Bishop Bob of Crediton “People don’t realise that Jesus spent a number of years in business before making himself publicly known in ministry” said Bishop Bob Evens when he spoke at a Hemyock Men breakfast recently.   “As a carpenter, Jesus understood what it was to have bad suppliers, late payers and miserable customers” he said.
He was relating his imaginative ideas to the bible story of Jesus’ post resurrection appearance to the disciples who had returned to their former employment of fishing.  “They were probably lacking direction, suffering a loss of purpose and deep sadness following Christ’s crucifixion and naturally returned to what they knew best” he said.  Even then they failed a get a bite after fishing all night.  “But there was Jesus meeting them in the workplace, giving them advice, forgiving all their failures and putting them back on track” said Bob who is Bishop of Crediton. 
 
Bishop Bob himself is no stranger to the everyday workplace.  He told his audience of around 40 men that his earlier career was in banking in the days when staff knew their customers by name.  Hemyock Men’s coordinator Steven Reed said “Hemyock Men were delighted with Bishop Bob’s talk.  He has a great ability to speak to men in a way which attracts them to Christ and makes Christ attractive.  He challenged and encouraged us, answered some questions of the heart and left men thinking about some important issues”.
 
Pictures attached –
 
1.       From L to R  - Peter Cook, Phil Nowell-Smith, Bishop Bob, Peter Reed, Malcolm Beal, Geoffrey Dearsley, Gordon Cooper, David Berkley, Steve King.
2.      Bishop of Crediton Bob Evens.