Elizabeth Gurney was born in Norwich on the 21st May, 1780. She was the daughter of John Gurney, a Quaker and an owner of a woolstapling and spinning factory. Elizabeth’s mother, Catherine Gurney was also a devout Quaker. She was very involved in charity work and spent part of each Read more…
I remember talking to a non-Christian friend several years ago. I tried to talk to her about God and Jesus in the spirit of the Great Commission (Matthew 28) but she spurned me disdainfully and told me that Christianity belonged to a bygone age. The church, she said, was dead Read more…
Doreen was a very selfless woman and she had devoted her life to the service of others. She was the kind of saintly creature who denied herself every pleasure. No chocolate. No cheese. No dancing. No fun. She was completely dedicated to serving others. She was an altruist; she lived Read more…
The Christian political thinker Jim Skillen has spent many years unpacking how Jesus Christ is Lord of every area of life and culture. In his many books he has shown us how all kinds of Christians can serve God in their distinctive spheres of responsibility. I am particularly in his Read more…
Jack Leonard was one of the most famous Hollywood A listed stars in the world. He had starred in some truly memorable movies and it was estimated that his fortune was somewhere in the region of $500 million. He was not a particularly handsome man but his rubber face and Read more…
Last month I was in London delivering a RealityBites assembly about Cheryl Cole’s consumerist faith in a school. As I arrived at King’s Cross station I observed an evangelist who was energetically quoting Bible verses at passersby. I think John 3:16 got a mention. I noticed that no one was Read more…
William Sleeman was one of the most accomplished and innovative detectives ever to have lived. He was born in 1788 in Stratton, Cornwall. From a young age William wished to serve abroad in the army of the East India Company. He had studied both Arabic and Hindustani for three years Read more…
William Carey was born in the village of Paulerspury, 10 miles south of Northampton, on the 7th August 1761. He was one of the most extraordinary Baptists ever to have lived. William Carey is sometimes called the ‘father of modern missions’ but this can be misleading. He had a passion Read more…
Windows on Worldviews: exploring secular beliefs in A-level and GCSE Philosophy, Ethics and Religious Studies is an innovative, free video resource which unpacks both religious and secular beliefs. According to recent research more than 70% of UK young people aged 15-plus have no formal religious affiliation with many embracing a Read more…
Frau Beckstein lived in Austria at the fag end of the 19th century. She was a noble and idealistic school teacher and she loved poetry, novels, opera and painting. To say that Frau Beckstein was cultured would be an understatement. She loved the life of the artist and she swooned Read more…