My name is James Sercombe and I’m the pastor at Christ Church, Crickhowell. I’m happily married to Martha, a specialist health visitor in the valleys, and we’ve two grown up children.

I grew up in the Swansea Valley, speaking Welsh and playing rugby.  I was a regular at chapel but no angel and certainly had no intention of becoming a committed Christian – at least, not until I was very old!  In the meantime, I got a job, started life and was quite content with that, thank you very much.

It was after a new friend joined our church that things changed, and I started to think again. He’d recently become a born-again Christian, and would often tell me his story and answer any questions I had. Then I noticed the church sermons I heard started to bother me, worry me even. And then, I started to find that life as I knew it didn’t seem to bring the fun or satisfaction it once did, and despite doing all all that society told me would bring me happiness, I felt increasingly empty.  Following quite some time reflecting on what I was hearing and being ashamed of my wrongdoing, I turned away from my own dreams and ambitions and decided to follow Jesus for myself. I asked him to forgive my sin and give me a new start, and he did. To think that God so loved this world, that he’d send his Son, Jesus, revealing himself to humanity and declaring himself to be the saviour we all need. It was amazing finding out that having lived sinlessly, Jesus died purposefully and sacrificially in my place. With God’s help, the story continues, bumps and all.

After a few years teaching at primary school, I spent six years with a charity committed to help students think about the Christian faith for themselves, until in 2006 we came to Crickhowell. I count myself privileged to serve alongside a team of 30+ others here in Crickhowell, all committed to pointing people to Jesus. 

I’d be very happy to hear your questions or spiritual thinking, meeting up for a drink or a chat in town. You are also very welcome at our home for a quieter, more private conversation together with Martha if you’d prefer.