All the way my Saviour leads me
As I look back over my life I am deeply aware of the hand of God upon me. I was born into a non-Christian home in London. My father developed much of Streatham but when he was killed in October 1940, when our house was bombed, he had lost his property empire. The rest of the family were living in seaside Sussex. I was just old enough at five to be an evacuee in rural Northamptonshire. There I was befriended by a godly Christian couple who gave me a Bible, taught me the gospel, and prayed for me.
To cut a long story short, in late 1944 I went to Spurgeon’s Orphanage where I heard the same gospel. I was fortunate enough to pass the entrance exam of Reigate Grammar School. On the strength of my Advanced level results I was awarded a State Scholarship. I was accepted at Peterhouse, Cambridge where I read history.
In November 1949, I was converted at the age of fifteen, and a year later I felt God’s call to the ministry. After completing my degree I went on to Spurgeon’s College to train for the ministry. After three years as an assistant minister in Purley, Surrey I became, at twenty-eight, the principal of the Irish Baptist College in Belfast. I was tasked with drawing up the curriculum, gathering students, and gaining the support of the churches. After twelve years I went to South Africa as the co-pastor of Lynwood Baptist Church, Praetoria, with a special responsibility of helping African pastors to gain a better knowledge of the Bible.
After four years we had to return to the UK because of the failing health of my parents. After six years as pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Cardigan, my ministry changed direction, when I became Theological Books Editor of Inter-Varsity Press.
It has been my privilege to serve the Lord in many different ways and as I look back and say with Frances Jane Van Alstyne:
All the way my Saviour leads me:
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
David Kingdon is a member of the editorial board of The Evangelical Magazine. This article first appeared in the Caring for Life magazine.