Lance grew up just outside Derby and throughout childhood and teenage years attended a Baptist church in Derby. However, the reasons for attending as a teenager were more social (Scouts and friends) than spiritual and it wasn’t until going to University in Manchester in 1963 that he gave any real consideration to what it meant to be a Christian. There he met members of the Christian Union in his Hall of Residence who became good friends and by their positive lifestyle and conversation challenged him to make a personal commitment to Jesus as Lord and Saviour. That commitment came on 27th October 1964. A relationship with God became vital and brought a new sense of direction in life and a deep peace with God. The knowledge of God as Father through Jesus and the experience of Him in the power of the Holy Spirit has remained and deepened throughout the years.
It was two years later that Lance met Lynne in the CU at Manchester, and he became President of the CU towards the end of his research degree. After completing his PhD he went to work part-time under David Watson in (what was then) St Cuthbert’s Church, York and as a part-time science teacher. That gave an opportunity to test a sense of call to Christian ministry. The call matured and he trained for ministry at Spurgeon’s College, London (1970-74). 1972-73 was spent as the British Intern in First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas with a brief break in July to return to the UK to marry Lynne!
27 years of ministry together in Nuneaton, Berkhamsted and Cambridge preceded the call to Creech St Michael in 2001. Lance’s greatest joys in ministry are seeing God at work in people become Christians and then helping people grow through a Bible-teaching ministry.
His hobbies include DIY, home-computing, travel and (recently) golf.
Lance and Lynne have four grown-up children (and numerous grandchildren): Katie and Fiona are both GPs, Lindsey works for the Churches’ Criminal Justice Forum and David is a graduate engineer.
You can contact Lance on 01823 442300 or e-mail lance@creechbc.co.uk