Roger Smallridge
Roger
Smallridge
“
I remember praying that the bomber, with Hydrogen bombs on board, would not crash on take off as there were thousands of troops on the Island and only a couple of ships in the area.
I grew up in a Christian family and at about 14 or 15 I went forward at a Billy Graham Crusade meeting, to give my life to Christ. I soon forgot about this. I left school and started work before being called up to do my National Service (a compulsory 2 years in the armed forces). I served on Christmas Island whilst 4 Hydrogen bombs were exploded and 2 Atom bombs as well. I remember praying that the bomber, with Hydrogen bombs on board, would not crash on take off as there were thousands of troops on the Island and only a couple of ships in the area.
I was ambitious and wanted to better myself, I got married and we had 3 children. We moved around as I went for promotions, and I managed to purchase a 4-bedroom house in the country. I was happy. Suddenly my wife met someone else. The marriage was over. The house was sold and my wife cleared off with the children without leaving a forwarding address. There followed several years of darkness, when at times I felt all I had was my work. When I felt tense I would pop out of the office and go to St Brides Church and have a quiet time with God and come out feeling at peace. I slowly surrendered my life to Christ. My sister Pat was praying for me and we had many long chats.
I moved to Leighton and later I married again. Together we served in churches in the area.
In 1990 I was losing interest in my work as it was changing fast. Travelling for 3 hours a day, to and from work in London seemed a waste of my time.
I was praying that God would guide me as I still had 8 years to go before I could collect my works pension. Suddenly my company announced that they wanted to make several hundred executives redundant, a real answer to prayer and I took up the offer. I worked on the farm and enjoyed life. We joined Leighton Christian Fellowship where I became the treasurer.
My wife died in 2001. I was praying about going to Israel to walk where Jesus walked, to see Golgotha where he was crucified and to see the Mount of Olives from where he ascended to Heaven and to where Jesus will return. Terrorist were active at the time.
At one point, though I was in the bungalow on my own, a voice said to me “Are you prepared to die for me?” I felt no fear as I replied “Yes Lord”. So I went to Israel, with “Prayer for Israel,” trusting God but not knowing if I would come back alive. I had been praying for Israel for a number of years, having heard Derick Prince talk on a number of occasions. I met Linda there and with a joint love for Israel we were drawn together. After getting married we have been back four times.