Rev. Peter Jackson (1949-2006)

I received sad news yesterday. Peter Jackson, who was the vicar of St. Barnabas church in Leeds where I spent my teenage years, died yesterday after a battle with cancer. He was a remarkable man who greatly inspired me as a teenager in my walk with God, not just as a teenager but as Dad to my good friend Lee Jackson. Not only was he full of wisdom, but he was also someone that took risks and released people (giving me many opportunities for service that most teenagers would be denied), and a great encourager - a living demonstration of the spirit of the man our church was named after.

He'd worked as an electrician in Teeside for much of his life before finding God and training to become a vicar at St. John's College, Nottingham, and serving as a curate in York. After St. Barnabas he was vicar of St. Luke's church in Holbeck. He had recently retired, but kept active, living passionately for God, even urging others his age to do the same in a chapter in Lee's recent book "Cut to the Chase".

He was also the first person I heard really talk about Jesus films, whether it was joking about how Robert Powell never blinked, or discussing how films in the 50s only showed Jesus's back or his arms. He also published a review of Last Temptation of Christ when it was first shown on Channel 4. His review refused to over react, pointing out some of the film's strengths as well as it's weaknesses. I think that left an indelible impression on me at least.

He leaves behind his wife Avril, his children Angela and Lee, and 4 Grandchildren: Amy, Philippa, Lauren and Rhea. Peter often talked about Heaven, and it was perhaps fitting that I had been giving two talks on the subject of future hope on the day I heard he had died - even quoting him at one point. Two things he said stick out in particular. Firstly, how he expected God would point out various people to us who were only there because of our actions, and secondly, how he looked forward to playing his trumpet there. Heaven's gain is our loss.