you were in the Air Force and Army and I was nursing we had opportunities to exercise our belief. It was part of my routine to attend prayers and hymns in the chapel each morning, to be transmitted to the wards. R: While I served at makeshift altars in Nissen huts and read lessons in many churches in England and Wales, you put your musical talents to good use. I remember coming to hear you sing solos in Nottingham's Albert Hall on Hospital Sunday. M: Yes, and later I exercised my sparse knowledge of German in singing to wounded German soldiers and prisoners of war. R: On the subject of time and talents, I was founder chairman of the Spire Players, an experimental drama group performing religious plays in Chesterfield Parish Church and beyond. Do you remember the time we staged some audience participation? It got out of hand when the vicar was confronted by unexpected questions from unrehearsed members of the congregation! M: Perhaps more profitable was your spell at St. Peter's as superintendent of Sunday school. With no resident incumbent there were services to conduct and pageants to write, the Christmas story being particularly popular. R: By this time Midge, you were well established in the Red Cross. M: Yes, a chance meeting with my St. Thomas' Sunday school teacher directed my nursing towards voluntary work in the Red Cross. I heard 6000 young people promise to "serve God, Queen and country" to enrol in the Red Cross. As matron of holiday camps for children with special needs I could rely on local units for caring attendants. As matron of the first International Scout Camp at Chatsworth, I was grateful for my faith, as I needed to be confident that I was not alone in coping with many minor and several major incidents, with the help of volunteer doctors and nurses. R: You're still involved with Crossroads aren't you among other organisations? M: Yes. Many years ago two influential Christian ladies prevailed upon me to start a scheme in Chesterfield. This is now meeting the need of caring for carers in N.E. Derbyshire. R: It seems to me that the path of Jesus has been way marked for us by the example of practising Christians reinforced by the Gospels. Do you share that view? M: More or less. That I think and the experience of the power of prayer and the love of Jesus: "Forth in thy name o Lord we go our daily labours to pursue: thee only thee resolved to know, in all we think or speak or do" People and Jesus-Polly Ryan (October 2005 edition of the Church Magazine)
I worked for 7 years at the Crucible Theatre as their Press Officer, job sharing with Midge and Roy Thompson's daughter Rachel! I became involved with St. Peter's at Holymoorside after our daughter Phoebe was born. We both wanted her to be christened and the welcome was so warm and encouraging at St. Peter's from people like dear Harry and Mavis Martin, sadly no longer with us. Over the years I have become more involved with life at St. Peter's, helping with prayers and readings and serving at Holy Communion. Some years ago I was honoured to be asked to consider becoming a lay reader. I went some way down this avenue, but felt it was not the right step at that time - perhaps some time in the future. My Christian faith is very much wrapped around people. I am fortunate to be surrounded by love from my family, friends and neighbours. I see the love of Jesus demonstrated every day in the things people do for each other. I think this is a major reason for becoming so involved in life at St. Peter's. Jesus' love shines through the warmth and love from the congregation. I remember the words of Vivian Watts-Jones (a previous rector who had a strong effect on my belief) that Christianity has to work horizontally and vertically in order to be effective - i.e. our relationship with God has to complement our relationships with each other. As time goes by, I have seen St. Peter's grow physically (the church extension) and spiritually, in outreach ventures such as the Easter Mystery Plays. These plays were a great opportunity for many peoples' varied talents to come to the fore and for new people to be involved in a unique and enjoyable event. I was pleased to be able to put some of my drama work into practise! I feel very blessed to live in a community like ours where people know each other and interact at so many events. I feel we are fortunate to have three active churches in the village at a time when church attendance is shrinking. I hope we will go from strength to strength and that the terrific energy and guidance from Alex Simpson, who we are so lucky to have amongst us, the spiritual life of our village and that of myself will steadily grow in the years to come. People and Jesus-The Glover Family (December 2005 edition of the Church Magazine)
About 18 months ago, the Lord led us to Chesterfield, following a career change for Mike. St. Thomas' was recommended to us and after our first visit we looked no further. Mike and I became involved in Discoverers, and joined a house group, which I find a great source of encouragement and growth. However, it became clear that God had more in mind… I attended the Lent course, studying "The Purpose Driven Life", and was very challenged by the end. We were asked to consider our ministry and mission in life, on the basis that "God has a ministry for you in His church and a mission for you in the world". Then I went to Spring Harvest, where the theme was "Singing the Lord's Song in a Strange Land". We studied Daniel, how he had been taken from his familiar surroundings, friends and fellow believers, and had to discover how to live for his Lord in this new place. It was easy for me to empathise. As the days passed, I realised God was calling me to serve in mission in the town to which He had brought me. I could not be a light in the darkness if I only stayed in the body of light. I needed to move beyond the confines of church and into the community. In this Year of Mission at St. Thomas', God has mobilised me to join the Baptism Preparation Team, and help out on the Mission Bus, which serves the homeless in Chesterfield. I feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to share the love of Jesus in this way, and pray that by God's grace, the light of Christ will shine through me for His greater glory. People and Jesus -Gemma Machin (February 2007 edition of the Church Magazine)
On returning home, I started my own music teaching business (which is what I’d wanted to do after leaving university anyway). It was really quite successful to begin with, and for approx 2 years I had 35-40 pupils on the books. As the business seemed to be going quite well, I started to look for my own accommodation and soon realised that the income I’d been earning just wouldn’t stretch that far. So I tried to take on a few more pupils, but that didn’t really come up with a financial solution either. I continued with the teaching as best as I could, and began to wonder what else I should be doing. Then, almost out of the blue it seemed to me a vacancy came up at church for a volunteer to help out a bit with the youth work. I jumped at the opportunity and eagerly joined in, in all the ways I could think of. Christian Youth Work was something that I’d had a very positive experience of in the past, and I felt that my teaching background would help me to get involved, and to engage with all sorts of people easily. Then, Neil Roper (the previous St. Thomas’ Youth Worker) decided to move on to another church, and the Youth Work Co-ordinator role was vacant. I wondered if I should apply for the job, but felt that I really shouldn’t since I only had limited experience, and no relevant qualifications. But strangely, several people suggested that I did apply. So, I prayed, a lot, and thought, a lot, and eventually applied. When the interviews came, I found that I lost all nerves, could say what I wanted to say, and I managed to convey some of the passion I felt for the young people of our nation. A few days later, despite the interview of another highly qualified candidate, I found out that I had got the job. I felt nervous, and unprepared, but I did feel that God was working in ways that I didn’t then understand. Since that time I have become convinced that I am doing the job God wants me to do, in the place that God wants me to be. I have learnt so much more about young people through my experience, I have developed and grown in my relationship with God, and I now feel that the youth work at St. Thomas’ is fruitful, growing and full of potential. I am currently in the second year of training at St. John’s College in Nottingham (A degree in Youth, Community Work, and Applied Theology) a challenging course in many ways, but one that I hope will equip me better for my future work with young people. A scripture which continues to inspire me, and the work I do on a day to day basis can be found in Revelation 21:1-4, which says: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, … I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Jesus and the certainty of being with him in eternity and wanting to prepare myself for that, is the reason I get up in the morning. He’s the reason I breathe, He’s the reason I do what I do. Gemma Machin Read also Gemma Machin -Youth Work Co-ordinator (2004) My Journey home -Ray Hearn’s Testimony (August 2007 edition of the Church Magazine) Ray is one of our senior church family members. He tells us of his journey to faith.
During the period of convalescence I started going to the local parish church, St. Martin’s at Bilborough, Nottingham but the minister who most influenced me was the priest in charge of the daughter church, just across the road from our home. He had the same spiritual quality of the Methodist chaplain and very gently listened to my opinions. During that summer I read a book called ‘Tell England’ by Ernest Raymond. It told of an Anglo Catholic chaplain preparing two young soldiers for Confirmation and then giving them their first communion. The story tragically tells of the death of these two young soldiers at Gallipoli in the first world war. During their preparation the chaplain convinced the young soldiers that part of their preparation should be to make their confession to him as a priest. I was so moved by this book that I went to my local parish priest and he heard my lifetime confession, all ten foolscap pages of it! I wrote to a dear Anglican sister, Sister Hilary, who was in charge of St. Luke’s Home, Newbold, where my mother’s cousin was cared for. She had known me for at least 10 years. Her reply to my letter said that she was delighted that I had decided to surrender my life to Christ. During the time in hospital I retook and passed my exam, and was able to start life as a student at 21, 3 years older than my friends. After five years of a life that was often difficult to fathom I reached the final stage of my spiritual journey, when I became sure that I was a Christian. I date the time I started my return home to God from when I was 19 and began taking regular Holy Communion in the hospital and experienced the saintly ministry of the Methodist chaplain. About a month after I had started at college a Chinese girl, Pam, invited me to a lunch time meeting of the Christian Union. I had strong reservations about the way this society promoted its message because it seemed to sell Jesus like an American commercial would promote a bar of soap. The time of the meeting came. Having nowhere to go to eat my cheese roll I decided to go to the meeting and that turned out to be the next but last of a chain of decisions over a period of one and a half years that changed my life. The final decision came just after the meeting had ended. The speaker had spoken well. My reservations had been silenced but I had two questions on which I needed assurance. 'Was it possible to be a Christian by growing into one gradually?' and secondly, 'How could I be sure that I was a Christian?' The answer to the first of course is that we can grow into being a Christian and many do. Sadly, many people who are Christians are not sure that they are but the Bible makes it so clear that we can be sure. Jack Wallace, the speaker answered that question for me, using a pen and Luke 11: 13 to help me to be sure. Jack held a pen out and asked me, 'What must you do if you want it?' 'Take it.' I replied. Jack replied that it was as simple and straightforward to accept God’s gift of Eternal Life in His Son as it was to take the pen. He showed me a verse from Scripture. ‘If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.’ Luke 11:13. I took God’s offer of His Son as simply as I could take the pen by praying that Jesus would come into my life. At last after 5 years I had come home. On the surface I had made a chance decision to go to that meeting but in God’s plan I had taken the final step in my way to Jesus. I went into that room with no assurance about being a Christian. I came out sure that God was my heavenly Father and Jesus was my Saviour. Life has never been the same again. It was amazing what happened in my life after that day. Before, I had had so many questions about life. I could not see any purpose in it. After, I was like the blind man whose sight was restored by Jesus. He said, ‘Whereas before, I was blind. Now I can see.’ Are you like I was so many years ago? Only you and God know the answer to that question. If you are not sure, the Lord says to each one of us, ‘Ask and you will receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened unto you.’ If you do, life will never be the same again. Trusting that God will work His salvation in your hearts. Love in Jesus, Ray Hearn David Mouncer's Testimony (February 2008 edition of the Church Magazine)
That was until October 21 1984. I went to a different church and learnt a valuable lesson. Love and obedience are part of our lives -but it is love first and obedience next. There was a lady preaching by the name of Isabel Chapman. I don’t know what she said. I don’t even know what text she used. All I know is that at about 8pm she asked anyone who wanted to experience the love of God to come forward. Zip I was running up that aisle. I had never felt God’s love. I had heard about God’s love, read about it in the Bible but never felt it –because I was trying to earn it. I went up to the front of the church and burst into tears. Because it was at that moment I learnt really that God loved me. I hadn’t been particularly obedient, but it felt like God’s love was pouring into me. I was crying and enjoying the moment. Then I learnt the next lesson, that obedience comes from love. I went to church in the evening and took someone with me. He was called ‘Trougher’. (I don’t know his proper name only his nickname. It was to do with the amount of food he would consume in our halls of residence.) Partway through the service Trougher said to me, “Let’s go”. I didn’t really want to go but we went. Coming out of church we could turn right back to our halls of residence or left and along the promenade. We turned left and walked along the promenade. As we walked along in silence I heard God speaking to me deep inside me. I don’t often hear God speaking to me but now I heard God saying, “Take Trougher back, take Trougher back”. (It always makes me smile looking back, perhaps God knew I didn’t know Trougher’s real name –God speaks to us in ways we understand.) At that moment I had a decision to make. This was nothing to do with God’s love; it was to do with being obedient. “We’ve got to go back haven’t we?” “Yes” Trougher said, and we went back. We got back to the church and most people had gone but Trougher went forward and gave his life to Christ. I didn’t realise he was a backslidden Christian. He re-committed his life and was changed from then onwards. I learnt a very valuable lesson about obedience. As I was sitting in the seventh pew down on the left with my size ten white boots on the seat (there were box pews and I had to twist round to get comfortable) a lady, who was the cleaner came down the aisle and looked at me. “Hello” I said. “Hello” came the reply. This was the first time that I met Lisa. Within two and a half months we were engaged. I often mull over the thought: would I have met Lisa if I hadn’t been obedient? I don’t know. But I did learn a valuable lesson that it is always best to be obedient because its God’s best way for us. I went back to my halls of residence full of God’s love. I was sharing a room with a mate called Dudley. On Monday morning I woke up and Dudley was looking at me strangely. I thought “What have I got, what’s wrong with me?” He said these words that will always stay with me “David, you have been hugging that pillow all night!” It wasn’t because I had met Lisa but because I was so full of God’s love. I had to express it so what did I do, I hugged the pillow. It’s interesting sometimes how God converts us. He often comes back into our lives, he reverberates in us. I had learnt at that time that God loves me. Not because of what I do but because he has chosen me. That love is secure. Coming right up to date people ask, “How can you believe that God loves you with what is going on in your life [MS]. I have no problem knowing that God loves me. His love is secure; is like a rock that never changes in my life. Yes storms come, yes they batter us, but God’s love is constant. He loves us, he loves us, He loves us. But we do need to respond and we need to respond and the way we respond must be with obedience. Jesus said, “If you love me, do what I say”. My response to God’s love has always been to follow him. Something else I remember that has run through all of my life. When I was seven I fell in love –Clarke, Bremner. I was watching the television and Leeds beat Arsenal to win the FA Cup. They haven’t won it since but I have followed through thick and thin –and there have been more thin times. Do you love God? As a response you have to show it to God by putting him first, his ways first, his glory first. That means obedience. Show me someone who says they love God but does not do what God asks and I would doubt that love. We show our love of God in response to his great love, obeying what he says when times are good and when times are bad, through thick and thin. His love is constant and our love for him should be also. You can listen to David’s, and other testimonies here. David’s leaving service here. Janet Turville’s Christian Journey (August 2008 edition of the Church Magazine) Janet tells us about her Christian journey before she and Kevin leave St Thomas’ and move to Devon. Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word, That should set Thy people free; But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn,They bore Thee to Calvary. O come to my heart, Lord Jesus, There is room in my heart for Thee.
To me my life seemed fine. Then at the age of seventeen my family life began to fall apart. My mother was ill in hospital for six weeks and I had to take hold and look after my and look after my younger sisters and my father. I still worked and did my sixth form studies. Then after my mother had recovered and was back home my father dropped a bombshell. He had been seeing another woman and was leaving us all to move in with her. I was devastated but no more so than my mother who sat weeping all night. As I went to bed that evening I flung myself on my knees beside my bed and cried out- “God only you can help us!” I didn’t really know what I was praying for but knew that I needed the help that only God could provide. God took me at my word and began to move in my life. Friends from school who I vaguely knew and had a deeper faith that me began to invite me to their homes and one in particular shared what Jesus meant to her. I’d never heard some one speak of Jesus as their best friend before but Hilary sat up all night telling me what Jesus had done for her. Other friends also began to share their experiences. It seemed as if everywhere I turned someone was telling me about becoming a Christian. At first I questioned “was I not already a Christian, what was different about their experiences and mine”? Then as I realised there was a difference. I began to doubt I could ever become a Christian because I was never going to be good enough. I could see the chasm in my own life from what God wanted and what I was but I didn’t know how to bridge it. Then on the 29th May 1977, at a friend’s baptism service in the local Baptist church, I heard the Gospel message for the first time and understood how it applied to me. The minister preached about the love of God and His faithfulness to all who have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. As he explained how none of us can be good enough to become Christians and that only through what Jesus has done could we come to God. It was as if he spoke directly to me. As he concluded his message with an appeal for any who wanted to accept Jesus as their Saviour to come forward you couldn’t have kept me in my seat if you’d tried. As the rest sang: “And can it be that I should gain an interest in the saviours blood,” I almost ran forward to make my peace with God and to receive the life He offered through his Son, Jesus. As the congregation sang: “My chains fell off my heart was free, I rose went forth and followed thee,” I knew the truth of the words. My own chains of selfishness had fallen off and I was free. I made the decision that day to follow Jesus and over thirty years later He is still drawing me after Himself. That experience on the 29th May was the start of a journey which has taken me through many different expressions of Christian worship and service and through many trials. I attended Matlock College of Higher Education training to be an RE teacher, joined the Christian Union and went from the Church of England via the Brethren Chapel to a House Fellowship. While in the House Fellowship I met my first husband and we married and settled down to raise our family, still part of that church. Our involvement took us to Scotland where we spent seven years serving God. Then in 2000 I learnt of my husband’s adultery and despite my attempts to heal our marriage in September 2003 I was divorced. During those years I stayed close to God and knew He had held me close to Him. I knew that this was the start of my new life and the first thing I needed to do was to find a new home church. Walking into St Thomas’ that first Sunday I knew I had come home. I loved the worship, felt surrounded by family and found a place I could serve my Saviour. In 2005 I met Kevin and was blessed to realise that God had brought us together. We married in St Thomas’ in September 2006. Now the time has come to move on. For the last few years I have felt called to serve God with my whole life and this spring it became clear that it was right to look for work as a Children’s and Families’ Worker. I applied for a number of jobs and was offered the post in two churches in the Torbay area. I begin this new chapter in my life on 1st September. Finally, a big thank you to all at St Thomas’ who have been such good friends over the last 5 years: you are welcome to come and holiday with us on the coast! And remember: God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (1 Corinthians. 1:9) Janet Turville From the Editor: Janet and Kevin have been involved in many things at St Thomas’ including Janet being the Mission and Ministry Team member with responsibility for caring and sharing and Kevin being a Deputy Church Warden. On behalf of all Ploughshare readers may I thank Janet and Kevin for all they have done for us at St Thomas’. |
