John David Pawson (1930-2020) was an evangelical minister, writer and prominent Bible teacher based in the U.K. He was not afraid of tackling the controversial topics. All he wanted people to do was to read the Bible for themselves. He was born in the northeast in England. His parents were H. Cecil and Jean Pawson. His father was head of Agriculture at Durham University and Vice President of the Methodist conference. From childhood he had always wanted to be a farmer but by the time he had completed a B.Sc. in Agriculture at Durham University he felt God was calling him into full-time Christian ministry. He studied for an M.A. in theology at Wesley House, Cambridge. On graduating he joined the Royal Air Force as a chaplain and served in Aden When he left the RAF he served as a Methodist minister. He found he was uncomfortable with infant baptism. Following a doctrinal meeting of the Methodist church he volunteered to leave the denomination. Shortly afterwards he became pastor of Gold Hill Baptist church in Buckinghamshire. Later he moved to Guildford Baptist Church, Millmead, which helped design. Here he established a reputation amongst the evangelicals and charismatics as a Bible preacher. He began to create teaching tapes for the church’s sick and elderly members- these tapes became popular world wide. Under his ministry Millmead became one of the largest Baptist churches in the U.K… David left Millmead in 1979 and began an itinerant worldwide Bible teaching ministry. His ministry, predominantly through seminars for church leaders, took him to Asia, Australia, Africa, England, Europe and the USA. MILLIONS of copies of his teachings have been distributed in more than 120 countries. He was a writer and speaker with a reputation for urgency, clarity and uncompromising faithfulness to the Scriptures. he wrote over 80 books. His extensive and accessible overviews of the books of the Bible have been published and recorded in Unlocking the Bible, available on CDs, DVDs and YouTube. Steve Dally worked alongside him during his last ten years. In 2013 he was still preaching at events across the globe. David now in his mid 80’s had a mini stroke and was found to have advanced prostate cancer which had spread to the bones but he fortunately was not in significant pain. As his public appearances became fewer he worked on making his teaching accessible online. David died on Ascension Day, 21st May 2020 aged 90. David is considered to be one of the world’s finest biblical expositors *All he wanted was for people to read the Bible for themselves. Steve Dally Sources used Wikipedia this includes summaries of 10 of his books Christian News Read Not as bad s the truth -David’s autobiography

William was born during the reign of Elizabeth 1 (1558-1603) and beheaded during the reign of Charles 1 (1625-1649). William was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by Charles 1 in 1633. and was a key advocate of his religious reforms. He was a highly effective parliamentarian and a key adviser ad policy-maker. He was bishop of Bath and Wells, then London before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury i in 1633 He was a firm believer in episcopalianism -the rule by bishops.* Laudianism refers to liturgical practices designed to enforce uniformity within the C of E as outlined by Charles 1. He was accused of Arminianism - favouring doctrines of the historic church prior to the Reformation. He was opposed to Calvinism. The Long Parliament of 1640 accused Laud of treason. Impeached in the the Grand Remonstrance of 1641 and was imprisonment in the Tower of London. In 1644 he was brought to trial which ended without a verdict. Parliament took up the issue and eventually passed a bill of attainder , under which Laud was beheaded on Tower Hill on 10 th of January 1645. He was buried in the chapel of St. John’s College, Oxford. This was towards the end of the First English Civil War (1642-6) Charles 1 towards the end of his life admitted he had put too much trust in William and warned his son not to rely on anyone else’s judgment. William was born in Reading, Berkshire. Source Wikipedia.

John was an English Anglican, Baptist, then Mennonite minister and a defender of the principle of religious liberty. He attended Christ’s College, Cambridge where he became a fellow in 1594 and was ordained for ministry in the C of E the same year. He became a Puritan preacher, then a Separatist pastor, which led to exile in Amsterdam. He became a se-baptist (baptised himself)(c,1609) and set up the first Baptist church(1612) in Britain… He believed in believer’s baptism by immersion not infant baptism. In February 1610 he and other church members wrote to a Mennonite community in Waterland to join their movement. The group earned the name General Baptists because they claimed that Christ died for all men rather than for the elect only. See notes also on Mennonites. The Hodder & Stoughton Book of Famous Christians Wikipedia

Sergius also known as Sergiy Radonezhsky, Serge of Radonexh and Sergius of Moscow was a spiritual leader and monastic reformer of medieval Russia. In the village of Varnitsa he received the baptismal name of Bartholomew in honour of the Apostle Bartholomew. H e was an intelligent boy but had a problem with reading. His biography states that a spiritual leader gave him some holy bread (prosphora) to eat and then he was able to read. He was:- Abbott of Radonezh Miracle Worker of all Russia Russian Monastic Reformer Teacher of the Faith The memory of Segius has lived on thanks to the unique manuscript entitled The Life of St, Sergius of Radonezhs written by the famous hagiographer Pachomius the Serb. The original script is housed in the National Library of Russia. He is remembered in the C of E witha commemoration on 25th September.

Saint Piran was a 5th century Cornish abbot and saint, possibly of Irish origin. He is the patron saint of tin-miners and generally regarded as the patron saint of Cornwall. He was reportedly executed by Theodoric or Tador, King of Cornwall in 480 AD. His feast day is popular in Cornwall.The largest St. Piran’s Day event is the march across the dunes to St. Piran’s cross which 100s of people attend, generally dressed in black, white and gold, and carry the Cornish flag. Daffodils also feature in celebrations in Truro.

Charles Harold Dodd was a Welsh New Testament scholar and influential Protestant theologian. 1912 ordained He was a Congregational minister for 3 years in Warwick before going into academia. 1915 Yates lecturer in N.T. at Oxford 1930 Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and exegesis at the Victoria University of Manchester 1935 Norris-Hulse Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge 1946 elected fellow of the British Academy 1949 emeritus at Norris-Hulse 1961 appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour He directed the work of the New English Bible translators from 1950. He wrote over 30 books and 5 Journal articles ( See Works). C.H. Dodd died in Goring-on- Thames. aged 89. He is known for promoting ‘realized eschatology ’ - the belief that Jesus’ references to the kingdom of God meant present reality rather than a future apocalypse. Source Wikipedia

I have put together some information and some work sheets about St. George, the patron saint of England. The first sheet is a cover. The next two are information sheets followed by two large font sheets showing basic data. These are followed by two ‘gap’ pages which are differentiated. There is then a crossword which needs a picture answer followed by a word search. The next page is about St. George’s flag and the Union Jack. The last two pages are for the child’s diary - the first sheet gives ideas what to write about, the second is a clip art page for his ‘best’ copy. David Woodroffe, a professional illustrator, created the original art work. 6 extra pictures added by Super Coloring

Lester Frank Sumrall was an American Pentecostal pastor and evangelist. He founded the Lester Sumrall Evangelistic Association ( Le SEA) and its Humanitarian arm LeSEA Global Feed the Hungry, World Harvest Radio international and World Bible College. His mother, Betty, prayed while he was still her womb, that he would be a preacher. Lester was born in New Orleans on 15th February. Aged 17 he was on his death bed suffering from tuberculosis when he received a vision. Suspended in midair to his right was a casket, to his left an open Bible. He heard a voice ask, Lester Sumrall, which of these will you choose tonight? He chose to preach the Gospel as long as he lived. When he woke up in the morning he was completely healed Following his recovery, aged 17, he began to preach. Aged 19 he found a church in Green forest, Arkansas he found a church and was ordained by the assemblies of God. He became a ‘brush arbor’ preacher on the backwoods of Florida, Tennessee and Arkansas. On 18th December, 1831 he had his second vision.At the same time In England Howard Carter was praying for a companion. Lester was to be his companion. In 1934 he began travelling abroad. He preached in Tahiti, New Zealand and Brisbane Australia where he established a church. He travelled with Howard throughout eastern Asia, Europe and South America. Together they forged new territory in the area of spiritual warfare as they cast out devils, won new converts and established churches and instructed people of God. In South America he heard about a pretty, young missionary, from Argentina. He met and married Louise Layman on 30th September 1944. They took the ‘unconventional’ route to honeymooning. They began a 50,000 mile missionary tour and life together that spanned 49 years. They had 3 children. In 1957 he founded the Lester Sumrall Evangelistic Association (LeSEA). Which gave birth to over 100 books and study guides, a quarterly magazine,. In 1963 Lester moved to South Bend Indiana, to pastor Christian Central Cathedral of Praise ( now Christian Centre Church). He also withdrew from the Assemblies of God denomination. In 1968 he began what would become World harvest Radio International. Between 1972-97 he acquired 11 television stations, a satellite ministry, 3 radio and 5 shortwave stations. Lester founded the World Harvest Bible College (now Indiana Christian University) and* World Harvest Magazine* In 1987 he founded the LeSEA Global Feed the Hungry, a humanitarian aid organization, to help desperately poor families. In 2018 LeSEA changed its name to Family Broadcasting Corporation (FBC Lester died on 28th April 1996 aged 83. He was one of the most colourful preachers of the 20th century. He began as a fiery young preacher during the depression. He left a legacy of what simple and determined faith in God can accomplish. * *This is just the beginning. There are greater blessings ahead! Sources used family Broadcasting Corporation WHBC Wikipedia

Hugh Latimer and Hicholas Ridley were burnt at the stake in Oxford on 16th October 1555 during the reign of Queen Mary ( 1553-8). In 1534 the Act of Supremacy was passed in England. It made Henry V111 head of the English Church instead of the Roman Catholic Pope in Rome. It was the beginning of the English Reformation. There was a rapid advance towards Protestantism after the accession of King Edward V1 Henry V111 was followed by Edward V1 1547-53,and Lady Jane Grey 1553 both protestants. Mary (1553-1558) was Roman Catholic and wanted the church in England to return to Roman Catholicism. Those in high places who opposed her were arrested for treason and some were martyred for heresy - refusing to subscribe to certain articles of faith such as the existence of purgatory an the need to venerate saints. Hugh Latimer had become the bishop of Worcester in 1535. Forced to resign his see in 1539. He popularized the idea of the reformation Nicholas Ridley was appointed bishop of Rochester. In 1550 he became bishop of London. he denied the doctrine of transubstantiation - that Christ’s natural body is present in the bread of the Eucharist after consecration.blood. The trial happened at the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin. They were imprisoned at the former Bocardo Prison. They were burnt at the stake just outside the city walls to the north, where Broad Street is now located. Latimer , at the stake is said to have immortalized himself by exhorting his fellow victim Ridley with these words - we shall this day light a candle, by God’s grace, in England as I trust shall never be put out If you visit Oxford a cross on Oxford’s Broad Street marks the site of the execution. Thomas Cramner - see more information available under his name. Act of Supremacy - see more information under Henry V111 and Act of Supremacy Sources used Britannica Online Encyclopedia History Today Wikipedeia

Margaret Emma Barber was born in Peasenhall, Suffolk. The family moved to Norwich in 1879. The family home was opposite St.Martins parish church which was intensely evangelical in the 1880-90s. must have had an influence on the Barber Family. During the course of her life she lived twice in China. On her first visit as a missionary she went as an Anglican. On her second visit she went as an independent missionary with informal ties to the Plymouth Brethren. She was an Anglican missionary sent out by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) to the city of Fuzhou, Fujian. There she taught in a the Tau Su Girls’ High School- founded by the Church of England for 7 years. She was regarded as an excellent missionary but her co-missionaries became jealous. They fabricated a serious charge against her and she was sent home to Great Britain. She was known for her faith and decided not to vindicate herself. Years later the chairman of CMS board became aware of the case. He persuaded her to tell the truth. She told him the whole story and was fully vindicated. While in England she came in contact with D.M. Panton, editor of the Christian magazine The Dawn. 1907 Margaret became a member of Surrey Chapel and was baptized by full Immersion. Margaret resigned from CMS. In 1909 with Miss Ballard, a Surrey Chapel member she returned to China, settling in Fuzhou. They rented a house in Pagoda . She stayed there until her death in 1930 of Crohn’s disease. She lived by faith. According to Chinese customs all bills had to be paid in full by the end of the year. With only 2 days remaining she found herself $120s short. On the last day of the year D.M. Panton, in London, through the British bank in Foochow, sent exactly $120s! Margaret lived with little travelling and no publicity. She was content to remain at home and pray. She helped those who sought her counsel. She, with others, regularly taught a Bible class at ‘white teeth rock’. There she had contact with Watchmen Nee while he was studying at Anglican Trinity College. Through their relationship Watchman Nee was greatly edified and perfected. If he had a problem or needed spiritual instruction he would go to her. She treated him as a young learner and frequently administered strict discipline. At that time over 60 young brothers and sisters received help but after awhile most stopped going to see her except Watchmen Nee. When Margaret died she left all her belongings - an old Bible and her notes - to Watchmen Nee. In the March 1930 issue of his periodical The Present Testimony he wrote She was one who was very deep in the Lord, and in my opinion, the kind of fellowship she had with the Lord and the kind of faithfulness she expressed to the Lord are rarely found on this earth. In 1972 Watchmen Lee was martyred for his faith. Sources used Living Stream Ministry Christian web sites Contending for the Faith American Society of Church History 1955 wikipedia

James Hudson Taylor was the founder of the interdenominational China Inland Mission. He dreamed as a child of going to China as a missionary. He fulfilled his dream but he had to set up his own mission to make it successful. He was frustrated the first time he went out because he had little support from the mission which sent him out. He did such a good job setting up his own mission for China that other faith missions followed his methods. His chief emphases were to identify with the local people by dressing 'native', direction to come from the mission field not home, efficient administration and wanting a deepening of Christian life in the home churches to encourage more to go into the mission field. He was happily married twice and both his wives Maria and Jane supported him in his endeavours to evangelise China. He spent 50 years as a missionary and went 11 times to China. Through a lifetime of ministry he fulfilled his calling.

Caroline Chisholm is a woman spent a great deal of her time trying to help others get on in life -especially other women. With her husband Archibald she spent time in both India and Australia. In India where she opened a school. In Australia she wanted to help emigrants settle successfully there- she set up the Female Immigration Home and also helped set up a safe route for the gold pioneers to follow. She also helped migrants wanting to go to Australia from the UK. It has been suggested that Charles Dickens, in his book Hard Times, wrote his character Mrs. Jellyby as a criticism of female activists like Caroline Chisholm.

A short information sheet about St. Elizabeth of Hungary. St.Elizabeth lived in the thirteenth century. She was of noble birth but wanted to help the poor. Her husband, king Ludwig, only cared about himself. She set up two hospitals and was willing to work with lepers. There is a fact sheet and a gap sheet. She is he patron saint of bakers.

I have put together a number of pictures which younger children could use when R.E. is being taught.

The only recognized authority for the facts of Saint Benedict life is book 2 of the Dialogues of Saint Gregory 1. He was born of a noble family of Nursia and sent to Rome to be educated. Shocked by the behaviour of Rome he ‘retired’ as a young man to Enfide ((modern Affile) to live as a hermit. He isolated himself in a mountain cave and he daily hauled food up . The food was provided by the monk Romanus. When the fame of his sanctity spread he was encouraged to become an abbot at one of the monasteries. Here, because of his asceticism (self denial) and tales of being a miracle worker, he attracted disciples. He set up 12 monasteries around the place. He then abandoned the area - stories of jealousy and an attempt on his life. He moved to southern Italy, towards Naples and established the famous abbey of Monte Cassino. It was here that he wrote his famous * Rule of Saint Benedict* which contained precepts for his monks. Although known by his name it was influenced by the writings of John Cassian, and showed close affinity with the Rule of the Master. Even if this is the case Michael David Knowles in ‘Britannica Online Encyclopedia’ says *It was the Rule of St, Benedict, derived from various and disparate sources , that provided for the monastic way of life a directory at once practical and spiritual that continued to force after 1500 years. It was further developed to offer hospitality, medical, educational and agricultural skills to the world. Apparently Saint Benedict was never a priest. * He is a patron saint of Europe. Sources used Britannica Online Encyclopedia wikipedia Encyclopedia of Saints by Howard Loxton

John was an English Anglican priest and poet who was one of the leaders of the Oxford Movement. Keble College, Oxford was named after him. In 1806 he won a scholarship to Corpus Christi College Oxford. He excelled in his studies and achieved a first-class honours in both English and Latin in 1810. He was ordained in 1816 and became a curate first to his father at Coln St. Aldwyns and then curate in Eastleach Martin in Gloucestershire. He became a fellow at Oriel and was a tutor there between 1817-23. On the death of his mother in 1823 he returned to live with his father and two surviving sisters in Fairford, John anonymously published The Christian Year - a book of poems for Sundays and feast days of the Christian year, It appeared in 1827 . The authorship soon became known and in 1831 he was appointed to the Chair of a Poetry at Oxford. The book was very successful - by 1873 when the copyright expired 375,000 had been sold with 158 editions. ( For more of his writings read Other writings) 14 July 1833 he delivered his famous Assize Sermon on National Apostasy. It gave the first impulse to the Oxford Movement, also known as the Tractarian movement. The movement resulted in the establishment of Anglican religious orders for both men and women. ( See notes on Oxford Movement) In 1835 his father died, he married Charlotte Clarke and he became vicar at Hursley in Hampshire. Here he stayed until his death in 1866. John was a brilliant scholar, but self effacing, he was much sought after for his spiritual guidance. Sources Wikipedia The Hodder & Stoughton Book of Famous Christians

Saint Clare was an Italian saint and one of the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi. He inspired her to form the Order of Poor Ladies - a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition. Aged 12 her parents wanted her to marry a young wealthy man. She protested and sought the help of Francis. On 20th March 1212 she had her hair cut short and had her rich gown replaced by a plain robe. Cutting her hair was a symbolic act showing she was no longer bound by the laws of man or society but rather she followed the will of God, She was then placed with Benedictine nuns in San Paula, near Bastia. Her parents and Monaldo- Clare’s uncle and head of the family, did not accept willingly what had happened. Catarina, her sister, who changed her name to Agnes, joined her. - this caused a tremendous uproar. They finally relented when Clare threw aside her veil to reveal her cropped hair that they left her in peace. ( For more detail read* Life in the convent*) The sisters remained with the Benedictines until a small dwelling was built next to the church of San Damiano. Their lives consisted of manual labour and prayer. The nuns were barefoot, slept on the ground, ate no meat and observed almost complete silence.town of Assisi were attacked For a short time the order was directed by Francis. In 1216 Clare reluctantly accepted the role of abbess at San Damiano. Clare was a shy person and did not like giving orders and referred to herself as a mother, handmaid or servant rather than an abbess, She took care of Francis during his final illness (he died in1226). 1240/1 the monastery at San Damiano and the town of Assisi attacked and successfully defended as Clare prayed to Christ, present in the Blessed Sacrament. Clare wrote the rules for Rule of Life which meant they followed a rule of strict poverty. This was the first set of monastic guidelines written by a woman. In her later years she had a long period of poor health. She died on11th August 1253 at the age of 59, one day having her Rule approved by Pope Innocent 1V. Her last words, to herself, are reported to be Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for He who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be You, O God, for having created me. After her death the order was renamed the Order of Saint Clare. (Read Legacy) Source Wikipedia

Samuel was an evangelist and Presbyterian minister. He ministered in Hanover County from 1748-1759 followed by a term as the fourth President of Princeton University. He was one of the first non-Anglican preachers in Virginia and one of the earliest missionaries to slaves in the 13 Colonies. A child of deeply religious parents he was named after the prophet Samuel. Unable to afford to send their son o college he was tutored by Rev. Samuel Blair at Faggs Manor, Pennsylvania. Presbytery of New Castle licensed him to preach in 1746. In 1747 he travelled south to minister to minister to religious dissenters against the Anglican church. He eventually led 7 congregations in 5 counties despite frail health from tuberculosis. When his wife Sarah died from a miscarriage in 1747 he too believed he was near death so he threw himself wholeheartedly into his preaching ministry. He advanced the cause of religious and civil liberty. He helped found the Presbytery of Hanover and served as the first moderator. He advocated the educating of slaves , including teaching them to read. Slavery became a major focus of his ministry. You know I have shown a tender concern for your welfare, ever since I have been in the colony and you may ask my own negroes whether I treat them kindly or no, from 1755 sermon by Samuel. In 1753 he took the dangerous trip to Great Britain with Gilbert Tennent, a fellow minister, to raise money for the College of New Jersey. They stayed for 11 months. Samuel and preached 60 sermons, and together they raised £4,000 .(equivalent to $230,000 today) through church collections. In 1759 the college asked him to be their president. He became the fourth president of what is now known as Princeton University. On New Year’s Day 1761 he preached his last sermon quoting Jeremiah 28 v16. 1 will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shall die.* Almost prophetically Samuel died one month later, on 4th February, from pneumonia. Samuel accomplished much despite his relatively short life. He was one of the major contributors to the Great Awakening - a series of religious revivals which caused America to break away from the Church of England.

Robert was an English philanthropist and Anglican layman. He was a pioneer of the Sunday School movement although he did not start the first Sunday School. The original schedule for schools -as written by Robert was The children were to come after ten in the morning, and stay till twelve; they were then to go home and return at one; and after reading a lesson, they were to be conducted to church. After church, they were to be employed repeating the catechism till after five, and then dismissed with an injunction to go home without making a noise. He inherited a publishing business from his father and in 1757 he became proprietor of the Gloucester Journal. In 1758 he moved the business to Robert Raikes’ House. He was interested in prison reform, specifically with the conditions in Gloucester gaol and saw that vice would be better prevented than cured. He saw schooling as the best intervention. The movement began in July 1780 in the home of Mrs Meredith and with a school for boys in the slums. The best available time was Sunday- the boys were working 6 days a week in the factories. The teachers were lay people. The text book was the Bible. Later girls also attended. He used his newspaper to publicise the schools and bore most of the cost himself in the early years. Despite controversy and disputes, in the early years, Sunday Schools -some called the schools* Raikes’Ragged School* grew at a phenomenal rate in Great Britain. 1788 - 300,000 children 1831 - `.1,250,000 1910 - 5,500,000 These schools preceded the first state funding schools for the general public. They are seen as the forerunners of the currwnt English school system The money of phianthropist Robert Raikes was not wasted.

Thomas was a Scottish minister, professor of theology, political economist, and a leader of both the Free Church of Scotland and the Church of England. He has been called* Scotland’s greatest 19th century churchman*. Aged 11 he attended the University of St. Andrews studying mathematics. January 1799 he was licensed as a preacher. May, 1803, following further courses of lectures, he was ordained as minister of Kilmany and acted as assistant to the professor of mathematics at St. Andrews. His mathematics lectures roused enthusiasm but were discontinued by the authorities.so he opened mathematical classes of his own which attracted many students. Also gave lectures on Chemistry. and administered his parish. 1805 unsuccessful in application for professorship in mathematics at University of Edinburgh. 1815 became minister of the Tron church in Glasgow. His reputation as preacher in Glasgow spread through out the UK. Read paragraph on Parochial Work. 1823 he accepted the chair of moral philosophy at the University of St. Andrews. 1828 he was transferred to the chair of Theology at the University of Edinburgh. 1834 he became leader and chairman of the evangelical section of the Scottish Church in the General Assembly which stood for ‘non-intrusionism’ ( definition - no minister should be intruded into any parish contrary to the will of the congregation) Also elected fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 1835-41 he served as Vice-president f the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 1840 unsuccessfully applied for chair of Divinity at the University of Glasgow. Thomas made a number of appeals as leader and by 1841 , 7 years later when he resigned as convener, £300, 000 had been contributed and 220 new churches built. 1844 he announced a church extension campaign for new building. 1846 became first principal of the Divinity Hall of the Free Church of Scotland. On Friday,28th May 1847 he returned to his house at Church Hill. On the Saturday he prepared a report and continued in his usual health and spirits and retired to rest. He died on the Sunday. He was discovered lying dead in bed. His academic years resulted in a prolific literature of various kinds: his writings filled more than 30 volumes. The Thomas Chalmers Centre in Kirkliston is named after him. Thomas Chalmers has been correctly called Scotland’s greatest nineteenth century churchman. He was also an outstanding mathematician. Source Wikipedia