Liberty Church Blackpool

I became a Christian in 1986 one evening at a house group meeting held by a church in Basingstoke. I had a powerful experience of the love of Jesus which completely changed my view of life and my view of myself. At the time I was in a marriage where domestic violence happened on a regular basis. Four years later, following the death of our baby and increasing outbreaks of violence at home I left my husband.

The next few years were a time of coming to terms with my bereavement and my divorce. Friends in the church I attended gave me a home and tremendous level of support and love while I struggled through the difficulties of that time. When I was able I resumed my work as a nurse.

A year after my marriage ended I moved to Ipswich and gradually took more of an active role in the charismatic church there leading a house group and becoming part of team running Alpha Courses. Alpha is a course designed to introduce people to the Christian faith through having a meal together, and learning about basic Christian belief through listening to an ‘after dinner speaker’, followed by informal discussion. I did some of the speaking at Alpha and facilitated different discussion groups. I enjoyed Alpha tremendously. I loved to see people gradually become more aware of the reality of Jesus over the weeks and then come to find faith in him.

I grew in my love for Jesus and my deep trust in Him but became increasingly aware of the sexism in some churchs and would sometimes visualise how much that would turn off newcomers.

I moved to Bedford to work for a year for a Christian charity that ran a night shelter and hostels for people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. I was a residential care worker so I lived in one of the hostels sharing the day to day life with young adults who were trying to rebuild their lives. I met several people there who were struggling with questions about their sexual orientation and again the Christian response was that it was necessary to be healed from homosexuality but the process of healing advocated was long and immensely difficult and did not appear to be effective in the long term.

A close Christian friend of mine was a lesbian and I saw the guilt and conflict she suffered over her sexuality. The stance of the church was that she could be ‘healed’ but this did not happen and she suffered a lot from the misguided attitudes held by myself and the people around her. I deeply regret now that at that timeI did not know how to encourage her to value and express her sexuality.

My move to back to Lancashire, to Fleetwood, in 2000 was prompted by my parents having a car accident. I came to stay with them for a few months to help while broken bones healed and they recovered their health. I decided to stay and two years later met Jim, who like me was divorced. Nine months later we married.

Jim’s understanding of the Bible has played a large part in enabling me to re examine and get rid of my previous prejudices. I can now clearly see that God’s acceptance of us does not depend on our sexuality but our reliance on what Jesus has done for us. I have been able to challenge and change the view of homosexuality I had acquired from my church background. I can now appreciate and value sexual and gender diversity as another aspect of the wonderful diversity of creation. 

I have recently taught health studies for nearly two years at the local College of Further Education. At the college I actively promoted education among my students about gay and lesbian issues. I am now undertaking training to be a Relate counsellor. I am currently involved with a Christian project for homeless people in Blackpool on a voluntary basis and I expect to continue that involvement.

I have gained tremendously from attending MCC  Manchester. I have felt the atmosphere of acceptance and welcome that is extended to all who go there and I have met some wonderful people. I have enjoyed many lively and interesting conversations, often over a meal after church, and have enjoyed the friendships I have with people there

I have felt very privileged to be invited to the Trans Group that is run by church members and through attending that group regularly and making friends through it I am gaining an increasing understanding of Trans issues.

Since I started attending MCC I felt a growing sense of the call from Jesus to be part of building a church in Blackpool which actively welcomes LGBT people. I am delighted to be part of this venture and I love being part of a truly inclusive church where all people can feel safe and relaxed to worship and relate to Jesus as they truly are.

Email: nina@libertychurchblackpool.org.uk