JUNE 2008: A brave sea adventurer and former accountant who is now a Christian minister – despite being totally blind – shared his remarkable story at the Norwich dinner of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship at the Quality Hotel, Bowthorpe on Friday, June 6.
Not deterred by his lack of sight, Rev Canon Simon Stokes has even sailed as a bosun's mate on a tall ship across the Atlantic during a sabbatical break from his church work. He has also climbed 130 feet above deck to work on a yard-arm.
Family man Simon, now 45, also loves the challenges of serving the community. "One issue I'm passionate about is to encourage people to find real fulfilment and excitement – to discover how the love of God can transform each of us."
Today, Simon leads the Bowthorpe Church, which serves the growing community as a pioneering partnership between four denominations: Anglican, Baptist, Methodist and the United Reformed churches.
He finds it the greatest compliment is when people say, "Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot you were blind - so they see me as an individual, not me as a blind minister."
The monthly FGB dinners at the Quality Hotel, 2 Barnard Road, Norwich, NR5 9JB, cost £12.50. Time: 7 for 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome.
Visitors are welcome after the dinner at 8.30pm with no charge, but please book.
