Interview Inspired Podcast with Simon Guillebaud
1. What was the early years like?
Peaceful Ulster. Christian home.I became a Christian (age 10) knelt and prayed invited Jesus in. Mums accident - broken neck, multiple fractures right arm. Then Healed in 3 days. Mother in healing ministry. Mum travelled widely in the 70s -Praying for the sick. Vancouver Ern Baxter Christian Centre. ORU Oklahoma. New York International Christian centre - Ben Crandall. Florida Frances McNutt. Pastor Giff Claiborne LA
Quaker school. Active in Sport. School Christian Union. Christian Teachers. Miss Burgess. Christian friends - Brian Hanna.
2. What impact did the Troubles have on you?
Troubles: It was normal to have road checks, Control Zones, and searches on entry to shops. Bomb hoaxes. Train Portadown to Belfast pelted with stones at Lurgan. Christian Teacher: shopping in Boyds Clothes shop. Bomb without a warning. Miss BurgessOBE a survivor 2/11/71. 1000 stitches, Right leg amputated.
3. What was it like leaving NI for University?
Studies and sport and MIFCU, 350+ at Uni Manchester. Uni Mission. David Watson, Richard Forster, Alex Buchanan. Banter/ witnessing with Irish & Sport – Pete McGowan. Sunday Sport! Ian Pearson saved.
4. After University, what did you do?
Moved to Wakefield in 1977. Finding a church. Quickly settled into life of being a young 21 year old Christian in Wakefield. Many my age. Hospitality was good, invitations to homes for meals etc. Trained hard for hockey. Aspirations for GB. Working in Accountancy. Studying to be Chartered. Transferred to Belfast office.
1/1/79 ‘I don't know what this year ahead holds for me. There will be some surprises - I believe my hockey will be affected, maybe something to do with my legs.’
5. Tell us about the car accident that changed your life. How long in hospital? (8 mths).
A week away with Christian friends in Lake District. Hiking climbing swimming. Honister climb buttermere fell buttermere lake Hindscarth. Good QT by the river at Grange in the morning 30/5/79. Ps 27:4 Thing I have asked of the Lord that I will behold the beauty of the Lord all the days of my life… for he will shelter me in the day of trouble.
crash. Crushed. God with me my darkest time. Matt 28:20 with you always. Name of Jesus. Song of Songs 1:3 His name is like ointment…
How did your faith survive all of that? Held. Bible verses. 1 Pet 5:10 ‘and after you have suffered a little while the God of all grace who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore establish and strengthen you.’ 1 Pet 1:6 in this you rejoice even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials so that the genuineness of your faith being more precious than gold that is tested by fire may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Isa 58:8 ‘your light shall break forth like the dawn and your healing shall spring up quickly ………the Lord shall be your rear guard.’ All things work together for good…. Rom 28:20. Remembering Miss Burgess – a survivor. Training for Accountancy on I.o.W.
6. When did you marry? Tell us about Jennie. Do you have family? Tell us about that.
Went to USA 1984. LA Giff Claiborne prophecy – healing ministry and Lord has a partner for you. Met Jennie knew she was the one. Prayer, bible, worship – sister, friend, wife soul mate 3 daughters & 2 granddaughters.
7. What is the Lake of Tears all about?
After 10 years, lot of prayer for healing, prophetic words about healing. Conferences, New Wine, Wimber, McNutt. Mum Rita. Self Pity. Put on a show, all OK. But lost sight of personal Lord, every day God. IoW John & Margie Wells home. Alone in bedroom. Praying ranting at God. ….. Lake of Tears… Gethsemane…. Then soared over crater lake
Ps 56:8 ‘You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.’
8. You retrained for the ministry in Durham and ended up in Hospital Chaplaincy – was that always your intention?
No, I had a bit of a phobia about hospitals after 9 months in Hospital!
Ordained 1999, training incumbent Bill suggested I introduce myself to Hospice and Hospital. I became a Honorary Chaplain. It was highlight of my week.
You were in whole time Chaplaincy at Leeds – what was that like? Tell us about some of your encounters? Leeds Teaching Hospitals was great place to start as chaplain - it was a large team diverse, multi faith. Camaraderie good. 14000 staff, countless volunteers and 1500 patients over 6 sites.
Special encounters with Pam, Lindy, and Donald.
9. What next?
Moved to IoW. Lead Chaplain at both the Hospital and Hospice. Special encounters with Sandi, Gloria (‘Rev’ - Vicarage) & Robin ‘kicking off.’
10. What are you up to now?
Father & Grandfather – Writing testimony Lake of Tears & preaching & conferences etc..
