Brian was born profoundly deaf. He worked as a sign language teacher for many years teaching Level One and Level Two BSL. He was also a sign language examiner...some of you might have met him under very nervous circumstances! He is now retired.

In the late 1960's, not long after Brian married Janice (they were childhood sweethearts), a friend at work invited him to a Billy Graham meeting. Brian was sceptical about Christianity, and often mocked his friend, both behind his back and to his face, for being a 'Holy Joe' but his friend told him that there would be a sign language interpreter at the meeting and so he decided to go and see what it was all about. When Brian and Janice took their seats in the huge stadium, they couldn't help laughing. Brian was seated behind a huge column and couldn't see the interpreter at all. It wasn't possible to leave until the event finished so Brian occupied himself by watching Billy Graham animatedly waving his hands about and pounding on his Bible. Below Billy Graham was a huge banner which read...'Jesus said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father, except through me.' (John 14 : 6). As there was nothing else to do, Brian read the verse over and over again, and kept looking at the passion with which Billy Graham was preaching. After some time doing this he began to wonder why someone like Billy would believe all this 'God rubbish' but the next time he read the verse, it started to take on meaning. He read it again, and then again, until finally the Holy Spirit opened Brian's eyes to the Truth of Jesus Christ. Brian was later discipled by his friend and later still was baptised, and became a deacon with the DCF (Deaf Christian Fellowship) in Ilford.

Brian has been married to Janice for 46years. They have two children and 5 grandchildren. Brian works extensively with the deaf community at Goldings and is a leader in the deaf church, where his role includes preaching and teaching. He also hosts and teaches a house group and is a valued member of the Heavenly Hands Choir. You won't be surprised to learn that Brian's favourite Bible verse is: John 14 : 6

'Jesus said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father, except through me.'