My name is Anne and I have deep family roots in Govan. I came to faith through one of the first Christianity Explored courses run by Norman. Like many people in Govan, I had a religious attachment to a church but was searching for something more meaningful and personal. My son Liam had gone through the course and made a profession of faith. We are a firstgeneration church and I love being part of this spiritual family. What makes the difference is that I now have a personal relationship with Jesus, and not simply an attachment to a church.

Anne

God has brought me into a new season in my Christian life and I am both blessed and surprised. I just love our Free Café on the Govan Road. Every Tuesday local friends come in and we’ve become like a family. When I first talked to Norman I am sure he thought I was quite mad. What’s an elderly lady like me doing joining this sort of work? My eyes have been opened to the pain, difficulties and trauma many people in this community experience. I never fully appreciated that before. I’ve become a kind of ‘gran’ figure to the younger ones, and that’s so endearing! We share our stories, and everyone is loved and cared for. My life has been enriched, and my horizons have been widened. You think as you get older there will be fewer opportunities to get involved. I’ve found the opposite. Here I can be someone who listens, shares, cares and prays for people whose lives have been blighted by addiction, crime and trauma. I love this church!

I am Betty and I’ve been in Govan most of my days. I am an atheist and don’t believe in God. However I have watched the way the Free Church here have put so much love and care into this community and have to say that Govan is a much better place because of them. Norman the minister always has time for everybody and never turns anybody away.

(Local Govan Resident)

My name is Ian and I also have deep family roots in Govan. One of the blessings to me is that this church has a heart for the Govan community and is at the heart of the Govan community. We try to be available and approachable, with nobody being turned away. People here don’t just attend a church service, but rather join a family of friends, and one that is sensitive to and aware of the social challenges which everyone faces in the Govan community.

My name is Sharon and I recall our first worship service here in Govan. There were only a few of us in a tiny room in the Pearce Institute. We had no church Bibles, resources, or songbooks, but it was all really exciting. That excitement is still with us as we experience the faithfulness of God enlarging our sphere of influence, blessing us with answers to prayer, and seeing people come to faith and grow as Christians. Govan Free Church is the remarkable story of God creating something out of nothing.

The most beautiful people with so much time for others and the Community.

Hannah Fraser (Local Govan Resident)

Great people who look out for others always there if you need them

Theresa Beattie (Local Govan Resident)

‘My name is Robert and I became a Christian after being introduced to the church guys here in Govan. My background at the time was one of substance abuse. For 30 years I was addicted to street and prescription drugs, as well as alcohol and the buzz of housing scheme violence.

Prison was often my home. Today I am free from my addiction, and no longer in prison.

My recovery began when I understood that my addiction was not an illness, but a spiritual issue. Drugs simply filled a void, masked my pain, and dulled me to reality.

Christ now satisfies that longing, addresses my pain and gives me courage to face reality. This church has been central to my conversion and spiritual growth, and I can not imagine life without this my spiritual family’.

Since recording this testimony Robert was called home to be with the Lord. All over Glasgow people mourned the loss of someone who in the space of 4 years as a Christian touched the hearts of so many.

This is Maria who came from Govan and was part of our Church family for the final year of her life. Maria had just completed Christianity Explored before passing away peacefully in her home while reading her Bible.

Maria was a real blessing to us all, and is sadly missed, but of course she is now with Christ in glory, which is far better. We have been delighted to welcome some of Maria’s family to our church in recent months.