Our church is pastored by Steve and Lesley Chaudhary,and their three beautiful children.
He was born in Southampton and moved up to the North East with his parents in 1975, he and Lesley met at school and the rest, for us, is history.
Here are a few questions that were put to our pastor so you can get to know him a bit:
You were born in the South, moved up North and are in Bristol now, how did that come about?
SC: Well, when you’re 9 years old, you don’t have much say in where your parents take you. Dad is a minister and at the time he spent quite a bit of his time ministering in the North. We moved up in 1975 settled in a good church and that’s where I grew up.
What about Lesley?
SC: Lesley is born and bred a Northerner although she has a bit of Maltese blood in her from her dad’s side. We met at senior school and were married in 1989.
What was your church like up there?
SC: Xcel Church is a great church and has some great people. I was involved in youth work and music and Lesley was in the choir. It’s a real lively happening church.
Your dad’s a minister, so is your brother and so are you; how did that happen?
SC: I just knew from my mid-teens that this is what I’d be doing, not necessarily pastoring, but involved in ministry. I followed the opportunities that came and here I am – it’s as simple as that.
Do you think that is partly due to your dad?
SC: He never pushed me in this direction; we often would talk about other careers especially during senior school. At one time I was going to join the Police. Between leaving school and going to Bible school I worked in several jobs.
You went to Bible School, but neither your dad nor your brother did, why did you go?
SC: We (Lesley and Steve) felt that although we were both working, for me at least it was only for a matter of time. To be honest with you, I thought I would start using up holidays and days of to fulfil preaching engagements but it never happened that way. There came a time where we realised that our time for ministry was coming and we just wanted to get prepared for what we felt we were going to do. We had two children and good jobs but it was just the right thing to do and the right time.
You went to a Bible school abroad, why?
SC: We actually looked at several Bible schools in this country and in other countries but eventually we settled on Rhema Bible Training Centre in the US.
How was it?
SC: How much time have you got? It was great! The teaching was so balanced and clear and the whole experience was great.
So it was good then?
SC: Excellent!
How did you come to Bristol?
SC: After Bible school, I started to travel and speak in churches, I got a call from the ministry I’m ordained with, regarding a church leader that had approached them asking if they knew of a young family man who had the desire to pastor a church and had a heart for the lost. It turned out that I knew some of the church from years and years ago. We were invited to preach there two week running and they offered me the position a few weeks later.
What are your plans for the Church?
SC: The first thing I believe my job is; is to feed the church of God, (Acts 20:29).
I believe I’ve got God’s plan for this church, which is written in our mission statement – “To build a strong lively church, strong in the Word and in its purpose. We purpose is to be a place where the gifts, abilities and destiny of each person can be discovered and fulfilled, we purpose to be a place willing and able to reach out and meet the need of the community with the intention of bringing them to commitment to Jesus Christ and then leading them on into a productive Christian life”.
That’s a mouthful!
SC: Think of it this way: Purpose – Potential – Passion these words relate, in my thinking, to that statement.
I believe Bristol is a great place with a great heritage, John Wesley, George Muller etc. and I believe the best days for the churches in Bristol are ahead, how far ahead is really up to the churches. We’re not waiting for God; God is waiting for us.
What’s your hearts desire for our church apart from the mission statement?
SC: My heart says we will fill our building to standing room only; go to two Sunday morning services and also a youth event on Sunday evenings.
I have things written in my prayer journal about expectancy in the people, great music and great songs, people connecting with God. Also the Word being taught in a way that is clear meaningful and helpful. Lives being changed by the power of God – people reaching their full potential. I could go on and on.
Who do you expect to come to River of Life?
SC: Three groups; firstly those who are not Christians yet, secondly those new to the area and are looking for a church, thirdly those without a church they call “home.”
What would you say to anyone who would like to visit River of Life?
SC: Firstly, if you have a church home, you should be loyal to that church and tell your minister if you plan to visit. Other than that come and see for yourself, we’re not “there” yet we definitely haven’t “arrived” but were on the way, we’re on a journey and God is working in our lives. As a church we have great future and we’d love others to be a part of it. If they can hook up with us and where we’re going great if not we’ll help them find somewhere they can.
Steve it’s been great talking to you, thanks for the coffee and for your time. I’ll see you on Sunday.
