Dave Vine

1)Please tell us your name, where you’re from and which church you are a part of? 

David Vine, The Longcroft Christian Fellowship, Wirral

2)What’s your day job and outside of that what are your hobbies and interests?

I was a full time GP and senior partner of West Wirral Group Practice until I took early retirement in 2009.  I now do some part time GP locum work. I retired early to be able to devote more time to my work as a Trustee for IMP – International Mission Project – a missionary support agency working in more than twenty-five countries of the world. I travel to visit missionaries several times a year.

I have five children, four boys, one girl, the eldest being thirty-three and the youngest being fourteen

I love all forms of sport, especially football, cricket, golf etc!  I support Liverpool FC (and have more than a soft spot for Tranmere Rovers!) I support Sussex and Lancashire in cricket!

3) Tell us your claim to fame or something about you others wouldn’t know?

I had trials for Sussex schoolboys as a wicketkeeper

4) How did you end up in a leadership role and what’s your greatest challenge at the moment?

I was part of a small church at the Longcroft when I was twenty three.  It was led by a very elderly man in his eighties at that time and I set my heart to serve him and support his leadership. He began to train me up and was about when to bring me into eldership when I was twenty seven when he suddenly died.  I then was thrust into leadership by default as there was no-one else!  I have been in the church here now for more than thirty seven years and in leadership for thirty three years. We have a growing church with new young families and other ethnic groups now joining us. My great heart is for succession, to see the church continue to grow and develop with young leaders and a broader team.  We are well along that path in seeing it happen but want to ore and more.

5) Tell us what you’re reading or listening to at the moment? (What is inspiring your or what is God speaking to you through at the moment?)

I have recently really enjoyed the books by Eugene Peterson, the man who wrote the message.  I found his book Five Smooth Stones For pastoral Work, the best book I have read on the pastoral ministry.  I have also read several others of his and am about to read The Unnecessary Pastor.

6)Can you tell us what God is doing at the moment in your local church?

We are seeing a lot of growth with new young families and couples joining us. Some of them are young men and women who once were part of our youth group, who grew away from the Lord, are now married and have come back seeking the Lord.  We also have a lot of African families who come which is a completely new development for us as we do not live in a multiethnic area!

7(What is your vision/ hope for the future of the church you are part of?

To see the church continue to grow, to reach out, to send out, and be led by younger men and women

8)Do you have any wisdom that you would share with young leaders?

I think so but how to condense thirty three years of leadership into one sentence I am not sure! I try to meet regularly with some of the young men in the church on a one to one basis to encourage and direct them.  Humility, love and service are the marks of true leadership

9)What do you know about Passion for God and would you think about coming to Passion for God 2012?

I think I am fully informed re PFG and I am looking forward to being with you all a lot!