‘I’m forever a learner’ — Sara’s Story

Hi Sara, Can you start by telling us about your childhood?

I was born in Enfield, North London. My parents told me it was snowing, and that ‘Hit me with your Rhythm Stick’ was number one in the charts. One family member gave my parents a folding metal vegetable steamer as a baby gift, which they have to this day. A strange, but very well-used gift.

My mum is Iranian. Her name is Fereshteh, which means Angel. She was the first one in our family to become a Christian. My dad is English, and I have one sister who is 13 months younger than me; we are very close. She is married with two boys.

We lived in Milton Keynes during my early childhood, and I have great memories of learning to roller skate and horse ride. We moved to North Wales when I was 10. My parents bought a Bed and Breakfast in Rhyl, and then a Hotel in Llandudno, where I helped out in the holidays. I loved Llandudno, the hotel was on the Great Orme and overlooked the sea. When I was 12 my parents bought me a horse called Barney. He was the love of my life during my teenage years.

How did you become a Christian and when were you baptised?

To answer this question, I need to start by sharing a little bit about my Mum’s story, as she has been an important figure in my life. She is unwell at this time. I know that when God calls her home, she will hear, “Welcome in good and faithful servant.”

We moved to Rhyl in 1989 and lived next door to a Christian family. They would come around and talk to Mum about Jesus. One day, they asked if we could have a missionary stay with us. I have memories of this lady and my mum chatting for hours. The lady told my mum that if she wanted to meet Jesus, she should read the New Testament. My mum started in John’s Gospel and after reading John 1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning”, she had a powerful encounter with God and gave her heart that night, and that’s how it all started. Over about ten years, one by one, we all became Christians.

When I was 18, I was studying a two-year Performing Arts course that I wasn't very good at. It makes me laugh that I played the Christmas Spirit at the Carol Service last year, as I’ve never had a proper speaking role in a play before. Anyway, a teacher at the time gave me a Christmas card and wrote Matthew 28:19-20 in it.

I did not know he was a Christian at the time, as he never spoke about it. I wrote to him years later to thank him and tell him how my life had changed, but I did not hear back.

It’s important to keep sowing gospel seeds. You might never see them grow, but if God wants them to, He will bring them to life!

At the time, I was interested in finding the verses. All the hotel rooms had Bibles, and I had one in mine. I remember I couldn't find the verses, so I asked my mum for help. We then read them together, and I believed, I just believed, and that was it. I had an overwhelming sense that I belonged to God, and He was calling me to know Him. I did not understand the significance of the Great Commission or God's calling at the time, but that came soon after.

I was baptised in Lake Bala with my sister, dad, and one of my Iranian aunties.

I remember my first Bible study with my mum. We read Jonah together and spoke about his calling. When we started studying Jonah in church recently, I remembered my early faith days when I sat on my mum’s bed in the mornings talking about the Bible.

Tell us about how you met and married Sam?

My sister introduced us in 2009. We were friends for some time before he wowed me with his culinary and DIY skills. At the time, I was living in Basildon in Essex and had a problem with pigeons, let’s say they were dancing a lot on my balcony. Oh, how they kept me up. Anyway, Sam kindly said that he would fix a net over the balcony to move the little darlings on. When he came round, my mum and neighbour were visiting for dinner. Poor Sam, he got interrogated by two fiery women. I’m surprised he made it to dessert!

Well, what can I say, he gets me and my eccentricities, and there’s lots of them. He’s so calm and patient, and we always try to keep short accounts with each other. But the best thing is that he loves God.

We got married 13 years ago in St George's Church in Gravesend. It was a beautiful day. At the time, I was a Youth Pastor for a local church, and Sam attended St. George's. All our family, friends and my youth group were involved. They were part of the set-up, the service, and the evening band, and two of the boys performed breakdance at the reception, and they helped serve the food. It was great!

What jobs have you had since leaving school?

Well, first off, I have very patient parents! After leaving school, I thought I wanted to work in Forestry, so I studied a course in Forestry and Rural Skills. After a year of driving tractors and using chainsaws, I decided it was not for me. I then studied a two-year Performing Arts Course, but that also was not for me as I did not show any talent. “You dance like you’re wearing wellies,” one teacher said, and “how about doing the props?”

While I was in my second year, I joined the Police as a Special. After the drama course finished, I got a part-time job as a Police Station Assistant, worked in a music shop, and did some college courses.

Thank God that He got hold of me, started me on a new journey, and gave me a purpose. In 2000, I attended Bible College and completed a Biblical Theology Degree and a Christian Ministry Diploma, then served in ministry/Christian work for over 10 years as a Youth Pastor/Youth Worker. I also gained a Youth and Community Work qualification in 2011. I now work for a grant-giving charity in Barnet, North London. We did live in France for two years between 2016-18, but that’s a story for another time.

How long have you been living in the village of Standon?

We’ve lived in Standon for four years. We’re renovating our 1930s cottage. It’s hard work, and I’ve only cried twice over not having hot water and a few flooding incidents. Is the end in sight? Yes, maybe in another two years we think. There’s plenty of dust to come in the meantime.

How long have you been at BSBC?

We started attending in August last year and became members in December. From the moment we arrived, it felt like home. We had a lovely welcome. After a few weeks, we joined Neil and Suzie’s home group, which we really enjoy. I feel ready to be guided into the right ministries when the time is right.

What roles have you had within Church life?

After Bible College, my first church position was serving as an Assistant Minister in Surrey. This was a three-year training position, and I served across youth, seniors, families, and other ministries. I then moved to Essex, where I was the Lead Youth Worker for a Christian charity. I worked with local churches, ran youth clubs, and delivered Christian sessions in schools. I was then invited to join a large church in Kent to be their Youth Pastor. I have so many stories and have learnt so much.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I love being outside, walking Lexi, our mad hound, gardening with my overprotective cat Stripe, growing vegetables, attempting to get fit, and doing upcycling projects. I’m currently turning an old wooden playhouse into an activity area for my chickens. I have learnt how to use a few power tools, and I’m now able to keep my eyes open, which is pretty important one might say.

What are your plans for the future?

Sam and I started a craft company just before COVID, where we taught bookbinding, leatherwork, blacksmithing, and delivered bespoke craft courses. COVID slowed us down, and we had to pause it while we moved to Standon to be closer to our day jobs. We also had to support my parents while they were unwell in the past few years. We would love to get our craft company back up and running. It’s so rewarding to see people learn and develop new and old skills.

I’m also looking forward to getting involved at Church and seeing where God wants me to use my gifts and what new ones he’ll develop. I’m forever a learner.