Geoff Locke: A grand testimony to the grace of Christ
Wallace Benn
The Funeral of Geoff Locke took place on 21 January and was a great occasion in a packed church full of people whose lives Geoff had touched. A likeable cheerful character, Geoff combined kindness and firm convictions in a convincing way that was a grand testimony to the grace of Christ in his life.
Geoff was the sort of lay leader that we need more of in the Church of England. Wonderfully converted subsequent to being made to think at the Billy Graham Harringay Crusade, he gave his life to Christ when taking a bath (as he joyfully recalled!) and that changed everything.
At a distance: Are we only willing to follow Jesus up to a point?
Wallace Benn
“And Peter had followed him at a distance right into the courtyard of the high priest” (Mark 14v54).
This describes the worst moment in dear Peter’s life, of which he was later so ashamed, and about which he needed the Lord’s forgiveness and reinstatement, which he graciously received (John 21). It was not that Peter had given up following Jesus, it was that at a crucial moment when he was under pressure he denied his master and Lord. Peter wanted to follow Jesus, but he did not at this time want the hassle and danger of doing so – it was all too much for him to cope with. Later Peter thankfully showed that he was more than willing to take up his cross and follow Jesus wherever that led.
Prophetic preaching – the missing jewel of the evangelical church?
Wallace Benn
In these two extracts from his new book 'Prophetic Preaching – the Missing Jewel of the Evangelical Church?' retired bishop and minister Wallace Benn calls evangelicals back to an understanding of preaching as being more than simply teaching.
