I moved to Ashton in 1999 with my wife, 4 years later and 2 kids in tow, we started as a family going to St Thomas’ Church in June 2003 to find out how we went about getting our boy’s Baptised, but I found out something else. I found out about Jesus and that He loves me and that He died for me.

As a child, God was in my life and no stranger to me, my Grandmother was well known for not missing a Church service, regardless where is was held, the Church of Scotland, the Baptist Church, Salvation Army and Roman Catholic Church. So unlike many today, I knew who He was, sadly I never accepted Him in my life or spoke to Him as we should do. As a teenager though I did speak to Him, though in a selfish manner, without fail and before every exam, I used to stand in my parent’s back garden and look at the marvellous scenery He had created and pray. I realise now that it was more like begging then praying, but that’s what I did, I used to ask that He help me with my exams and I believe He did exactly that.

I always wanted to go to Church but never did, for a number of years the Christmas Eve service was as close as I got. I do recall one evening when I was around 14 going to a service with a few friends because it was too cold to hang around outside. I had opportunities at University, but never acted. More opportunities and in reflection, better ones appeared, before and after I got married. I can make excuses but they would be just that - excuses.

From the enjoyment and welcome we received when we started coming to St Thomas’ is was easy to continue coming back. When our eldest son started at school, I started going with him to our after school service. We read in Mark’s Gospel that Jesus said - "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.", for me, spending worship time with the children at the school services allowed me and continues to allow me to receive God like a child myself.

Coming to faith for me wasn’t a road to Damascus type experience but a gradual one, our Easter service at the Three Sisters and the Alpha course played a part but at the centre I believe it was the Holy Spirit working within me with just 3 words, Jesus loves me, I’d heard this hundreds of times and the more I read the Bible and the more I thought about it, I realised that what I was hearing was the truth. What a great feeling, after all these years, I had let the light of the world shine in my life. From the book of Revelation we read, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me". Aren’t those words wonderful and doesn’t it create such a powerful image, Jesus is always there for us, waiting patiently, waiting and longing to be in our life’s.