I had a rare and real privilege today. I attended the thanksgiving service of John Roberts who was the chair of Chislehurst YFC, which is a new emerging centre.

It became clear in the service that as the family and people shared their tributes that I had known, albeit for a very short time, a real godly man of integrity. A man of God, said Roger Forster, who gave one of the tributes.

John obviously meant masses to many people – the church in Chislehurst was packed and peopl such as Roger Forster and Graham Kendrick were taking part. I do not say that to name drop – just trying to get across how special John seemed to be to so many people.

I never knew John well. In fact we had only met twice since June and had about 3 phone calls in addition to that. In that short time I realsied quite soon that he was one of a kind – a man with a vibrant, living, real faith. One not unlike that of Nouwen. As soon as I heard that he had died last Monday I desperately wanted to be at his service to pay respects and say goodbye.

This man clearly had an impact on many peoples lives when he was alive – hearing the stories I believe he is even having an effect though his death. Some stories stuck in my mind – both children and grandchildren paid tribute to the fact that John always had time for them, always loved to see them and never turned them away.

Others shared how we was supportive and encouraging he was as he lived out his faith with a particular desire to help those on the edges of society, sometimes bringing them home to his family. While he was doing this he was a top ranking civil servant in the government. In fact, I learned during the service, that he was the press attache to the PM for a year. He gave up the fame that could have brought because it took him away from his family too much, which was a bigger priority than his job and status. A man with correct priorities.

Here was a real man of God who took Jesus as his example. His family, whom our hearts go out to at the moment, know that their husband, dad or grandad was a very special man. I’m sure many would agree that here we have experienced a modern day saint, worthy of remembrance.