Christopher Podger was born in 1934 and is the grandson of a missionary priest. His father died when he was only 7 years old and he was brought up in Somerset. Christopher did his National Service in the RAF and trained as a navigator. He tested his vocation at Kelham, with the Society of the Sacred Mission, but after a year he returned to RAF where he stayed for 27 more years.

He met his wife Hilda, a RAF nurse, in Cyprus; they’ve been married for 61 years, and have two sons and four grandchildren.

In 1982 Christopher began two years Articles in law firm and went on to work as a solicitor for 28 years in Farnborough, Hants. He retired to Chichester where he is a server and regular worshipper at the Cathedral. He describes what BRF’s Bible reading notes have meant to him over many years.

‘My mother gave me my first BRF notes when I was 14 years of age, over 70 years ago. I have used a variety of BRF’s daily notes every day since, wherever I was in the world. Reading the Bible each day with the assistance of the notes is part of my routine. I suppose I have read all the Bible more than once over the years. It is the differences between the different writers and editors that continues to stimulate life. I prefer Guidelines these days.

I am delighted that both our sons and a granddaughter also use the BRF notes daily. When our elder son is away at sea and unable to receive post, when a new set of notes arrives I scan the pages and send to him by email – so he does not miss a day.

How greatly BRF has developed over the years. Now work of BRF is concentrated on Messy Church, Anna Chaplaincy and other family ways of bringing God and his love into people’s lives. I shall never forget Martyn Payne talking about the work at a eucharist in Chichester cathedral. I am so grateful that now he is composing the weekly prayers. The weekly prayer update on the computer and the periodical Newsletter enhance my prayer and enthusiasm. The BRF Advent and Lent books each year are yet another supplement.

I have been most fortunate to have been invited to the BRF offices in Abingdon, to a gathering in Lambeth Palace and a day at Portsmouth Cathedral. These have strengthened my support of BRF and all its brilliant staff and my prayers for them. I thank God for all BRF does under the leadership of Richard Fisher.’