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I am a retired teacher who wrote 7 photocopiable books for Teachers and one book for children Union Jack Colouring Book. The 7books covered Geography, History (Medieval/ Tudor/ Stuart), Travel and Transport, Myself and Events (this included diaries), Race Against Time Stories (SATS based), Church Dates for Children plus Nature and Seasons (including Sport). These 7 books have been mainly broken into a number of segments. Challenging the Physical Elements, my Geography book, is complete.

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I am a retired teacher who wrote 7 photocopiable books for Teachers and one book for children Union Jack Colouring Book. The 7books covered Geography, History (Medieval/ Tudor/ Stuart), Travel and Transport, Myself and Events (this included diaries), Race Against Time Stories (SATS based), Church Dates for Children plus Nature and Seasons (including Sport). These 7 books have been mainly broken into a number of segments. Challenging the Physical Elements, my Geography book, is complete.
Karl Gutzlaff (1803-1851)
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Karl Gutzlaff (1803-1851)

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Karl Friedrich Augustus Gutzlaff ( anglicized Charles Gutzlaff) was a German Lutheran Missionary to the Far East. He was one of the first Protestant missionaries in Bangkok, Thailand and Korea. He was the first Lutheran missionary in China. In 1820 a seventeen old Karl wrote an emotional poem of homage to King Frederick William 111 . Karl and a friend threw a welcoming poem into the emperor’s carriage.The king was so impressed he decreed Karl should receive a scholarship to continues his education. Karl stopped being an apprentice to a girdlemaker/saddler in Stettin and accepted the scholarship. The career of one of the most important Protestant missionaries was launched. His conversion happened in 1821. One night he had a profound sense of sin which threw into mental anguish. He cried out for God’s forgiveness. It came to him dramatically transforming his life. From this time he was determined to serve God as a foreign missionary. The Netherlands Missionary Society accepted him as a candidate in 1823… He studied in Rotterdam . These studies included elementary medical studies. Continued study and years of of successful practice earned him the title of Dr. Gutzlaff. He also found he had an extraordinary ability to learn languages He was one of the first protestant missionaries to wear Chinese clothing - see picture. He was a brilliant linguist and translator. In th 1830’s he acted as interpreter on the ships with an assurance it would allow him to gather more converts. In 1833 he founded the* Chinese Magazine*.He worked, in co-operation with three others, from 1840 on a Chinese translation of the Bible. The translation was completed in 1847. H e founded a school for ’ native missionaries '- Chinese Union- nearly 50 Chinese were trained during the first 4 years. He left a mixed legacy. He had trusted his native Bible distributors to hand out his material. They wrote/told great stories of conversions and New Testaments sold, In the late 1840’s he reported enthusiastically 2,781 converts and thousands of testaments distributed making traditional missionaries look bad to find out it was a lie .He learned whilst some of his native missionaries were genuine converts others were opium addicts !!! They were selling the books back to the printers who in turn sold them back to Karl!. Some even used it as a cover for opium sales. He eventually learned this at a cost to his reputation and health. He died on 9th of August 1851 in Hong Kong where he was also buried. His legacy is the Chinese Evangelization Society which lived on. It sent Hudson Taylor, who founded the China Inland Mission, to say Gutzlaff the grandfather of the China Inland Mission. Sources used Ambassadors for Christ Wikipedia 1801-1900 Church History Timeline BDCC The legacy of karl F.A, Gutziaff Jessie g. Lutz (page 1 of 3)
Saint Jerome  (c 347 -420)     Feast Date    30th September
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Saint Jerome (c 347 -420) Feast Date 30th September

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Saint Jerome was born about 342 in Dalmatia, now Yugoslavia. His parents were Christians and sent Jerome, aged 12, to finish his education in Rome He is famous for translating the BIble into Latin. The Old Testament is in Hebrew; the New testament in Greek . When he grew up he decided to travel. With friends he travelled through Greece to Asia Minor. At Antioch two of his friends died and Jerome became very ill. He had a vision that led him to leave behind his secular studies and devote himself to God. On his recovery he decided he decided hie future was to study theology or read about things written about God. On the outskirts In Antioch there were many hermits, living by themselves and spending time in prayer and study i. He joined them and set about mastering the Hebrew language under the guidance of a converted Jew. In 378/9 he returned to Antioch. Jerome agreed to be ordained by Bishop Paulinus on condition he could continue hermit life style. He then went to Constantinople to study under Gregory Nazianzen. Pope Damasus 1 asked him to go to Rome. He set him the daunting task of revising and adding to the translation of the Bible into Latin, the common language of those times… The translations were a massive task which took years to complete. The Latin Bible or Vulgate has a great deal of Jerome’s translations. Pope Damasus 1 died in 384. Jerome left Rome for good in August 385. In the summer of 388 he went to Palestine where he spent the rest of his working life in a cave near Bethlehem surrounded by a few friends. He acted as their priestly guide and teacher whilst he led a life of incessantly active on literacy production. Those 32 years years of his career belong to the most important of his works -including his version of the Old Testament from the original Hebrew text, his scriptural comments and his catalogue of Christian authors. Saint Jerome’s life was given to learning languages ( Latin, Hebrew and Greek) and writing so that people could read the Bible in their own language knowing translations had been very carefully made using original sources… Included information about the Vulgate and the Septuagint. Sources used Wikipedia Britannica online Encyclopedia THe Church’s Year by Charles Alexander
Saint Leonard     ( c.485-559)   Feast Day   6th November
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Saint Leonard ( c.485-559) Feast Day 6th November

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Saint Leonard of Noblac was a Frenchman born about 485. He is a Frankish saint closely associated with the town and abbey of Saint Leonard-de-Noblat, in Haute-Vienne, in Limousin region of France. It is very difficult to separate fact from legend. Traditional biography He was a Frankish noble in the court of King Clovis 1, founder of the Merovingian dynasty. He was converted along with the king at Christmas 496, by Saint Remigius, Bishop of Reims. He was granted the right to liberate prisoners he thought worthy of it. He did secure the release of prisoners -he is the patron saint for prisoners. He would have prayed for them, converted some of them and tried to raise money for their ransoms. Tradition suggests he became a monk , then became a hermit living in the forest of Limousin. As a hermit he then gained some friends, who recognizing his holiness, wanted to live with him - the result a monastery. One source suggests he became the abbot. Legend ? -King Clovis 1 was his grandfather or godfather. (Sources differ) Legend ?- he prayed for the queen , who was ill, before she gave birth to a son . Legend ?- that during a losing battle the queen asked him to pray. He prayed and King Clovis 1 was victorious. Legend? - as a way of saying thank you the king gave him royal lands at Noblac. Legend? -prisoners who invoked (called ) his named saw their chains break off. He died of natural causes around 559. There are churches all across Europe dedicated to his name. In England 177, In Italy almost 225 churches. Former prisoners used to hang their chains in churches dedicated to him. There has to be truth in the legends.
Peter Beyerhaus  (1929-2020)
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Peter Beyerhaus (1929-2020)

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Peter Paul Jonannes Beyerhaus was a German pastor, theologian, missionary scholar and academic teacher. Peter was ordained as a pastor by the bishop of Berlin in1955. He served with the Berlin Mission society in Transvaal and Natal in South Africa from 1957-65. He did not want to leave but his daughter Karolina became ill and realised it was time to move on. From 1966-77 he was the professor of missionary theology and ecumenical theology at the university of Tubingen. He lectured around the world. In 1872 he was elected president of the Theological Convention of Confessing Fellowships in Germany. In 1988 he fell out with his faculty. The liberals in his faculty wanted to honour the Dalai Lama with the Lucas Prize for Peace. (Read Standing for truth) In 1989 he became honorary rector of Kornal Graduate School for Mission. Peter was a man who would speak uncompromisingly and yet be concerned for the individuals involved. A man with a mission to keep the church on course and growing healthily. On the 5th October 2018 the Society of Peter Beyerhaus was founded in his name in South Korea. He died on 18th January this year -2020 aged 90 Sources used * Ambassadors for Christ contribution from Elaine Rhoton wikipedia Kukimn Daily
Saint Dionysius  ( 1st century)   Feast Day    3rd or 9th October
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Saint Dionysius ( 1st century) Feast Day 3rd or 9th October

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Saint Dionysius, the Areopagite, is only mentioned once in the New Testament. Acts 17 v33/4 reads That ended Paul’s discussion with them, but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman called Darnaris and others with them. Dionysius was called Areopagite because he was a member of the Areopagus or Upper Council of Athens. He was one of the first Athenians to believe in Christ. Tradition holds that when he was a boy and visiting Egypt he experienced. on the day Jesus was crucified, From noon until three the afternoon darkness came over all the land . The same darkness that happened in Jerusalem. After meeting Saint Paul he was converted.and he became the first bishop of Athens. He suffered a martyr’s death by burning. Christian historian Eusebuis of Caesarea, preserved the Dionysius’ story in his Ecclesiastical history. Two saints have been given the name of Dionysius. I have concentrated on the Saint Paul converted. wikipedia The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander
Benjamin Keach   (1640-1704)
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Benjamin Keach (1640-1704)

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Benjamin was a Particular Baptist preacher and author in London whose name was given to the Keach’s Catechism. As a prominent nonconformist leader and prolific writer, he helped shape the theological development of the Particular baptists as they struggled through persecution and finally emerged under legal toleration near the end of the 16th century. Benjamin was born in Buckinghamshire and in his early years worked as a tailor. Aged 15 he was baptized and began to preach at 18. His first congregation was in Winslow. In 1668 he became the pastor at Horsleydown, Southwark where he remained for 36 years. Benjamin or William Collins wrote a Catechism which became known as Keach’s Catechism. It was written to clarify the theology of the Second Baptist Confession that was written in 1677 and published in 1689 as The Baptist Confession of Faith… He wrote 60 books of which his Parables and Metaphors of Scripture may be the best known. (See ’ Works’ for list 12 of his books) The Child’s Instructor (1664) resulted in him being persecuted, fined and pilloried (put in stocks) in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. *The people, contrary to custom had no words of mockery for the good, persecuted minister and no offensive missile was thrown at him. (See picture) Around 1673 he was amongst those leading a campaign to introduce congregational hymn singing. This left to public discourse on whether or not singing was appropriate in worship, and if so what types of song were acceptable. Benjamin’s hymnbook, published In 1691, provoked heated debate in the 1692 Assembly of Particular Baptists. For many years Benjamin preached powerfully to a large congregations in a building which had to be enlarged several times. His congregation later became the New Park Street Church and then eventually moved to the Metropolitan Tabernacle. Sources GotQuestions.org Metropolitan Tabernacle Theopedia wikipedia
Saint Etheldreda   (c.636-679)      Feast Day 17th October.
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Saint Etheldreda (c.636-679) Feast Day 17th October.

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Saint Etheldreda. or Audrey. was a princess. Her father was Anna, King of East Anglia. Saint Etheldreda wanted her to become a nun but her father insisted she married Prince Tondbert in 652. The prince was persuaded to allow Saint Etheldeda to respect her vow of perpetual virginity. He died 3 years after they were married. Saint Etheldreda was then asked to marry Ecgfrith of Northumbria, who was a young teenager,for political reasons, in 660. When Ecgfrith became king in 670 she told her wish to become a nun. One account relates that he initially agreed to letting her remain a virgin but then appealed to Wilfrid, bishop of York, to enforce his marital rights. The final outcome was that Saint Etheldreda, with 2 nuns, fled to the Isle of Ely. She arrived at a headland - Colbert’ Head, jutting into the sea. A high tide, which lasted for 7 days persuaded the king to give up the idea of compelling her to come back. He returned home realizing there was a power greater than his at work. In 673 Saint Ethedreda built a large double monastery. Wilfred never lost sight of her - he made her abbess and gave the veil to her first nuns. She ruled the monastery for 7 years setting a great example of piety and abstinence and other monastic virtues. She lived a life of austerity - wearing only coarse garments - denied herself a hot bath. She had a bath at the four great festivals - using the same bath already served by the other nuns. She died of quinsy - a throat infection on 23rd of June 679. She is the patron saint for throat sufferers… wikipedia The Church’s Year Charles Alexander EBK: St. Etheldreda, Abbess of Ely
John M. Perkin   (b1930)
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John M. Perkin (b1930)

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John Perkins is an American Christian minister, civil rights activist, Bible teacher, best selling author, philosopher and community developer. Despite having been a third -grade dropout he made it Into the Ambassadors for Christ book with recognized for his work for Christ with 16 honourary degrees. John was born in 1930 in rural Mississippi into a family of Sharecroppers. He lived in a world which said to be black was less than whole;maybe about half. In 1957 God showed him how to be truly whole through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God told him to go and share his love with his people in Mississippi. In June 1960 they migrated back to the south. He helped found a nationwide movement called Christian Community Development. The 3 Rs came to the fore- Relocation to a community in need. Reconciliation between the Races and Redistribution of the economic base. In the mid 60’ John was caught up in issues for rights for blacks. The KuKlax Klan were in involved. On February 7th 1970 it exploded. (read build-up in Evangelicals and Justice) John Perkins was arrested and assaulted (read Brutality) He recovered but 5 months later had a heart attack. Whilst recovering he wanted reconciliation this gave rise to Voice of Calvery Missions in 1975. 10 years, to the day of the beating,he was honoured by the governor of Mississippi by being named outstanding religious leader of the year. In 1982 he founded the Harambee Christian Family Center (now Harambee Ministries. In1989 He founded the Christian Community Deveopment Association. On death of his son he established the Spencer Perkins Centre, In 20i6 John became President Emeritus of the John and Vera Mae Perkins foundation their 3 daughters were co-presidents. John continues to call for making real Jesus’ sermons. Sources I have used the chapter ’ Jesus’ Transforming Power ', written by Christine Weerts in ’ Ambassadors for Christ ’ as my main source for John’s first 65 years. wikipedia for the last 25
Saint Clement of Alexandria ( c.150-c.215)  Feast day  4th December
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Saint Clement of Alexandria ( c.150-c.215) Feast day 4th December

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Saint Clement of Alexander also known as Titus Flavius Clemans was a Christian theologian and philosopher who taught at the Catechetical School of Alexander. He was converted to Christianity by his last teacher Pantaenus. He was ordained into the priesthood by Pope Julian. Saint Clement succeeded his mentor as head of the school in about 180. For the next 20 years he was the intellectual leader of the Alexandrian Christian community. The Roman emperor Severus in 201/2 persecuted the Christians in Alexandria so Saint Clement left and sought sanctuary in Palestine with Alexander, bishop of Jerusalem, a former student. Origin, his young and gifted student , took his place in Alexandria. In 211 Alexander wrote a letter commending him to the Church of Antioch which could suggest that saint Clement was living in either Cappadocia or Jerusalem at that time. The date and location of his death are unknown ( c. 215 ?). Saint Clement left many writings which are still studied with care. He had views on many different topics -for wealth he wrote The Discourse Concerning the Salvation of Rich Men. Three of his major works have survived in full. They are called the Trilogy - the *Protrepticus, Paedagogus and Stromate. * ( information only given on the first one). Saint Clement is usually regarded as a Church Father; he is venerated as a saint. Sources used wikipedia The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Joe Gibbs          Coach and Evangelist
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Joe Gibbs Coach and Evangelist

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Joe Jackson Gibbs is a former professional football coach, a race car team owner and a born again Christian. A few years ago he took his sons out to dinner and told them - Don’t do what I did. He found fame as the Washington Redskins coach but at a cost. He became a Christian at a young age. I made the decision when I was 9 but I spent a part of my lift drifting, you know. I was on God’s team but I wasn’t playing for him. He says he has found comfort amid the turmoil in a renewal of his faith. He and his wife are baptists but they have graduated towards '*Bible believing Churches. I have put together 5 pieces of information. The first piece from wikipedia looks at his success as a player and coach. The second piece is from Ambassadors for Christ which looks at his whole life up until he retired fro the first time in 1993 . (the book was published 1994) The third piece is from the Washington Post *Redskins ’ Gibbs Keeps the Faith * written by David Cho. David writes about Joe as an evangelist and being the coach to the Redskins. Gibbs barely acknowledging his own celebrity, jumped right into the message and urged the masses to give their lives to God He did not preach to his players. * I have my belief, and I am not forcing it on anyone else. That’s the key point when it comes to faith, it’s up to the individual. * The fourth piece is from a CNN belief Blog in 2020 where he explains why he shares his testimony. A testimony which includes his private trials so others can understand his belief that even winners lose when they lose their way. The fifth and last piece is from his book *Racing to Win * Joe has written down his 5 components to winning in life. Joe the winning coach is still out there winning lives for Christ.
James S. Stewart  (1896-1990)
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James S. Stewart (1896-1990)

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James Stuart Stewart was a minister of the Church of Scotland. He taught New testament Language, Literature and Theology at the University of Edinburgh. Preaching Magazine* ranked him Number 1 best preacher of the twentieth century. It said James was committed to expository preaching and preached with an earnestness and energy that was warmly welcomed by his listeners. His sermons were erudite without being stuffy , eloquent though not ornate, moving but not cheaply emotional, eminently practical, often conscience-piercing and above all, God exalting. He was an acclaimed preacher both in his native Scotland and in America. He wrote a number of books. It said his books * have inspired tens of thousands of preachers to strive for greater effectiveness in their effectiveness i the proclamation of God’ s Word * He wrote with H.R. Mackintosh the standard English translation of Friedrich Schleiermacher’s influential book work,* The Christian Faith* . He said the* Church must first and fundamentally and all the time a world missionary Church,* I have included the full commendation written by Michael Duduit. Sources 10 Greatest Preachers of the 20 th century wikipedia
Saint Lucian of Beauvais   (died c.290)   Feast Day   8th January
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Saint Lucian of Beauvais (died c.290) Feast Day 8th January

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Saint Lucien was one of those who went with Saint Denis to teach Christianity to the French. He made Beauvais (previously known as Caesaromagus) his centre and made missionary journeys round the countryside, living poorly and eating only fruit and roots. According to Rolandus , the author of the Acta Santi Luciani he retired to the mountains near the city living as a hermit on grass and water. There he acquired fame for mortifications (self denial) and penances. He made many converts and as he grew older many young men came to carry on his work. Saint Denis was his great friend and apparently he wore a track to the door of his hut by his frequent visits. Saint Lucien preached against the Roman gods. According to one account he converted 30,00 people to Christianity with the assistance of his two disciples. His good life angered the local rulers and he was seized, accused of being a Christian and martyred about 290 . His * Passo* assigned him two disciples, Maximian and Julian, they also were decapitated on the hill of Montmille. They were martyred during the 3rd century during the Diocletian persecution. Odo, bishop of Beauvais, in the 9th century was the first writer to designate Lucien as the first bishop of Beauvais. The church of Beauvais attempted to claim apostolic origins for itself by saying that Saint Lucien was converted to Christianity by Saint Peter 200 years earlier!!
George Butterick  (1892-1980)
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George Butterick (1892-1980)

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George Butterick was an English born , American based Christian preacher, author and lecturer. He was born in Seaham Harbour, England and went to Victoria University in Manchester. He emigrated to the USA and for nearly 30 years was pastor at New York’s Madison Avenue Presbyterian church. From that distinguished pulpit he began a teaching career at Union Theological Seminary and then preacher to the University of Harvard. He wanted his preaching to lift up Christ. He believed that only preaching centred on the cross would impact eternity. He had a brilliant career in homiletics - the art of preaching and of writing sermons. His most popular courses had to do with the outling of sermons. For 5 years (1955-1960) he was Plummer professor of Christian Morals and preacher at Harvard University. he went on to lecture in many of the USA universities. He described his voice* as odd sandy voice, the voice of an old nurse* but he was forceful in the pulpit. He became a master at sermon construction and orderly, powerful discourse.His sermons abounded with literary quotations. His teaching influenced all sorts of notable pulpiteers. Twice he delivered the prestigious Lyman Beecher lecture on Preaching at Yale. George also wrote a number of books (see biography list). In 1952 he was the Commentary Editor for * The Interpreter’s Bible* a 12 volume set. George’s poignant love of communication and his devotion to biblical truth, was his gift to preaching in the 20th century. Calvin Miller
Saint Pope Fabian  (Pope 236 - 250)    Feast Day   20th January
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Saint Pope Fabian (Pope 236 - 250) Feast Day 20th January

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According to the Liber Pontificalis Fabian was a noble Roman and his father’s name was Fabius. Nothing more is known about his background The story is told that he lived out in the country and came to Rome to see the election of the new Pope. Fabian walked Into the church where the papal elections were taking place . For 13 days they had been considering names of several illustrious and noble churchmen. A dove landed on Fabin’s head. Those present took it as a sign that the Holy Spirit had made the unexpected choice and he was immediately proclaimed bishop by acclamation… This ’ legend’ was recorded by the 4th century writer Eusebius of Caesarea in Church History V!. 29 During Fabin’s 14 year reign there was a lull in the storm of persecutions. His papacy was characterized by amicable relations with the imperial government. According to the 6th century historian, Gregory of To urs ,he sent seven apostles/bishops to Christianiseparts of Gaul in AD 245. The Liber Ponticalis says the he divided Rome into 7 diaconates (areas run by deacons) and appointed secretaries to collect the record of the martyrs.Little is known about his work but It is thought he did much to teach and help the early church. Saint Pope Fabian was martyred in 250 at the beginning of the Decian persecution, probably by prison rather than execution. Saint Cyprian said that his honourable end corresponded to the uprightness of his administration. The Greek inscription on his tomb in the catacomb of Callixtus in Rome reads Fabian, Bishop, Martyr ( The Coptic orthodox Church teaches that Fabinus was martyred twice in the same week) Sources wikipedia The Church’s Year* Charles Alexander
Justin Martyr  ( c. 100- c.165)
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Justin Martyr ( c. 100- c.165)

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Justin was born about AD 100 in Neapolis - modern Nablus- in Samaria. Justin was an uncircumcised Gentile rather than a Samaritan. He was probably one of the earliest and most important, of the Apologists - a spokesmen who gave a reasoned defence of Christianity- in the second century. Raised by pagan parents he sought to find life’s meanings in the philosophies of his day. This only brought disappointment until in about AD 130 he had a conversation with an old man. His life was transformed. I fell in love with the prophets and these men who had loved Christ. Numerous works of Justin have been preserved including a remarkable dialogue with Trypho and 2 apologies. In Ephesus he had a disputation with Trypho. The 3 main points being: the Old Covenant is passing away to make way for the New; the Logos (Word) is the God of the O.T.; and the Gentiles are the new Israel. ( read Dialogue with Trypho and Justin and the O.T.) . Justin moved to Rome where he founded a Christian school and wrote 2 apologies. The one which has gained most attention resembles the order of a church service. (read A picture of worship) In about AD 165 Justin, along with 6 others/disciples, were arrested for their faith. When the prefect threatened them with death he replied *If we are punished for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, we hope to be saved. * They were taken out and beheaded. Justin’s impassioned defence of the Christian truth greatly influenced many other Christian Fathers. Modern scholars have been impressed by Justin’s modesty, honesty and courage. Sources used Christianity Today Great Leaders of the Christian Church edited by Woodbridge
Leslie Weatherhead       (1893-1976)
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Leslie Weatherhead (1893-1976)

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Leslie was an English Christian theologian in the liberal Protestant tradition.He was noted for his preaching ministry at City Temple in London and for his books He trained at Richmond Theological college in south west London. WW! cut short his training and he became Methodist minister at Farnham,in Surrey. After serving in India, Manchester and Leeds he became minister at City Temple , a Congregational Church on Holborn Viaduct in London. He served ‘there’ from 1936 until his retirement in 1960. On April 17th 1941 the church was destroyed by bombs. THe congregation worshipped in 8 different buildings, including the near-by St. Sepulchre-without- Newgate church, until the new City Temple was opened in 1958 in the presence of the Queen Mother. John D. Rockefeller was a major contributor. Today it is called the United Reformed Church. Leslie was a preacher of the first order. His sermons had sound form, logical progression of thought and clear illustrations. He was an expert in arousing great feelings. His eyes fascinated the hearer and his hands played a great part in delivery. For Leslie the pulpit always came first. Leslie had the remarkable ability to ‘hide’ himself while he was preaching so that God might speak to the people. His great friend W.E. Sangster said, If I was to put the secret of his power into one word, I would use the word ‘caring’. He cares for people honestly, personally and in a most costly way. His careful, painstaking, preparation was so he could introduce them to Jesus. The 3 books sermon books Leslie considered his best were *That Immortal sea, Over his Own Signature and Key Next Door. * He wrote 55 books in total. ( See incomplete bibliography) Despite opposition he was elected President of the Methodist Conference for 1955/6. He was highly contraversial figure on account of his questioning some of the central tenets of the Christian faith. John Taylor said he was a great man but remains an enigma. He retired to live at Bexhill -on-Sea.and died in 1976 Sources used wiipedia preaching.com .
John Owen (1616-1683) Theologian
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John Owen (1616-1683) Theologian

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John Owen was an English Nonconformist church leader, theologian and academic administrator at the University of Oxford, For a very brief time he was an MP for Oxford University, sitting the First Protectorate Parliament (1654/5) of Oliver Cromwell (disqualified because of his clerical vocation). John was of Welsh descent but was born in Stadhampton, Oxfordshire. He was educated at Queen’s College Oxford (B.A. 1632 M.A. 1635). In 1637 he was driven out of Oxford by Laud’s new laws and became chaplain and tutor to first Sir Robert Dormer , then Lord Lovelace. Between 1642-9 we have the English Civil War. John sided with the Parliamentarians and Cromwell. In doing so he lost the prospect of succeeding to his Welsh Royalist uncle’s fortune. Appointed rector of Fordham, Essex in 1642. In 1644 he married Mary Rooke (they had 11 children but 10 died in infancy). In 1646 he became vicar at Coggeshall after preaching a notable sermon before parliament. His preaching led to him being attached to Cromwell. He became chaplain to Cromwell’s army and accompanied him to Ireland and Scotland (1649-50). He was dean of Christ Church Cathedral (1651-60). He was also appointed vice -chancellor at Oxford (1652-7) . 1654 elected MP for Oxford. He opposed plans for Cromwell to be offered the crown. 1660 he abandoned politics altogether with the Restoration of the monarchy -Charles 11 now on the throne. On the return of Charles 11 he joined nearly 2,000 other Puritan ministers to leave the ministry of the national church. In 1660 he became pastor at a Congrgational church in London (1660-1683). He devoted his time to the production of an array of top-class theological literature. These helped secure his reputation as a great British theologian. Among his works are historical treaties on religion, studies of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit and defences of Noncomformist or Puritan views. John died on 4th September 1683 and is buried in Bunhill fields. For the fullest description of John Owen, by someone who knew him, read Robert Asty’s written in 1721, (Read Theologian’s theologian) What is the application and relevance of John to our lives today? John serves as a reminder that Christianity is not to isolated from the world. He prayed, preached and wrote about the glory of God, and for a time served as a aide for Cromwell, and MP. As Christians we can serve God in any position that he placed us in society, community or family. Sources used *Great Leaders of the Christian Church * edited by Woodbridge contribution from Peter Toon wikipedia Britannica Online Encyclopedia Lessons from the life of John Owen
Alexander Maclaren    (1826-1919)
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Alexander Maclaren (1826-1919)

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Alexander was an English non-conformist minister of Scottish origin. Alexander was born in Glasgow, Scotland. His father, David, was a merchant and a Baptist lay preacher. While his father was away in Australia (1837-41) he was converted and baptized into the Hope St. Baptist Church aged between 11-13, He was educated at the Glasgow High school and University. When his father returned they moved to London he entered Stepney College in 1842 aged 16. Dr. David Davies, an eminent Hebrew scholar was a major influence. He took his degree at the university of London before he was 20 winning prizes in Hebrew and Greek. He began his ministry in Portland chapel, Southampton. (1846-58). His first congregation was 20 with seating for 800. During the 12 years he was there it steadied and grew. By the time he left he had developed a reputation as an attractive and powerful preacher. He accepted an invitation to pastorate at Union Chapel in Oxford Road, Manchester where he stayed until his retirement 48 years later. When he retired in 1903 he was made pastor emeritus and retired from active ministry. He then under took the task of writing a 31 volume pastoral commentary entitled Expositions of Holy Scripture. He had only one ministry- preaching. He started a log with his first sermon when he was 17 - recording sermon number, location, text and date. The very last sermon in his log read 6860, November 21, 1904. -almost 61 years after his very first. Maclaren was first and foremost a true expositor of Scripture. He never used a manuscript, preferring just sketchy notes. Yet his sermons recorded by stenographers were masterpieces of compelling, vivid and elegant language. (It is all beautifully explained in * Preaching ) Incredible to believe but after his sermons he suffered after every one -thinking each was a failure. He could only face the awful responsibility of preaching because he so wanted the message to be heard. F.B. Meyer, another prominent preacher of his day, said *As an expository preacher none of them equalled Maclaren of Manchester, and no other sermons were so widely read the world around… Dr. Maclaren is said with truth to have changed the whole style of the British pulpit, and to have influenced it more (than ) any of his predecessors . He died on May 10th 1910. His ashes were buried under a cross he had placed on the family plot years before. The cross bore these words in Christo, in pace, in Spe in Christ, in Peace, in Hope
Donald Barnhouse  (1895-1960)
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Donald Barnhouse (1895-1960)

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Donald Grey Barnhouse was a USA Christian preacher, pastor, theologian, radio pioneer and author. He was born in Watsonville, California, USA. After graduating high school he went to the Biola Institute in 1912. He studied at the University of Chicago and Princeton Theological Seminary. He enlisted in the army in 1917 before Completing his studies at Princeton. Ordained in April 1918. He was pastor at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1927 until his death in 1960, a total of over 30 years. .C. Everett Koop, a former US Surgeon General, a regular at the church for 20 years said His authoritive voice held my attention, his physical appearance was arresting, and his preaching was of the highest intellectual order…I always marvelled at the simplicity of the faith of this very intelligent and learned man He was a pioneer in preaching on the radio. The Bible Study Hour was the name of the programme. The programme still continues today on the air as Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible. From 1931- 1950 he published Revelation - which contained his sermons etc… In 1950 he founded Eternity a monthly magazine In 1949 he ran a weekly in depth study on Romans which he continued until his death in 1960 of a large malignant brain tumour. Eternity did a memorial issue tribute to its founder for March 1961 Source wikipedia
Frederic William Farrar (1831-1903)
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Frederic William Farrar (1831-1903)

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Frederic was C. of E. clergyman, school teacher and author. He was born in Bombay, India. He was educated at King William’s college on the Isle of Man, King’s College London and Trinity College Cambridge. In 1856 he accepted an assistant mastership at Harrow school. He was archdeacon of Westminster (1883-94) and Dean of Canterbury Cathedral (1895-03). He spent most of his career associated with Westminster Abbey. He was canon there, then rector of St. Margaret’s -the church next door, and then arch deacon of the Abbey. He was an eloquent preacher. Frederic was a classic scholar and comparative philologist - a historical linguist who applied Charles Darwin’s ideas of branching descent to the relationship between languages. It was on the recommendation of Darwin that he was nominated and elected to the Royal Society in 1866. When Darwin died in 1882 Frederic helped get the church’s permission for him to be buried in Westminster Abbey. He was one of 10 pallbearers at the funeral and preached the sermon. Frederic was also an author. he wrote a number of religious books plus some fiction. religious books included * Life of Christ Life of St. Paul* fiction Eric or Little by Little was a school story (See Works) He married Lucy Mary Cardew in 1860. They had 10 children, five of each. Maud aged 16 married Henry Montgomery - they gave birth to WW11 hero ’ Monty’ Field Marshall Montgomery. Frederic was Monty’s grandfather.