DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT!
I began telling others about my faith in Jesus Christ when I was 18 years old. That’s more than 40 years ago now! Often there is not much time to tell people what I would like to tell them.
On this website, I wanted to say a few things that are really important to me, particularly that there is Good News for All – but don’t take my word for it – have a look at the Bible for yourself. Can you really meet Jesus there? You’ll just have to try it and see. If you are an English learner you might want to read the Bible in your own language - the flags normally link to Luke's Gospel.
There are other Christians who think like me. We don’t agree on everything (who does?) but we agree on the important things. There are links to Christian comment in other languages on this page too, Finally, because this is least important, I add some information about me.
A FEW THINGS THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME
Christian faith does not mean knowing the answers to everything. It means believing some things are true despite not knowing the answers to everything.
- God loves you - whatever circumstances you are in, whatever you have or have not done.
- God has shown this love for you by coming to the world in person - in Jesus.
- Jesus fulfilled God’s plan for saving you by dying for you on the cross - not just by dying but by dying for you.
- Jesus has shown that he is victorious over everything, including death, by rising again.
- God wants you to believe this and live your whole life, every minute of every day, with him and for him.
Good News for All!
The God who made the universe loves us yet our relationship with him has been broken by our unbelief and disobedience. Through Jesus Christ, his Son, God came to seek after us and to save us. Jesus died for our sins, has risen from the dead and is calling us now to follow him. He offers forgiveness for the past, new life for the present and hope for the future. With our grateful thanks we offer God our worship and service, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
THE BIBLE - CAN I REALLY MEET JESUS?
The Bible is a long and complicated book especially if you don’t start in the right place. The Bible was originally written in ancient languages, Hebrew, Aramaic and Hellenistic Greek. Here’s a very simple yet excellent English translation (originally produced for English learners).
One of the best places to start reading the Bible is in one of the Gospels. Luke’s Gospel starts with the Christmas story (with angels and shepherds) and includes many of the parables and miracles of Jesus. All four Gospels give a detailed account of Jesus’ death and conclude with the amazing claim that he rose again! If you would rather read a Bible that is not translated into easy English, the English Standard Version might be the right one for you.
OTHER CHRISTIANS WHO THINK LIKE ME
There are literally thousands of Christian denominations and there is a variety of opinion in all of them. Nevertheless, many Christians are convinced of the place of the Bible as the central authority for all matters of faith and practice. The Bible does not always give easy answers to difficult questions, indeed it can give difficult answers to apparently easy questions, but it is important to be Bible-based. Many Christians are also convinced that being made right with God (salvation) is by faith alone through grace alone and this faith is in Christ alone. The saving work of Jesus Christ was his death on the cross and this was sealed by his resurrection so that believers can have a living hope. This, of course, is all to the glory of God.
If you have a more detailed question about the Christian faith you might find a helpful answer at Got Questions. Many of the pages are available in other languages so do check below to see if it is also available in a language you find easier.
ABOUT ME
I was born in Plymouth, England, in 1958. My parents met in 1949 at Swilly Hospital, a tuberculosis sanatorium. My father experienced an evangelical Christian conversion prompted by his search for faith following the diagnosis of his serious illness. When he was well enough he began attending the Methodist Church in which he had been brought up. My mother experienced an evangelical Christian conversion at a Gospel Meeting of the Plymouth Brethren, having previously been a lapsed Roman Catholic. My parents had a profound influence on my life.
I expressed my own, independent Christian faith as a 12 year old. In my teenage years, my faith development often lagged behind my overall development. After leaving Devonport High School for Boys, I reluctantly started life as a law student at Leicester Polytechnic. As a student I began telling others about my faith in Jesus Christ and through this sensed a developing call to Christian service. After completing my law studies, I worked in the offices of another great love of my life, Plymouth Argyle Football Club, while offering to train as a Methodist minister.
After three years at Wesley College, Bristol, I was sent to my first appointment in 1983 and ordained in 1985. I have served in Greater London, Cornwall, Wales, Scotland and Devon. I am currently working in five villages in south-east Cornwall. I am married and have four grown up children. Please use This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to send me an e-mail, or leave a message on the Guestbook.
God bless you, John Haley.