Bruce's story
I feel very privileged to have been brought up in a Christian home, where I experienced a happy childhood with loving parents firstly in the borders of Scotland and later in Southern England.

The move from a sheltered home life into a sought after Grammar school was a big life change for me. In the mid 1960’s the music culture of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the great pop festivals was predominant. Along with it went alcohol, drugs, sexual liberty and anti-authoritarian rebellion at all levels. These were the days of Mods and Rockers, hippies, Vietnam and flower power!

My values were challenged and I found it quite difficult reconciling my Christian home life with a largely Godless and selfish school and social life. Although I had made a clear decision to ask Jesus to live in me at a Billy Graham campaign in London in 1967, I felt quite alone and out of it at school in ‘real life’.

Pursuing a career and business success in the West End of London brought great adventures in travel abroad, company cars, an expense account and entertainment but deep down I was uncomfortable with myself and I knew that there had to be something more satisfying than this alone.

I knew the Bible verse, “I have come that you might have life, and have it to the full” but it just was not my personal experience. Increasingly frustrated at my double standards, I made a conscious decision in my early 20s to allow Jesus to come in and take full control of my life and I prayed a personal prayer on my own at home in my bedroom to this effect.

I can honestly say that life changed overnight. I found many things I was doing totally unsatisfying and I chose to pursue a personal walk of friendship with Jesus as my priority. This influenced my work and relationships significantly and to this day, aged 52, I am still serving and working for Jesus in every way that I can. I have absolutely no regrets and I have a deep inner satisfaction of knowing that I made the best decision of my life.

My life is now totally different. I married Sharon, who had had a similar experience of God to me, and have three wonderful teenagers – Lucy, Sarah and Joshua.

I recently finished 30 years working in the chemicals and plastics industry and I am working full time in Christian work as pastor of the Ark Community Church in Watford and I am actively involved in mission and humanitarian aid work to Africa, India and Russia.

My life is a testimony of God’s love, patience, faithfulness and power. I highly recommend that you pray a prayer like mine and that you get to know Jesus personally for yourself.

Sharon's story will appear here shortly.