Gareth Bezett

So I've been thinking about doing a series on posts of people that I like. I was going to start with my wife, but after some recent angst, I decided to give the honour to young Sam.

For those of you who don't know Sam, he's one of these enthusiastic yoof types who takes his walk with God rather seriously. Fortunately, this enables, rather than prevents, lots of good times. I highly recommend a beer with Sam.

In the short time I've known Sam, he's been active in this thing we call Youth Ministry. I couldn't think of a worse calling and I thank God constantly that I am being put to use elsewhere. Youth ministry seems to be one of the few places where "pastoring" goes on these day. I think the rest of us could learn a lot about how we are supposed to be working with people, rather than just delivering programmes.

Sam is one of the best ambassadors for God that I know. He just oozes the sort of stuff that people want: something to live for. What I've really appreciated is our mutual dissatisfaction with the status quo in the church. I'm not sure that our various conversations actually ever produced any answers, but that doesn't mean that they weren't fruitful.

God bless you Sam.