Baptism - August 2006

Alex Christian's story ....

Looking back over almost ninety years I can see God’s guiding hand on my life, even though I was not always aware of it at the time.

I was born in Canada to British parents, and came to England when I was 5 years old with my younger sister. I began attending Park Road Baptist Church Sunday School in Peterborough. My father was a keen cyclist and inspired me to follow him in this, a hobby which I still enjoy. When I was 13, my father died very suddenly, this was a huge blow to me and I am grateful for God’s provision to our family at that time.

On leaving school, I became an electrician’s apprentice, and studied electrical theory at night school. I had a period of employment at the London Brick Company.

During the war I worked with the RAF as an electrician mainly working on Spitfires. This included travelling with the Malta convoy on ‘The Troyless’, one of only 2 boats to survive out of the 7 in the convoy. Whilst in Malta, I was aware of God’s presence with me and sought out the local Methodist church where the singing was fantastic as the service men, who were so far from home, raised the roof in worship!

In 1945 I married Win Hancox in Tysoe, Warwickshire and later moved to Melton Mowbray and had 3 children - John, David and Heather

I worked for the NHS as Hospital engineer for East Leicestershire 28 years, looking after five hospitals, a job which I remember God guiding me to very clearly.

In Melton Mowbray, we followed Win’s upbringing to the Methodist Church although we were persuaded by Heather to switch to the Baptist Church where she enjoyed the Sunday School. Once Heather moved away we reverted back to the Methodists.. only for her to bring me back to the Baptists now!

Although I was brought up In a Baptist church and my father was a Baptist he was never baptised himself, something he regretted. This is one of the things that got me thinking recently about Baptism, as well as the fact that Jesus himself was baptised and I want to follow his example. Thankfully, since I have been swimming at least twice a week for most of my life, and still do, I am used to the water!

Sadly, my dear wife Win died of cancer last year. Since then, again I have seen Gods hand on my life again guiding me to move from Melton Mowbray to Ipswich last October, to live at Bethesda Eventide Home, very near to my daughter Heather.  I cannot speak highly enough of all the people who work at Bethesda and make it a real Christian family home. At the home I have been encouraged in my faith through the devotional times and visiting speakers as well as the wonderful witness of all the staff.

Since the move to Ipswich, I have been attending Burlington and my faith has grown through the teaching and fellowship here. I enjoy going to the Wednesday the lunch club and have made new friends there.

I am being baptised today as a sign of my faith in God. I thank Him for guiding me throughout my life, throughout the war years, in my marriage, my family, my work and retirement. I thank Him for guiding me to this opportunity to make this act of witness and to follow His example into the waters of Baptism.