Why I Became a Street Pastor

“Bible basher, sad boring Bible basher.” They were the words that met me on that fateful Monday morning as I walked into the classroom. I’d gone to church the day before with my family. Sitting on the bench outside the church were two boys from my class – they stopped talking when they saw me. Once I’d passed they sniggered. Oh the shame! The shame of having been seen going into church on a Sunday morning with my parents. Life would never be the same again.

In school, when people find out you go to church, it is almost like saying “Yes, I’ve been abducted by aliens!” That used to be me. I thought more about what people would say about me, nasty words, laughing, talking behind my back but loud enough for me to hear, than what I already had – Jesus.

A few years’ later I used to go to the local night club. I’d have an excellent night, but when we came out there was always evidence of someone getting hurt – broken glass, trails of blood in places, blue flashing lights. When I saw it happening I would try to calm things down, but people would say “Leave well alone – it’s not worth it.” Then we would end up picking up the pieces – holding their hand and talking to them. I couldn’t just leave them there.

I was talking to my mum a few years’ ago about the nightlife situation, and she said “why don’t we go to Bexleyheath or Erith, stand outside pubs and clubs and pray to make sure everyone is safe.” I was all for it but thought it would be useless. When Martin Seymour told us about Street Pastors I knew it was for me. I could finally do something … but I was scared. What if people recognize me … people would know. I can’t preach. Not only that but people might laugh and call me names. Luckily my passion to help was greater than my fear. Besides I wasn’t the only Christian going, there was a whole group of us. I could always hide behind them – so I went for it.

The training was twelve Saturdays over five months. You have to battle the elements and London Transport, but you get a free coat, hat and prison shirt at the end of it! I learnt a lot – but even more when I got out there. The people you meet and the conversations you have. One minute you could be having a laugh about why married men go bald, the next minute you could be trying to think what to say to a crying girl whose friend died suddenly and wants to know where God is in all of it. When you trust in God He gives you the right words. I didn’t answer that girl – God did.

Every night is different (only once or twice a month), but we could never go out without our faithful prayer pastors who tirelessly pray for our guidance, safety and the right words. The lovely Doug and Beryl have adopted me to pray for. They will never know how much that means to me, for the people praying are just as important as the pastors. It would not work without them.

To walk and know every step is prayed for, to know that God is with you, to be on the cutting edge of His work and seeing it with your own eyes – it just blows you away! My favourite Bible verse is:

“Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained
angels without knowing it.”
Hebrews 13:1-2

I am no saint, and I don’t always get it right, but to think how far the Lord has brought me from being terrified of showing my faith and of what people might think, to knowing God loves me no matter what ...

I don’t think I could ever get bored with that!
Cathryn Causbysmith

In Memory - Ellen Margaret Smith

29th September 1909 – 29th January 2009

“A memory concerning Ellen Smith, or Nellie as we knew her, took place way back in the mid 1900’s, when our church had a thriving choir. We were invited to visit the Sailors’ Home (which no longer exists now) to sing Christmas Carols to the elderly ex-sailors who were living there.

So, who should we meet but ‘Matron’ Nellie, who ‘lived in’ as part of her job. She, at the time, was carrying out her duties as a fully trained nurse. The greeting which she gave to everyone instilled you with a sense of caring and concern for your welfare was “Hello, My Dear,” a gentle endearment which made you feel: all is well!”
Ruth Cook

“I have known Nellie Smith since I was at Sunday School. She was a very kind hearted, warm, caring person, who was always more interested in other people than herself. Nellie had a very good sense of humour and although some people may have thought that she looked quite serious, she was full of fun and enjoyed life very much. Nellie was a very capable lady, which showed when she became Matron of the Seamen’s Home in Belvedere.

I was looking forward, like everybody else, to see her celebrate her 100th birthday, but it was not to be. I am certain that God has other special plans for her ahead. Nellie will be greatly missed by all of us in the Women’s Own, the church fellowship and by everybody that knew her.”
Avril Harding

“Nellie was such a lovely lady, always cheerful, a wonderful sense of humour, a good friend and teacher. I shall always remember when she gave up driving, I was able to take her to church and to Women’s Own, having just passed my test. She was lovely to talk to as she had a wide knowledge of so many subjects. Nellie was also a great listener and I learned so much from the conversations we had. There are so many happy memories of Nellie but I especially remember how she loved to sing and two of her songs will always mean so much to me; they are ‘One day at a time’ and ‘Just for Today’.”
Brenda Fairman

“Our friend, Nell Smith, was a strong lady who spent her life caring for others, both in her working life and her life here at Nuxley Road Baptist Church. When my mother had the idea to start a Flower Festival, Nell was one of the many ladies of the fellowship who backed her, and Nell worked to fund raise for the Festival when she offered her home to host occasions such as quiz evenings and garden parties. She was a stalwart in the kitchen when she ‘waited’ on visitors for tea, chatting and making folk at ease.

On the more personal side, Nell suggested that I should think about allowing my name to go forward to stand as one of the Vice Presidents of the Women’s Own, and when I was voted into office she gave me confidence and encouragement with her valued advice and wisdom. She was the Baptist Missionary Society representative at Women’s Own meetings, bringing this work to the forefront and making us more aware of the work and of our responsibilities to those who go in our name to spread the Gospel.

I always enjoyed talking with Nell – she had such wide interests and opinions, which she shared, often opening up further ideas and avenues for thought and consideration. I am sure that I speak not only for myself but for the many others who have enjoyed Nell’s company and the witness she showed in her daily life. For me, she was a wonderful Christian example and ‘encourager’ in many ways.”
Anne Cook

Trade Justice!

Zambia is another of the world’s poorest countries with two-thirds of the population living on less than 50p a day. A third of their children do not even attend primary school. But it should not be this way. Zambia is rich in copper and with sky-high copper prices, they should be reaping the benefit.

However, due to unfair trade deals this is not happening. A major report (Undermining Development?) has highlighted that KCM (Zambia’s major copper company) owned largely by a UK based company, Vedenta Resourses has found disturbing evidence of contracts signed under pressure, allowing multinational organisations to bypass local laws with the local workers receiving very little reward for gruelling hours of physical labour.

If you have an internet connection, would you please sign the petition on Christian Aid’s website. This can be found at: www.christianaid.org.uk/issues/trade/index.aspx and click on “Stop the EU’s unfair trade deals, at the top right hand side of the page.

Thank you for caring.
Derek Fraser

MY TESTIMONY - by Olive Gibson

I was born in Portobello, just outside Edinburgh, and I had three sisters and a brother. I was brought up in a Christian home – my mother was a Baptist and went to church regularly on a Sunday and went to a mid-week meeting in a little Mission Hall, which I remember going to when I was very young, and looking forward to the tea and buns! I attended church from a very young age – I can see quite clearly the words on the wall at the back of the apse ‘O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness.’ I remember reading these words over and over again.

I do not remember how old I was when I started Sunday School, but went every week and went to the Band of Hope on a Tuesday. I liked the Band of Hope as we played games etc. Sunday School was at 3.00 pm in the afternoon, and we were given a text every week, which we had to learn for the following week. We had a small book in which we stuck the texts and if you had a full attendance you got a prize. We also had tests on what we had learnt, mainly about the Parables. I received my first Bible when I was nine years’ old and written in the flyleaf is Proverbs 3:5-6. (Trust in the Lord with all thine heart …). I often stayed with my aunt and although I do not remember her attending church, I always had to say my prayers when I went to bed – Jesus Tender Shepherd Hear me

When I was about 16 I started going to the Parish Church of Scotland - not at all like the Church of England. I had a friend who came with me and my boyfriend and his family attended that church. He and his mother were in the choir, so they encouraged me to join, which I loved – music plays an important part in my Christian life. We had a lovely choirmaster, who also played the organ on a Sunday morning, when we sang an Anthem before the service started. I got married in that church to Robert when I was 21; knowing the Minister and the organist so well, I chose the music, hymns and parts of the Service myself.

I continued to go to church until the girls came along and then I had two or three years when I did not go – my husband was a policeman and worked shifts. We moved South when the girls were four and two, Robert transferred from Edinburgh to the Metropolitan Police. We lived in the East End of London for 10 months, and although at this time I did not read my Bible regularly or have a Daily Reading, I was drawn to the church and the girls and I went to a little church in the East End.

We eventually moved to Belvedere and again we looked for a church and found the United Reformed, which is now the Congregational, where I attended for many years, became involved in the Friendship Club and Sunday School and made many friends. I still did not read my Bible regularly, and did not seem to respond to any teaching that was given, although I enjoyed being part of that church family. I did feel that there was something missing in my life, and I came to Friendship Club here at BBC, where I saw a notice on the wall “ALPHA COURSE,” and I thought “I am going to have some of that.”

I am not very good at going to things on my own so, along with a friend, I went wondering what on earth I had let myself in for. I went to the Introductory meal and then went on to do the course, where I met Linda Tythe and her husband, John, Dorothy Potgieter, Matthew and Stephanie Ross and, of course, Bob and Shirley Goode. The evening started with a meal, which helped to break the ice, and then we were shown a Video with Nicky Gumble being the speaker, and, of course, question time followed. It was wonderful to hear other people’s opinions and to learn that they, too, had doubts. Most of my questions were answered through other people. This course, I think, was the beginning of a starting point in my Christian life – I was quite excited and a little apprehensive as each week came round – it was what I had been looking for, for some time, it was wonderful.

The following year I did the same course again, meeting different people and learning more the second time around. I was still going to the Congregational Church at this time but was very unsettled, so I decided to do something about it. I eventually left (which was sad as I had attended for many years) and came to BBC in the year 2000, becoming a member in April 2002. When I first came they were doing a project “Read the Bible in a Year”, so I did, and I just kept wanting to read ahead of the programme.

I am involved in many activities here, including a Prayer Triplet with two friends, and I also started up the Soup Lunches. I feel that my walk with God is getting stronger and that Women’s Own has played an important part helping me to gain more confidence by leading our Service. I do not feel easy in Group Prayer but I am getting used to that gradually. My Bible is by my bedside and I often find myself looking at the Concordance at the back. I love to look up readings helping me to understand more about God’s word. I have a lot to learn, and a long way to go to being a good Christian. A hymn comes to mind.

“Breathe on me, Breath of God, Fill me with life anew, that I may love what Thou dost love and do what Thou wouldst do.”

NEW YEAR - Fasting, Feasting, Fighting and One More 'F'?

Well, here we are in March already! Whatever happened to the New Year? It just seems so long ago, we’ll soon be asking Auntie Linda how many days is it to Christmas.

I don’t know about you but I‘ve given up on New Year Resolutions this year. They’re a waste of time and, however strong the resolve I start out with, it all seems to dissipate in the day to day turmoil of the return to work after the Christmas and New Year break, which in 2008 seemed extra long. I see that this year we who are not retired, and working, may only be able to have a week off (or even less depending who you work for) ‘cause Christmas Day is on a Friday.

As Christians if we bothered with Resolutions perhaps we should think about something that we need to improve in our walk with Christ, like, ‘Pray more’; ‘Make more time for Bible Study’; ‘Go to church on Sunday evenings at least once a month’, or even be more practical and ‘Seriously review the amount I can afford to give to the church’. Well if you didn’t have a resolution there’s a few for 2010 as it’s obviously too late for 2009……or is it?

Then there was the Call to Prayer and Fasting. Did you get involved in that? I’m afraid I was laid up with various ailments so missed out, although I did try doing everything twice as quickly as normal and when asked why I was rushing around I explained I was ‘fasting’. My misunderstanding has now been corrected and I believe that Martin very kindly told everyone what fasting involved, although I believe he also gave some people the taxi driver’s soft option… ‘keep eating and give up something else’ instead. So I tried fasting from TV, but I’m just too addicted. Anyway I understand that the whole exercise was a great success and we will see the repercussions in our Church life going forward.

Then there’s the Feasting. Didn’t have many problems with that, and I guess most of us were very able to take on board what we need to do to ‘feast’. What about feasting on the word of God though, instead of over eating? This we can do simply by reading and studying the Bible and the effect on our health is much more likely to be beneficial.

After the Feasting comes The Fighting. For this we need to prepare for battle, to be fit for the fight. I thought that Battle was that little town near to Hastings where Frank & Sylvia used to go to church. Anyway too much feasting and we wouldn’t be able to put our armour on, it just wouldn’t fit.

There has to be case here for going to Charlotte’s Saturday morning sessions at church, since being healthy and fit is very much part of winning the spiritual battle. Of course some of us are too infirm to do that sort of thing and we know that God understands and equips us for battle in different ways.

I seem to remember that Andrew said something about how useless we would be ‘fighting with our trousers round our ankles’ and that some of his overheads were displaying the Batman symbol…will this be seen in the night sky over Belvedere when we start to join battle with the forces of darkness in the spiritual battlefields of the village? Probably not, but remember we also have a guardian angel watching over us so we have no need to be afraid.

I guess there’s also one other F word to add… Forgiveness. We can all rest and be assured that God in his wonderful wisdom and grace is prepared to forgive us for our past transgressions and we need to be able to forgive other people as he has forgiven us. That has a familiar ring to it..The Lord’s Prayer… of course.

I hope you found something to ponder in this rambling, and maybe I’ll see you in church on a Sunday evening, or keeping fit on a Saturday morning, or even feasting in one of the village’s eating houses over the next month or so, although you may just think that the cost of the feast could be given to BBC instead?
Anon

Dr. Kenneth Stanley Seal

Born in 1910 – the sixth child of Charles Edward and Mary Ann Seal, who lived in Woolwich Road and were in membership of Belvedere Baptist Church, Nuxley Road. Ken lost his mother in 1913 when his sister, Beatrice, was born, and although the family were split up it was to family members who lived close by.

As he grew up, he was very involved in the Baptist life – baptism and membership of our fellowship, Boys’ Brigade, Bible Class, football and cricket teams. He felt a calling to become a doctor, but had to work in a shipping office to fund his medical training at Edinburgh Medical School. He qualified in 1939 and volunteered to work as a medical missionary with the Baptist Missionary Society, but he was not accepted as the board thought he wouldn’t be able to serve enough years.

So, in 1939 he was traveling to Aden, when his ship was torpedoed, and he spent five days in a crowded open boat (with two men jumping overboard) before being rescued and taken to Aden (having lost all his belongings) where he worked as Port Health Officer. Returning to England in 1948, he studied for further degrees at the London School of Tropical Medicine and on completion he went to Oji River Leper Colony in Nigeria – a Methodist Foundation - working there until 18 months after Nigerian Independence. Great strides were made in the treatment and cure of leprosy during this time due to the introduction of new drug therapy. It was for his work in leprosy that he received his O.B.E., which he chose to accept in Nigeria, where he had earned the award.

When he retired from Nigeria, he spent many years with the World Health Organisation as one of the foremost authorities in leprosy, working in different countries in Africa and Asia.

When he finally retired, he made his home in Plymouth, where he joined Catherine Street Baptist Church, continuing his Christian witness, becoming a deacon and meeting Edna, who became his wife in 1985 (a first time for both of them.) He was a quiet, unassuming man, who lived his life according to his Christian belief and died in August, 2008.
A tribute to her uncle by Anne Cook