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Beginning with his early life in which he enjoyed none of the riches he now has, Brian gave us an idea of the things which had helped to make him in to one of Britain's most successful businessmen. A relaxed, confident and amusing speaker he peppered his story with entertaining anecdotes. Even critics have to admit, he tells a good tale! The early days of Stagecoach now seem rather quaint in comparison with the multinational giant based in our town, and Brian clearly enjoyed recalling those times. The first buses, the beginnings of the company and some early disasters were detailed along with the phenomenal success story that it has become. Until last year, most people had never heard of Brian Souter. That was until he first funded the "Keep the Clause" campaign in Scotland and then was propelled in to the public eye as its most eloquent spokesman. Section 28 (2A) prevented schools from 'promoting homosexuality' and the government was determined to overthrow the legislation which it saw as discriminatory. The "Keep the Clause" campaigners emphasised that the government had no democratic mandate for this and demonstrated this though a private referendum. Last year in the press Brian Souter was accused of homophobia and of stirring up hatred against gay people and he became a hate-figure for the liberal establishment. Despite this, he sought to emphasise that he hadn't really suffered and that God had sustained him in his fight against the government he charged with rebellion against God. He commented that his life is less stressful than his wife's - at home with their four children! Before concluding with a question and answer session, Brian Souter gave special attention to the difference that his faith in Christ has made to his life. He spoke with conviction on the subject of business and personal ethics, saying that he strictly adheres to the standards God would have him follow. However, he went on to insist that such a code is not restricing but liberating. On a personal level he emphasised the experience of the presence of God as the crucial sustaining and stabilising force in his life and suggested that life itself was deficient without this. Love him or hate him, Brian Souter left us all with the impression that he is a man of faith, prepared to stand up for his principles. (Dr Elaine Matthews)
Steve told us about his background how he became a Christian at the age of 13 at a sports camp, and the way that his faith was what sustained him through a crisis in his mid-twenties when his career was ended through injury. Although hard to understand at the time, the end of his dynamic career in professional sport was God's way of guiding Steve into the ministry of Sports Outreach Scotland. After speaking about his life and faith, he shared with us some of the things he has learnt about God in all the years since his conversion. He spoke firstly about our relationships with other people and how forgiveness is required for reconciliation between people Steve is a great communicator – especially with young people. Every point he made, he made through storytelling and gave us many laughs on the way. On this subject he spoke about the rift that had existed between him and his father for many years. Eventually, Steve had summoned up the courage to meet his Dad and to begin to repair the relationship. They met and began to forgive each other for the hurt they had caused each other. Only days after their meeting, Steve's dad was killed in an industrial accident. Steve urged us to maintain right relationships with others today – because you never know when you will have the opportunity to mend it. The main part of Steve's message though focused on the broken relationship that we have with God and how Jesus has enabled us to repair it. Using countless stories and illustrations he spoke of the way in which the death of Christ is the payment for our sins which enables God to forgive us and makes reconciliation with Him possible today. He told the (apparently true) story of an Indian chief who demanded the flogging to death of a thief if he was caught. When the thief was caught it turned out to be his own son. Unable either to violate justice or to command the execution of his son, the chief ordered the execution to take place – but placed himself between the executioner and his son. He received every blow of the lash and died – leaving his son free. Steve explained that this is what God does for us through the cross – where we see God's justice being poured out on Christ, so that we can be free. But Steve explained that the salvation secured by Jesus doesn't work automatically – but that it becomes ours by faith when we respond to the gospel. He left us with a clear message, that peace with God and everlasting life can be our today if we turn to Christ and put our faith in him. See Steve's website: http://www.sportsoutreach.com
Through their travels, they experienced wide multi-cultural influences. they also courageously faced the dangers of the "Congo Uprising." They have known great challenges as they have sought to serve God in what must be considered a diverse and varied career
After we had sung some worship songs together, Ian kicked off by telling us something of how he had become a Christian at University under the influence of a charming young lady – who he subsequently married! He talked about his first exposure to the gospel and the way in which The Lord finally won him. Following his conversion, Ian told us that he was given a strong sense of calling from God into ministry and, was accepted by the Church of Scotland, and did his theological training at Aberdeen. He felt convinced that the ordained parish ministry was God's highest calling and wanted to give himself to it completely. However, this was accompanied by a strong sense that this was not where God wanted him to be. His music was taking more and more of his time, was growing in popularity and he was ministering to ever larger numbers of people through it. Eventually in 1977 he felt that God's calling was being made clear to him – and that music, not parish ministry was where he was called to be. Ian used his own story as a basis for showing all of us that we will only be content, fulfilled at peace and fruitful, when we find what God has called us to do – and are actively doing it! His message was reminiscent of Paul's great prayer for the Colossians (Ch1v9-12). In the second half of the evening, Ian talked us through a new song he has written – a stirring worship song called: "Transform Me." Transform Me
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On 4th February, Brian Souter
kicked off our Personal Profile series in a relaxed and friendly evening in which he spoke at length about his life and his faith.
On Sunday 4th March, we welcomed former American Football professional
Steve Connor for the second in our series of personal profiles. Once a linebacker with the prestigious Chicago Bears, Steve now lives and works in Scotland, as director of Sports Outreach a new Christian sports
ministry.
Angus and Caro McNeill are a unique missionary team. They have a wide
experience of life through working in Congo and Thailand as well as at home in Scotland.
On May 6th , the noted Christian singer-songwriter
Ian White joined us for the last in our "Personal Profile" series..
