Former Chelsea, Newcastle, QPR, Bournemouth, Gillingham and Charlton footballer Gavin Peacock to give Lent Lecture at Bishop's Stortford College
Bishop's Stortford College is hosting a series of Lent lectures in March – including one by former professional footballer and TV and radio pundit Gavin Peacock about his journey from pitch to pulpit.
Ian Morris, chaplain at the Maze Green Road private school, said the free series of four successive Wednesday talks, sponsored by Bishop's Stortford Vineyard Church, would focus on "seeking truth in a post-truth world" from a Christian perspective.
Each lecture will look at one of four of today's big issues: success, science, love and sexuality, and faith.
Gavin Peacock enjoyed an 18-year career as a professional footballer, scoring 108 goals in 557 appearances as a midfielder and striker from 1984 to 2002.
He began and ended his career with Queen's Park Rangers. In between, he played in the Premier League for Newcastle United and Chelsea, and in the Football League for Gillingham, Bournemouth and Charlton Athletic.
Gavin joined Chelsea in 1993 as one of player-manager Glenn Hoddle's first signings for the Stamford Bridge club. He played in the 1994 FA Cup final against Manchester United. With the score at 0-0 just before half time, he hit the crossbar from 25 yards. United went on to win 4-0. In all he played over 100 times for the Blues.
After hanging up his boots, his success in the soccer spotlight continued through TV and radio work for the BBC as a pundit, commentator and presenter.
He started attending church at 18 and soon afterwards became a Christian. Near the end of his career and when he retired he began preaching in his local church in Wilmington, Kent.
In December 2006, three months after starting theology studies in Cambridge, he presented a feature about faith in the game on Football Focus. He also presented Songs of Praise in February 2008.
After completing his TV punditry duties at Euro 2008, he moved to Canada for a three-year masters course in divinity with the intention of becoming a minister. He is currently a pastor in Calgary.
The 54-year-old married father of two has authored books on marriage and the family, and speaks internationally on these issues. His autobiography, A Greater Glory: From Pitch To Pulpit, was published in May last year. Signed copies will be on sale at his hour-long lecture on Wednesday March 2 at 5pm.
On Wednesday March 9, Dr Lesley Gray's subject will be Seeking Truth: In Science. The scientist and teacher, having previously worked with the Faraday Institute's God and the Big Bang Project, will present how scientific truths have led her to the conclusion that the best explanatory hypothesis for the universe and intelligent life is a creator rather than blind chance.
Andy Robinson, pastor at Woodstock Baptist Church, Oxford, will tackle Love and Sexuality – a topic that has threatened to tear apart Christianity and arouses great passions – in his lecture on Wednesday March 16.
He is also a training director of Living Out and will share his own experiences of being gay and a Christian. His story is a personal journey of discovery and will cover how he has found Jesus to value all people, his teaching on sexuality and the possibility of finding an identity that is deeper than sexuality.
Seeking Truth: In Faith on March 23 will feature Dr Amy Orr-Ewing. She is an international speaker, author and theologian who addresses the deep questions of the day with meaningful answers found in Christianity. She will explore the nature of faith including its intellectual foundations and potential.
Tickets are free for the sessions in the Memorial Hall from 5pm to 6pm, but spaces are limited. Scan the QR code on posters to book or see https://www.bishopsstortfordcollege.org/18037/lent-lectures.
