Spiritual Fathers..

“Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today is Father’s Day and I pray for our Fathers today that you will have a blessed and honoured day.

I was blessed to have a Father who was a Christian who brought me up to know Jesus. You can read my Dad’s story here Bill’s story – Lessons from my Father.

Today though I want to honour and thank God for my spiritual Fathers who helped my discipleship journey in providing spiritual guidance, wisdom, encouragement and support.

My first Spiritual Father was Pastor Fred Sandry of the Assemblies of God in Canon Street Fellowship, Taunton, Somerset. Above is a picture of the fellowship that I took a few years back when visiting. Pastor Fred is now in glory.

It was during his preaching at age 9 that I understood that I needed to personally accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Although I had been raised in a Christian home that didn’t make me a Christian. I had to make a decision for myself. At the end of the meeting I raised my hand, went to the altar and gave my life to Jesus. That was in the Summer of 1976.

Pastor Fred believed strongly that youth came to the prayer meeting on a Tuesday, Bible Study on a Thursday and took the Scripture exams. He taught us and discipled us. He encouraged us when we were ready to be baptised in water and to seek the baptism and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Fred encouraged our youth leader, David Sampson (another Spiritual Father) to take us on missions and to meet with fellow youths from different churches.

Pastor Fred made sure we were fed and watered in the Christian faith. He watched over us and parented us with great love.

I thank God for him.

My second Spiritual Father was Fred’s nephew, Clyde Sandry. When I was 25 I re-dedicated my life to Christ Jesus. I was living over 200 miles away now in the Midlands. The local church was pastored by Clyde Sandry. I could not believe it..what a God incidence. Clyde became the next Spiritual Father to me. He encouraged me to step out in my gifts, to lead a fellowship group and to preach. He taught me much about prayer and spiritual matters.

Who has been your Spiritual Father.

I encourage you to remember and thank God for them today and please give them a shout out in the comments below.

Finally, there are some wonderful Spiritual Fathers on WordPress who I have the privilege of knowing.

You guys are incredible in your knowledge of the Word, encouragement to believers and support. Keep up the good work.

If you are reading this wondering if that is you then let the Holy Spirit show you through the work you are doing.

Thank you and may God bless you for your works of service today to all the Spiritual Fathers in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen 🙏