Eric 'Bash' Nash

Eric John Hewison ‘Bash’ Nash (1898-1982) was an evangelical Church of England cleric. His work with Christian evangelism with Scripture Union
(1932- 65) was with the camp ministry in the top 30 public schools in the UK. From 1932 onwards he was highly influential in the post-war British evangelical resurgence. Over 7,000 boys attended camp under his leadership.

Eric was born on 22nd April 1898. He was educated at Maidenhead College, an independent school for boys. On leaving school he worked for an insurance company

In 1917, now aged 19, on a train journey back to Maidenhead, he finally faced and responded to the claims of Christ upon his life He *had a vision in a railway carriage that he was to win Britain for Christ.

One or two years later he fully acknowledged Christ as Master and Lord.
In 1922 encouraged and supported by Arthur Winnington-Ingram, Bishop of London he went to Trinity College, Cambridge and then Ridley Hall.
1927 made deacon and served 2 curacies - Ealing and Wimbledon
1929 applies to work for Scripture Union - rejected.
He spent a period as a chaplain at Wrekin College
1932 reapplies to Scripture Union - accepted (1932-65)

Eric made it his business to preach the Christian Gospel at the top 30
British public school. John Stott describes the meeting at Rugby as strictly off the record and conducted with a good deal of secrecy. His message was not necessarily welcomed by everyone.

He began a camp ministry. By 1940 it was based at Clayesmore School in the village of Iwerne
Attendance was only by invitation. He used military terms. He used Christian staff from the schools. He used the ABC formula
Admit your need of Christ
Believe that Christ died for you
Come to Him

His influence stretched to University Christian Unions in the Inter-Varsity Fellowship (IVC) Between 1935-9 all CICCU’s presidents were ‘Bash’ campers.

His camps influenced many peoples lives. (See ‘Associated with his work’)
In 1969 it could be said that much of the leadership of the British Evangelical church had been ‘Bash campers.’

Called ‘Bash’ for his forthrightness. Nash was always courteous.

When Eric retired from the Scripture Union in 1965 he continued to have a fruitful ministry until he was 80. His health began to fail.
Eric died, aged 83, peacefully in his own home on 4th April 1982.

*Bash’… was a quiet, unassuming clergyman who never sought the limelight, hit the headlines or wanted preferment; and yet whose influence within the Church of England…was greater than any of his contemporaries … Those who knew him well, and those who worked with him, never expect to see his like again, for rarely can anyone have meant so much to so many, as this quietly spoken, modest and deeply spiritual man * John Eddison

if it were not for him and i might have made shipwreck of my life

Source used
Wikipdeia