MY MISSION
My desire is to speak and write words that enable people to navigate life.
I will attempt to achieve this by sharing lessons, thoughts and experiences from my own personal journey that will be rooted in the Word of God.YOU
Genesis 3:9
9 But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”
US
"Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love." Mother Teresa
HIM
Romans 8:31
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
ABOUT
Simon has pastored churches in Crewe, Newcastle upon Tyne and Birmingham. He is currently senior pastor at Banbury Community Church. He has been a Christian since childhood, having been adopted into a Christian family at birth. Simon is married to Julia and they have five children and six grandchildren.
My Journey
My journey has been quite an interesting one and through all the highs and lows I've learned to really trust God. It's not always easy being a Christian and yet I also passionately believe that God wants us to really experience this life in all it's fullness and to enjoy the amazing unique adventure that HE has placed us on.
My Life Lessons
My purpose in writing this blog is simply this... to help you to really understand, enjoy and maximise the journey you're on. I really want to help you, if I can, by sharing what I've learned. I'll often wear my heart on my sleeve and I'll attempt to be as transparent as I can.
My Bio
Before entering ministry I had a successful retail career (having left school at 16). I've also had short spells selling eggs, working on building sites and being a 'postie.' These have all added to who I am! I entered Bible College in 1992, achieving a BA Hons. degree in Theology & Christian Ministry and I've been in ministry since successfully planting my first church in Crewe in 1995. I was also the chaplain at Crewe Alex FC for nearly five years which was a great experience for a self confessed 'football nut!'
In 2008 Julia and I moved to Newcastle Upon Tyne to lead the Elim Church Newcastle where we launched the Newcastle Dream Centre which reaches many hundreds of people within the city providing food, clothing and support for those in need.
In March 2019, God called us to Birmingham to lead Encounter Church, Selly Oak.
My Passion
I have a passion for seeing God's people fulfilled by discovering their purpose and achieving extraordinary things through their faith in God.
This verse has become a life message. It's probably my favourite verse in the Bible:
"It's in Christ we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs of us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone."
(Ephesians 1:11-12 MSG)
My Hobbies
My main interests are sports, working out, reading, writing, movies and taking my little black dog for long walks. I've recently started doing park runs (5K) most Saturday mornings.
Author
I have published two well-received books; "Imagine" was released in March 2018 and "Courage for the discouraged" in November 2020. Both are available at Amazon and other leading book stores.
Join me on my Journey
It would be great if you would join me on this journey. Contact me or please reach out with comments and feedback and let me know what's troubling you and/or what you would like me to address.