The Revd David Laskey: 1936- 2025
'A gentle man, a man of wisdom and grace - I thank God for David, for his ministry and example, as a mentor and friend'
Revelation 3:20 – If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
David was my Senior Friend when I started in ministry 44 years ago. That translates into being my Mentor for more recent starters in ministry. A gentle man, a man of wisdom and grace, he was of great help as I learnt the ropes, as I was the youngest minister in what was then known as the fraternal.
He and Margaret welcomed Gill and I into the area of East Sussex – he was at Halton, Hastings and I was at Rye. Gill always thinks of David for his measured dulcet tones when he spoke. David took the dedication service for our Ellie, 41 years ago. Gill still uses the recipe for meringues cooked in the microwave that Margaret shared with her when we visited them in Downton. Microwaves were not something either of us had in the Rye/Halton days!
Talking of those days. We had the ministers’ conference at Arundel House in Brighton – until the nudist beach was opened opposite! And we enjoyed ministers’ Christmas get-togethers with games like ‘give the number in the Baptist Hymn Book of the hymn played on the piano.’ Not to mention being shocked at George Cummings cheating in the game of ‘recognise the items by feel’ as they were passed behind you and then remember them. Oh, what fun we had!
As Regional Minister, it was a delight to make the occasional visit to Rainbows to see David and Margaret at Christmas time.
Holman Hunt painted his famous ‘Light of the World’. It was painted on road to Bethlehem, inspired by Revelation 3.20. Hunt pointed out that there is no handle on the outside. The door has to be opened from the inside.
Back on 10 September 1949 David heard the words which inspired Hunt. 'If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.'
The verse was read at the evening service in the marquee at the Eastbourne Boys Scripture Union Camp on the Isle of Wight when David Laskey aged 13 gave his life to Jesus.
The work among children and young people often proves to be so very important. Commitment at a young age can shape their future lives. David did not come from a Christian home and was sent round the corner from his home to the old Victoria Drive Baptist Church building. The fact that his Sunday school teacher prayed for his mum when she was to undergo dangerous surgery in London and later the same lovely lady promised to pray for him every day during his National Service made a wonderful impression on him. Sunday school teachers and youth leaders have an opportunity to impact young lives, especially in today’s challenging times.
Although David’s official ministry followed ordination in 1972 at Crewkerne Baptist Church, prior to that he was student minister of the Corsham Group of Baptist Churches while daily a student at Bristol Baptist College. Bristol had their first ‘student Pastors’; David was the second and this was very helpful for students who had young children, as they had two boys, Tim and Andy, two and four at the time. Later the family was to expand when Rachel came along.
The group then consisted of the church at Priory Street, Corsham plus four village chapels at Atworth, Biddestone, Moor Green and Velley. He was in full pastoral charge and while their time there was challenging due to the predecessor, they loved their time and the people. David and Margaret have been thrilled to see what a thriving and exciting ministry they have there now, which all those years ago they felt would develop.
From 1976 to 1980 David served Buckland Road, Parkstone, before moving to Halton, Hastings where he served the church until moving to Downton in 1985, then moving to North Springfield, Chelmsford where David served from 1990 until 1997.
They served for five years in Worcester at Rainbow Hill Baptist Church, two years after his official retirement, and took the Rainbow name to their retirement house. David also moderated at that time at Alcester Baptist Church.
David loved to preach and in retirement amongst other things took many services within Eastbourne and the SEBA area where he found it good to get to know those regularly visited, particularly the Baptist churches, over those years. His ministry was greatly appreciated in the SEBA area.
David rejoiced in his marriage to Margaret and the produce of their love: three children with their families in turn meaning two grandsons, four granddaughters and four great-grandchildren.
I thank God for David, for his ministry and example, as a mentor and friend.
The Revd Stuart Davison, a former regional minister team leader with the South Eastern Baptist Association