On Friday night our church played host to "An Evening with Paul Jones and Fiona Hendley" which I went to but the wife was stuck at home with sick children! Jones, the singer, actor, TV and Radio presenter has been in the public eye for four decades while his wife, Fiona is a very successful and accomplished stage actress and singer. They came to our church to share something of their life and also their Christian faith.
Jones recalled with wry amusement that he was so well known as a militant atheist that the BBC chose him to debate against Christianity versus Cliff Richard. Jones admitted that he went all out not merely to win the debate but to utterly humiliate his opponent! His atheism began to collapse because of spiritual experience he had visiting art galleries whilst touring from city to city with his Blues Band. For her part, Fiona was opposed to Christian faith but instead was interested in all kinds of mystic and occult activities.
They told the story how, just after Paul's experience in the art galleries, Fiona had visited a church (All Soul's Langham Place) simply for aesthetic reasons, as it adjacent to the BBC where she had been working. While admiring the place she discovered a Bible and began reading - and was arrested by the message of Jesus. This led them both together to start seriously investigating the Christian faith and searching for answers, with the help of the church. They actually became Christians at an event which (ironically) Cliff Richard invited them to.
They spoke about the changes that this has brought to their lives, and spoke with remarkable joy and enthusiasm about their experience of the presence and leading of God in their lives, and the sure and certain hope of eternal life that it brings. I've been to a few events at which well-known Christians have spoken, and have usually been rather bored with the obvious self-promotion going on. Not at this event! Paul Jones and Fiona Hendley are clearly captivated by the message of the Bible and eager to share it. It was strangely refreshing to hear a basic gospel message again - as so much of what I am involved in church-wise is complex and nuanced issues of hermeneutics, exegesis, ethics and mundane organisational stuff.
J
ones and Hendley sang a few songs together too (they met playing lead romantic roles opposite each other on the west-end stage). Fortunately however, he didn't do-wah-diddy at any point.
ones and Hendley sang a few songs together too (they met playing lead romantic roles opposite each other on the west-end stage). Fortunately however, he didn't do-wah-diddy at any point.
On this night my sole involvement was car-park duty, for which I was provided with a rather groovy day-glow yellow jacket. I have to say, I am amazed at how little control some well-known members of our church have over their vehicles!
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