What would you like to know about the Minister of Worthing Baptist Church? I guess that might depend on why you are checking out this website.  Here are a few Questions & Answers that might be of interest:

           How did you become a Minister? If you told me in me teens or twenties that I would become a Christian (let alone a Minister), I would have laughed. A barrister maybe (OK, I'd given up my dream of becoming a footballer or a rock star!).....but not a Minister. In actual fact, I was a Probation Officer for about 16 years. However, during these years I had the growing sense of a 'calling' into the Ministry. This was tested over a number of years at my previous church (Upper Beeding)...I eventually applied for a place at Spurgeons Bible College...I then completed my Theology Degree there & I was ordained 2 years ago.

         How did you become a Christian? I actually dismissed Christianity as being 'outdated & irrelevant' for many years, trying to find my  ‘meaning for life’ in a variety of ways e.g. travelling all over the world, various sports (Karate, scuba diving, skiing, squash, running etc), by studying (Sociology, Psychology etc) and through exploring various other religions. Having come to a number of 'dead ends' on these paths, I then started dipping in  to church about 17 years ago and, to my surprise, I became a Christian whilst on an 'Alpha Course' (not as surprised as my wife was! She did become a Christian a year or so afterwards).

         What kind of Minister are you? An imperfect one! But I do have a passion for God...I believe that I am very sincere.....I care about people.....I love the Bible (and preaching)....I'm prayerful....I have a sense of humour....I love to see Christians becoming more passionate about their faith & I love to see people coming to faith.

         What challenges do you think that the church faces in the West in the 21st Century? Well, for starters, I still believe with all my heart that Christians do hold THE 'good news' that everyone needs to hear (The Gospel of Jesus Christ)....I also believe that many people who don't know this 'good news' are searching for 'the meaning of life’ in one way or another (like I was), their sensing that there must be 'more to life' than they are experiencing. One challenge facing the church is to show such people (maybe even you!) what Christianity is actually about without being 'pushy' or appearing ‘judgemental’. I also believe that church needs to 'wise up'  more to where we have let outdated ways of being church get in the way of our own relationship with God & where we are also giving non- Christians the wrong impression about what is really at the heart of Christianity.

         What else is important to you in life? My wife (Kate), my three daughters & the rest of my family and friends. My church family. I'm also very fond of our two dogs (and the newly acquired rabbit that I was pressurised into getting). I still enjoy travel. I also like good food.....sport....reading...the movies....music...the theatre.....the countryside & American jelly beans!

       What would you still like to do in life? Apart from seeing many more people come to faith & see many Christians grow in faith....I would like to: go back to Israel one day...go on overseas mission again (with my family)....visit Canada....a parachute jump (maybe!)....some more snorkel diving in clear blue sea (I've lost my nerve for scuba diving)....and lots, lots more!

Mike  Parker