In January 1997, my wife Cathie and I set aside some time to pray about our future.
We do this from time to time, because we believe that disciples of Jesus ought to listen out occasionally to hear further instructions. We prayed through the rest of the winter but it was spring before two friends got in touch with us. Each had heard of a church in the North East of England that was looking for a pastor and both sent us some of the bumph they had produced to describe what they are looking for.
As soon as I saw what Bethany Church in Houghton-le-Spring was looking for I knew that this was it. At that stage it was quite subjective, and I didn't know the church at all, but there was no question that deep in my spirit I knew this was it. Evangelical Christians are rightly cautious about subjective feelings. How do we tell whether they are from the Lord or from that bit of undigested cheese down there in your small intestine? Yet feelings are important clues that need following up.
