David Camp is one of the new deacons being ordained at Guildford Cathedral on Sunday 2nd July and shares his story of being called to church ministry.
"My earliest recollection of my Christian journey was listening to my grandmother singing in the choir at St Mary’s with St Alban's Church in Teddington at age seven. After she passed away in my late teens, I drifted away from church, as many young people do. I like to refer to that time as my wilderness years. I did some crazy things in those days, not bad, but more reckless without considering my safety. Times that turned my poor mum's hair grey, but that sense of God’s presence and being watched over never left me.
It's interesting to reflect that God took 40 years in the wilderness and a second generation to mould the Israelites into a nation and compare it to His patience that knows no bounds, allowing me 35 years of wondering before changing my perceptions of living. Such a small word, but for a Christian the word 'living' becomes deep and rich with previously uncharted meaning.
The recognition that I had a calling, burst into focus like a bolt from the blue, when I had an epiphany moment after my dad died in 2015. I can only describe it as a 4K dream where I encountered my dad and Jesus. It wasn’t so much that Jesus told me I had been chosen - Oh, how I wish it was - it was more like an awakening. A glorious affirmation of what I had always felt that sense of being watched over. As a result, my wife thought it would be good to take me to her church, with my attendance up to that point having been as rare as hens’ teeth.
Emmanuel Church in Southall (an urban church setting with a Caribbean extended family congregation) became the cradle for my formation and Rev Wilson Gill my God-appointed guardian. They welcomed me with a warmth I have rarely encountered. I was encouraged to read scripture during a service and then, after about five months, encouraged to lead and even preach, always under Wilson's guidance. Nevertheless, it was an incredibly bold thing for him to do. Even the congregation, who could have had an adverse reaction, were full of encouragement.
As time passed, I began to explore my faith in a deeper sense, Wilson introducing me to my ADO, Rev Christopher Ramsey, who in turn introduced me to the dreaded nine criteria - I say dreaded because I felt totally out of my depth at the time. I was introduced to the art of reflection and short SA’s. My understanding of my faith was challenged as I began to think about where God might be at work in the world and in me.
After 3 years of hard thinking and numerous headaches, Christopher pointed me in the direction of the Peter Stream at St Mellitus College, which supports individuals who have been called in a slightly more unconventional way, including those with little or no church background.
Looking back over the past 3 years, I think the biggest change in my understanding of the Christian faith is that it is not as one might suppose. Merely a personal journey of spiritual discovery, or an individual becoming more Christ-shaped. No, in fact, it is the realisation that Christ came to save humanity. All of us are invited, so it’s when we are together that Christ finds His fullest expression. Helping each other with humility. John 13:34-35 says, “Love one another as I have loved you” not, "Love yourself first" as I have heard so many motivational speakers declare.
There is so much more I would like to say to those of you who are tentatively exploring your vocation, but perhaps I'll leave you with this. If God can call a 58-year-old man like me, who has been travelling around in circles in the wilderness for 35 years, then take heart and cling to Proverbs 3:5-6. It may be rocky, and you will undoubtedly stumble, but you will be led by some amazing people who in turn are led by God."
Find out more about the ordination services taking place this year.