‘My vision for my life is to glorify God in how I live and to be used to help His kingdom grow in Stortford, UK and the World.’ – Richard’s Story

Liz went for a drink at Harvest Moon with her husband Richard Lake on a warm evening in October to discuss his life and passions.

Hi Richard , Can you start by telling me about your parents and childhood?

I was born and brought up in Poole in Dorset along with my 2 younger brothers. All 3 of us were born within just over 2 years, so are close in age. It was a non-Christian family although my dad's mum was a Methodist. We were poor but happy. In the early 1980s my dad became unemployed for 5 years which had a big effect on us all. As a young boy, I went to a Campaigner group at my local Anglican Church and played for a local football club. I attended Poole Grammar School from age 12 to 18 where I was in lots of school sports teams.

When and how did you become a Christian and get baptised?

While at secondary school the class was challenged by the RE teacher about whether we believed in God. I didn't know whether I did know but decided that I wanted to know. So I started searching for the truth. When I saw an advert for the Plain Truth magazine I thought this would show me the right way. Although the magazine talked about Jesus it was a cult called Armstrongism that led me down a false path of works and legalism. I was reading the magazines and their books and following their Bible study course. I started to give my paper round money to the organisation which was the last straw for my mum while my dad was unemployed. My mum burned my books and magazines in the back garden while I was out. This was a shock to me and I told her I was a Christian. She said that you can't be a Christian unless you go to a Church (although she didn't!) so I decided to go to the Church where I had gone when I was younger. No one spoke to me for 6 months but I was determined to find God. I joined the youth group and was amazed by how real it seemed to them. The curate gave me a Journey into Life booklet to read and I was convinced it was the truth and gave my life to Jesus. This was Easter 1983. I started telling my school friends about Jesus and my future best man Chris became a Christian. The Church wouldn't baptise me as I'd been christened so I later got baptised while at Swansea University in 1987.

Tell us how you met your wife Liz?

I met Liz while at University at a party and then again at a Christian Union Bible group. I invited her to the Elim Pentecostal Church which I now attended. Liz was looking for anew Church and was a Baptist. She came to a Service and afterwards we talked about our beliefs and I decided to ask her out. We soon started dating. We got engaged 14 months later and married in Watford in 1990 just after I finished my Degree in French and Italian.

Where have you worked since leaving University?

I started my career in Finance at Ford Motor Company in Essex as a graduate trainee where I qualified as a management accountant. In 2001, I took a job as a Finance Manager at GSK and we moved to Bishop's Stortford. I was made redundant after 13 years there. The next job was at Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare in Harlow. I was made redundant again within 5 years when Finance was relocated to Coventry. I briefly worked at PPD in Cambridge before moving on to my current job at Anglia Ruskin University.

Tell us about your children?

We have 3 children. All born while we lived in Brentwood. Samuel, Charis and Dominic are all grown up and have left home though living locally. The older two are married and Dom is engaged. And due to be married next year. I am very proud of them all and what they have achieved despite many challenging experiences, including a house fire in 2011.

How long have you been at BSBC?

After 22 years in the New Frontiers Churches in Brentwood and Stortford we left and attended the Vineyard for a year. We started visiting BSBC in August 2013 and became members in February 2014.

What roles have you had in Church life?

I've had many roles over the years. I've helped out in children's work, I've preached, led worship, led evangelism, led and overseen home groups, been a steward, been a Deacon for discipleship and had the role of Church Treasurer.

What are your favourite things that you enjoy?

I love being with my family. I love sport especially football, actively supporting Watford FC. I enjoy reading, history, travel, theatre, bird watching and have recently begun attending Stortford Gospel Choir.

What is your vision for your life?

To glorify God in how I live and to be used to help His kingdom grow in Stortford, UK and the World.