‘I realised God was real and that I’d been ignoring him all my life’ – Susie’s Story

Liz went for lunch at the Harvest Moon pub with Susie Roques on an autumnal day in October to discuss her life.

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

I grew up in on an arable farm in Cambridgeshire. My dad was a farmer and my mum a doctor. They are both now retired. I have an older brother whom I was close to growing up but he now lives in New Zealand. My parents are not Christians but I had a wonderful childhood and family.

Tell us about your education and time at university?

I did 5 A Levels and went to Emmanuel College Cambridge to study Natural Sciences and specialised in plant sciences. My university years were some of the best in my life and some of the friends I made there are the best I've ever had.

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

My best friend Karuna who I made at university was a Christian from a missionary family. She really lived out her faith and she and some of her Christian Union friends debated their faith with me. I was very sceptical about Christianity before university as I'd had a Churchy school background but there was a lot of hypocrisy. In my 2nd year, on 11th November 2003 at about 9pm, I prayed for the first time and asked Jesus that if He is real please show me. I then immediately burst into tears as I realised God was real and that I’d been ignoring him all my life and I felt guilty. I then barely slept for a week as my whole sense of who I was changed but I haven't looked back since. I got baptised in May 2004 at Eden Baptist Church in Cambridge. My family attended.

Tell us about how you met and married Neil?

Neil was one of Karuna's Christian Union friends who debated with me during my first year at Uni. Neil had an irritating habit of winning all of the arguments we had on faith. We were friends for a long time and we started dating at the end of our final term at university. Neil stayed on in Cambridge after his degree doing a 1 year internship at Eden Baptist Church. I did a Masters Degree near Ascot and also In Harpenden for Imperial College London, so that year it was hard getting time to see Neil. We got engaged in May 2006 and married in December 2006 in Cambridge just after starting our jobs.

What jobs have you had since leaving university?

Just the one job in Agricultural Science, full time before we had our children and since then part time.

Tell us about your children?

Neil and I have two daughters. Emma is 15 and Mary is 12. They are both enjoying their time at Herts and Essex school. They are also both very happy at BSBC. Emma got baptised last November 2024.

How did you come to live in Bishop's Stortford?

It was in between where we both worked. Neil's parents moved over to Bishop's Stortford too in 2009 and it is nice having them close by.

How long have you been at BSBC?

Since early 2007 after we got married.

What roles have you had within Church life?

I help at Toddlers on Tuesday morning. Recently I've started making the banners for our Church. I manage the creche rota. I'm on the Friday night youth group rota. I co-host a life group with Neil. I do a lot of Church baking.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Baking, gardening, and sewing.

What are your plans for the future?

Carrying on as we are in our faith.