On 27 July 2017, the funeral and thanksgiving service for Leslie Jarvis was held at Market Street Chapel, Hailsham. The chapel was full with family and friends from many churches.
The spirit of thanksgiving and worship, especially through the singing of Leslie’s favourite hymns, was a testimony to the grace of God in his life and a wonderful support to Leslie’s wife Nettie and his family. Jonathan Jarvis gave a message of thanksgiving and reminiscence on behalf of the family, Pastor Paul Relf gave the reading and prayer and Pastor Howard Sayers spoke from Philippians 4.
Leslie and Nettie were married in 1960. In the 57 years of their marriage they opened their home to hundreds of visitors and reached out by practical care and hospitality. Their garden provided delight and sustenance. Leslie was a keen gardener and beekeeper, and a very well-loved and admired husband, father and grandfather.
Enon, Chatham
Leslie gained experience in accounting and in the timber construction industry before accepting a call to pastor the church at Enon, Chatham in 1968. He guided the church for 38 years until his retirement in 2006, handing over to Paul Relf. During that time he designed a new church building and oversaw the move into the new location. He was active in committee work for, among others, the Sovereign Grace Union and Ministers’ Help Society. He took a particular interest in the work of Grace Baptist Mission and in Christian Compassion Ministries in the Philippines, where he helped in construction projects including a residential block for needy children.
After Leslie and Nettie’s move to Hailsham and joining the membership of the church at Market Street in 2012, he ministered faithfully among many of the smaller and pastorless churches in Sussex and beyond. At Hailsham he and his wise, gracious counsel will be missed. He brought his many years of experience to bear on church life. He was a man of godly and earnest prayer, in the prayer meeting and in private. Men of prayer such as Leslie are a tremendous strength to a church and Hailsham is all the poorer. Leslie was also a great encour-ager to many in times of trouble, even when struggling with his own health problems in recent months. We thank God for every memory of a true ‘Barnabas’.
