I am the guy who is privileged to have been called to be the Pastor of the Emmanuel Christian Centre.

My Family.....

My name is Stuart and I am married to Elizabeth.  We have 3 children:- Rebekah, Joshua and Nahum (and a dog - Tocca).

A small potted history....

My family moved to Ulverston in 1985 from Kendal, where my father was the Pastor of the AoG church - Bethel Pentecostal Church, Chapel Lane, Kendal.  We joined up with Pastor Keith Tipple, here at Emmanuel, just at the point when the vision for our current building was underway.  We were able to help with the refurbishment for its grand opening on the 28th June 1986.As a member of the youth, with Danny Tuakli the leader, I began serving as a steward on the door for the Sunday services.  I began to look for other ways to serve the Lord within the church and soon worked my way to 'sound man', alongside the late Jez Nattrass - head technician.  Eventually I got in to playing the drums after my friend Andrew Wright taught me the rudimentary basics (a 4-4 beat!!).  I served under our then Musical Director, David Porter.  

The fall.....

During the practices on Monday evenings with the church band, my eyes caught hold of the most beautiful woman in the world who was working full time as the Church Administrator.  We fell in love and, after a short courtship, married on the 10th March 1990.  So began a friendship which continues to this day with my wife Elizabeth, who remains my best friend and companion.  Without her I would not be where I am today.

Be careful what you say.....

Our then current pastor Jim Burton invited me to join the church eldership in 1995.  In January 1998, I began jointly leading the church and subsequently became the Pastor.I always stated that I did not want to be a Pastor and I did not want to preach.  God had other ideas!!   I know that God has most certainly called me to the role, however I know it is only by grace, certainly not on merit.  The attitude I have is that it is God's church - remember He said 'I will build My church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it!' - so all I have to be is obedient to Him.   I do not carry His church, that is His job and it is also His job to defend it!  All I have to do is listen for His command and be obedient to carry it out, irrespective of whether that makes me popular or not!

Change.... essential?.... inevitable?

Over the years Emmanuel has been through many changes.  One thing I have come to understand is that change is not only essential in our lives it is inevitable.  Not all the changes have been or seemed positive..... some have been difficult, some self inflicted, some out of our control...... and they have caused great pain and aching in my soul however, many things have been learnt through the experiences.  The majority of the changes have clearly been Holy Spirit led and inspired.  These events have created, and indeed are still creating, a Pastor that has a heart after God and is surrendered to and focussed on the Kingdom of God and an intimate relationship with Heavenly Father.  Through the experiences and reality of this I am able to share and help the flock under my care in to the same relationship of intimacy and love.

Size, the measure of a church?

I now look back at the changes and I am satisfied that Jesus is now the Functional Lord of myself and the church where I am presently called.  The changes have focussed the vision and we are seeking the King of the Kingdom and to be in love with Him.  A major stumbling block and sad fact is that the success of the Pastor and/or the church is measured by how big the church is.  We no longer have an aim of 'how big can the church be', rather our focus is on us as individuals and our personal walk before God.  My desire is that the members of the Emmanuel family are in unity with one another and being effectively 'pastored'. 

What about the blessings, giftings etc?....

We are seeking to fall in love with the Lord and have Him be the functional Lord of our lives.  Giftings, blessings, celebrity etc, we are not seeking these things.  We are seeking the more important thing and that is a deeper relationship with Father.  I am not saying that giftings and blessings are wrong - indeed I am a recipient of all those things in my own life and within Emmanuel as a church body - but rather it is from that seeking of intimacy and love comes the outflow of the blessings and giftings etc

Passion....

We are now a group of people who are truly in love with Love Himself - Jesus. I am a passionate person, passionate about all I do.  Those who know me know I love to have fun, enjoy supporting the best football team in the world - Liverpool FC - amongst many things BUT Jesus is the love of my life.  There is a song that says 'Take the world but give me Jesus...' that is my statement and prayer.I take my pastoral role very seriously but I can reassure you that I am no fuddy duddy.  In the fun stakes I reckon I could take on just about anyone without needing to resort to crude or smutty jokes, drugs or alcohol etc.  This is because I am passionately in love with Jesus and after all, He created everything.   So as the author of life and all that we know, I reckon He knows the best way to enjoy it!  In John 10v10 of the bible, Jesus said [emphasis mine] 'I have come that you may have life..... not just ordinary life but life to the FULL'... so I asked Him if I could have it, took Him at His Word and received it!!... why don't you try it?