Bearwood Baptist Church
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Over the last three or four years things have been a struggle for me. I lost my job of twenty five years to a serious back problem. Having started work again last May, I was a victim of an armed assault in July. At present I am out of work again. But still, I believe God has been with me at all times, supporting me with His love, answering prayers and guiding me in what to do next in my life.
Having being taught to go to church from an early age, I became a Christian at only 11 years old. I was then a regular at the Assembly of God Church in Pargeter Road.
I had my first contact at Bearwood Baptist Church in the same year, when I joined the 22nd B’ham Boys Brigade.
At 18 I felt God was guiding me to join this church on a permanent basis. I had now been promoted to Lieutenant in the Brigade, and I felt I had to be at church more often.
In 1976 I made my decision to show to others how much I was committed to God, by being baptised. Proverbs 3: 5-6 was the Bible verse given to me at that time:
'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.'
I started taking Sunday School classes, and I became Youth Club leader for quite a few years. But the biggest step I took, was being a founder member of the Worship Group, playing the guitar for services in the church.
It is something I still do today, with as much enthusiasm as when I first started, over thirty years ago. I thank God for such a wonderful gift!
Last year I became a deacon (a member of the leadership team) of the church. I get together with Ian our minister
to sort out the music for each service.
God has been very close to me all my life. I've had a decent family that gave me a good upbringing, a lovely wife (Cilla) of fifteen years, and lots of dear friends.
My faith is now stronger than ever and it all comes down to that trust in God I was called to, thirty odd years ago.
Office Address:
Rawlings Road
Bearwood
Smethwick
West Midlands
B66 4HA