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C BensleyCalled to preach
Charlie Bensley is a Fork Lift Truck driver and a Local Preacher in the North Walsham and Aylsham Circuit in Norfolk
Solid Steel
I was brought in a small country village in Norfolk where very few people lived. Agriculture was its main occupation with many folk working on the land in the beauty of the countryside. Many were lay preachers during my boyhood days. Listening to these powerful gospel preachers ('ranters' as they were known) was to me, a young lad, utterly amazing and exciting as they reinforced their message with many firm gestures every now and then they would bang down their fist on the pulpit desk with great force! Asked by one of these fine old preachers as to what I would like to be when I grew up, it was a rather loose answer. "Be a preacher", I said. It was a reply that didn't have any significant meaning at the time.

On leaving school I too went to work on the land and a particular Scripture verse would come to mind: "The Harvest is plenteous, the labourers are few" Matthew 9 v 37. Here was the spur to get on and do something in the Lord's work which eventually led to a calling to preach.

An unforgettable moment in my early years was taking part in a Camp Meeting with several gifted men (one of whom was my supervisor) standing on a lorry in a nearby meadow with many folk gathered round to share in the worship. The singing, which was led by the local Salvation Army Band, echoed around and will live with me always.

My early days of preaching meant hopping on a bicycle to ride the country lanes which led to the village chapels to lead worship. These cycle journeys were made in snow, rain, wind and also fair weather too. I remember arriving at one village chapel one rainy day, very wet and the steward kindly lending me his jacket, after making the remark that I was soaked through.

On another occasion having cycled there through snow showers, this particular steward remarked, "Didn't expect to see you today! " - there were only two in the congregation. My reply was "You didn't tell me not to come" (remembering the Methodist rule to preachers 'all preachers are expected to fulfil their own appointments'). There were not many telephones or faxes in those days either!

Now, having worked for many years in industry, life is so different. I am involved with the raw material of steel - unloading many lorries by side loader and then supplying the factory with the steel, which is eventually fabricated and made ready to be taken to the site to be erected, mainly for supermarkets and such buildings. Always before, there were a few Christian believers at work but most now have no faith and refuse to listen to the Good News. These folk know what I am about and, at times, ask a few questions. Some refer to me as Rev, (but that I'm not) only a working class believer who's ready to listen and then, perhaps, be of some use to the enquirers. At times it is very difficult to even convince them of the Saviour's love for them - their language and behaviour is not always of the best! I take comfort from our Lord's parting prayer to the Father for His disciples, "I pray that you take them not out of the world, but keep them from evil." John 17 v 15. The steel with which I work is solid and strong - my faith needs to be strong, too, working in such an environment. So it is "on Christ, the solid rock, that I stand". He supports me and gives me the strength to surmount these obstacles that daily surround me.