Strangers & Aliens

Someone asked me recently who my preaching heroes were. I answered, immediately, Richard and Harold. These two inconspicuous men did more to build me in my faith and draw me into preaching than any others, famous or not.

This week Harold was called home by the Father he loved and served. Harold first encouraged me to preach, constructively critiqued my content and technique, set me gentle reading programmes, pushed me carefully towards full time ministry - all without me realising it! I mean, he never sat me down and said "this is what you must do." He was always gentle, unassuming, let me make my own mistakes and find my own style.

I remember preaching my first sermon at Harpenden and being most nervous that he was there - but all the way through he was smiling and nodding his head and afterwards told me it was a good message and left it there. He didn't deconstruct it at the door as some "helpers" do - no, he waited a week!

Even into old age, Harold continued to write me letters and notes of encouragement. We became regular old-fashioned correpsondents. I shall miss his notes - his last just a few weeks ago a "welcome to your new home" card with, typically, a closely written note on the other side. Heaven has taken another of her unsung heroes.