Cliff Burden
I had not been a Christian until I became one in my early 40s. I got interested in the Bible and started to read it secretly while my wife Wendy was working night shifts. Wendy had been a Christian for ten years, and like many others at Castlehold Baptist Church, she had been praying for me. I had felt God touching me several times, but ignored Him.
One day, however, in July 1993 everything changed. God’s Holy Spirit came upon me in such a powerful way that I laughed and cried from the depths of my soul. God had softened my heart, and I was ready to be asked the question.
One of the older Christian men who had prayed for me constantly for ten years finally heard from God that this was the night to challenge me. He was right – I gladly gave my life to Jesus and became a Christian.
That was 17 years ago and God has been so good to me. I have had hard and sad times, especially when Wendy died in 2005. But God was my constant companion through that time, and my faith remained strong. I have also had many good and exciting times, when God has been cheering me on.
I have served God in several ways. I worked in the Christian bookshop in Newport for seven years. I passed the Southern Baptist Open college course held at Moorlands College. I have helped with pastoral care and been a deacon for three years at Castlehold.
It was quite a shock to come to Ryde and find the new minister just happened to be my double!
