Jean was someone who overflowed with love for others, and had a radiant Christian faith. We were privileged to work alongside David & Jean at St Margaret's from 1989 - 1992, where Jean was always so encouraging to us as we developed the Youth and Children's ministry of the church. She loved opening her home to us, and to countless others in the fellowship, and longed to see young people coming to faith through the power of the Spirit. She was one of the most genuine people you could hope to meet - open, honest and straight talking - and with a joyful sense of humour. She was a person whose life was founded on prayer, and on many occasions she came alongside one or both of us to pray with us, always in a compassionate and upbuilding way. She and David modelled a team-ministry approach to church leadership which allowed many to discover and use their gifts for God. One of her gifts was prophecy, often sharing words or pictures that God had laid on her heart, usually with a very personal impact on those she ministered to. The bible was a living book to Jean, and she had a gift for preaching down-to-earth and practical sermons centred on Jesus. Her outstanding gift, however, was music, singing praises to her Lord with a strong and well-tuned voice, often accompanied with guitar or the tambourine she loved so much. She encouraged us both as we moved on from St Margaret’s as Roger followed a vocation into ordained ministry, praying for God’s blessing on our journey, and especially on our desire to start a family. She and David were present at Roger’s ordination in Bristol, and it was such a joy to be welcomed back to Aspley in 1997 for a baby shower for Kieran that Jean organised.
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