Previous Deacons
Elaine
(2007 - 2013)
I was born in Ireland and brought up in a Pentecostal church. It was strict but very caring and from an early age we were taught the Word of God.
I thank God for all the lovely people He brought into my life, especially for one Sunday School teacher who kept telling me how much Jesus loved me and showed His love to me in so many different ways.
At the age of nine I gave my life to the Lord and continued attending the Pentecostal church, becoming a Sunday School teacher at 14. We had over 200 children in the Sunday School so I guess they needed every person they could get.
At 18, I came to England to do my nurses’ training, during which time I met Mel, we fell in love and were married in 1952. We came to Kent in 1954. We have 4 children, 2 girls and 2 boys, and 5 grandchildren.
After going to a few churches, we went to St. George's Baptist Church in Canterbury in February 1971. The Rev. Bob Archer was the pastor there. He and his wife, Mary, became our dearest friends. Once again the Lord was so good to us in bringing these two godly and gracious people into our lives. We were baptised in September 1971 and spent ten happy years at Canterbury Baptist Church. Mel served as a deacon and I was a Sunday School teacher. During these years we were also unit leaders at the Canterbury Christian Family Conference. We moved to Swalecliffe Baptist Church in 1981. Again I taught Sunday School, always teenagers, a real challenge but so worthwhile.
In 1991 we were invited by the Rev. Bob Gordon to join the Kings Coach Ministry. This was an evangelism training ministry, and Mel and I pastored students who came on the training programme. We travelled a lot as the ministry had 5 bases all over the country. Bob also sent us to Germany and Poland. Our time with the Kings Coach Ministry came to an end due to Mel developing heart problems and so we returned to our home in Chestfield.
Mary and Bob invited us to be their guests at Paul’s induction and during the service Bob said he felt the Lord was saying that this was where He wanted Mel and I to be, in Whitstable Baptist Church. I knew Bob was right and so we continued to attend.
Once again God has been so good to us and has surrounded us with loving, caring people. We praise the Lord for bringing us to Middle Wall for Paul’s ministry - we truly are blessed to be here.
I feel it a real honour to have been invited to be a deacon and I hope and pray the Lord will use me to serve you all in any way I can.
Elaine