'God had a plan,' says pastor whose sermon inspired Sajid Javid to quit as Health Secretary

Rev Les Isaac (Photo: YouTube/TPi Zone)

The pastor whose sermon stirred former Health Secretary Sajid Javid to resign his post says he has been humbled by the turn of events.

"There are better preachers than me, but God had a plan," Rev Les Isaac told Tim Farron in an interview for the MP's podcast, A Mucky Business.

Javid spoke openly of the impact Isaac's words had on him in his resignation speech in Parliament and again in comments to the media. 

During his sermon at last week's Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast, Isaac spoke about the importance of integrity.

The prayer breakfast was attended by Javid and over 100 parliamentarians. 

Javid later said, "There was a pastor there, Reverend Isaac, and I just felt I was just really listening intently to what he was saying.

"And I know it sounds strange, but it made me reflect.

"I made my decision then, sitting there listening to his sermon, and I just thought it's about integrity, it's about a duty." 

Commenting on the revelations, Rev Isaac said he hoped it would be an encouragement to other pastors. 

"It's important for all of us as ministers and men and women who preach publicly that our words are not just good homilies or sermons, but God's authority, power and spirit at work through us," he said.

"It makes me think more about the need to hear God's voice and be a channel and conduit so that God can speak to men and women."

He said the need for integrity applied to all professions, not just politicians.

"Whether you're in the politics in the church or a police officer or a teacher, society expects you to be a man or woman of integrity," he said.

"What's on the tin has to be played out in private as well as in public.

"People say you have a private life, but it doesn't affect your public life, but when we serve the public, what we do or say, people will copy and emulate. It's important we get it right in terms of integrity.

"Jesus had power and authority, but he laid it down and washed feet and served."

News
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame

Over 323,000 people have signed a petition in opposition to new stained-glass window designs for Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God
Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God

Rapper Nicki Minaj opened up about her recently reignited relationship with God and what inspired her to speak out for persecuted Christians, suggesting that her rise in the music industry made it more challenging to maintain the spirituality of her youth. 

Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events
Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events

The Christian Institute has initiated legal proceedings against Keir Starmer in a bid to end civil service participation in controversial Pride marches. 

National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches
National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded more than £7.3 million to help maintain four historic churches.