James, we at Buckingham have known you now for little under a year, but remind us of who you are and what you’re doing in Bristol?

My name is James Hallier and I am originally from a small village in West Sussex, called Thakeham. I am currently studying Geography at the University of Bristol and I am in my first year.

What sort of family background do you have? Were you surrounded by Christians and part of a church?

I was brought up in a Christian family, so have been going to church since I was very young. When I am at home during the holidays I go to a Strict Baptist church in Horsham called Hope Chapel.

Tell us a little about how and when you became a Christian.

For me becoming a Christian wasn’t immediate, it took me a long time to come to know Jesus Christ as my saviour. It first started when I was 12 and I went on a Christian camp over the summer in Crowborough and that was first time I  actually saw the relevance behind what was being taught to me at church on a Sunday back at home, as I had always thought of Christianity as being something for “old” people!

It really hit me when I saw my sister becoming a Christian and being baptised in 2009. I have a lot of respect for my sister and seeing her go through this change in her life, it made me want to have a relationship with God too. In May 2012  I poured my heart out to the Lord asking for his forgiveness and for his help, as I recognised myself as a sinful being in need of salvation, which can only come through the blood of Jesus Christ.

What caused you to decide to be baptised?

I thought to myself that if I truly believed that I have been saved by the death of Jesus Christ and I accept him as my saviour then I should get baptised.

What is your understanding of what baptism signifies?

Baptism is a command from Jesus (Matthew 28). And it is an outward representation of the inward change in our hearts, and it is a way of publicly expressing our personal commitment of faith.

Are you nervous about the thought of it all, or feeling fine? (nerves are normal!)

With regard to nerves I am a little bit nervous but I take comfort in the fact that I believe I am doing what is right and what God wants me to do.

If there was one thing you could say to people who are not Christians, what would it be?

“Jesus Christ died so that if you believe in Him you might have eternal life. God created us, sin has stained us and Christ has transformed us through his death and resurrection.”

If there was one thing you could say to other Christians who are considering baptism, what would it be?

“If you have confessed your sins before God and asked for His forgiveness through His son Jesus Christ, then what is stopping you? Baptism is also a great way of witnessing to your non- Christian friends/relatives!”

What plans do you have for the future? For the next few months and beyond?

Hopefully at least for the next few years I will be remaining in Bristol, to continue with my degree. Even longer term than that I am thinking about going into teaching, but I’m not sure whether that would be in Bristol or elsewhere.

Sometimes, it’s remarkable to think of the things that a church has never actually done, and we at Buckingham are no exception. While sending out missionaries, establishing church plants and welcoming American soldiers during the second world war has been part of our history, taking a church holiday has remained out of reach until April 2013 and three memorable days at Hebron Hall, Dinas Powys. 

The retreat / holiday was the idea of one of our students, Peter Christopher, whose considerable organisational skills, and equally considerable reserves of patience, were stretched to the limit by the demands that followed. Approximately 40 people of differing ages, energy levels and dietary requirements were to be boarded and catered for, and Peter and his band of willing helpers coped admirably.

Our much-loved missionary to Peru, Alex Donnelly, preached a series of three sermons on fellowship on successive days. He presented a definition of fellowship on the first evening, before tackling some of the problems that occur and how these might be overcome in the messages that followed. Both helpful and challenging at the same time, there was a general sense that the Lord was speaking to us through these sermons, and giving us something on which to build.

Much fun was also had, not least in the game in which surprising facts about various church members were revealed. Who in the world would have thought that our church secretary, Gary Williams, had served a table at which Prince Charles had sat? Or that Simon Benham not only could play the tuba (which on the next church holiday he must bring along and prove to us all!), but had done so at Wales International rugby fixtures? Or that John Smith, one of our most comfortably-housed attenders, had started life by being born in a tanyard, which apparently has nothing to do with sunbathing, and everything to do with the preparation of animal hides? Amazing!

A pleasant hour was also spent in the excellent Hebron Hall swimming pool. Our resident swimming specialist, Adrian Carey-Jones, who did no more than lounge about with some floats, was much impressed by the aquatic abilities of some of the other men, cutting through the water as they did. The children used the occasion to perfect their “bombing” techniques, never once getting into difficulties, despite being out of their depth. All of this was done to the enjoyment of the spectators on poolside, who somehow managed to escape even a drop landing on them, something which we in the water will probably never allow to happen again!

And so, all in all, it was a valuable time. Fellowship, in its most literal definition, namely the sharing of a common life, was not only taught but experienced. It was good to be with each other, and even better to be together in a sense of the Lord’s presence. The verdict of everyone was that the occasion should be repeated, and Peter has stated that ideas for 2014 are already in mind. The days from this year, however, brought into clear focus the fact that we are a spiritual family in Christ Jesus, and while this might have been the first church holiday in which this was known, it hopefully won’t be the last!

Mrs Betty Bradford of Lake Road Bristol went to be with her Lord on Wednesday 27^th March 2013. Beloved wife of the late Cecil Bradford and ‘mother’ to many over the years.

Funeral and Thanksgiving Service at Buckingham Baptist Chapel, Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1LQ at 2.30pm on Thursday 4^th April; followed by committal at Canford Crematorium at 4pm.

No flowers by request but donations to the Flower Fund at Buckingham Chapel and the West of England MS Therapy Centre c/o Mr D. Collins, Treasurer, Buckingham Chapel, 6 Henleaze Park Drive, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 4LH.