What is a Christian?

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Hello! My name is James Packman and I’m the curate at All Saints’ Church (which means I’m a bit like an assistant minister).

So how did I come to be here?

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Well, I grew up in Bedfordshire as part of a Christian family. As such I do not remember a moment when I didn’t believe in God. Yet as I grew older, I became more and more aware that however good I was, I could never live a life that was satisfactory before God. I was used to succeeding at what I did, but I knew that I always failed to fully please God.

At 18 I went to University in Durham to read Mathematics. Here I met the girl of my dreams (Sarah – now my wife of over four years). Not only that but someone showed me that my failure to obey God in every aspect of my life meant that I was under his judgement, as I had suspected. However, they went on to explain that Jesus’ death (something I had never understood before) was so that he could take God’s judgement on himself in place of sinners like myself, if only I would trust in him. I cannot tell you quite how immense a relief this news was to me. I remember smiling for days after putting my trust in Jesus! It was coming to know this grace of God which fired my love for him and my desire to spend every day in his service.

And that’s what I’ve been seeking to do ever since. After Durham I moved to London. Firstly I worked for St James’ Church (Muswell Hill), and then after two years I began my three years of theological training for ministry (Southgate). The next move was down to Eastbourne (the ‘Sunshine Coast’) where I am thoroughly enjoying being a part of the All Saints’ church family. I’m sure you’d love it too. Why not join us?

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