John Lambert

 

Position within the Church: Priest-in-Charge

How long have you been a Christian? Since 1979.

How and why did you become a Christian? It was at the age of 17 in a Christian Youth Centre in Berkshire. It was an amazing place with a fantastic welcoming atmosphere. I had an encounter with the love of God and I was so struck hearing about all that Jesus said and did. I remember how it had such a ring of truth and the more I thought about it, the more it rang true. In the end, I gave up my resistance. Becoming a Christian was the best thing I that ever happened to me and I have never once regretted that life-changing event.

What are your hobbies and interests? I am interested in music, cinema, sport, French culture and wine. I read a lot.

Do you have any family who attend church? I am married to Kathie and we have four children, two of whom are grown up and now live in Edinburgh and Paris. They are both members of churches there. Joseph and Benjamin live with us here and Ben is in the Youth Group. Joe sometimes goes to other churches. Kathie and I also wait on our cat around the clock but Orion appears, so far, to have little interest in spiritual things.

What are your aspirations for All Saints’ Church for the next 12 months? I expect to see us moving ahead with our vision of reaching out to every home in the parish and becoming more aware of God’s power amongst us.

What are your long-term desires for All Saints’ Church? My role is about leading All Saints’ to discover and accomplish God’s will for its future. I do that by setting out the overall vision, by training and releasing ministries, by seeking to model loving service and by encouraging an atmosphere of expectant prayer. I want to see All Saints’ filled with the glory of God; a place where God’s presence is tangible, where people regularly come to faith and then daily grow in maturity and Christlikeness.

Finally, what has been the best advice/guidance that somebody has given you as a Christian? When you work, you work. When you pray, God works.