Pastor - Nigel Heath

How do I describe myself?  Probably best in terms of my relationships.  I am a husband to Elizabeth and a father to two sons, David and Alastair.  As a Christian I am also a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ of whom I am also a disciple.  My personal goal in life is to mature as a Christian with the passing of time.  I was converted to Christianity in the autumn of 1972 through Christians who spoke to me and who challenged the sincerity of my idealistic, hippy lifestyle.  Convinced that only Jesus could really change the world through those who followed him as disciples I prayed, asking forgiveness and committing my life to Jesus Christ as Lord.  My immediate, deep experience of the power of God changed me forever and changed the direction of my life.

My main career interest before going into full-time Christian work was the TV repair trade. Having worked as a bench technician for a couple of years I at last gave way to a nagging sense of call and applied to Bible College.  A lot can happen in four years and so by January 1980 I was qualified, married, had a 3 month old son and was working in Nigeria at a mission hospital.  Liz and I spent four years in Nigeria before returning to Scotland to enter Baptist ministry after a further year of Bible College preparation.  We served for 10 years in Abbeyhill Baptist Church in Edinburgh and have been at Westwood Baptist Church for over 11 years now.

I have loads of hobbies but little time to enjoy them: fishing, hill walking, chess, football and ebay!  I read more for work than for pleasure.  I’ve seen the difference Jesus can make in the lives of individuals, couples, families and communities.  I’m passionate about making Jesus known to others so that they can too discover God in life-changing ways.  Yes, Christians can be confident of going to heaven when they die, not because of any good they have done, but because Jesus has made the way for us through the cross.  But Jesus also said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10), and that means discovering incredible quality of life now through a relationship with God.  That’s why I continue to do what I’ve been doing for the last 27 years as a full-time Christian worker.

Nigel Heath

2007

“I have come that they may have life, ...

...and have it to the full.”

- Jesus (NIV)

Nigel and Liz