Gail's story

I was baptised when I was four months old and I’ve always considered myself to be a Christian. I don’t ever remember a time when I didn’t believe, but I hadn’t always given it a lot of deep thought, and I’d only had brief periods in my life when I have been a regular churchgoer.  I’m quite a quiet, reserved person and I used to feel that my faith was a very private thing and I didn’t need, or want, to share this with anybody.... and then I met Jenny!

When my son was just a few weeks old, the health visitor told me that there was another lady with a new baby, just around the corner from me, who wanted to meet another new mum, and she asked if she could give her my phone number.  Jenny and I became good friends and I soon realised that she was very involved with Lenham URC.

I was used to very traditional services with traditional hymns and organ music in an ancient building. The services here were much more relaxed and informal, and very different to anything I was used to. I wasn’t sure if I could get used to it, and I was wary of being drawn into joining something I wasn’t comfortable with, and then feeling unable to back out.

But gradually something changed.  My son came to the holiday club each summer, and in the last two or three years became a regular at Junior Church. When we were so desperate to get him into St Simon Stock School, we received so much help and support from everyone here, especially from Andrew and Jan, who wrote letters of support, and we knew everyone was praying for us. We were invited to one of the Tuesday carecell meetings , something I’d never been to before, and everyone there prayed for him and the other children .

By this time, I had realised that the people that made up this church were true Christians, who tried to please God every day, and you could see it in the care they showed for others. I now enjoyed the services and realised I wanted to be part of the church too.

I was still quite nervous about joining a carecell and speaking to other people about my thoughts on the Bible but I’m so glad I overcame my initial inhibitions, as I find it very helpful and enjoyable; especially as all the people in our carecell are so lovely. I’ve also seen some powerful examples of the healing power of prayer with Beryl’s ear and my cousin, who had several tumours and was very ill, but miraculously after sending a message down the prayer chain, all of the tumours turned out to be benign and she is now well on the road to recovery .

I know I’ve changed a lot in the past couple of years. I have a much deeper faith, and I’m now less afraid of trying new things and speaking up. It feels like something inside me has been unlocked and I’ve found a new reserve of inner strength....

                                     ......and I know that it comes from Jesus.