Heroes of Faith
Today I had the opportunity to visit Westminster Abby – something I have wanted to do for a long time. It is an incredible cathedral that was built hundreds of years ago and the architecture was spectacular. But the most moving moments in the cathedral was when I got to stand on the graves of two of my heroes of faith - William Wilberforce and David Livingston. Wilberforce is the main character in the movie Amazing Grace and his long list of accomplishments include the abolishing of slavery in England and the starting of the SPCA. He was a man of incredible faith and lived that faith out is such practical ways. Livingston was a missionary for many years in Africa and was also responsible for having an impact on the slave trade in Africa. Again, a man whose faith was lived out in such tangible ways. When it comes to these two heroes of faith they just didn’t have faith but they lived by faith and lived out their faith and it made an incredible impact on the world when they lived in it. I had a lump in my throat when I stood on Wilberforce’s grave. To think that one man of faith could be used by God to make such a difference in the times in which he lived.
This weekend before I head off to Oxford I am staying with a young pastor and his wife in London. He actually grew up in Guelph and I also know his dad quite well. Ten years ago both this pastor and his wife really didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. But through the Alpha Course which started in England (in fact I went to Holy Trinity Brompton today) this young couple’s lives where changed. They met Jesus and they met each other. This young pastor left the market place after a very successful but short career in marketing and through a series of Holy Spirit led events ended up being part of a team that planted a church that is thriving today. He now looks forward to a brand new adventure of planting another church with a new team and I am confident because of his faith and his gifts that God is going to use him to do great things in this area. I am taken by this couple’s love for God and enthusiasm for the building of his church her in London and their genuine love for people who are far from God. I love meeting young leaders who have such a passion for Christ and for the church. This couple exudes that. I believe God is going to use them significantly in the future and as I watch from a distance – maybe these might become a couple of new heroes of faith.