From pub to priest
Bruce Geeves asked some Christians why they wanted to change.
Elizabeth is in her 50s and has had a series of jobs from barmaid, fisher to priest...
She says 'God called me back. I was the prodigal daughter.'
She says she now has a sense of peace and stability; freedom and strength; confidence and above all a love of people. A memorable moment was shen she told the rector that she hadn't been to church for ages. He replied, ' It's still open, you know - I'll see you tomorrow!'
Michael has been a Christian for some time and Robert became a Christian last month. They are both in their teens.
Michael: I wanted a better life and to live life, especially after seeing the example of other Christians.
Robert: I really wanted to believe in Jesus and not be a failure. It means that I will never be alone any more.
Bill has retired from his job as manager of a Christian centre and is in his early 60s.
He says, 'I don't want to die in this job and feel that his particular area of Christian service is over for me. The skills I have built up can now be used to serve others in a new way. I need a new focus, but also want to celebrate my faith in sharing with others.'
Mary is an active 95 year-old living in a nursing home. She has a concern for others and prays for people; her mind is positive and she enjoys meeting with her best friends.
She told me how she meets with a friend who is deaf and another friend who is blind. Mary sits between them with paper and pen and writes down what the blind one says so that the deaf one can read. Thus the three of them can chat together. Mary only hopes that she has heard correctly and the blind friend cannot see what she has written! She does see the funny side of this situation.
Mary also has a phone ministry despite the great effort this demands of her. She has phone numbers written on card with a large felt pen and she carefully presses the phone buttons to call and remind people she is praying for them. With a blustering voice she says that she 'has rung'.
Many people are blessed to know that his woman has such a prayerful heart and sincere faith. The changes that have come with her aging process have not made her bitter; rather she has become a beacon of acceptance of what life has brought to her.