Graham Dacre tells of mistakes and Bluetooth God 

High-profile Norfolk entrepreneur and evangelist, Graham Dacre, returned to Norwich recently to tell his life story, some of the mistakes he has made and what he has learnt from them. Keith Morris reports.

Speaking to a 100-strong audience at the Norwich FGB Christmas dinner at the Mercure Hotel in Norwich on December 12, Graham said he has lived in Norfolk for 50 years before moving to London seven years ago, following a divorce.

On his way to becoming a phenomenally successful car dealer, Graham said his life was changed when church pastor Sedley Pimlott came into the garage he was working in to buy a car.

Graham was invited for a sauna bath at Sedley’s home in Hainford, in an old railway carriage that he had converted. “My life was totally and utterly transformed by the power of God,” said Graham. “Salvation dealt with my past, gave me a purpose and gives me a hope for tomorrow.”

But in 2017 life went wrong for Graham: “Seven years ago my life was taken apart by a divorce I never saw coming and I had to leave town. I packed two suitcases and left for London. While I did not instigate it I was undoubtedly the reason for it and I regret that.

“Sadly, as is often the case, it has affected family relationships and even today the heartache and the sadness is on-going. Sometimes life does take us apart, but Christ can put us back together again.”

Graham moved to London not knowing anybody: “It has taken time to establish a new life and a more positive outlook. I was 71 last year and had a really good look at myself and dug into my soul and I learnt some things that I wish I had learnt earlier in life.

“In past times I used to clip my emotions so that I never went up and never went down. it may be a male thing to do. I would never admit to vulnerability.

“I would rarely share my feelings and I did not realise that I needed to be aware of the feelings of others, because I always made decisions in my head rather than in my heart.

“In the book of James it says: ‘confess your faults to one another that you may be healed’. Now I am far more willing to admit to my faults,” said Graham. “Today I am willing to learn from my emotions rather than packing them away and saying I don’t have any.

“I have learnt that my God is faithful and he still loves me despite my sins and faults. He not only loves me but he also forgives me.

“When I left Norwich, I thought how can I ever again preach in a church or lead people to Christ? But I do still do that and it is my joy,” said Graham.

Talking about a contemporary God, Graham explained:  “In times past I did not know that when God created me he placed a mobile phone in my heart. And I did not know that to activate it I needed a service provider. Some years ago, Jesus became my service provider and gave me access to God the Father. A relationship is available to all who download the Jesus App but just like any other App you first have to accept the terms and conditions. Some people don’t want to do that.

“In my relationship with Jesus I now enjoy Bluetooth access to God the Father.

“Reading the Bible charges my mobile phone as does talking to others about my Christian faith. It also gets charged up when I go to church or pray. God operates the largest mobile phone network in the entire galaxy. Not only can I talk to Him but He also talks to me through His Holy Spirit,” said Graham.

Extending the analogy, Graham said: “God understands every language and dialect. He answers every call immediately and simultaneously. Calls and data are free and you don’t get any roaming charges either.

“He has a five-star customer satisfaction rating, his customer services department is open 24/7, including Christmas and you can get his number direct from Jesus,” he said.

“I am not religious, I cannot stand religion, said Graham. “Religion is what man made out of Christianity. I do relationships, as does Jesus. You must let hope not hurt shape your future. My hope comes from knowing Jesus, the creator God.”

Read our previous story about Graham.

Picture of Graham Dacre during the J John interview, courtesy of the Philo Trust.