Pastor Andrew Spencer
Andrew Spencer's Story!
In the Beginning:
It's truly amazing how I ended up as a pastor. A couple decades ago, I was the archetypal troubled youth - promiscuous, addicted to hard drugs, obsessed with getting rich by any means necessary and deeply sad behind my smile. I was very popular - in actual fact I had lots of hangers-on but hardly any real friends! I hated being on my own yet even in the midst of a noisy crowd, I felt lonely, empty and distrustful of others.
At the age of 16 I went on a search for God after returning from a trip to Barbados. I researched many of the religions and philosophies of this world, spoke to Muslims, Hindus, Jehovah witnesses, Young Conservatives, Young Socialites and so on, but I wasn't satisfied with the answers these groups gave.
Revelation
Sometime in April 1984, I started to wake up early in the morning and think about God. One day I said, ‘God, if you are real, prove it!’ Not long afterwards I bumped into a close friend, Mark, who invited me to church. I went along nonchalantly and ended up getting baptised! It was an amazing experience, something words can’t quite describe. I got saved (that is, began a personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ) on the 6th of May 1984 and haven’t looked back ever since.
Before I got saved, one of my ambitions was to have Baby-Mothers (women who bred for me outside wedlock) all over the country! I wanted to have kids all over the place but wasn’t particularly keen to become a loving father to those illegitimate children. As soon as I became a born again Christian my priorities changed – thank goodness! Suddenly all I wanted to do was (and still is) love God and others.
Call to Ministry:
Mine wasn’t a typical ‘call to ministry’ – I simply saw a need for a preacher in the neighbouring town of Northampton and told our Bishop at Bedford that I was willing and available. So with the Bishop’s permission I started to go over to Northampton and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ there.
Our original congregation comprised of 5 old ladies and an old gent! For 2 whole years there was no growth and then suddenly people began to come round from the Bedford church because the Northampton meetings were more convenient for them. We moved into a school hall at Trinity Middle School and soon after there was a growth explosion.
All in a Day’s Job
In addition to full time work, I’ve got a lot on my plate: Men’s Meetings on Mondays twice per month, meeting with the trustees and elders on Tuesday nights, Pastoral Skills Training, Bible Studies on Wednesdays, one-on-ones on Thursday nights and house visitation on Saturdays. If I am preaching or teaching on Sundays I usually wake up at about 6.45am to pray and put an inspired message together.
I love teaching the scriptures! Ironically I was a bit sceptical about becoming a pastor because of the way some churches practically hero-worship their pastors. However, I now know that not all churches are and have to be that way. I like to interact without airs and graces, getting my hands dirty when necessary.
I would be lying if I said that being a pastor is always an easy task. Sometimes I feel like running away myself – running away to Newcastle to be precise. However, God is my strength when I am weak and I do have the most loving congregation ever!
Vision for NDC
I desire to see NDC grow tremendously as more people take up responsibilities in the house of God. Ideally our members should be performing signs and wonders, making disciples of others in Northampton and beyond. At least 10% of Northampton’s population should consist of born again Christians – people who have a personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ and walk worthy of God’s calling.
I believe that thousands more will be added to NDC and we aim to move into our own church building shortly. God has been so good to me and my (biological and church) family on so many levels. I give Him all the glory for great things He has done!