Last week's blog talkers

The question for discussion, a week late, but Holy Week was too busy and I really like this question...

Tell us something significant (either a memory, something learned from that time period, a person who made an impact on you, an event, etc) about your teenage years.

It has to be a person, a guy called Peter Halse. This man wasn't a superhero or anything, he was a normal chap, a successful businessman, a family man and a member of the Church I grew up in, Honiton Congregational Church. Peter took on the youth and children's work with his father, John Halse. By the time I started attending Sunday School John was quite old, though continued with his ministry until he was very old! Peter took on the mantle from his father, and took on the older 'lads group' - the Covenanters. This was an 11-16s group and took place alongside the usual Sunday Church services with a social evening during the week.

Peter was a shining example of a normal Christian - someone deeply dedicated to Christ, and willing to give lots and lots of his time to drawing in young people (such as myself) who had no natural Church affiliation. He was unembarassed about his faith, dedicated in his service and didn't seek to brainwash or intimidate us into believing, but shared his faith with compassion and grace. I can honestly say that without him my own faith would not have been kindled in the way it was, his integrity, generosity of spirit, his love and his friendship made me the follower of Christ I am today. All the faults and failings are my own invention, Peter showed me Jesus. It's just a shame that he'll probably never see this, as i expect he doesn't trawl the blogosphere...

There are some people who are shining examples of what St Paul meant when he wrote 'I thank my God every time I remember you' (Philippians 1 verse 3) .