Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart

When did you first become interested in music?

One day I heard my teacher Mrs Boulby playing during assembly at Bradley Junior School. The way she played gave me the drive to play myself. Many of the staff at Bradley were Christians and really encouraged me to try different instruments and to do the best I could.

Why did you first start going to church?

From quite an early age I used to stay at a friends house on a Saturday night. I went along to church with the family on Sunday mornings. My grandmother is a Catholic, and it was a struggle to explain why I didn't follow her as a Catholic. My mother isn't a Christian and wouldn't go to church, so I had to go it alone. My friend not so much took me in, but helped my faith develop, and made me feel comfortable in an environment which was quite family orientated. As I got older I used to sit at the front and watch the music group, really wanting to join in. It wasn't long before I began to play the drums. I am very grateful to St Thomas' for giving me drum lessons which really helped me with the basics of music rhythm. I know I wouldn't be where I am now without that support.

When do you think you first became a Christian?

I'm not really sure, I can't pinpoint an exact time. I think I was probably around 13 or 14, soon after I was confirmed. I sat behind the piano in church after a service playing In the Bleak Mid-Winter. It's hard to describe how I felt, but I had a really warm feeling inside. This is still one of my favourite hymns, and Christian music is what I enjoy most.

How did you decide to join the army?

The decision was very hard. I knew I wanted to take up a career in music, but there were two doors. One was to go to university in Birmingham, and the other was to join the army in the Corps of Army Music. After much prayer and advice from family and friends I made the decision to enlist. I'm not sure that God has made His plans clear, but He has given me options and people to help me, so that now I can worship Him in my chosen path of army music.

Is it easy to follow your faith and share your faith with your colleagues?

In the army a lot of people are Christians, so that has helped me both to share my faith and with encouragement. I find I push the thought of fighting to the back of my mind as that is very unlikely to happen, but if the time comes when I do have to fight, I will pray about it and hope that I will do Gods will.

I think that everyone has their own way of worshipping God in their life. When I play I have a strong feeling of fulfilment. When I play classical music I can close my eyes and just play away, really worshipping God, but when I play jazz music I am not so good at it, and I sometimes feel that I have let God down a bit. When I feel alone, homesick or angry I visit the army chapel and play hymns on the organ for hours on end until God has helped me through the problem. At those times I feel very close to God. I thank Him often for the gift He has given me. By playing I am thanking Him, and also demonstrating useful employment of that gift.

Do you miss the people of St Thomas'?

A lot has happened since I first became a Christian, and through all the ups and downs I have been emotionally and physically supported by the people of St Thomas', through prayer and action. Without that help I wouldn't be where I am today, and I appreciate that help more than anyone could imagine. Wherever I go on earth, I always have a strong homing signal to the people of St Thomas'. When I have attended churches down where I am based in Middle Wallop, I find there is something missing, and I think it is the warm welcoming nature of the people of St Thomas'. That is what I miss the most living down in the south.

What does the future hold?

Well, 2007 is going to be busy with work. I am going to Cyprus and Germany for six weeks in the summer, and there is lots going on with the corps' 50th birthday.

I am still looking for the right church for me, and pray that God leads me there soon.