David Allpress has been an energetic, enthusiastic and creative force in our church life for many years. He’s infamous for his ability to get things moving for God’s kingdom, and for his gift of encouragement!
As part of our Lay Legends series, I caught up with David to find out what makes him such a passionate follower of Jesus after all these years.
David: My mother was Catholic with a deep Christian faith, outworked in all she said and did. My father was Anglican and as a family we attended Nelson Cathedral. The Cathedral Sunday School was led by Canon Bill Wilkens – who was also the diocesan secretary, at the time. Canon Bill had a profound influence on me. He emphasised that our walk with Jesus can be deeply personal, and this has been proven true in my life over and over again.
David: The good news is that we are deeply and personally loved by Jesus.
This has been an immense source of strength to me, particularly in tough times. I lost my first wife, Sonia, at the age of 49. Amidst the grief, I had such a deep assurance of Jesus walking beside me, weeping as I wept.
David: I believe whatever skills we have are a gift from God, and that we're called to use such gifts to build up God's Church and to serve those around us. I've found it such a privilege to assist with the financial governance of the diocese.
It's surprised me in recent years how incredibly blessed I've felt through providing chaplaincy at our local retirement village and care centre. It's such an honour to encourage the residents in their journey of faith.
David: I've worshipped at All Saints Nelson for some 35 years. It's an extraordinarily supportive and caring family to be a part of. During this time we've had five vicars and each one of them has brought such wonderful teaching and encouragement into our midst.
David: I recall a former Bishop challenging me to follow in the path of the character Joseph in Acts 4 who sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the feet of the apostles. The apostles named him Barnabas, meaning “son of encouragement”. I felt inspired to endeavour to live out this practice, but still struggle and wrestle with achieving this.
This requires intentional effort to lift, rather than criticise, nurturing gifts in others. The effect is profound: it strengthens faith, builds communities and transforms lives.
Check out other articles in the
Lay Legends
series below.
More articles in the
Lay Legends
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
David Allpress has been an energetic, enthusiastic and creative force in our church life for many years. He’s infamous for his ability to get things moving for God’s kingdom, and for his gift of encouragement!
As part of our Lay Legends series, I caught up with David to find out what makes him such a passionate follower of Jesus after all these years.
David: My mother was Catholic with a deep Christian faith, outworked in all she said and did. My father was Anglican and as a family we attended Nelson Cathedral. The Cathedral Sunday School was led by Canon Bill Wilkens – who was also the diocesan secretary, at the time. Canon Bill had a profound influence on me. He emphasised that our walk with Jesus can be deeply personal, and this has been proven true in my life over and over again.
David: The good news is that we are deeply and personally loved by Jesus.
This has been an immense source of strength to me, particularly in tough times. I lost my first wife, Sonia, at the age of 49. Amidst the grief, I had such a deep assurance of Jesus walking beside me, weeping as I wept.
David: I believe whatever skills we have are a gift from God, and that we're called to use such gifts to build up God's Church and to serve those around us. I've found it such a privilege to assist with the financial governance of the diocese.
It's surprised me in recent years how incredibly blessed I've felt through providing chaplaincy at our local retirement village and care centre. It's such an honour to encourage the residents in their journey of faith.
David: I've worshipped at All Saints Nelson for some 35 years. It's an extraordinarily supportive and caring family to be a part of. During this time we've had five vicars and each one of them has brought such wonderful teaching and encouragement into our midst.
David: I recall a former Bishop challenging me to follow in the path of the character Joseph in Acts 4 who sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the feet of the apostles. The apostles named him Barnabas, meaning “son of encouragement”. I felt inspired to endeavour to live out this practice, but still struggle and wrestle with achieving this.
This requires intentional effort to lift, rather than criticise, nurturing gifts in others. The effect is profound: it strengthens faith, builds communities and transforms lives.
Check out other articles in the
Lay Legends
series below.
More articles in the
Lay Legends
series are to come.
