Alan's story (Sept 09)
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Being brought up in a non-Christian family, but where Sunday School attendance was insisted upon, and at a time when school agendas included assemblies, prayers, and the telling of Bible stories, I came to have a certain knowledge of, and very real respect for the Christian faith, and the person of Jesus Christ.
Two events in particular helped bring me out of this passive acquiescence. Whilst in the fifth form at Grammar School, the Head boy, who had won a place at either Oxford or Cambridge, died of leukaemia. This graphically illustrated that life can be cruelly short, and we cannot know just what can be round the corner. But John was a Christian, and from his death-bed he wrote to the school, his letter read out at assembly on the morning of his funeral, about his total assurance of salvation, and his eternal destiny to be with the Lord. What an impact.
The other event was the Mission to Bootle in 1959. Being in the youth group at St Leonard’s church, I attended nearly every night. The gospel, by now familiar enough, was powerfully preached, the Spirit of God convicted, called and convinced, I was born again into new life in Jesus, and became, and continue to be, His disciple.
My life has been and is fulfilling, active and purposeful. “O taste and see, that the Lord is good”.
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