Dave Reading – A Faith that turned from a Spark to a Fire
Early Life and Christian Foundations
I was born into a church-going family in West London. I had two older sisters, and was christened as a baby in the local Methodist Church. My brother, who sadly passed away in 2021, was born six years later.
From an early age, I knew the name of Jesus through my parents and grandparents. I was introduced to Bible stories about Him, and listened intently. My state primary school held daily Christian assemblies, and we gave thanks to God for our meals.
I later passed my 11-plus exam and attended grammar school, there Christian assemblies continued. On Sundays, I attended Sunday School and church services with my family, learning about God, the Bible, and singing hymns.
During my school years, they covered evolution. It was taught to me as the accepted worldview. This conflicted with my grandparents’ belief in the Biblical account of creation. That God spoke the world into existence and formed Adam from the dust and Eve from his side.
As I grew up, I accepted the evolutionary view and rejected a literal interpretation of the Bible.
Finding Personal Faith
I secured a place at university to study Theology, but stayed on at school for an extra term. Working for a few months, including an interesting time at the British Museum. During this period, I attended the weekly Christian Union meetings where I got to meet and have discussions with young Christians.
One evening, while at church, I found myself referring to myself as a Christian. I realised that being a Christian meant, what I had to do going forward:
- Repenting of sin
- Accepting Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord
- Following Him
I understood that Jesus died to pay the price for my sin, that I could not earn my way to heaven. That eternal life is a free gift through faith in Him. I believed in my heart that God raised Jesus from the dead.
By accepting Jesus, I was born again and received God’s Spirit!
On 23rd July 1972, I was received as a member of the local Methodist Church. When I started at university, I joined weekly Methodist Society meetings.
After graduating, I trained as a teacher.
Two years later, my fiancée and I were married in the Methodist Church in West London. Later we moved to another local Methodist Church when we got our own home.
Moving to the Isle of Wight and FGB
In 1981, I moved to my wife’s home village of Carisbrooke on the Isle of Wight for work. Shortly afterward she joined me there.
Around 1984, I was introduced to the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) through an outreach meal. This was about to change my focus and the job God had for me.
Later I joined the fellowship after experiencing, the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. Despite being around church my whole life, this was new and exciting. It completely changed my Christian walk with God.
In 1985, I was baptised by profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in a local school swimming pool.
As time went on me and my wife were blessed with two sons, born in 1986 and 1989. Both were dedicated as babies, and we took them on Christian family holidays such as Spring Harvest and Easter People.
Both of our sons later chose to be baptised by profession of faith in their teenage years. Establishing their own walk with God.
During this period, my understanding of the Bible also changed. I came to accept the Biblical account of creation as true, aligning with the view my grandparents had always held. A time of questioning my faith and worldview.
Challenges and God’s Faithfulness
There were difficult times over the years. I was dismissed from my teaching post. After a fight and standing my ground at an Industrial Tribunal, it was judged as unfair dismissal.
During this challenging period, the Lord sustained and comforted me. I was supported by my wife, family, and Christian friends. Knowing God’s strength could pull me through.
One unexpected blessing was being able to attend the World Convention of FGBMFI in Jerusalem, while I was suspended from work. This was an incredible event to be able to attend, and a once in a life time way to experience the FGB family.
This was the next step to my continuing involvement in the fellowship.
My FGB Journey - Travel and Ministry
Over the years, I attended several FGB conferences in England and Internationally. Including the 51st World Convention in Nigeria in 2004, where I met Christians from around all the world.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity - Psalm 133:1
Our sons grew up, married and went on to move abroad. Having success careers and being guided by God. Then in 2020 amongst the chaos all over the world, we were blessed with grandchildren.
More recently, I have been able to visit our relatives in Australia. This gave me a wonderful opportunity to again meet with the wider FGB family. Meeting FGBMFI leaders in Perth, Melbourne and Queensland. I also got to attend an FGB Breakfast Meeting in Perth in February 2026.
Wherever Full Gospel Business Men gather, the name of Jesus is lifted high.
I have been a member of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship (UK & Ireland) for many years. Following the loss of our much-loved local president in 2025, I became president of the Isle of Wight group. I am continuing the mission to reach people for Christ! To share the gospel, real life testimonies and being on of the Happiest People on Earth.
Up to the age of 25, and then with my wife, I attended Methodist Church services. We later moved to a Congregational Church, where our faith was strengthened.
In recent years, my wife returned to her Methodist roots. While I joined a small fellowship focused on revival – the Isle of Wight branch of Harvest Mission Outreach.
From my family and the Methodist Church, I learned about Jesus. In the Congregational Church, my faith was sustained. In my current fellowship, we are seeking revival.
As Charles Wesley wrote:
“O let me commend my Saviour to you.”
With FGB we are focused on outreach, meeting people where there at and finding engaging speakers with transformational real life stories.
The name of that Saviour is Jesus. ✝️