The Priest from Pakistan

An incredible story of the transformative power of God’s Word to shape and direct our lives, empowering us to overcome every hurdle that stands in the way of fulfilling our God-given callings. Amelia’s faithful obedience is a challenge and encouragement to us all.

Journeying with Amelia, through the twists and turns of her life, I was captivated by her story. Coming to the UK from Pakistan, an arranged marriage, then becoming a priest… What an amazing lady, and what an incredible God! Inspirational, encouraging, exciting and informative.

The Priest from Pakistan is an inspirational testimonial story containing dreams and visions, kindness and grief, courageously and devotedly shared and expressing explicitly the holy intervention and presence of God in Amelia’s life. The awesomeness of the Holy One is shared in the simple manner it is experienced by the author.

I recommend this experiential book. It is a reminder of life’s wonder and frailty, yet God’s faithfulness and finality.

I commend this book to anyone who wants to know what it is to walk with God and follow His voice. Amelia has written an honest and inspirational book of faith and God's faithfulness. At times I felt deeply moved, and by the end of the book I felt as though I too had been on a journey that has been courageous, loving and full of trust in God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

This is a story of an ordinary person who, in response to Jesus, offers herself for His purposes, wherever it will lead. Amelia’s journey, in so many ways against the odds, demonstrates that the same Jesus who called Peter from being a fisherman to a leader in his Church can call anyone today into leadership if they are open to Him. Amelia writes with endearing humility, and as a result points to Jesus as the one who can do more than we ask or imagine.

Two different continents, two different shapes of church life: Amelia’s story binds the two together. By reading her personal story of how just one seed has germinated and grown, we are privileged to glimpse something of the ordinary ways in which the Word of God flourishes in very different cultures. Amelia’s warm-hearted story is very personal and yet enlarges our vision to glimpse more of the 'manifold wisdom of God' (Ephesians 3:10).

This is an inspiring story of the first Pakistani woman to be ordained a priest in the Diocese of London. Amelia came to the UK to be with her husband and discovered she was being called to ministry. This book tells the story of her courageous and faithful journey, despite her lack of English, despite having no role models or mentors, despite coming from another country and culture, to her ordination to the priesthood and her work beyond. This is a fascinating story of a woman determined to respond to the call of God, against all the odds.

This is an honest and uplifting account of Amelia's journey of faith.

Amelia’s book gives a fascinating insight into both the challenges of a family coming to faith in Christ from a different religious background and the cultural differences between East and West. As she and Stanley negotiated the challenges of life in the UK and Christian ministry together, it is clear to see the guidance of the Lord Jesus in their lives. Amelia’s ministry has touched many lives, and she is much loved and appreciated by people not only of Pakistani origin but also British, Indian and Sri Lankan.

Having read The Priest from Pakistan, I could feel and see the Lord working in the life of Amelia. She is a very humble and dedicated servant of God with a hope to continue serving the Lord and His people. Each chapter of the book brings forth a lesson for readers, encouraging them to be strong in faith, to trust in the Lord and to receive blessings with the spirit of acknowledgement. My heartfelt prayer for Amelia is that God uses her more and more for His glory.

Sister Amelia’s journey to ordination as Pakistan’s first woman priest is inspiring on cultural, theological and spiritual levels. This easy-to-read account is a crystallisation of a very difficult-to-live life. This faith-strengthening narration of a real Christian daughter’s experiences will find a place among Christian classics.

It is very interesting to read of Amelia's journey, and the varied cross-cultural experiences she has encountered. What strikes me most is her humble lifelong desire to get to know her Lord better, and to follow wherever He leads.

Amelia has written a fascinating account of her life’s journey from childhood in Pakistan to ordained ministry in the Church of England at a time when the CofE was grappling with an increasingly multicultural constituency and strong divisions over women’s ministry. By her own admission, Amelia is quiet and takes time to process things, and has learned over the years to distinguish her own thoughts from God’s 'small, sweet voice' speaking through different channels. Her journey has not been easy, but there is no bitterness, only a steady trust in God’s loving purposes. She touches on so many matters, including how to adapt Pakistani family culture to a British context, and how to share Christ with migrants to the UK from the Indian subcontinent, aware that a strategy for one generation will not necessarily work for the next. On these pages, Amelia shares her love for Christ and what has helped her to nourish that relationship. Regrettably she does not share the recipe for her famous 'Amelia’s rice'!

Pakistan, being an Islamic state, is predominantly a male culture. In the 1950s, women leadership was beyond comprehension. Generally, girls were not encouraged in regard to education, any vocation or employment.

'Can anything good come from Nazareth?' The writer comes from a remote area of Pakistan and was ordained as a priest in the Church of England. Though facing cultural shocks and other obstacles in the UK, she still believed that her 'dream will come true'.

I am so thrilled to read her personal story. Focusing on 'God’s grace at work' is the hallmark of the writer. God has promised that 'my grace is sufficient' for you. For these reasons, I fully endorse this book.

It has been a privilege to work with Rev Amelia and a joy to read her story. Amelia is just as you find her in her book: humble and self-effacing while filled with nugget after nugget of wisdom and courage. The story of where her passion to follow Jesus, perseverance in faith and heart to serve others has grown from is truly remarkable. Her book is gentle, and yet so important in chronicling her struggles and passion as she lives a life following Jesus as an outsider and a as a leader. Her vision of Jesus changed her life and led to her making a difference to the lives of so many others. I pray that you will learn from Amelia’s experience and be as blessed by her as we have been.

This book is a window into Amelia’s life, a woman born and brought up in a Christian family in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It tells the story of how this girl goes on to become a priest in the United Kingdom, and how the foundation of biblical principles laid by her converted grandfather C L Jacob played a role in building a life with bricks of trust in the Lord.

With each chapter and every word shining with grace, this book will help readers not only to grow spiritually but also to apply God’s word to their lives.

It has been an honour and pleasure to work with Rev Amelia for many years. Her presence was impactful in the shaping of St James’ Church, Alperton. Her meekness in spirit and her faith in God were her strength, which helped her work through all the challenges put before her. This book portrays exactly that, alongside her commitment and faithfulness to God’s calling. Her story will help readers to overcome their own limitations and will encourage and inspire those working outside their comfort zones.