Wiveliscombe Evangelical Congregational Church

Charlie (Donald) is a well known figure about town. He is the town band master and until his retirement worked behind the counter in the local Post Office.

In 1978, while serving in the Royal Australian Air Force in Malaysia, our family were involved with the ex-pat church and worked closely with the base padre.

Padre Jim was particularly helpful in drawing the church folk together in various groups and activities. But he rightly discerned that even if I was outwardly doing good works, I had not come into a proper relationship with Jesus. One evening, when only my wife and I were at Padre Jim's house, he sat me down, looked me straight in the eyes and said "How long are you going to resist what God has to offer?"

My blood ran cold as I realised how unworthy I was, because of my sin, to even consider a relationship with God. But, instantly I was filled with the warmth of the revelation that it was Jesus, His death, resurrection and love that makes me worthy - not by what I do, but the free gift of what He has done.

Since then, listening to teaching and reading God's word with clearer insight, I can see God's hand upon me and those I love. I know now that it is the gift of the Holy Spirit that revealed Jesus to me and allowed me to know Him as a brother. Yes, there are times when the warmth of that first realisation goes colder, not because God has changed, He never does, but because I forget to "revel in His love"

The Town Band at the opening of the Silver Street Centre