“We love because he first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19
Carol Wanstall’s story shows how faith can grow through the people we meet and how one friendship can lead to another. As people come to church, learn more about Jesus and build relationships with one another, kindness and encouragement can spread in ways that reach beyond the church family. It becomes a chain of love, with each person helping another take a step.
Finding faith
Carol was born in the village of Manston, Kent, on 22 December 1960, while her father was serving in the forces at an RAF base. She had two older siblings, Neville and Leonard, and younger twin siblings, Brian and Brenda.
When Carol was six months old, the family moved to Singapore. After her father left the forces when Carol was three, they settled in Marske, where Carol met Elizabeth Skelton.
At five, Carol wanted to join the Girls’ Brigade and began attending Sunday school at Marske Methodist Church. She became interested in God and wanted to learn more. She remained in the Girls’ Brigade until she was 18, meeting people who helped her greatly, including Pat Sivewright.
Carol struggled with friendships and bullying during her school years. Through Sunday school, Bible studies and the Girls’ Brigade, she came to believe that God could fill the emptiness she felt. Alongside what she was learning about God, relationships were beginning to take root.
Taking a step of faith
At 16, Carol left school and began working, which made it difficult for her to attend church regularly. When that job came to an end after the holidays, her sister Brenda invited her to Park Avenue Baptist Church.
There, Carol met Linda Wanstall, who led the Bible studies. Pat Sivewright was also attending the Baptist church by then. Carol learned so much about God that she wanted to know more of His love and be baptised.
Her parents were concerned and initially did not want her to be baptised. Linda spoke with them, and they agreed, although they chose not to attend the baptism. They were surprised when Carol came home wet afterwards.
Carol also invited Elizabeth Skelton to church and to her baptism. A couple of years later, Elizabeth became a Christian and was baptised too, with her dad there holding her towel. Carol’s invitation became part of Elizabeth’s own journey of faith.
Friendship becoming family
Three years later, Linda invited Carol to a church get-together so people could get to know one another, particularly Malcolm, the brother of Linda’s husband, Dave. Carol and Malcolm got on very well and spoke on the phone every evening at six o’clock. When Carol was 22, she and Malcolm were married.
Carol and Malcolm later lived in a terraced house, where they met Margaret and Peter. Carol regularly shared coffee with Margaret, and their friendship grew. She invited Margaret to church, and in time Margaret became a Christian. Margaret then invited her husband, Peter, who also became a Christian. Both were baptised and became church members.
This is one way relationships can grow in church life: a conversation, an invitation or time spent together can lead to new friendships and shared faith. Carol’s story reminds us that people do not have to arrive knowing everything. They can come, ask questions, learn about Jesus and get to know others along the way.
Love shared with the next generation
Carol enjoyed helping to care for babies in the church crèche and volunteered each week with the Good News Club. Margaret helped too, gathering children from the street so they could come along and hear about Jesus.
In these small, faithful acts, the chain continued: people sharing time, care and the good news of Jesus with others. As Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
Still learning, still growing
Three years ago, Carol began attending the community day centre. As people there got to know her, they discovered that she went to church. During quizzes, people often ask her to answer Bible questions, expecting her to know them. Carol tells them that she is still learning and will not know everything until she goes to her Father in heaven.
Carol’s words are a lovely reminder that faith is a journey. Church is a place where people can learn, grow and build relationships together, not because anyone has all the answers, but because they are discovering more about Jesus side by side.
If you have never been to church, Carol’s story offers a glimpse of what can begin with a simple invitation: new friendships, a chance to explore faith and the possibility of finding a community where people encourage one another. You do not need to have everything figured out before you come.
Loving Father,Thank you for Carol’s story and for the people who have shared friendship,
encouragement and faith with her through the years.
Thank you for the ways your love reaches us through others,
and for the hope we find as we learn more about Jesus.
Help us to welcome one another,
care for one another and share your love in the small, everyday moments.
Be with anyone who is curious about faith
or wondering whether church is a place for them.
Give them the confidence to take a first step
and the chance to find friendship and encouragement along the way.
May our relationships reflect your kindness,
and may the chain of love continue through us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
