My previous post about Aldingbourne mentioned that Pete Greig picked us up at the airport. Pete is the accidental founder of 24-7 Prayer. I love the idea of being an accidental founder … it’s much more realistic than most founders are willing to admit!
Sammy, Pete, Jedd, me, Kevin, at the Eagle & Child
Anyway, Pete met us at the airport and spent a couple of days with us as we explored Southern England. But he also took us to Oxford and introduced us to some of his 24-7 Prayer friends. They were having a gathering of UK leaders and it seemed the perfect way for us to hear about the work they are doing.
Most of us in America equate European faith as cold, empty and liturgical. We view it as old world, versus our new world. Spending a few hours with the 24-7 Prayer folks will change your mind about that. They are vibrant, excited, intelligent, and visionary. Jedd, Kevin and I felt welcomed and embraced in our short visit. We heard about the amazing things they are doing around the world, from Spain to Japan. It was encouraging.
Another great thing about this event is that we were able to meet Pete’s wife, Sammy. With a bright smile and warm embrace, Sammy is the kind of person who immediately becomes a friend.
Oxford
Sammy and Pete took us to lunch at The Eagle and Child, which is where the Inklings spent their time. We sat at the table where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien discussed … well, probably everything. Now think about that: you all know how much I love to read and collect books, and you add in my two English major traveling companions, and what you have are three Americans who could not be more in love with literature. We had a blast!
Pete and Sammy headed home after lunch, so the three of us explored Oxford on our own. What a gorgeous town. The architecture is beautiful, and the people … well, I could sit and people watch all day in Oxford. Each one seems like they have a brilliant story or a brilliant future.
In the late afternoon we left Oxford and headed to Stonehenge. It’s fun and well worth seeing; such an odd site to see alongside the freeway! But, obviously, it is no match for the vibrancy of a university town. Stonehenge reminded me of the earlier impression of faith in Europe that I mentioned: cold and empty. It is a worthy contrast to the folks at 24-7, who were warm and flowing over with eager anticipation. I’ll take the energized group of young people over the pile of cold rocks any day.