Dave Taylor
08-06 2023 22:25
wrote:
I first met Phil in 2014 when we moved to Swindon. Although we did a lot of things together through North Swindon Baptist Church and Swindon Night Shelter, first and foremost, Phil was my friend. When we moved to Swindon I had never had a close male friend but that is exactly who Phil became to me. He was a true friend, a trustworthy friend, a faithful friend who was genuinely interested in what was going on in my life and didn’t seek anything in return. Looking back over the years of text and WhatsApp messages just shows what a good friend he was. I found the text message on the morning of my first day in a new job in 2015 where Phil said he was praying for me; this characterised his friendship and the man that he was.
Early on in our friendship we started to meet up to read the Bible each week, which has grown into a deep love for God’s word in my life. He helped sow that seed.
I served with Phil at the Swindon Night Shelter, initially as a Friday night volunteer at St Mary’s Church and then as a Trustee. With our fellow trustees, we opened a shop on Cricklade Road and a Day Centre for the homeless at the Haven. We also regularly held table top sales to raise money (our double act was known as Dave and Phil on the till – as we took the money).
For a number of years, Phil and I led one of the weekly growth groups at North Swindon Baptist Church where we did life together and studied the Bible. I also recall the chats we had on our many walks around North Swindon. I am so so glad I met and got to know Phil and have learnt so much through our friendship. I will miss Phil greatly.
Dave Taylor
08-06 2023 22:25
wrote:
I first met Phil in 2014 when we moved to Swindon. Although we did a lot of things together through North Swindon Baptist Church and Swindon Night Shelter, first and foremost, Phil was my friend. When we moved to Swindon I had never had a close male friend but that is exactly who Phil became to me. He was a true friend, a trustworthy friend, a faithful friend who was genuinely interested in what was going on in my life and didn’t seek anything in return. Looking back over the years of text and WhatsApp messages just shows what a good friend he was. I found the text message on the morning of my first day in a new job in 2015 where Phil said he was praying for me; this characterised his friendship and the man that he was.
Early on in our friendship we started to meet up to read the Bible each week, which has grown into a deep love for God’s word in my life. He helped sow that seed.
I served with Phil at the Swindon Night Shelter, initially as a Friday night volunteer at St Mary’s Church and then as a Trustee. With our fellow trustees, we opened a shop on Cricklade Road and a Day Centre for the homeless at the Haven. We also regularly held table top sales to raise money (our double act was known as Dave and Phil on the till – as we took the money).
For a number of years, Phil and I led one of the weekly growth groups at North Swindon Baptist Church where we did life together and studied the Bible. I also recall the chats we had on our many walks around North Swindon. I am so so glad I met and got to know Phil and have learnt so much through our friendship. I will miss Phil greatly.
