A quick interview with... Jamie

1. Explain a bit about who you are, family, where you’re from, work etc.

I’m Jamie. I’m married to Megan (for 7 years!) and we have two kids; Rhoda (4) and Jed (18months).

We live in Wakefield but I grew up in Mirfield. We’re moving house to the Eastmoor council estate soon.

I work being assistant pastor at Grace Church Wakefield and the church planter for our church in Eastmoor.

2. How did you become a Christian?

I grew up in a Christian family. So I’ve always believed in God and Christian things.

But when I was 10 I went to a Christian summer camp (there were all kinds of activities during the day and then a talk from the Bible in the evening) but then I suddenly realised I was a sinner and was rightly going to hell, if I were to die that night. Even though I believed he was real, I had ignored God and what he had said and wanted to live my life my own way.

But I understood that, through Jesus’ death on my behalf, I could be forgiven and escape hell. So, I prayed to him and God saved me.

During my teenage years, I did start to question things and research it all more. And, over the years since then, I wondered if anything really happened that night (there were no flashing lights or funny visions!) but I’ve become more and more confident God has forgiven me and made me a co-heir of the new Earth when Jesus returns to the world (which is a crazy thing to say!)

3. What difference does being a Christian make to your life every day?

It helps me put things into perspective.

Whilst God has been very kind and blessed me in lots of ways, I’m not living for things in this life. God says that for all who are trusting in him, he will give them all they need in a perfect world that he will one day bring about - that’s what I’m looking forward to! Although, I need reminding of this a lot, which is one reason why being part of a church is so good!

Knowing a perfect world is coming is such a relief when I see so much suffering and pain in the world because I know that one day it will stop and God’s peace and love and joy will rule.

4. If there was one thing you wanted to say to someone who doesn’t know Jesus but is interested in finding out more, what would it be?

Come to our church! The only way to truly see and understand Christianity and what God is doing in the world, is by meeting his people.

Now, Christians are not perfect! But meeting his people is the first step into finding out and experiencing more. (Don’t just YouTube Christian videos! There is some good stuff on there but also some really harmful stuff!)

We meet at Jubilee Hall at 10.30am and have a service at our building on Eastmoor at 4pm. Come along!