Gavin Peacock Speaks to Youth
Over 70 young people attended the Big Youth Fellowship (Big YF) on Sunday 20th January 2019 in Stornoway Free Church Session Room and heard from special guest, Gavin Peacock, on Facetime from Canada. It took the format of a Q&A about his life of faith, as a minister and formerly as a professional footballer.
The Big YF is a quarterly event, organised by the presbytery youth committee, where young people from all over Lewis and Harris can meet together for a time of fellowship and food on a Sunday evening.
Gavin Peacock was a professional Footballer for 18 years, playing in the Premier League for Newcastle United and Chelsea. He then worked for the BBC, regularly appearing as a pundit on Football Focus, Match of the Day 2 and BBC Radio 5 live, before entering full time Christian ministry.
The contact was initially made through one of our elders, Doonie Macleod, who heard Gavin Peacock preach at Bridge Chapel Church in Liverpool in 2014. Doonie was then very keen to get Gavin Peacock to speak to the youth in the islands if at all possible. They got in contact in 2018 and managed to arrange for Gavin to speak at the Big YF in January 2019, thanks to the wonders of modern technology.
One of our young leaders, Eoghain Macphee, conducted the interview. Gavin’s story was inspiring and challenging and full of practical advice for young people today. He spoke about how the seed of the Gospel was sown in his heart at a youth fellowship meeting he attended at age 18 and how he came to realise that although he had all that the world could offer in one sense – money, fame and success – these young Christians had a greater joy in their lives. He soon committed his life to Christ and played professional football for many years as a Christian before moving on to a very successful career as a BBC pundit as well as commentating at World Cups and European Championships.
God then called Gavin to pastoral ministry. Gavin explained how his church recognised and confirmed his gifts and call to ministry. He chose to study theology in Canada and is now a Discipleship Pastor in Calvary Grace Church in Calgary, Alberta.
His story had a big impact on young people and leaders alike. He challenged the young people to put God first and ‘hold lightly’ the things of the world like money, fame and achievements. He encouraged them to have their identity in Christ and grow in a relationship with him through Bible reading, prayer and being an active member of a church. He also stressed the importance of having godly mentors and reading good books like Christian biographies to strengthen us in our faith.
Thank you to everyone who was involved in bringing this event together - it involved a lot of team work. Thanks ultimately goes to God who binds us together in ‘one body and one Spirit’.
