Name

Calum MacFarlane

Life stage

Married, living in Perth, 2 children

Occupation

Maths Teacher

Favourite TV programme

Morse

Favourite food

Chicken Curry

Favourite famous person

Eric Liddell (famous rugby player, turned Olympic athlete, turned missionary to China - read Sally Magnusson's book The Flying Scotsman for a fuller story of his life.)

Most memorable moment

Coaching Scotland Under 18 boys hockey
(and of course getting married - honest Susan!)

Brief history

Born in Glasgow, Scotland. Attended Viewlands Primary (Perth) & Perth Academy; then Edinburgh University (BSc. Chemical Engineering); played hockey for Scottish Universities and earned a blue; teaching maths at Crieff High School, alongside Susan; married 1992

Why, when and how you became a Christian

With little or no church background I was influenced by the film Chariots of Fire telling the life of Eric Liddell. At work I was attracted to Susan. We started going out and she took me to church. It was a much more lively and friendly atmosphere than I had anticipated.  The quest to find out more took me to one of the church house groups (PBC groups). Here I found the relevance of what the Bible says to today's world - to my world. After about 6 months I decided to become a Christian - that is to put my trust in God, and what Jesus did for me by his death and resurrection.

What being a Christian means to you

Having someone to turn to in times of difficulty; having a great sense of contentment; friendship and sharing of other Christians lives; a recognition of the responsibility to tell others of the peace and forgiveness that comes from a relationship with Jesus; the importance of living by example.

What you wish would happen in the world

If rich countries took seriously Jesus' command to regard the poor, they would, by the year 2000, celebrate his anniversary by writing off Third World Debt.

What you're trying to achieve in life?

Trying to enable people to make the most of themselves and their ability - school pupils; work colleagues; friends. This is worked at by trying to be the best that I can be and introducing people to Jesus, for example through the church Alpha Group.