John Blanchard goes to glory
On 21 March this year John Blanchard was the guest on Before They Leave the Stage, a YouTube series from Heath Church in Cardiff interviewing older men who had served the Lord faithfully in their generation.
Approaching his 89th birthday, John was as clear as ever, recalling his childhood, his conversion and the Lord’s faithfulness to him through 67 years as a Christian. It was his last speaking engagement: just eight weeks later, on 14 May, the Lord took him home to glory after a short illness.
Ministering in a multi-ethnic congregation
Thornton Heath lies in the north part of the London Borough of Croydon, has the A23 Brighton Road running through it and shares boundaries with Norbury, Mitcham and Selhurst.
It is an area of dense housing and very little green space. Petty crime, including mugging and burglary is common, and we have our share of shootings.